PITT-STREET WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 238, 7 October 1891, Page 2

PITT-STREET WESLEYAN CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SOIREE AND PUBLIC MEETING.

Last evening's heavy rain did nob prevent a large gathering an the soiree and public meeting held in celebration of the twentysixth anniversary of the Pitb-streefc Wesley an Church. The tea was served up at half-past six in the Wesley Hall, and over two hundred sat down to the good things provided and _ presided over by the following ladies;—Mesdamea W. S. Wilson, W. Winstone, 0. Winstone, Craig, Crowe, Am bury, Parkinson, Shackelford, Prosser, Skinner, Berry, and Misses Phillips and Hosking. After tea, the public meeting was held iv the schoolroom under the church. In the absence of Mr Buddie, Mr C. E. Button presided. He opened the meeting with come appropriate remarks, and called upon Mr Ambury to read flic report for the year. The report commenced by thanking God for His goodness to the church, and stated that there had been an improvement in each department. Mr Berry's appointment had given a stimulus to all branches of the work. The Sunday services had been well attended, and on many occasions almost , every soab in the building had been oecu- | pied with attentive worshippers. A few 11 months ago the trustees decided that all

seats in the galleries should be opened to the public free of charge, and the result had been very gratifying. The newlyorganised monthly fellowship meeting was appreciated, and a considerable number had joined the church since the meetings ware started. The Ladies' Guild, under Mrs Berry, was doing good work, and the mothers' meeting was a decided success. A considerable increase in numbers was reported in tho Sunday-school, which was in a flourishing condition, and the average attendance good. Mention was made that tho spc.:!"'! ;ittontion given by the ministers of the c.mieh to the children at the Sunday morning service was appreciated, and it would be the means of binding the scholars to the church. The Mutual Improvement Society had a membership of 10S young men and women. At the weekly meeting there had been large attendances throughout the winter months, and the interest had been well sustained. .Reference of a favourable nature was made in the report to the organist, Professor Lambert, and it also stated tho choir had shown signs of great improvement under Mr J. li. Culpan, the conductor and manager. TII3 report further stated that the visit of the Roy, Mark Guy Fearse to Auckland would be long remembered, and that his sermons and Bible readings in the church were seasons of blessing to many who heard them. The report further stated that while Mr Berry's absence was regretted, all were well pleased with those reverend gentlemen supplying his place in the pulpit, and thanks were tendered to Rev. Mr Serpell and Mr Bcecrofb for their services. It was also stated tho church had to mourn over tho death of one of its best friends and respected ministers, the Rev. Alex. Reid, but ib was stated " while wa may not hear his voice again in the flesh, He being dead yeb speaketh." . Tho report concluded with hope for the coming year, and exhorted tho congregation to make suggestions to help on fcho work of God. In presenting the financial report, Mr Geo. Winstone explained that the statement presented did not contain minister's stipend, home and foreign mission, poor fund, and Sunday-school, all of which had been well sustained. The balance-sheet for the year ending September 30th, IS9I, showed the receipts were £354 Is Bd, the principal items being seat rents £163 9s 9d, and collections £152 13s 2d. The expenditure was £352 11s 3d, leaving a credit balance in. hand for tho year of £1 10s 6d. Interesting addresses wore given during the evening. Tho Rev. J. Ward spoke on "Church Life," which was listened to with the greatest interest. The Rev. Mr Simmonds gave a shorb review of the work in the circuit. Hβ mentioned that a candidate for the ministry had been recommended by tho quarter meeting, and further that the meeting had recommended increased lay representatives in the District Meeting and Conference. The Rev. C. E. Beecroft, of Opunake, made a lengthy address. Ho referred in feeling terms to the lo?s the church and connection had met with through the death of the Rev. A.Reid,andalsospokein a flattering manner of the choir. The reverend gentleman gave it as hia opinion that there was a higher standard of preaching in the colonies than in England, and expressed the opinion that Mr Berry's visit to America would be for tho good of the church generally. A largo and efficient choir was preeent under the direction of Mr Culpan. Professor Lambert efficiently acted as organist. MrEhneon sang " Arm, Arm, Ye Brave," with telling effect, and Mr Musker rendered " Nazareth." The anniversary was a complete succea?, and concluded with votes of thanks to all who had assisted, proposed by Mr A. Buttle, and seconded by Mr 11. Arthur.