ST. JOHN'S WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 117, 18 May 1892, Page 2

ST. JOHN'S WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The annual soiree and public meebing in connection with St. John's .Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby, was held last evening. The Rev. C. H. Laws, the new minister of the church, and Mrs Laws, were welcomed. Tea was served in the schoolroom, which was decorated for the occasion. A largo number partook of the good things, the tables being presided over by Mesdames Laws, Symons, Mourant, Butler (2), Goodacre, Main, Horsley, Blomn'old, He win, Patterson, Tichbon and Miss Ward, while Mesdames A. S. Russell and W. Thorne and others provided trays. Mr T. Allen presided at the public meeting. The balance - sheet for the year was read by Mr A. S. Russell, treasurer of the church", and showed the receipts had been £276 16s Id, and the expenditure (including a balance from la3b year of £9S 12s Id) £330 6s lid, which loft balance due to the bank of £59 10s lOd. The report read by Mr Thorne congratulated the Church on the 15th anniversary of the Wesleyan Methodisb services in Ponsonby Church, and referred to the death of MrsNowson and Mr John Close, two members of the congregation. The exodus of population had ceased to affect the services. At the last monthly communion service 77 communicants were present. It had been decided to commence the pleasant Sunday afternoon movement in connection with the church, the object being to benefit that class of the community who idly perambulate the streets on the Lord's Day. Thanks were returned to Mr Rowe for his services to the church choir, and regretting his resignation. The Sunday-school was in a very good condition, the attendance showing i»n increase on last year. Mr John Horsley had been appointed superintendent. Mr T. Allen, the Chairman, introduced the new minister, and gave an interesting address on American Methodism and church life generally, being observations of what ho had seen in the land of the stars and striDes during his recent visit. The Rev. W. Morley was warmly_ received He congratulated the circuit on having'such a splendid church to worship in. He spoke against General Booth bringing his over-sea immigrants here, and paid"a high compliment to the Rev. Mr Laws, and said the Christchurch and Dunedin circuits would gladly welcome him back again. The Rev. Mr Foray tb, who was a minister in Auckland in the days of Governor Hobson, gave some interesting particulars of church life in the early days, and the starting of the nrst VVesleyan church here. The anniversary celebration was a complete success, and ended with votes of thanks to all who had asßieted, and the benediction.