THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1118, 4 May 1911, Page 2

THE CHURCHES.

TRINITY METHODIST CHURCH, NEWTOWN. A SUCCESSFUL GATHERING. | Tho anniversary conversazione of the Trinity Church, Wellington South, wus held last night in tho schoolroom. It was i=o largely attended tilv.tt several wevo unable to gain admittance. The Rev. J. Ward, minister of tho church, presided. Addresses were delivered by the Revs. W. H. Bock, a former minister of the church, C. H. Olds, and F. Rands 'the new minister of the suburban circuit). During the evening soles were rendered by Miss E. Boxall and Messrs. Pitcher and Mr. G. Hoed. Instrumental solos b.v Messrs. R. C. Olds, C. B. Mackiutosh, and Misses Mnthcson and Henderson, refreshments were served by ladies of the congregation, and a collection laken up on oelialf of tho Church Trust Fund. The anniversary celebrations of this year aro, said to bo the best held for several years. ' The balance-sheet shows that the expendituro for tho year was .£450 odd, which left a credit balance of X 5. The report states:—Tho congregations have kept up well, though, with tho exception of the Sundav School anniversary evening, there has always been room for more. The membership returns for Trinity Church are l<9 full, 3 probationers, and 15 catechumens; and for the whole circuit, 212 full, 8 probationers, and S7 catechumens. Tho Sunday School has maintained its high standard of excellence. Several changes have been made in its leadership. Mr. T. Fathers, after three years of successful, surerintondency, took up pioneer work at Maranui, and with his teachers has succeeded in gathering a growing and promising school. Mr. J. P. Shand was invited to succeed him here, when an opening for a school occurred at Berhamporo, and lie entered it, with the result that in tint growing: suburb there is also a healthy and mcreasin? school. Mr. S. Phillipps and Mr. V. C. Gilbert were then appointed, the former as senior and the latter as junior superintendent. Under their guidance tho school continues its prosperity. l The Infant School has done well under tho care of tho Misses Elsie Boxall and Crewes. The great need is a larger and better-equipped room, plans for which have been prepared and approved. Before tho coming summer i.t is hoped this room will be erected. Already six dozen infants chairs havo boon donated, and aro now in regular use. The school numbers 2o teachers and 277 scholars. The choir has continued toJead.with profit the ser' vice of praise. After: three, years of happv. conductorship, Mr: T. Cooper retired, and Mr. (~ I). Mackintosh, a former conductor resumed control. Missionary work has not been neglected. Trinity Church raised last year for foreign missions .€l9 Gs. 10d., and for homp missions .£3O 7s 4d.. a total of .£49 Us. 2d. (a record); £16 ss. was raised for foreign and homo missions by the circuit as a whole. Several additional officers have been appointed Mr. S. ■ Martin has taken the place of Mr. C. E. Luxford, as senior circuit steward. 'Messrs. ,T. Castle, L. G Chisholm. J. Hick, T. Roberts, H. B. Conpsr, and W. C. Gilbert have been appointed additional society stewards; Messrs."'A. R. Hornblow, and'R. A. Ferguson, poor stewards; and Messrs. J. P. Shand amIA. P. \Vittey, society stewards at -Berhampore, for at its own desire Berhamnoro is looked upon a branch of Trinity. During the year the .Wellington Soiith and , suburban circuits have been lihited. This has been done : fa i-'-aid '-theioxteiifrion ef Methodism in tho southern part of'-tlie city and suburbs. ;■. This .end: has :!nlrehdy: been spcuml in part, for a-, "definite Methodist Church has been established at Worser Bay, where ■wo have ■ a saction free from debt and .£SO in hand. towards a neiv church building. A vigorous cause has been formed. at Maranui, where a : valuable site has been secured. An equally hopeful start has been , made at Borhampore, and what we hope .will, bo a successful churcli in the futuro .- has been restarted at Miramar. These, young Methodist shoots are all doing .well, and in them.three Sunday'schools containing over 120 scholars have been established. Tho Rev. R. .'.Richards, iwho worked specially in; the suburban portion of the circuit last year, has boon succeeded by the Rev. F. Rands, and'him'ire cordially welcome. Our circuit fund has not been as buoyant as wo would like it to have been. The extra work involved in the amalgamation of the two circuits and the occupying of fresh ground, has affected it somewhat, but this will be dealt with at an early date, and nut uoon a satisfactory basis, all being well. The year before us is full of possibilities, and we have great dreams concerning it. But to mnke .these possibilities achievements, ; and, these dreams facts, wiir ! irivb!ve',''mii'ch'. hard, self-denying, self-sacrificing'work: , Peeking our Master's guidance, and strength, we shall try to meet the , demand; and from this celebration go forth with a braver heart and a stronger arm,' determined to do our best. TERRACE CONGREGATIONAL. ANNUAL REPORT. Tho report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Terrace Congregational Church on Tuesday next states that the number of members on the roll is 133, an increase of fivo during the year. Seventeen members were admitted; nine on profession of faith, and eight by transfcj. Twelve names were reinov-' ed from the roll, one by transfer to a Congregational church in England, and eleven at their own request, and for nonThere was a slight increase in tho attendance' at the Silnday School. The number on the roll is 9.V, with an average attendance of 77. Mr. F. Mcadowcroft, superintendent, has with him an efficient staff nf teachers. At Chris-mas-time, as in former years, tho scholars with the Young Women's Club, entertained a number of poor children at tea' and distribution of gifts from a Christmas tifo. The Young Women's Bible Class also sent a number of Christmas presents to a school in Queen Charlotte Sound, which were greatly appreciated. The meetings of the Young Women's Club were continued during the year, tho interest being well sustained. The usual distribution of clothing was uuido at the beginning of the winter, and the club members and Sunday School scholars combined to give a tea-party to poor children during Christmas week. A successful sale- of work was held in May, with tho result that £31 was raised for tho Church Renovation Fund, and .£lO each for Home and Foreign Missions. A- syllabus of literary and musical subjects has been prepared, and is being carried out at the weekly meetings. The league met in the schoolroom ou Monday evenings, from May to November. The mejtings were of a devotional character, having as o central object the study of mystical, theological, and social questions. Tho attendance and interest were fairly well maintained, and the opportunity of exchange of ideas was appreciated. The amount raised for tho London Missionary Society by the church and Sunday School was .£lO3 19s. On account of the scarcity of suitable houses in the vicinity of the church and the high renls charged, it was found impossible to obtain ~a house for the caretaker at a rental within his means, and as it was essential that tho caretaker should livo handy to tho church, an opportunity to acquire an adjoining property was embraced. Tho building, which was purchased for .fiilli l provides a residence for the caretaker and a classroom for the young men. Of the purrhase-moncy, ,£SOO remains on mortgngo for five years at 5 per cent, interest. The finances of (he church, though not so good as could be wished, may, the secretary considers, taken in the aggregate, be considered satisfactory. Tho total amount, received was £%i. as under-.— General Fund, .£fioo .Is. 2d.; Ilomo .Mission Fund,' .£l3 7s. 3d.; Young Women's Club, .£52; Sacramental Fund, ,£ll ISs. 7d.; Renovation Fund, ..C33 10s. Gil. t Painting Fund, .£l4B I7s. Gd. Tho Genera! Fund account shows a debit balance of ,£3B 13s. 2d., being an increase in tho deficit of .£3l 17s. 7d. for 'Iho year. The weekly offerings decreased by ,-£ls 12s. id,, being a falling off of six shillings and threepence per Sunday; while tho expenses nf public worship slightly increased. This is :\ matter for regret, and requires the roro'ftil attention of the congregation; for, not only has the deficit to be made up. but a larger weekly, offertory than Hint of the past year is needed to carry on and maintain the oublic worshiD.

'Die rent derived from letting the schoolroom on week-days hns been placed to the Renovation Fund account. The cost ot sundry iniiw<r repairs, otc, lms been charged to it. and the sum of JCI3 17s. Slil. has bspn transferred to the Painting Fund, leaving a balance in hand of x>. ss. 3d. The cost, of replacing the timber found decayed in the church buildings prior to painting, nnd erection of now outbuildings, was charged to the Paiuting Fund. In the early part of the year the church and school buildings were thoroughly renovated and painted, at a cost of .£219 15s. 3d. The balance in hand was only ,£5."), su thai aii additional sum of nearly J;200 was needed. A meeting of tho Indies of the congregation was called to confer with the Finance Committee as to the best means of providing that .sum, when it was decided, that instead of holding a sale of work, it would be better to appeal direct to tho members of the congregation for donations. A circular was issued and collectors appointed. Tho result of tho appeal was XUB 17s. Gd., which with si donation of .£32 from the Young Women's .Club, and .£l3 17s. 9d. transferred from the Renovation Fund, provided the amount required. Thanks are extended to the choir and other church workers.