MORNINGTON WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Evening Star, Issue 11664, 26 September 1901, Page 5

MORNINGTON WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

The Mornington Wesleynn Church celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its foundation by special services last "Sunday, .it which the Revs. J. M'Kenw, M.A.. J. Guy, and G. Wairnvright officiated at various hours. The church was crowded with people on each occasion. Last night an " old-fashioned Methodist tea meeting " was '. held in the schoolroom, when the crowded tables were presided over by Mesdames Hendrick, Sandford, Frapwdl, Smith, and Moile. All these ladies were present <it tha opening of the church twenty-five years ago, so that there was a special appropriateness in their presence at the anniversary. The proposed plan of the new church, which had been prepared by Mr Annand (Mayor of Mornington), was on view, and was "inspected by many. A public meeting was held in the church afterwards. The Rev. J. J. Lewis, who was the first minister of the Methodists in Mornington, and is' at present in charge of the flock there, presided, while at his back were a numerous choir, which during the evening rendered *ome fine old-fashioned Methodist hymns under the conduct of Mr T. Holgate." The main features of the annual report, which was circulated in pamphlet form, are as follow:—"As the result, of the various committees formed last year, a bazaar was held in the City during June, which realised £ll7 5s Id clear. This, with the century fund promises, £IOO ; donations in hand and promised, £IBB 2s 6d; entertainments. £6 3s 9d, makes a total of £4ll lis 4d. Half the amount due on the section of land is paid off, and the trustees hope, with the results expected from this anniversary and the Christmas fair which is to be held in Mornington during the first week of December, to havo considerably over £SOO directly in view on account of the new church. The Sunday school, under the superintendence of Messrs T. West and T. Holgate, maintains its average attendance, the numbers on the roll being: Scholars 130, teachers 21. Owing to a much-regretted accident, the Sunday school, along with the Sunday morning class and other branches of church work, missed for some time the regular and kindly attendance of Mr T. We.st, whom we are_ all glad to see onco more amongst us, and hope ere long he will be able to undertake all his usual duties. The Mutual Improvement Society has been, since its start this session, a thorough success. With a membership of forty-three, the attendance has been well maintained. The adult Bible class, conducted by the Rev. J. J. Lewis on Sunday afternoon, has a good attendance of young men and young women, who greatly appreciate our pastor's services, the circuit roll shows an increase of twentythree on the year ended 30th June, the total number being 232. of which ninetynine belong to Mornington. At the last quarterly meeting- of circuit officials the junior circuit steward (Mr C. J. Payne) made a very liberal offer towards the circuit debt, on condition that it was cleared off by the end of the quarter. Active commit- , tees were formed for each part of the circuit,- and the amount required has been promised, "thus making the circuit debt, we trust, a thing of the past." The Chairman congratulated those present upon witnessing the completion of the first quarter-century in the church's existence. He recounted many interesting and amusing experiences in the history of the church, and mentioned that they had had amongst them at different times" in the early days many distinguished legal people, chief of whom was Mr Justice Denniston, who made his first public speech at one of their tea meetings. The growth of the church in Mornington was interesting to note. Starting in 1877 with 136 members, Trinity Church represented the whole Methodist congregation of Dunedin and suburbs at that time. Now Mornington Church alone hnd. a congregation of 232. He hoped that before long they would have a sanctuary is which to worship which would be a credit to the district and suitable in every way. In conclusion, Mr Lewis said that what delighted him more than anything else was the part he had been permitted to take in bringing the churches nearer together, and in preparing for the evangelical reunion that this century was destined to see. He would not purchase reunion at the expense of principle, but he believed that if the evangelical churches would come together it would mean the. downfall of the drink traffic, the doing away with gambling, social impurity, and political corruption, and the winning of the colony for Jesus Christ. The Rev. W. Seorgie delivered an interesting arid amusing address, being followed by the Rev. T. G. Brooke with a congratulatory address, and Messrs E. C. Sandford and J. P. Simon (two of tht; original trustees) with many interesting details of the early days of the church. The proceedings were closed with the doxology.