ST. HILDA METHODIST CHURCH.

Evening Star, Issue 12028, 28 October 1903, Page 8

ST. HILDA METHODIST CHURCH.

Twelve, months ago the Cargill road Mcthodist Church Darted a branch in the St. Krlda Town Hall, proriding there, under tho Rev. J. Ward’s superintendence, evening seryice and afternoon school every Sunday. This mission has prospered. The residents take an interest in it, and already talk of the time when they will have a minister of their own. For the congregation is increasing. So is the Sunday school attendance. East Sunday sixty-eight scholars were present. Side by side with this numerical prosperity there is marked activity in the congregation. Tliey have paid all current expenses; the rite for a new school lias been secured; the Sunday school is equipped with a library; and now an organ has been added. Jt was to dedicate the new instrument, one of Cornish’s make, with eighteen stops, that the people met last iright. The Rev. J. Ward presided. After the singing of the old hynru ‘ All hail the power’ to the equally old tune of ‘Miles Lane,’ and the reading of a psalm. Bister Olive offered up a dedicatory prayer. The chairman then narrated the steps that had been taken towards the realisation of the congregation's wish to jxtssess an organ, stress being laid upon the. fact that it was actually paid for. The rev. gentleman also acknowledged the kindness of many friends in affording help to the young congregation, mentioning amongst others Airs Haddock and Mrs Cherry, who gave the use of their rooms fir church purposes, before the hall was available. Air K. A.-liu also addressed the meeting, telling how he had raised over £l6 of I the £l7 odd -wanted for the. organ, bv Is mh- ’ scriptions from friends up and down the j colony. The speeches were all short and ! vheeiy. The musical items on the evening’s j programme included songs by Bister Olive, j Miss Blur, and Miss Ward, duets by Air j aml Airs Few, Air and Mrs Aslin, Aire j Brook and her eon, an anthem by 1 lie choir, i and an organ solo by Mr Albums, It wot* altogether a very pleasant meeting, chantrterised by simplicity, earne-riness, and an absence of tomfoolery, the uttermost feeling in tho hearts of those present being, so far ro one could judge, thankfulness without boasting.