METHODIST CHURCH.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 9 October 1913, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH.

HIWERA QUARTERLY MEETING..

■I Ihe quarterly meeting of officials was, held on Wednesday, 'me Itev., J4. U. .blamires presided, and tiiere was a fair attendance. Membership returns showed a slight increase, ana the balance-sheet reveaied a substantial reduction of the circuit debt. Special reference was made to the satisfactory results of the Nor*manby church anniversary services, in discussing the balance-sheet, it Avas mentioned that the rates^ paid on the parsonage property were almost doublethose paid on similar property within, the borough. - Special collections were authorised asfollows:—Home Missions <in - all places, Normanby and Hawera trust tunas, and Hawera Sunday School. A retiring col-" lection was authorised at Hawera for a deserving case of need. It was resolved that the circuit steward be empowered to advance a reasonable sum of money at any time to assist in casesof distress, such sums to be recouped by means of retiring collections. The Sunday Schools and Christian Eudeavor Society presented very favorablereports. In connection with the opening up or" new preaching places, it was mentioned that services were being held at Tokaora with very encouraging results. The stewards extended a cordial invitation to the Rev. E. 0. Blamires for a second year. Eulogistic referenceswere made to the excellent work done with specially favorable comment upon, the work of Mrs Blamires. Mr Blamiresacknowledged the whole-hearted , support given by the officials, and had much pleasure, on behalf of Mrs Blamires and himself, in accepting the invitation. Messrs J. Foy and H. James were appointed substitute representatives to the District Synod. It was resolved that Mr Schultz's. name appear on the plans as envelopesteward ; also to appoint Mr H. Allen asmanager cf the Alethodist Monthly, wi place of Mr W. Williams, who had left tho district. A minute record was made of thefaithful work of Messrs Barmby ami Williams, and letters are to be sent conveying the thanks of the church. It was. also decided to send letters of sympathy to the president of the conference, to Mr W. Williams, of Manaia, and Mr Hutchens. A meeting of church members is to bo called, at which the questions of tho-sub-pastorate, and the re-arrangement of the week night services will be discussed. It was mentioned that a Ladies'" Auxiliary of Foreisin Missions had been . successfully started* The chairman reported that the last, conference had decided to formulate an . orphanage scheme in connection with | +^-» Mpthndist Church, the intention being to have one orphanage for eaclr island. While there was every indication of tie South Island being able to r-nrrv out. t.ba schf»m<\ conditions Mere less hopeful for the North Island. Fortutirt.r<ji.y a handsome gift of property to ii a. vt>\\'<2. of .iSQOO had been made by -*t> • Vu» /and resident. which hnrt .-is~?>Tf:^ the success of the North Island t'f 1 >ro. The preparatory meetings m connection with tbo forthcoming Mission >i: Inspiration and Appeal at Hawern nm being well attended, and everything: points to n very successful series of services. Tlie Kaponga circuit wrote thanking tho quarterly meeting for releasing the Rev. E. O. Blamires to conduct the mission thore. and testifying to theexcellent result* obtained. Tho meeting closed with the Benediction.