WESLEY CHURCH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 97, 22 April 1909, Page 5

WESLEY CHURCH.

44th ANNIVERSARY

RECEPTION OF NEW

MINISTERS

The 44th anniversary of Wesley Church was celebrated yesterday by. an old-fashioned Methodist tea-meet-ing. There was a large and representative gathering in Wesley Hall, where tea was provided by the following ladies: Mesdames I. b. Davies, Jackson, Parker, Martin, Clarke, Rose, Pike (2), Jordan, Freeth, Raymond and Misses Girling and Davies, who were ably assisted by the Misses Penny, Jackson, Rose; Saul, Gillespie, Avery and Derbyshire. , After tea an adjournment was made to the church, the chair being taken by the senior circuit steward, Mr W. B. Parker. Proceedings were opened by all present joining in the well-known hymn, "Oh! for a thousand tongues," sung to " Nativity. ' After prayer had been offered by Mr Bryant, the newly-appointed home missionary of the Havelock district, the Chairman gave an address of model brevity, in which he welcomed the Rev. T, It. Richards to the circuit, and expressed the hope that the Rev. Blamires -would soon put in an appearance, as he was expected to arrive by the Picton train. Mr E. H. Penny read the report and bal-ance-sheet for the year, which showed that the Trust funds of the church were in a flourishing condition. The choir sang the anthem, " Break forth into joy," after which the Rev. W. 0. Robb addressed the meeting, expressing his pleasure at being present, and welcoming Mr Richards to the district. Touching upon the question of loyalty to the church, Mr Robb said that in order to get the best results from their ministers, the congregation should evince a more loyal spirit in church matters, and in that way assist in establishing a unity that would serve for their common weal.

Mr Lawrence then contribivted a solo.

The Yen. Archdeacon Grace, in welcoming the new clergy, gave a splendid address, during the course of which he touched upon a very burning question in orthodox religion . The Union of Churches, he said, was a very important matter, and one that all those who had the interests of the great and good work at heart favoured. It had been said that it was impossible to have a Church Union, and he was extremely surprised at such a statement, r.eeing that they all served One to Whom all things are possible. Their one desire was to work in unison and for their great cause, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see the ministers of the various churches, irrespective of their methods of preaching, exchange pulpits on occasional Sundays, and to administer Holy Communion to the' congregations, which he believed would' do a vast amount of good, as also would the addresses that would be delivered. He had great pleasure in welcoming the Rev. Messrs Richards and Blamires, and hoped that the congregation would rally round and help them in their work.

Brief speeches of welcome were also delivered by Mr Bryant, the home missioner at Havelock, and the Adjutant of the Salvation Army. _ The Rev. Richards, in replying to the hearty welcome accorded Mrs Richards and the Rev. and- Mrs Blamires, said it was an assurance of the high standard of Methodism that existed in Blenheim, and the good work done here. He would not commit himself on the matter of a policy, but they would in due course know what he and his colleague purposed doing in the way of furthering the interests of a great and noble cause.

The Rev. Blamires drew attention to the work to be done amongst ■'.iie children, a number of whom he was pleased to see present. He lookad forward to attending at the Sundayschool room and seeing for himself Avhat work was being done amongst them. They were to be the congregation of the future, and should be provided for. He meant to show by his life that he was a true and faithful ambassador of Christ. He thanked them for the hearty welcome they had accorded him and Mrs Blamires. w The meeting closed shortly after nine o'clock with the singing of the Doxology, and the Yen. Archdeacon Grace pronouncing the Benediction.

Following is the annual report: — "The recurrence of our church anniversary reminds us that through 'another various year' the kindly Providence of our Eternal Father has guided us as a church and a people, and the trustees reverently give thanks to God for all His mercies. It is a matter for rejoicing that the vigorous work of the church has not slackened during the year, and that we enter upon the fresh year and the new pastorate with our roll of membership considerably enlarged and invigorated, by the recent admission of a number of new members filled with youth and hope. The work of our late ministers, and the visit of Mr J. H. Stephens, the Singing Evangelist, have been blessed by an ingathering, and we look with sustained hope for even a yet brighter future. Each branch of our church life in Blenheim shows abundant vitality. The Sunday-school well maintains its position, and it is a cause for gratitude that there seems to be a thorough awakening on the part of the church as a whole to the very important place of the Sundayschool in the church economy. There is probably no Sunday-school in the Dominion better (and few so well) equipped than ours, and with the advancing recognition of the necessity of training the teachers, coupled with the self-denying and tireless devotion of those who give themselves to the work,"there is assurance of continued blessing and success. The Bible classes (young women's and young men's), the Christian Endeavour, the weekly prayer meetings, and the Aveekly meetings for the young people are all actively contributing to the moral and spiritual well-being of those who meet therein. The engagement of Sister Catherine to work in the circuit as a deaconess has been abundantly justified, her visitation among the people, and her active assistance in every good cause having borne many excellent results. Sister Catherine has endeared herself, not only to the members of the church and Sunday-school but to numbers of friends who have no specified church attachment. The completion of a new infant room, with its up-to-date equipment and methods, under the fostering care of Mrs Rose, Miss Hadfield, and Mr Paine is worthy of especial note, and should mark this year as exceptional in our history. The thanks of the trustees are due to the choir, for the continued assistance

I they render to the service of praise in the sanctuary, and to the lady organists for their ever rfeady attendance at services and practice/ The, Methodist rule of itinerancy has called for the removal from us of our two late ministers, the Rev. Chas. Penney and the Rev. H. Ranston. Both have done well as pastors in the circuit, and our prayer is that the richest of blessings may be with them in Waimate and Hokitika. Wherever a Methodist minister is called to work there is room for consecrated effort, and we have no doubt that there as here'the effort will be made. We welcome to our midst, and to the Blenheim circuit, the Rev. T. R. Richards and the Rev. E. P. Blamires, and earnestly pray that the Divine blessing, combined with, hearty and sympathetic co-operation on the part of pastors and people will result in the continued spiritual and temporal _ prosperity of our church in this circuit. The year has not been without trial and difficulty for some of our members, and our active sympathies have been with the families of Mr H. B. Botham, Mrs T. Jackson and Mrs Peake. Mr Botham was one of the pioneers of Methodism in Blenheim, and though resident for many years at Tua Marina, never ceased to evince a live interest in this church. Mrs Peake (daughter of Mr J. Wratt) was also a member of the Tua Marina society, and one of our younger members. Mrs T. Jackson had been, throughout her life, connected with the school and church here, and her whole family have been scholars in the school. To all the members of these families we desire to convey our sincere sympathy, and all who have been called upon to face trouble and sorrow. We enter upon the new year m our church history with hopefulness., and with the desire that Methodism may, by the blessing of God, be made a force for righteousness in Blenheim."