Wesleyan Anniversary.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 165, 10 June 1884, Page 2

Wesleyan Anniversary.

PUBLIC MEETING There was l>y no means a large attendance at the vVesleyan Church last evening,™ fact the meeiing was about the smallest we have ever seen there. After the opening, hymn hal beea sung mid payer given the Rev. Mr Bunn with a few general remarks called on the Secretary Mr Grace to read a tabulated account showing their financial position. "Mr Grace then read out the following statement. PARSONAGE ACCOUNT.

He proceeded to make a few remarks. He believed there was nothing to cause alarm although m fact they had a debt of LI OOO to grapple with. This he would endeavour to explain further on. Most of those present knew there had been :a great deal of doubt as to what should be done, wheu the building of the new church was first mooted, but they had eventually to decide on its ei-ection as numbers of people went elsewhere not being able to obtain seats. At piesent he believed their church would be full if it were not for counter attractions m the town. There was a debt of £350 on the Ch urch. Well, ho proposed to wipe this off m two years' time. He had intended if more were present to start a s-ibscription list m this way to realize £150. The ladies he had no doubt would exert themselves to the utmost and clear the balance with a bazaar or Uvo. Whei. Mr Morley visited them he had slated that if they wiped off this debt m two years' lime the loan fund would lend an amount on the parsonage which could be paid off m sums suitable to themselves and without having to pay any interest. He must say he was rather more joyful at their present prospect than otherwise, and had no doubt if they all worked harmoniously together this apparent mountain ot debt would quickly pass away. The gross total of their assests were £1661 19s showing a balance to the good of L 556. The Rev Mr Buhn thought these figures had a very narcotic influence, and requested the choir to sing an anthem. The choir then sang, "Sing ye Jehovah's Praises." The Chairman then further explaiued the various particulars supplied by Mr Grace. When the debt on the chinch was cleared that is ia two years time they could get the loan of £300 or £'400 from the Trust Fund. This they would not have to pay interest on, but repay .so much a quarter. The seat rents alone he believed would pay m this way for the parsonage m 9 years' time. "Ho was very sorry there were so few of the members of the congregation present as he knew that many of them carried this burden very much to heart. He hoped those present would tell the absent ones all they knew. The Rev. gentleman illustrated the remainder of his address with applicable tales abounding m wit and repeatedly made his hearers roar with laughter. He pointed out various improvements which he hope/) would soon be proceeded with, notably the making a footway entrance to the church 'and the painting of the church ceiling white, and alteration to the door) Lo-sof piousdogßhenoticed made their way m and disturbed both preacher and congregation. He also requested the assistance of some of their yonu<* men to make the parsonage garden somewhat presentable. The collection having been taken up the meeting- dispersed. Mr Simmond, Mv Wright, and others who had been expected to address the meeting wore not present.

Receipts Loan £350 0 0 Donation Home Mission ■Fund ... ... 20 0 0 Bank overdraft ... 50 0 0 Balance deficit 118 8 0 £538 8 0 Expenditure. Powell ... £300 0 0 Architect ... ... 7 10 0 Interest & othei charges 17 16 Insurance ... ... 3 7 0 Sinking well, <fee. ... 3 12 9 Overdraft ... ... 50 0 0 Furniture 156 16 9 £538 8 0 Annual Balance-Sheet to March 31st, 1881 Receipts. Subscriptions to Building Fund ,£l4O 16 0 Sale of Bazaar Goods... 29 10 3 Sewing Meetings ... 15 6 5 Various collections and profits from Teas, &c. ... .„ 76 3 1 One Concert and two Services of Song ... 8 8 2 Seat Rents 51 1 6 Sundries 3 0 0 Loan 675 0 0 £999 5 5 Expenditure. Paid to Circuit Fund... £ 49 12 6 Powell & Lee 1 contract) 487 0 0 Lamps, Upholstery, &c. 30 14 0 Architect (balance of account) 5 10 0 Outbuildings ... ... 3 7 0 Insurance ... ... 9 17 0 Sundries ... ... 22 7 7 Printing, &c. ... *.. 43 6 Interest ... ... 48 4 9 Kerosene ... ... 8 7 4 Chapel keeper 2 16 6 Part Loan repaid ... 325 0 0 Balance m hand ... 2 4 3 £999 5 5