METHODIST CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 109, 8 April 1926, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

QUARTERLY MEETINGS. ST. PAUL’S CHURCH. The quarterly meeting of officers of tho St. Paul’s Methodist circuit was held last night at Aslihurst when the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt presided over an attendance of 35 officials. Tho report disclosed that there was an enrolment of 338 senior church members and 9G junior members. The quarterly balance-sheet was presented by Mr W. B. Cameron who stated that the Sunday collections were the highest in the whole history of the circuit. There was a credit balance at St. Paul’s Church of £3l 5s 6d, whilst the inoome for Ashhurst-Pohangina had reduced the debit balance to £l4 4s Id for the country area. A resolution was adopted on the motion of Mr Cameron, seconded by Mr L. Lauronson, to the effect that a proportion of the recurring credit balances be voted to the ordinary, trust fund and a proportion to a suspenso account, to be utilised primarily in local church extension work. Tho financial buoyancy of the circuit fund warranted setting aside part of the surplus for definite a'ggressive work. Permission was given to the New Zealand Alliance to make an appeal in the Aslihurst and Pohangina churches,and approval was given to a special retiring collection for the youth department of the church to be taken up on young people’s day (May 16th). Sanction was also given for the annual foreign mission appeal to be made and it was mentioned that last year tho circuit had contributed over £350 towards home and. foreign mission work, this being a record. The chairman reported that two members of St. Paul’s congregation had volunteered and been accepted for educational work in tho Friendly Islands mission field. It was resolved to extend a farewell to them at a social gathering on April 15th. Tho volunteers are Miss Ruth Fabrin and Miss Gwen Blamires, two well-equipped teachers who had rendered excellent service in the various departments of church work. It was also mentioned that the Rev. A. Harry Voyce, an old scholar of St. Paul’s school, was on the eve of his departure for missionary service in tho Solomon Islands.

A satisfactory report was received of the work of the deaconess, Sister May Ralph. Mr J. Fabrin was appointed to tho office of society steward. Air G. H. Passey was admitted to the status of a fully accredited local preacher, he having passed tho necessary examinations. Air G. Bowden was admitted as a local preacher on probation. It was reported the Rev. Principal Laws would visit Palmerston North in June in the interests of the new Theological College that is to be built in Auckland and towards which £25,000 is already promised. The balance needed is £IO,OOO. There were more candidates for the ministry than the church could absorb and only specially suitable men were being accepted for training. It was reported that the recent conference had approved of the proposal to constitute a new circuit comprising Bunnythorpe, Hiwinui, Aslihurst and Pohangina next year and steps were taken to facilitate this arrangement. Air H. E. Pace}' reported upon the recent conference and was thanked for representing the circuit thereat. Refreshments were dispensed by the Aslihurst Church ladies. It was resolved to hold tlie next meeting at St. Paul’s on July 7th. CUBA STREET CHURCH. The quarterly meeting of the Cuba Street Circuit of tho Alc-thodist Church was held last night, Rev. Harold T. Peat presiding over an attendance of 26 officials. Tho cliai rman reviewed tho work of tiio Church during the preceding quarter, and stated that the congregations had been well maintained, and that tlie spiritual side was in a very healthy condition. As regards finance, tlie bal-anco-shert to be presented by t/ho stewards was gratifying. Messrs Fisher and G. 13. Watkins submitted a financial statement which revealed the biggest income for a quarter in tlie local church’s history. After expenses were paid (including extraordinary items totalling approximately £100) tiie credit balance was £2O. An encouraging report of tiio young people’s department was presented by Mr A. H. Fisher, and lie was reappointed to tiio position of young people’s secretary. A strong foreign missionary committee was formed, with Mr G. G. Hancox, AI.A., B.Sc., as convener The proposals in connection witli the new theological college wero discussed, and arrangements were made for the visit of tho Rev. Hr Laws, 8.A., D.l). A committee to facilitate arrangements was formed, with Air T. R. Hodder as convener. By the unanimous vote of tiio officials, Air J. 11. Dixon was elected representative of tho newly formed Ashliurst-Bunnythorpo eircuif.

Appreciative remarks were mado regarding the appointment of Row M. A. Rugby Pratt ns connexional secretary for New Zealand. At the conclusion of the business the members were entertained at supper by several ladies of the church, to whom a voto of thanks was accorded on tho motion of Mr G. C. Harris.