ST. PAUL’S METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 1274, 16 July 1925, Page 9

ST. PAUL’S METHODIST CHURCH.

m —*— The quarterly meeting of officers of St. Raul’s circuit was held last evening when the Rev. M.. A. Rugby Pratt presided over a large attendance [After routine business the following resolutions iVcro passed relating to the recent church jubilee celebrations.— (1) That on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the opening of our first church In Palmerston North, and of the fifty-third anniversary of the inauguration of regular Methodist services in this town, this meeting records its gratitude to Almighty God for the blessings of the past, and for the prosperity of the church to-day. It rejoices in the contribution the Church has been able to make towards the building up of the Kingdom of our Lord; expresses its gratification at the success of the recent Jubilee celebrations; its appreciation of the liberality of our people in presenting thanksofforlngs and promises exceeding £640 op Jubilee Sunday and its pleasure that on the afternoon of that day over 230 persons ratified their solemn Covenant vows at the Table of our Lord.

(2) That this meeting tenders its hearty thanks to the Rev. C. H. Laws, 8.A., D.D., the Rev. J. T. Lewis, and the Rev. T G Hammond for their participation in the Jubilee celebrations. It thanks the Trust Officers, the Circuit Stewards, the Members of the Ladies’ Guild, the Sunday school teachers and other workers whose services contributed so largely to the groat success of the Jubilee gatherings, and the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt for organising and controlling the festivities.

The financial statement presented by the circuit stewards (Messrs H. E. Pacey and L. Lauronson), showed an income for the quarter ending June 30th of £333 G/10. This, of course, does not include any moneys affecting jubilee finance. The expenditure was £332 5/1, and the credit balance carried forward was £1 1/9. The sum of £2B was voted to the Deaconess Fund; £2O 5/10 to the parsonage building fund; £ll to the choir fund; and £9 15/9 to the Youth Department. It was resolved to grant a quarterly subsidy to the choir funds. It was expected that the sum of over £l9O would be raised for foreign missions. The Ashhurst-Pohangina account showed an income of £97 ,15/9, and an expenditure of £lO7 9/6. The debit balance was chiefly due to a special grant to the Trust Board of the Ashhurst parsonage. Church membership returns were satisfactory. The Sunday schools and Bible classes were all growing and a new school had been opened at Pohangina. The report of the deaconess (Sister May Ralph) showed that she had paid 554 visits during the quarter. The Old People’s Home and the Hospital had been visited. The Band of Hope, the Wesley Guild and the young women’s Bible class were all doing excellent work. Arrangements wore made for the forthcoming visit in September of the Rev. A. J. Seamer and a Maori party in the interests of home and Maori mission work. Plans were also laid for an evangelistic mission to be conducted fpom September 13 to 25 by the Rev. Clarence Eaton, of Wellington. The matter of future ministerial supply for Ashhurst was referred to a committee for consideration and report. M W. N. Bj-ewcr was appointed convenor of the committee.

Messrs G. H. Bennett, W. S. McCul'och and J. Walker were appointed to represent the church on the Council of Churches. Hearty congratulations were tendered to the Rev. M. A. Rugby P r att. upon his nomination to succeed the Rev. Samuel La-wry as Connexional Secretary in 1927. Mr H. E. Paoey said that although all would regret losing the services of Mr Pratt, all would rejoice in the honour and distinction conferred upon him. He spoke of the capacity of theip minister and expressed the satisfaction of the people and officials that for the present they would retain Mr Pratt’s services amongst them. The ladies dispensed supper, and were thanked for their hospitality.