WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XI, Issue 4044, 28 October 1874, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Tlic anniversary soiree of the Pitt-street "Weslcyau Church took place last evening. A social tea, which was very numerously attended, was held in the school-room, after which an adjournment was made to the chapel, and the usual annual mooting commenced. A hymn having been sung, and a portion of Scripture (the Gist chapter of lsaiah)|read, the Rev. Mr. Turner engaged in prayer. Mr. Joseph Wilson was called to the chair, and delivered an address, in which he commented upon the present encouraging aspect of religious matters. The congregation had sustained a gradual increase, and Church finances had also .'improved. They had sufficient in the history of the Church to encourage them, and to make them feel that God was faithful if they would only put Him to the test.—The Chairman then called upon Mr. Edson to read the report and balance-sheet, which were as follow :— The trustees of tUe ritt-street "Wesbyan Church, ill presenting a report of the past year's operations, are thankful that, for the first time since the church was erected, they are enabled to present a she-t showing a balance in hand, ok ordinary receipts and <xpenditure, of ss, after liquidating the longstanding bank overdraught, and contributing, out of the weekly collections, £70 more than usual towards the support of the ministry in the c mat. Through the liberality of thetrustws of the l]igh->:ret't church., which was recently sold, the mortgage debt lias been reduced by the sum of £710, leaving the total liability now at £3000, which remains i n a mortgage I earing Oi per cent, interest. The saving of interest thus effected, together with the improved income fro.il scat rents and collection*, and efoiwimy management, have placed tke trust account in the comparatively satisfactory state in which it is now presented. The rate of pew tents has been considerably reduced within the last six months, notwithstanding which, the income from this source has largely increased. There are uow 404 sittings let in the church, and the trustees take this opportunity of thanking the seat-holders for their prompt payments, the only arrear at the present mom-, nt beiiii- ss. The great necessity of providing ad'.iitioKal vestry and school accommodation urges itself more and more upon the attention of the trusues, but they have not felt justitied in proceeding further with this than to obtain pl:m-» ai.d sp« c.iie ttions while building material is at the present ra'.es. The plans and specifications, however, have been prepared, and the amount at present available frcn, nil sources i-i about £1000 a loan from High-street of £."00 v.-ithout interest;. Kef' re the work U proceeded ••villi at least i'2so more will be required, but an early opportunity will be taken of bringi-g this matter , fully before the congregation and tri. nds. The aci commodation referred to is urgently needed by the Suuda.v-Fchool, which frequently iiumijor.s in attendance upwards of 350 children,"all of whom, und- r existing arrangements, must be taught in one room. The attendance upon the .Sat Oath services has been good throughout the year and is on th ; increase, and the week evening services have been fairly att* nded. While grateful for the improved condition of the church in its—so to speak—more material r« Jations, it is a matter of earnest desire that there s : ould be a spiritual quickening throughout its iin-inbers, and as a neces-ary consequence, more i-fl'ectivc service ; r- in the ca<jse of our Lord, and that thus we may be prepared for that richt-r outpouri- g of His Holy Spirit for which we look, and which He is vouchsafing to shed in such plenteous measure in other paits of the world. Let u a be up and doing, opposing influences are at work, and it behoves us to improve the time and to labor earnestly for the extension of the Kingdom of Christ. l'he trustees take this opportunity of recognising the valuable services rendered by the choir, who c »n- ---| tribute so largely to the enjoyment of the public i worship, by leading in its service of song, and tliereby assisting the congregation in singing praises unto the Lord. While we are thus privileged to sing the Lamb in hymns below, some who formerly united their songs with ours, are now in the Heavenly choir and there praise Him in a nobler song. *Dea h has visited our church during the year, and has removed several from our number, of whom we rejoice to say " Their end was peace." .Removed from this scene of labor and of spiritual warfare, having tirst overcome through the blrod of the Lamb, they rest from their labours, and have enter-id into their reward. 'J hese providential visitations, though to us at times mysterious, are intended for our profit, and they give a load call to us who remain behind to work while it is d.iy, for the night cometh when no man can work, oh that when the Master cometh we too may be found ready ! Bat in the moantime let us diligently emp'ny the means entrusted to us, and pray and labour for souls, and be determined thv, with God's b'essing, the return of this anniversary shall tell of large acccessions to Christ's Church of such as sh ill be saved.

RECEIPTS. Church Aceount-- C s. d. C s. d. Proceeds of anniversary .. 03 G S Collections 11)2 2 7 J'ew rents .. .. .. 213 f> 0 Vote from IJigh-st. trust 710 0 0 Donations 7 10 0 I,ISG 4 3 Vostry Fund— T)ouations .. .. .. GOO Collected Ly Sundayschool children .. .. 55 0 0 Balance of bazaar, &c. .. 11 Id 3 72 IS 3 In Support of Ministry— Collections .. .. .. 204 10 8 Class money .. .. 139 11 G Dc-nationa 21 4 0 3G5 15 2 Sunday-school— Proceeds of anniversary, Ac 77 0 0 Missionary, &c.— Collections for Foreign Missions .. .. -. 10 7 4 Collections, &c., for Home Missions 5G 7 S Collections for Tract Society r> 4 7 Poor Fund 27 14 3 105 13 10 £1,807 11 G Sept. 30—Balance in hand on church account 24 5 0 DISUUR.SEMKNT.-3. Church AccountBank overdraft, paid off 85 10 1 Anniversary expenses .. G G 11 £ as 23 12 6 luterest 23G 7 10 Insurance ». .. .. 12 0 0 Chapel-keeper .. .. 30 0 6 Repairs, printing, <fcc. 52 12 11 In reduction of mortgage 710 o 0 Balance in hand .. .. 24 5 0 - r , „ , I,ISG 4 3 Vestry Fund— Depositedin Savings Bank 17 is 3 Deposited at interest 55 0 0 72 18 3 Other purposesPaid to Circuit Steward.. 305 15 2 Paid to Treasurer of Sun-day-school .. .. 77 0 0 Paid to Treasurer of Missions 72 15 0 Paid to Treasurer of Tract Society 5 4 7 Paid to Poor Steward .. 27 14 3 643 9 0 £1,807 11 6 —The Rev. Mr. Tinsley spoke upon the moral influence of pure and real Christian character upon the ■world,—Mr/ J. Martin next

addressed the meeting upon the subject of " Law and Love ; the Teachings of Science and Religion." There were, lie said, two distinct records —one of law, and the other of leve. In the book of nature—on the page of the world was written providence and care, but not love. Science declared the working of the law of God; but when science found out the agencies by which God had been working, it did not find out the Agent. If they opened the Bible there they would read the sweet story of the Father's love and care. All its teachings, from first to last, were of the holy, Divine power, the essence of which was God's love. The relation between religion and science was, as it were, to open the deeper truths of God's Holy Book. He was rejoiced to tind teachers of science speaking out the truth, and speaking out in the manner they did. They found out the agencies—the workings, but not God, and the revelations of God's Word were such that, by bringing the teachings together, they would tind out who was their Father, and how great was His power. — The Rev. P. 11. C'ornford spoke eloquently on the subject of "Doing Good.''—Mr. Henry Ellis, upon the subject of "Truth and Science," advanced arguments against those frequently used in support of the doctrine of the necessary eternity of matter, and of the theories opposed to the Mosaic narrative of the creation.—The Rev. Mr. Oliver gave an able address upon the advantages of Christianity, socially and politically. —Mr. Tliorne moved a vote of thanks to the ladies of the congregation who had provided the tea, and to the choir for the assistance they had rendered to the meeting.—The motion was seconded, and carried by acclamation as was also a vote of thanks to thechairman. The selections of sacred music which were made to alternate with the speeches were fairly rendered by the church choir. The meeting was closed by the Rev: M. Macdonald pronouncing the benediction.