MEETING AT GRAFTON- ROAD WESLEYAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6213, 15 October 1881, Page 5

MEETING AT GRAFTON- ROAD WESLEYAN CHURCH.

♦ A MEETING of the members and congregation of the Grafton-road Wesleyan Church took place in that building last evening, in order to take steps for the liquidation of the trust dobt of the Graf ton Road Circuit. Previous to the public meeting the assemblage sat down to a social tea, provided by the ladies and other friends. Mr. J. L. Wilson was called to the chair, and, in an introductory speech, stated that the meeting was of a somewhat informal character, but its object was to get rid of the burden of debt, which was dishonouring to the Church and a hindrance to its spiritual progress and prosperity. He enjoined upon those present the duty of giving according to their means, and not as their neighbours gave ; of giving cheerfully, liberally, and with an intelligent and clear purpose. Mr. F. A. White narrated the circumstances under which the movement to extinguish the debt arose, at the last quarterly meeting, and the steps then taken. Interesting speeches were also made by Messrs. Clayton, Laybourne, Burton, and C. J. Stone, all bearing on the same subject. During the evening, printed slips of paper were handed round, in order to enable those present to set down the sums they proposed to give, payment to extend over twelve months. At the close these were collected, the total sum promised announced, and a short financial statement made. Prom that statement it appeared that the Trust debt amounted to nearly £900, namely, £150 for enlargement of parsonage, £00 for some matters in connection with Grafton-road Chapel, and the balance on the Parnell and Newmarket churches. At the last quarterly meeting £45S 12s was promised; amount promised that night, £245 10s Cd : total, £704 2s 6d, leaving only about £180 still to be raised, which it was stated would in all probability be cleared off during the ensuing year. The proceedings throughout were of an enthusiastic character, and a very commendable spirit of liberality displayed by all classes — the amounts promised ranging from £50 to ss. There was evinced on all bauds a decided determination that once the debt was cleared off, there should be no further extension or erection of new buildings, until the money was in hand to pay for them, as debt owing by a church, in its collective capacity, was quite as dishonouring as in the case of a private individual in his domestic or business affairs. The Rev. Mr. Isitt moved a vote of thanks to the ladies who had provided the tea, and Mr. Laybourn a similar vote to the chairman for his kindness in presiding, both of which were carried by acclamation. The Benediction by the Rev. Mr. Oliver brought the proceedings to a close.