ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8669, 11 September 1891, Page 2 (Supplement)

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Tim annual meeting of the members of the Grafton Road Wesleyan Church was held on August 17, the Rev. W. Lee presiding. The treasurer, Mr. John Burton, read the annual report and balance-sheet. The report stated that although the work of the [last year had not been so great a success as could have been desired, the congregation had still many privileges to be grateful for. The balance-sheet showed that a small debit balance of £11 7s 10.1 was due to the treasurer. The chairman said that leaving out of consideration the £150 paid off the mortgage, the congregation had raised £51(5 during the year for - the various ' church funds. This was very satisfactory. A very pleasant and successful tea and public meeting was held on August IS, in connection with the anniversary of the Pitt and Edwin-streets Primitive Methodist Church. At half-past six about 200 persons sat down to a most enjoyable tea, after which the public meeting was held, the building being well Tilled. Dr. Kenderdine presided. According to the financial report, read by Mr. David G oldie, it appeared that about £250 had been raised during the past year, and that the expenses had amounted to a few pounds below that sum. ; During the evening addresses were delivered by the Revs. J. 1). Gilmore, W. Laycock, and J. Guy, and Messrs. S. Stone and G. Turley. The inaugural soiree of the " Auckland Society of the New Church" was held on August 19 in the new hall, Pompallier Terrace, Ponsonby. About 120 sat down to tea. At the after meeting Mr. Stephens presided. The platform was tastefully decorated with flowers and foliage. Mr. G. Plummet* said the acquirement of the land and converting the two cottages into the present hull had left, after all contributions were received, a liability of £100. The allotment was large enough to admit of further extension of the hull when required. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Lepper, E. C. Carr, and other friends. Some musical selections, secular and sacred, were given by various friends, and an action hymn by the children, " Feed My Lambs." A most enjoyable social : gathering ■' was held on Sept. I in St. George's Hall, Newton, to welcome to the district the new incumbent of Epiphany Church, the Rev. Mr. Lush. The tables were under the care of Mesdames Watson, 'Newbegin, Featon, Kenny, McElwain, Simpson, and Liglitfoot, and Misses Lipscombe, Willoughby, and Pulman. When the concert opened at eight o'clock all the available accommodation of the hall was fully taken up, and throughout the evening the large audience testified to their appreciation of the programme presented by continuous applause. The anniversary of the: Devon port Presbyterian Church was celebrated by a soiree and concert on Sept. 1. There was a large attendance of ladies, gentlemen, and young folks, and the excellent repast provided received ample justice at their hands ; the tables being presided over by the ladies of the congregation. .After tea an adjournment was made from the schoolroom to the church, where the remainder of the programme was carried out. The pastor of the church, the Rev. James Hill, presided, and in the course of his introductory remarks stated that the. year just passed had been one of exceptional prosperity, and had seen a considerable increase in the . membership.

The tenth anniversary soiree in connection with the Archhjll Wesley an Church was held on Sept. 1. At half-past six p.m. a large number of the members of the congregation and their friends sab down to a very enjoyable - tea, the tables being presided over by Mesdames Hodgson, McMaster, and Paisley, and Misses Ward, Barton, Bettany, Webber, and Armstrong. After, tea, a public meeting wis held, at which Mr. J. Banbury occupied the chair. In addition to a number of anniversary hymns, well rendered by the children's choir, recitations were given by Mrs. E. C. Carr and Mis? Annie Briggs, also a harp solo by Mr. Carter, and a song by Mrs. Stalker. Appropriate addresses were delivered by Messrs. E. C. Carr and A. C. Brown. * -

The foundation stone of the Church of «the Sacred Heart, Roman Catholic Church, in North-east Valley, Duncdin, was laid on August 30, before an assemblage of.some thousands, by the Rev. Bishop Moran. The collection was largo. . The anniversary soiree of the Ponsonby Baptist Church was held on Sept. 8. Close on '200 sat down to tea in tho schoolroom. The following ladies presided at the tables: —Mesdames Gilmore, J. Bigclow, E. Tur'ley, J. Graham, J. Tear, Finer, Henderson, Bell, Miss Imbusch. At the after meeting the pastor (Rev. J. D. Gilmore) presided. The balance-sheet showed the receipts to bo £401 17s 3£d, and after meeting all engagements, paying otf,£so of debt and improving the church, at a cost of over £30, there was a balance in hand of £7 'is 5.J,d. ' Interesting addresses 011 various phases of church work wero given- by the Revs. Tho.?.' Spurgeon, J. Walter, J. Guy, I and T. F. Robertson.

The twenty-sixth anniversary of Rt « , elires Church was celebratedon A I" 1 ' August by a soiree and social tn P r' 0 27tl > attendance being large, and K ' the ings throughout of a most enjoyable About 1/0 persons sab down to thl , i ' fully provided tables and MiJi l 3 ' e «ti. individually and collectively, was enS??' the unremitting attention of the ?«n ed . by ladies Mesdumes Shirley Baker I: Hammond, Cooke, Cuff' [/,„ u • Du( *ley liamson, V. 15. Bl£ At® IT" Inland, Ilaseldcn, Hudson, and C& 1 ' r " the Misses Barnes and Barker &T* and upon the'arrival of Bishop CowS social meeting was opened by an add, # from the chairman, the Ven A»k > 38 Dudley.- Bishop Cowie also del address congratulating St. SeDulrlJ .' 11 its prosperity, and the Revs. L Ho^^ lowed! Aft M ' ool li,» teS The Ministers' Association met on the "in August, for the purpose of electing o fwi for the ensuing six months. The ie JI , the treasurer and of the sub-commit Evangelistic work were presented -thefn, 8 011 was adopted, the latter was referralTl to the committee for further inquiry it animona votes of thanks were DiUJi' t „ iT Rev. J. Chew,retiring president, who for u* successive terms has occupied th» oh also to the Rev. G. B. Monro, trea* u J and the Rev. W. Lay cock, secretary v\' election of officers resulted in the folio*-' appointments President and treasure? Rev. G. B. Monro; secretary, R cv . J\' A sale of work and fancy bazaar .It 1 " moted by the lady members of St' Mar?" Cathedral Church, was held in the -eh , I room, Scarboro Terrace, Parnell, on A ui/ 91 and was much more successful tha»rw ' anticipated. The stalls were neatlv uf ranged, and the display of work \ Vu « m " ' attractive, so that it is hardly to be won dered ab that there, was a good sale XI lady members: Mrs. Keinpthorne, '\li« Abbott, Mrs. Beatty, Mrs. Shrewsbury and Mrs. Gorbett, were most assiduous i.*, disposing of their fancy work, but theil were counter attractions in the refreshment stalls, presided over by Mesdames Bruise man, Thomas, Dewes, and Sealy, \ V hi c ij attracted a great deal of attention,'and tin photographic stall, attended to 'by Mi« Logan Campbell and .Miss Collott, was*nls o iv feature. Mrs. Preston generally super, vised the whole proceedings. In the even, ing the sale was resumed, and it was made especially attractive by a yood mu.-lcal programme, the items of which were mostly contributed by the members of St. Mm-'i choir. * } 4

The annual meeting of the members of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle" took place 011 August 31. There was a lar» e attendance of members. Previous to the meeting, there was a social tea, to'.which the Rev. Thomas Spurgeon receive a special invitation. After tea, the Church business was proceeded with. The annual -report was read by the church secretary (.Mr. ,v 11. Matthews), and unanimously adopted*. On proceeding to the election "of officer*' • the whole of the outgoing ollicers were re-elected, deacons and elders, in token of the Church's endorsement of their action during the past year. A hearty vote of thanks was also unanimously accorded them for their past services. A letter was read from the Rev. Thomas Spnrgeon, in reply to the requisition invitiiifr him to resume the pastorate of the Tabernacle. He said that he thanked them for i>he practically unanimous invitation eorff&ycd to him and pressed upon him by a deputation of the oilicers, and the requisition kindly worded and numerously sicnicd. Though feeling somewhat stronger, he did not feel that he was sufficiently strong to do justice to the work required— "the spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak." There were also considerations of a personal and family nature—the continued illness of his fatherwhich made him reluctant to engage himself permanently just now. A resolution was passed unanimously: in which the church tendered its heartfelt loving sympathy to Pastor 0. H.Spurgeonin his recent illness, and expressed its joy that in answer to the prayer of God's people the wide world over, God had been.'pleased' partially to restore him. A hope was expressed that many years of usefulness might yet be vouchsafed to him, and the world have the benefit of his consecrated talents in the production of that literature which has been so wondrously owned and blessed of God. Reference was also made to Mrs. and the' resolution will be forwarded to Mr. Spurgeon. A second resolution was also unanimously passed in which the church desired to record its grateful thanks to the Bev. J. Walter for services rendered it during the three months he has occupied the Tabernacle pulpit. The proceedings of the meeting throughout were of a very harmonious character. The members of the Union Free Church, Wellesley-streot, gave Pastor Birch a welcome 011 September 2 on his return from Sydney. .It took the form of a tea meeting' in the Salvation Army Barracks (the Army having kindly lent the barracks), which several hundred attended, and: an after, public meeting in the church, which was still more largely attended, Mr. Kobt. Fry presided, and was supported on the platform by Messrs.. H. J. Ross, F, Woodham, S. Parker, Field, F. A. White, and the guest of the evening, Pastor Bird'