WESLEY CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8965, 16 April 1890, Page 5

WESLEY CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

A public meeting in connection with the anniversary of Wesley Church, Taranaki street, was held in the school room adjoining the church last evening. Owing to the unfavourable state of the weather there was only a small attendance. The Rev J. Berry, the newly appointed superintendent of the circuit, presided. The forty ninth annual report of the Trustees, which was read by the Secretary of the Trust (Mr J. Fitchett), stated that the Trustees wished to place on record their thanks to God for the measure of prosperity, both temporal and spiritual, upon the Church- Daring the year the people had generously supported the various departments of Church work with their nsual liberality. The balance-sheet showed that there was a debit balance, which they believed was only of a temporary character. This debit had been caused by the donations of LSO to the School Building Fund and L2 2s to the Loan Fund. Contributions of the congregation for the year were as follow : Pew rents, anniversary services, and trust collections, L 426 4s ; school enlargement, L4OO ; home and foreign missions, LllO ; support of the ministry and general church fund, L 613 10s 3d ; Sunday school anniversary, L 10 6; orphan supported in Dr Stephenson’s Home, Ll 5 15s; Church poor fund, L 26 12s 6d. Under the ministry of the Revs W. Lee, J. Berry, and C. R. Laws the congregations had been as large as they had ever been since the erection of the Church. Under the leadership of Mr Harland, who had filled the dual offices of organist and choirmaster, the choir had maintained its effi fiency, and had contributed greatly to the enjoyment of the services. Reference was made to the ■death of Messrs J. Nancarrow, E. Allen, and W. Helyer, all of whom had been associated with the Church for many years. Regret was expressed at the departure of the Rev W. Lee, but the Trustees thought the congregations were to be congratulated upon the appointment of the Rev W. H. Beek. The Sunday School had enjoyed a prosperous year, and the long contemplated addition to the building had been accomplished, and through the earnest efforts of the Sunday school officers and ‘ congregation, had been opened free of cost, although it cost about L4OO. The Wesleyan Mutual Improvement Society was conferring a large amount of benefit: and in concluding, the Trustees asked for the help of every person connected with the Church in endeavouring to do a far larger amount of good than had been done in the past year. The balance-sheet showed that the expenditure for the year was L7IB 16s 6d, and the income L 657 4s, leaving a debit balance of L6l 12s 6d. The Rev Joseph Berry, after referring to the liberality of the congregation, said that the deficit was in no way a serious ■matter. The ordinary trust income had fully made up their ordinary expenditure, and as regarded the deficit there was nothing to lose heart about. For his part he expected a good year, and with God’s belp’he intended by hard diligent work to bring this result about. He hoped that they would give him their confidence, and if he did anything they thought wrong that they would speak to him about it, and not go grumbling about the place. Referring to Mr Beck, he said he hoped his term amongst them would be a happy one, and as useful as they could desire. The Rev W, J. Watkins, chairman of the district, said he felt sure the Wellington people would maintain their reputation for hospitality, and that the Rev Mr Beck would be well treated. The Rev O. R. Laws also delivered a short address, in which he urged upon the congregation to try by constant prayer and individual effort to make the coming year the brightest the church h-d ever known. Mr W. Moxham, on behalf of the congregation, extended a hearty welcome to the Rev Mr Beck, who, on rising to reply, was received with, loud applause. He briefly thanked them for the welcome they had accorded Mrs Beck and himself. He thought when hearing the annual report read what a power for good the church might be in Wellington. The usefulness of a church depended upon individual effort, and he trusted that the year would be one of great spiritual prosperity. During the evening the choir contributed two anthems, and Miss Bragge and Mr Todd each sang a solo, Mr Harland presiding at the harmonium. Refreshments were handed round during the evening.