NEW PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13857, 21 March 1907, Page 3

NEW PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

The thirly-sccond anniversary celebration of tho Kow Primitive Methodist. Church, held last evening, was preceded by a tea meeting in the schoolroom. Tho tea tables were liberally .supplied with numerous varieties of light refreshments, and the tasteful arrangement of the room reflected credit, upon tho ladies and others who presided over this popular part of tho evening's entertainment. The attendance was Ki satisfactory .that those present could not be accommodated at 0110 sitting, and h second sitting had to lie arranged. At the conclusion of the tea an after-moot-ing, presided over by Mr G. Loudon, was held in the church. Several anthems were nicely rendered by tho choir, and a. solo by Mr J. Davidson and quartets by members of the choir constituted a portion of the musical programme of the evening. Addresses were given by the Hcys. Laycock, D. Duttnn, and S. Bailey.'

In tho absence of Mr A. Kcnnard (who was unavoidably absent), the Rev. S. Bailev read the'report for tho past year. Tho reiKirt stated that- spiritual, numerical, and financial progress had been made during the year. In addition to what had been raised for ordinary trust purposes, valuable additions had been made to tho church property; including a new organ and a choir platform. Tho cost of the organ (£7O) was raised entirely by tile choir members, and presented by them to the trufices. The cost of the platform was £30, and it added greatly to the ornamentation of the church. Attention was called to the fad that the church, for the first time, hail been called upon to pay £7 8s 9d ill rates, but this sum had been filiglillv reduced by tho municipal authorities. "There had been an increase of 13 members for the year, and 10 members had dopat'ed for other parts of tho colony. The congregation for the vear had been fairly weir sustained. During the year tlw church took part in a united mission conducted by iho Rev. Y\. Lamb, of Wellington, and ill common with Wcsleyan and Baptist brethren there had been a season of great blessing. As a result of the mission tho missionary effort for the year realised £22. mo'ro than double that of anv previous vear. An increase of 18 scholars was reported in the. Sunday school and two additional teachers. The young people's Bible class had an average attendance of 10, and there was in addition a men's Bible class under the leadership of Mr R. Kcnnard. The C.K. Society, both senior and junior, maintained its aggressiveness, and is doing a. good work among tho voting people. r llie Bible and Literary Class also did good work during the vear. Tho Ladies' Missionary League was "heartily thanked for contributions to the missionary effort of the year, 'lhe choir and choirmaster (Mr Stevens) and Mb l.'oalsworth (organist) were eon-"iviHi'-il'ml upon their efforts, and the growth ami efficiency shown. The report of the financial working cxpensi"! for the year showedßeceipts, £146 Is Oil: expenditure. £139 0s sd. At the conclusion of the meeting sjiecial votes of thanks were passed to tho workers of the church, to the speakers, and to tho chairman.