METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 5

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION

Tho annual report to bo submitted to the anniversary gathering next week contains tho following clauses: — Services.—The attendances at the e wvicea each Sunday in the Garrison Hall hnvo been well maintained, large numbers of young people still attending each S&bbatli ovetiing, and many of tho son-ices have been attended with great spiritual Mewjngs and power. Christian Endeavour Society.—lie ' endeavour meetings aro perhaps tho best weak evening services held. The room in Stafford street is frequently crouxlcd with vour<g people, who aro very enthusiastic coiccrnmg their work, and aro a, tower of strongtii to the mission in open-air wort, viotxtion, Bible study, and other forms of 'Christian service. Fellowship Classes.—Sister Alice, who is endearing Haraelf to all, , conducts the girls' class on Wednesday evenings with much acceptance, and on the anno crarnig the men's class is held in the Brotherhood Hal] and has been well attended. A nkjasmg feature of tho men's class has been.ithoattond-a-iic© of men who. do not attend church serves, and who have derived goat blessing and help from these mootmgs. The weekly service on' Thtccsday waniugs, wiiicsK is in. variably conducted- by our pastor, ka to, well attended throughout tbo-year,, prmcipaily 'by the mission members and workers. Open-air Work.-Opon-air meetings aro still iiclct afe tlie Octagon on Safcnrday •©vendnga and at Doivling street, comer an Sundays. Sunday School— This is in aJLealthier condition now than for some tima past. Mr W. H. Ganderton, assisted by an able band of teachers and -workers, is succeeding in increasing tho attendance and- proficiency of the Sabbath school. Cfiinoso Class.—This cotrfciiinea its good! work every Monday evening, wheal a goodlv number of Chinese brethren attend. -Mr Paterson, Miss Sanders, and Mis Lo Econg deserve thanks for the interest and worfcflihoy put into this class. , The Sunday afternoon brotherhood meetings ware well attended last winter,' and some splendid addresses given by ministers and publio men, who were always io*dy to assist in- this forward movement. Our new sister (Miss Bowman, from Christchurch) commenced her duties early in- tho new year, and.has already shown that-the mission has securcd the Ecrvices of one-who is well qualified to carry out her many duties sffitiofactorily. the newly-elected officers of "the misaiou are as follows:—Circuit stewards—M«ran> K Ferguson and D. M'Paull.; society stewardsMessrs W. Hoskins, G. Bewley, N. Buie, and J. Adam; poor stewards—Messrs V,'. Earis f. Morris, and J. Chalmers; surer, Mr J. Young; sisterhood secretary, Mr D. C. Cameron, jrnt.; brotherhood sccretey. Mr W. Clydesdale, sen.

We never felt the need 1 moro for our own •premises than 11 .present. Our week night meetings are held in several different buildings, and until tho mission has its own promises tho work will be severely handicapped and hedged in. The matter will have-speedily. to roceive the consideration of tho mission officers, and a forward movement arranged which will end in tho erection or purchases of suiiaWo premises. For eight years our present minister (the Itev. U. A. Sinclair) has been superintendent of tho mission, and tho groat suoooss which has attended the mission has been mainly cfo<j to tho popularity and esteem in which ho has been held by all classes of tho community. We deeply regretted the breakdown in health much he had had some months ago, and hoped that a holiday would restore him but, alter resuming work again, it wsb found; that Mr Sinclair wouJd need a longer rest, and, acting on medical advice, we regret to report that ho has had to lay, aside all work for two months to come. The Rev. R. H Wylio, as temporary supply, has proved an able preacher, and is a general favourite with! the mission congregation. Tho recent conference held in Christchurch, in its wisdom .removed our pastor to the charge of the Methodist Church sit St Albans, Chriskhuicb, end appointed tho Km-. W. Slade (president, of tho conference) to tho mission. These exchanges take place at the end of April, irhe mission' officers and members deeply regret Mt Sinclair's removal, but, owing to tho circumstances of his health, agree that it was unavoidable. Wo shall greatly miss the R©v, and Mrs Sinclair from our midst, but wish them every possible success and'prosperity iii their new sphere of labour.