METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2203, 21 May 1896, Page 17

METHODIST CENTRAL MISSION.

The anniversary tea and sacred concert of the congregation worshipping in the Garrison Hall, formerly called the Bible Christians, and' now known as the Methodist Central Mission! was held in the hall on the 13th. Over 1000 persons partook of the ten provided upon the occasion. The Rev. W. Ready, who presided at the concert, spoke about Methodist uniori, and said the congregation were henceforth to be known as Oentrnl missioD. He alw stated that it was the intention of the' Methodist Church to start a similar mission in every large centre of population in New Z-aland. He further mentioned that until Methodist union was general throughout 1 Australia the name WesleyanwouH be retained hero, but after it became general the denomination embraced by the union would be known as the Metholi»t Ohurch of Australasia. Mr Nathaniel Reid, circuit steward, read the annual report, which stated that the church machinery had been kept in rapid motion by willing hands and hearts, anil the members and officers had left no stone unturned to rc*k« it woik h irnioniously and successfully. They had been able to meet all th a . necessary expenses of working the mission with comparative ea?e. They mu3t thank the members of the church and friends for the liberal manner in wh-ca they had supported the cause ever since the mission commenced aix years ago. There had been a balance ia hand at every quarterly meeting, and the mission had been salf-supporting from iti commeni'enient. This was a record of which any church might be proud. The 'church services had been well attended both on Sundays and week days The Christian Kndeavour Society showed sign 3of greater activity and Ufa. The members conducted a cottage prayer meeting every week, visited the sick, and contributed to mission work. A we kly Chinese, class had been started during tha year, and Mr Paterson had taken th« supsrintendeucy of the same, assisted by a noble band of workers. As many as 23 Chines had gathered at one service. During the y*ar 80 persoru had been admitted into chinch fellowship. About 30 of these, joined as the result of Mr Cook's mission, but only a ftw who joined during the revival remained true to their profe«-. sion. The total memborsbip of the church w*s now 230 The opan-airmeeting3 were well •uatttined and conducive of much good. The Sunday school was getting on nicely, and Mrs W. It. Don hud b»en appointed superintendent, with Mr • Sanders as asiistant. The year hid been memorable in that permission hvi been received from the English Conference to join the Methodist Union.- )hi* included the Weileyan, United Free Methodist, and IT.ble Christian Churches. This union was gloriou-ly consummated on April 13. The report concluded <s follows :— " This ia tha last distinctly Bible Christian report we shall give. "\y"e report a record of work of which we need not be asbam d, for we close our history as a 'Bible CluiiMan Church in Dunedia with credit to the memb-ra and friends who hav-s been and itill ar« connected with her. The Bible Christian Church and her history ore interwoven into our- very natures Htr associations hai-e entwined th-m-selves round our heartslriogs, an«l we feel keenly the sepiration. We love her deorly, because s me of the noblest sons of God have been found in l>er boriera — 'uch m=n as William O'Bry»n, James Thorne, James Way William Ttoel, Billy Bray, and many others. We love her because there are still found within her ranks tr:»« and tried m»n. Yes, we love her polity, her as°?ocii*tio»'S, her preachers, her doctrine, and (he warm-hearredness and homeliness of her people.. But much as we love her, we are willing to 3ink all for the glory of Christ and ' _ the extension of Hia kingdom. . . . The church here will now b« known as the Dunedin Methodist Central Mission, and we trust that our friends will work and pray and co-operate with (he pastor for even greater proape-ity in the future than his characterised the pist." The statement of rereip*s and dixbursement?, which was also read by Mr' R-id. showed that there was a balance in hand of £54 10s 104. • _ The concert was subsequently proceeded with

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