TIMARU WESLEYAN CHURCH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8425, 23 January 1896, Page 2

TIMARU WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The quarterly social of the members and friends of the Wesleyan Church took place last evening in the schoolroom. There was a fair attendance. The Rev C. E. Beecroft occupied the chair: and after hymns and prayer he offered a hearty welcome to those present, and hoped they would spend a pleasant evening together. He then referred to the work of the Church during the last quarter, and expressed his thankfulness for the zeal and co-operation of his officebearers and the congregation. For the first time in his ministerial career he had been invited to remain a fourth year with them. He felt this a great honour, and if the Conference ratified this invitation he would be indeed pleased. Certainly he did not want to leave them, and he was confident from the heartiness of the invitation given they did not want him .to leave. He then spoke of the finances of the Church ; referring to the appeal to be made to reduce the Trust debt by £l5O, he was sure God would open their hearts and purses and the amount would be raised. He prayed that this effort would succeed, and from what he knew of his people it would succeed. He then spoke of the different auxiliaries of the Church work, and was constrained to thank God most fervently for the success attending all the efforts put forth to extend His Kingdom. It was proposed to celebrate the anniversary of the Rev. Mr Cook’s mission by holding a week’s special service in March next, when he hoped there would be a great ingathering of souls.

During the evening Mr Holdgate (circuit steward) gave a rdsume of the finances during the quarter in which he showed that after paying all current liabilities there was a credit balance of over £6, which was considered very satisfactory. Mr W. Coe (Trust Steward) also announced that the Church finances were an improvement on. those last year. Addresses were also given by Mr Wills, by Miss Dale on the Mutual Improvement Society, Mr E. A. Irwin on the mission work, and Mr F. Smith on the class meetings, all of them speaking most hopefully of the different organisations. The choir contributed several anthems, and instrumental items were given by Messrs R. W. and E. Wood with their accustomed ability, whilst Miss Simmonds delighted the audience with a violin solo. During an interval refreshments were handed round and much appreciated. A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Ladies Guild through the honorary secretary, Mrs H. Guilbert. for the excellent services rendered, and for their liberal donation to the Church finance. Votes of thanks were passed to all who had contributed to the evening’s enjoyment, and a most pleasant evening was brought to a close by the chairman pronouncing the Benediction.