ST. JOHN'S METHODIST CHURCH.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13757, 21 April 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

ST. JOHN'S METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES AND SOCIAL.

(From "The Colonist," March 25.)

On Sunday the anniversary services of the above-named Church were well attended, the preachers being in the morning the Rev. C. Eaton, and in the evening the Rev. W. Baumber.^ " I Last night the anniversary social was held, when the Rev. W. Baumber presided. He stated the first minister appointed to the Nelson circuit was the Rev. John Aldreu who laboured in Nelson from 1843 till 1849. Since its start the Church had had twenty-one ministers, of these mne had passed away, nine were supernumeraries, and three were in active service. When the Church started it was practically the only non-Anglican body in Nelson. The present Church building and Sunday School Hall Avert, proofs of progress, notwithstanding the increase of churches in Nelson. There are 200 members in connection with the Church. Miss Martin contributed a solo. Mr. A. A. Lucas presented the annual report and balance sheet. The report showed that £105 8s 3d was raised by the sale of work in June last; that £100 had been received from the estate of the late Mr William Wilkie, a former worshipper at the Church; that a thanksgiving collection on the first Sunday in January realised £36; that a donation from the Ladies Sewing Guild enabled improvements to be made at the parsonage; and that the Church debt had been reduced by £300. The services of Mr. Naylor, as organist, were specially referred to, that gentleman playing at the Sunday evening services. Misses Baumber and Martin, the assistant organists; Mr. A. P. Lucas (choir master),' and members of the choir; the ladies of the Sewing Guild, and all who had helped in the work of the Church, wero thanked. Mr. Lucas moved the adoption of the report, whicn was seconded by Mr. J. Boon, and carried. Mr. White contributed a solo. The chairman pointed out that beside the £300 raised for the Church trust, fully another £500 raised last year when the sums contributed for the home and foreign missions, the orphanage, the Sunday school, and other works were taken into account. Miss Martin gave a recitation, and she received an encore. Mr. J. Boon (the lay representative) and tho chairman ga<ve some interesting information regarding the recent Methodist Conference held at Christchurch Miss Vera Smith gave, a solo, which was encored. Tlie chairman referred to the delightful addresses given during the Conference by the Rev. Dr. George Brown. He had tried to get Dr. Brown to pay Nelson a visit, but that gentleman could not spare time to do so. Refreshments were provided, and afterwards, on the motion of Mr. Boon, seconded by Mr. Gorman, votes of thanks were pxtended" to Mr. A. A. Lucas (secretary and treasurer), the workers in the Church, and to the ladies who provided the refreshments.