Ormondville.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume V, Issue 2, 1 August 1914, Page 22

Ormondville.

Ttear: Rev. T. Fisher The annual Church meeting for the year 1913-14 was held on Friday evening with a fair attendance. After prayer and the due formalities,^ the Vicar read his report. Beginning with an expression of gratitude toi God for .the year's blessings, it made reference to the kindliness and charity prevailing among the members generally. Appreciative recognition was given to the services rendered to the congregation by the lay readers, Messrs W. Robinson and T. Fothergill. The changes which had been made m developing the list of services were found to be justified by ■ increased congregations, ;.■■■; The Parish Church has been supplied wiith many necessary articles during the year, and several, -in preparation, will, it is hoped, be added during this year, so that the shapely sanctuary should be still better furnished. ' Good reports were given concernine: the progress of the two Melanesian Catechists stipported by the parish, John. Patteson Kelesi and Liliu.; From the former boy a letter has been received, telling m his owtai quaint fashion about the life m Norfolk Island, and accompanied by one from the Rev. W. F. Long, M.A 1 ., Mission priest m the Solomon Islands, who writes thus: "J. P. Kelesi" is one of the very .best, and we have great hopes' of him. He is now confirmed and is a regular Cqmrcunicant. He Works hard, and althdugh not brilliant, is a real trier, and one day should make a splendid teacher. His district is

wjhite help ; .ipnly ?J otae, of many, districts m. the ' same . . condition. Tell your people that one day, if they pray, regularly for. him, John will, be a good teacher. He shows great promise, and - with the prayers of people behind him, will come on. more . and more." r • ■■•■..,•'■ We are now seeing what we pan do t*o help on the much-needed, '' Rescue Home," to be opened immediately m Napier for this Diocese. Kopua has set a goad eyample and sent m £3 ios on its own account. Norsewood and Ormondville are seeing about their share. Several new settlers have come into the district and we give them - welcome and are glad of their presence m the public ; worship of the ' Church. It is to be mo ted how seriously the habit of neglecting the weekly service of praise and thanksgiving has taken hold of us. The service of <>ur Ivord's institution, which, based upon the Resurrection, has ' established the observance of Sunday "throughout Christendom, is made of so little account that strikingly few ■ Church members are found at times to take their part m offering it. One would fancy almost that once a month was the intention of the Apostles of our Lord, not as the record m the sacred Scriptures has it : " The first .day of the week." If the Christian Church would only make up its mind to a real apostolic use of the Sunday the great cry of lack of Sunday o^*»ervance would soon cease. Neverthe Iless there have not failed "two at the least ". throughout the. year at the 'Parish Church ; but it is a rebuke to our faith m and love of our L/ord that the number is so few as it has been on occasions.- Yet the frequent call to baptise, which is to be noticed, is an evidence that faith !in the Christian revelation of God, attenuated though it may be, is still alive among us. We need to pray that the Blessed Spirit will increase our faith. . . : ; The weekly Scripture teaching now extends to Whetukura; as well as Ormondville and Mak'otuk,u, m connection with the Ministers' Association, but half an hour a week is not overtaking the neglect of past years; nor is it giving ,the coming generation the knowledge of the Scriptures which was our heritage. ' • The two Sunday Schools still bold them own at Ormondville and Majkotuku. . : -.-.■■■' ! ■-• ; • A review of the social functions brought the report- to a close. The financial statement by 7 the Churchwarden, showed .the. result, of a small balance on the right side. The officers . elected for the. new year are :— Church wardens. Messrs Ewckarv and.T. Fothergill ; Vestrymen. Messrs H. M. Sanders. E. Smith, J.. Brabazon,. W. J. 'I Wililams, T. W ; / Smith, Skerman, P.. H.. Smith arid T. GSmit||." :/. .■' '.;,■ ■■['' "[ \' : ''\'[ i- "