History page 5

Church, that thrived during the year, under the devotion of the teachers and officers. A new Ladies’ Aid Society for charitable purpose was inaugurated. It was pleasing to note that all the debts at St. John’s Hill had been paid off, and every side of our work reported a balance on hand, for which the members thanked God. The liberality” and “loyalty” of our people were “exemplary”. The weekly meetings of the Guild with its varied programmes were most popular and useful in the locality.

REV ARTHUR SLATER

The St. John’s Hill Pastorate recorded with gratitude the invaluable services rendered by the Rev. Arthur Slater. Both St. John’s Hill and East Parade will remember his meritorious service to the Wesley Guilds connected with both and his work for the Wesley Soldiers Home. For the last two years he was also in charge of the Kannada circuit. A man of good humour, enthusiasm and organsing skill, he returned home with a considerable variety of experience, as well as a newly won bride.

1912-1913

The year 1912, in St. John’s Hill, welcomed the arrival of the Rev. G. H. McCormick as the Pastor of the Church. In 1913, he reported that the work of St. John’s Hill is on the whole well maintained. Several attempts of different kinds were being made to gather the young people into our Church, and a special mission was being planned. The Sunday School and the Guild continued their good endeavours, even though during the year the Church lost many “tried workers and friends” whose places were not easy to fill

THE GREAT WAR

Our Church in 1915 continued its good work, aided by devoted stewards and friends. Despite the War, the work had been maintained numerically and financially, and even though there were financial commitments due to war, a fund for a new organ was generously raised. The year’s motto for the Wesley Guild “Forward”, fully justified the character of its activities – its excellent syllabus, its increased interest and the Guild room that underwent recent renovation, was reopened free from debt.

In 1916, the first organ for our Church was purchased by subscriptions and installed in November, under the incumbency of the Rev. A. E. Nightingale. The cost of the organ was Rs.960/- and the fund was raised by Mr. G. D. Dwyer, Chapel Steward and Secretary to the Organ Fund.

Another highlight of the year was the United Society Meetings that were carefully observed, and the East Parade Church brought its fine enthusiasm to St. John’s Hill, and both brought theirs to the “little distant cause at the railway quarters.” This spiritual campaign, which entailed going round the circuit did a lot of untold good.

POST-WAR YEARS

The Rev. D. Irving was appointed Pastor of the congregation at St. John’s Hill in 1919. A man of rich experience, who after retirement in the Madras District took up work in Bangalore. In the same year, the Wesley Guild of the Church continued its good work, offering good scope for service to many in our congregation. Our Sunday School suffered a severe set back, some time, ago, owing to all the Church of England children being withdrawn. The present situation showed a great improvement.

GOLDEN TEXT, SILVER MEDAL

In St. John’s Hill, the year 1922 was a time of blessing and loyal service. The Sunday School was still numerically strong, and some of the senior scholars were blossoming into first rate teachers. Mrs. Bloomfield donated a silver medal to the scholar who knew the greatest number of the year’s golden texts and this fell to Violet Shelling. The Wesley Guild Celebrated its fourteenth anniversary in July.

The quiet work of the Church continued and its services proved to be of great spiritual value to the people. There were many members of the congregation, who on account of old age were prevented from attending the services. These were regularly visited and prayed for. The Wesley Guild continued its splendid activity in the year 1923, and its several sectional officers visited the sick in the hospitals and homes and were busy in making garments for the widows, and the children in the Wesleyan East Parade Home. “No more Christ-like work has been, or could be accomplished.” (Mysore District Report 1923).

A WORK OF LOVE. ST. JOHN’S HILL. 1924.

Being near the homes of willing workers, can be one of the greatest assets of the Church. Pastor Irving writes “In reviewing the work of the year we are filled with thankfulness to God for His presence with us”.... The Sunday School has maintained its efficiency and increased in numbers- there are now 80 children on the roll. The Wesley Guild has met regularly. The Dorcas Class has been kept busy, providing garments for the girls of our children’s Home and the widows in the Home for poor widows. The Sunshine Committee have regularly visited the hospitals, bringing blessings to the patients. We sow in a wide field, and are confident that in many hearts, the seed will bear fruit”... (Mysore District Report- 1924) .

Our Saintly Pastor

We had in St. John’s Hill a Church of a hundred members in 1925. The life of the Church consisted of its Sunday and week-night services, a well- ordered Sunday School, a flourishing Wesley Guild and many of its activities familiar to what was