History page 6

found in England. The Rev. D. Irving found much joy in his pastoral work, which touched not only our members, but others outside our fold. He was called to settle family disputes and would kneel in prayer for the removal of misunderstanding. He was asked to write wills, to intercede for those who by acts of foolishness had lost their employment, and would give advice regarding marriage, and always championed the cause of the poor. Such fellowship and caring embodied within it the warmth, love and solicitude of a large well- knit family.

1938

In 1938, the Rev. Hopkins reports losses in membership at St. John’s Hill. Apart from deaths and transfers, there was “a mission conducted almost next door to our Church by a body which deliberately or otherwise, made its prime appeals to members of the more established churches”, this had affected the attendance at our services, though not our membership. (Mysore District Report 1938) . As the Pastor rightly believed, the Church would not be drawn into a controversy ever non-essentials, but it will continue to exalt Christ and to witness to the central truths of the gospel.

In 1939, before the Rev. Hopkin’s left for furlough, he reported that the difficulties mentioned in the last report had disappeared, and that the congregation was consistently good. Other activities connected with the Church, continued to flourish. Two young people, together with a large family from another Church were received into membership in September at St. John’s Hill. (The history of the St. John’s Hill Church from 1926-1936 onwards cannot be specifically projected, the relevant documents not being available. However, valuable information about the activities of the St. John’s Hill Church can be gathered from the Wesley Guild Minutes Book from June 1937 – March – 1950.)

Grant’s Special Note Book

It has already been mentioned that the Guild had contributed to the spiritual nurture of the young and was an extremely useful auxiliary of the Church. Nowhere is that so evident as in the careful, accurate and detailed record of the minutes of the Wesley Guild. This valuable record throws light on a vibrant Church working with zeal and fervor and revealing a visible blend of faith and good works.What follows as part of our Church history has been taken from this precious legacy recorded in a Brown “Grant’s Special Note Book “ – 100 pages (faded with time).

Welcome then to the Wesley Guild! The Executive Committee of the Guild consisted of the President, Vice- President, Treasurer, Secretary, the Record Secretary and the secretaries of the various committees. These committees were the leagues who visited the sick in hospitals, the Dorcas Class that made clothes for the poor, the Wesley Guild Library and the Wesley Guild Tennis Court.

The minutes give an updated account of the different activities mentioned above. Details of Income and Expenditure of the overall Wesley Guild, which could include expenditure on piano tuning, the catering bill for Church socials, the Wesley Press Bill and other such items. A glance at these takes one back in time when accounts were given in Rupees, annas, paises, where visits to Martha’s Hospital would be

marked as expenditure for carriages,(TA). Special activities would include a ‘Song – Tea – get together’, where members would pay four annas’ non-members – six annas for the programmes.The programme would be marked with music and song. Easter Mondays were observed by the Guild, with a special “Social” with music and community singing.

The First Guild Anniversaries

Whatdeserves special mention is the celebration of the Guild Anniversaries. One example is given here. The Guild Anniversary was held on the 16th July 1937, the Rev. W. Elphick M.A., took the chair, the Guild was well filled with members and friends, the programme was a very successful one, which included an enjoyable music performance. Names of the musicians and the vocalist are all recorded. The “takings” at the door WCO 13/10/10 and the expenses 4/18/0 (four rupee, eight anna)

Mention must be made if the refreshment served on that occasion.

The total expenditure for this celebration was 29 rupees 8 annas, 0 pice, and total income was 28 rupees 8 annas and 0 pice.