ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLII, Issue 9566, 28 July 1921, Page 3

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

_^fr WORK OF THE YEAR. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING. 11EPORTS OF VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. The annual meeting of members and adherents of the St. Andrew's Church was held last evening, the Rev. G. Miller presiding over a la.rge attendance. The report of the session clerk (Mr W. Oakley) stated that during the year the services had been well attended, especially the morning. The week-night Bible study had been made very interesting and instructive. It was a great pity that more did not avail themselves of this privilege. The short meetings for prayer, a quarter, of an hour before the morning and evening services, bad been attended by interested members. The session wished 'to acknowledge the work done by leaders of the Bible classes, superintendents and teachers of the Sunday schools, who by their earnest and consistent work were striving to win their members and scholars for the Master, and building them up m the faith. The choir continued to render excellent service to the congregation, and deserved the grateful thanks of all concerned -The membership roll was now 371. During the year 31 had joined by certificate and 21 by profession of faith. There had been 45 baptisms, 34 marriages, and 41 funerals. The deaths of Messrs McLauchlan, Doak, and Taylor, three elders, and one member of the Management Committee, Mr J. Glassey, were recorded with regret. Special reference was made to the late Mr Andrew Letham, who was the last I survivor of the pioneers who met on July 29, 1874, and established the St. Andrew's Church m Ashburton. Thanks for their work during the year were accorded to the minister (the Rey. George Miller), Mrs Miller, and the deaconess, Sieter Agnes. The Managers' Report. The Managers' Committee reported that 12 meetings had been held during the year, with an average attendance of 13 members. The year had been a comparatively uneventful one, no new works of any magnitude having been attempted, but the ordinary routine work had been carefully attended to. Two new members were elected at the beginning of the year, namely, Messrs A. Dray ton and J. Glassey, and two members, Messrs W. F. Watters and W. Z. Ferriman, both of whom had been useful committeemen, resigned, cwing to inability to attend the meetings. During the year a motor-car was presented to the minister by a number of the congregation, and it had proved a great boon to him m the execution of his ministerial duties. During the year Mr W. G. McDonald resigned his position as choirmaster, and the vacancy caused thereby was filled by Mr H. S. Gardner. The anniversary services were conducted by Dr. J. Gibb, of Wellington, and the collection for debt reduction on that day amounted to £85. The Fallen Soldiers' Memorial Tablet was unveiled by Chaplain J. A. McKenzie, of Pecone, formerly a missionary m the district, on May 22, the attendance being the largest ever known m the history of the church. ■ The special collection on that day amounted to £50. As both* the debt reduction and the memorial collections' had fallen a little, short of the desired mark, the choir very kindly volunteered to give a concert to make up the deficit. This concert, followed by refreshments provided by a few of the ladies, was highly successful, the proceeds amounting to £27 10s. The hall had been re-let to the Education Board for an indefinite period. The step caused a little controversy, but the committee, though not unanimously, yet by a substantial majority, considered that, though inconvenient to the church to a certain degree, it was doing the right thing m allowing the Education • Board to house the infants of the Borough School m the hall until such time as they could get other ac- < commodation. In conclusion, the com- k mittee thanked the members and ] adherents of the congregation for their J _ loyal support during the past year. Sunday School Work. ] The Sunday School superintendent's, ] report stated that Sunday school work j was not the easiest m which one might , be engaged, for it entailed a lot of sacrifice on the part of the workers. The teachers were greatly handicapped , m that they were still meeting m the ' church, which was not at all suitable for arranging classes m, especially when they were understaffed. In : spite of this difficulty the teacherß were carrying on the work m a most con- ( scientious manner. The attendance was still increasing, reaching 201; the average for the year being 170. Because ot the increase, more workers were needed. It was time that a forward move was made towards getting a building suitable for the needs of the church. The cost would be great, but no cost could be too much when the aim was considered. The young life was more important than the old, because of the many years before it. Attendance prizes were given to all the children who were present at every Sunday morning service, and also to those who missed not more than two. A number of scholars sat for the Assembly examination, and gave a good account of themselves. Mr E. Buchanan, the Sunday school superintendent, said that there were some children attending the school whose parents took no interest m the work of the Sunday school. These children comprised a big problem to the teachers. Another great difficulty which was experienced by the teachers was caused by the holding of the Sunday school m the church, which was quite unsuitable for the. conduct, of classes. Some of the classes were too large, as there were not enough teachers. He thought that it was time a Sunday school was put up to suit the requirements of a church such as St. Andrew's. The Allenton Sunday School Primary Department report showed i that the roll stood at about 4Q, but there was a dearth of teachers, only three remaining on the staff. Mr W. J. Moore said that the senior department was proceeding satisfactorily. He wished to thank Mr J ; Lane for his services m taking classes m this department, and also Mrs More-, the organist, and Mrs Brunton, who also contributed valuable services Other Departments. The kindergarten report showed that the work had been carried on satisfactorily. Miss B. McLauchlan waß still m charge of the "babies'" department, and was assisted by -Mias E. Cone. Miss Letham had charge of the cradle roll, and was secretary " and treasurer, while Mirs Hunter, as pianiste, added to the service, that bright touch which music gave; ,'Alto-

gether there were 7.11 chil<>->n cm the

gether there were 7.11 chil<>->n cm the roil, and 13 junior te.-jcbpr-; }.',-■ ..-.'. ;•; the teachers were very :?t;r.-;!r at '.jn>paration class during tlio" v/eok, "a:ul were seldom absent from their cb.sscv on Sunday. The secretary of the Senior Young Men's Bible Class reported that during the year the class had again decreased m numbers. The decrease was due to members going into the Sunday school, some going to homes of their own, and others leaving the district. The average attendance was now only six. They were continuing their studies from the Union B.C. syllabus, with the help of Mrs Miller. The Junior Young Women's Bible Class report stated there were now 40 members on the roll, including 18 new members, and the attendance was much more regular. Sister Agnes had been a faithful and most earnest leader. A Maori Mission Birthday League had been organised, with 36 members. The Junior Young Men's Bible Class reported that meetings had been held regularly under the able leadership of the Rev. George Miller, who had made the study both interesting and instructive. The class consisted of 13 members, with an average attendance of 10. The deaconess reported that the work among the young continued to grow, and was of vital importance. The work of the Busy Bee hives spoke for itself. The Bible class had grown m numbers and enthusiasm. Forty or 50 children, sometimes more, attended the Borough School Bible Class, and while "one was thankful for these, there was a large proportion who l did not come to the Scripture reading. She urged parents to help m this work by encouraging the children to attend. Much visiting had been done amongst the sick and aged and strangers, and she had held closely to the work m the congregation. In conclusion, she I wished to thank all those who had by sympathy and assistance helped her m the work. ; Reports were also submitted dealing with the work of St. Andrew's and Allenton Busy Bees, the former numbering 50 or 60, and the latter 63. The St. Andrew's Busy Bees were at present working for a sale m aid of the new Sunday school, and Home and Maori Mission funds. The P.W.M.U. The report of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union stated that the total membership was now 59, the average attendance being about 20. The greatest efforts this year were for the women's . foreign , missionary beneficiary fund, for which was raised the satisfactory sum of £31 10s, and the gift afternoon for the Home Missionaries. The sum of £17 m money and 50 articles, besides two canvas trap rugs, had been handed m. On May 5 Sister Jessie, of Nuhaka, gave a very interesting account of her work among the Maoris. Sister Agnes had charge of the " Harvest Field" distribution, and reported 54 subscribers. The secretary for the Maori Mission Birthday League reported liiO members, and had handed m £5. The secretary for Oriental work had sold £17 worth of goods m aid of mission funds. The sum of £12 was sent for the upkeep of a Bible woman m Canton, with the promise to send more if needed ; £2 was donated to the Training Institute, and £5 to Mr Michel son for the New Hebrides. Over £99 had been expended for the year, ,and a parcel for the Babies' Home, Canton, was now being prepared. The balance-sheet showed that the income for the year had been £1517 17s 4d, including £861 12s 3d from collections, envelopes, and donations, £133 from special collections, and £345 for missions. The expenditure amounted to £1475 18s I'd, including £708 11s 8d for salaries, £387 16s 8d for missions, and £184 4s 8d for general expenses. The credit balance m petty cash and at the Building Society was £41 19s 3d. Of the expenditure on missions. £68 19s 7d was for Home Missions, and the remainder for Foreign Missions. The Church Funds. The position of the various funds was shown as follows : — Church sinking funds, credit £102 14s 4d ; organ funds, credit £65 Is 6d ; St. Andrew's Sunday School building fund, credit £23 5s Id; motor-car account, . credit £26 7s 6d ; Allenton Sunday School, credit £3 19s 10d; P.W.M.U., credit 10s Id. Mr M. Bruce, referring to the balance-sheet, said that of the mission collections £100 had been given by a member of the " congregation, Mrs Moore. There had been a diminution this year of the amount paid m interest on mortgages. . This was being further reduced. There was this year a new account m the balance-sheet, the motor-car account. The cost of the motor-car had been easily collected, and 10 members of the congregation had. come forward and offered to nay £5 each per year towards the upkeep of the car. Mr Bruce thanked all those who had Helped him during the year m his position as treasurer. Mr W. G. Gallagher congratulated those responsible for the fine reports which had been presented. One matter to which he wished to refer was the christening service, which he would like to see altered so that it would take place on altei ls of 'the church. The Rev. ;|| # o 4& Miller said that to make thesis* £V; more prominent would mean that'"^ScTe would be non' 1 at all. In fact, a large number of baptisms were carried out at the Sunday school service. The reports and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr Miller thanked the session and the managers for the work they had done and the interest they had taken m the affairs of the church. Th" Sunday school was now larger than it had ever been, and thus the great? " became the necessity for a new school. It was a big ouestion, but it could \v: faced if all worked together. IT' 1 wished to thank Mr Buchanan and al! those who had assisted m the Sunday school and Bible class work. The choi'was a good one, and he wished to thanl' its members for their fine service. The treasurer (Mr M. Bruce) was anofhor worker who deserved thanks for ■ hi c services. Sister Agnes was working very well, and she was very (highly thought of by all. The attendance -of the people at the services was : he thought, on the average very satisfactory, but there was a number who hnrnot been reached. Mr R. Houston referred to MiMiller's service during the year. Be thought that St. Andrew's Church services were as satisfactorily ccm ducted as any m the Dominion, for MiMiller was capable and energetic, anrt the thanks of the congregation weir due to him for the way m which he liao carried out his duties. The work of Sister A<rnes ■fristifally referred to -by Mr W. J Moore. ' Votes of thanks were passed to tli' session and the managers. During +he evening* musical item? were contributor! by Messrs E. G Craighead and E. Loftus. At the conclusion supper was handen round, and a vote of thanks was pasßed to the ladies who provided it.