AUCKLAND TABERNACLE ANNIVERSARY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 223, 20 September 1893, Page 5

AUCKLAND TABERNACLE ANNIVERSARY.

Tin: tliirty-ESRhth anniversary of tho Auckland Tabernacle Baptist Ghurcli was celebrated last nighb by a tea and public meeting. A nnmber sab down to tea, the tables beinc presided'over by ladies of the congregation. Pastor James Blaikie prosided at tho afler meoting, and seated on the rostrum wero several clergymen, and Mr S. H. Matthews, Church < Secretary. Tho rostrum was decorated irith flowers. ThoChairman.insomeinbrodustory remarks, said that his work at Che church had been lightened by the heartfelt sympathy shown towards him, and the kindly and cordial relations which existed between himself and the officers and members of the Church and congregation. Mr S. H. Matthews then read a'very lengthy and iirteresting report, tho different work, of the Church being dealt with under headings. This stated that the roll of membership was 508. There had been five (tenths during the year. Hpeciai reference vviv* made to tho death ot Brother Gibbins and ins work in the Church and Sunday-school. Pastor Blailue had been 12 months in effino and ho had not been sparing of time, strength or talent. They had reason to rejoice over hia earnest labours and continuous eflorts to increase tho eiiiciency and usefulness of the Church and its many agencies. The pastor and some young men had sectored a cottage and conducted a milieu in Westsstroeb. Tho Sunday-school roll was 395 with 66 teachers. During the year 12 scholars and four teachers joined tho Church. Thero wero 61 active, 11 associated, rand 2 honorary members in the Y.P.S.C.E., which had 12 Committees at work. The collecting boxes yielded £36 7s, of which £24 had been given to the New Zeah-md Baptist Missionary Society, and the Ci'iurch had contributed £112 to the same S'.&iety. A Ladies' Bonovolenb Society %d 28 members, and made 150 garments for the poor, in addition to other help. Tho report referred to tho branch services at. Otahuhu, visitation, Missionary Society, Tract Society, tho poor, choir, and the Friday market-day services held for tho benefit of country settlers and others. Tho report also stated that Bro. F. Balbley had just completed 25 years of honourable, loving and faithful service as a deacon of tho Church, and also referred to tho finances of the Church. Addresses wero given as follows :—Rev, W. Leo, "Is Our Present Day Church Life What it hhould be?;" Rev. G. B. Monro, " The Duty of individual Consecration to Christ"; Rev. G. D. Cox, "Some of the Things Necessary to a Church's Success." A s«"\psr choir, under Mr A. Shalders, was pfcwsnb and rendered several hymns. Mr 1 *fil--» pre- ; oi'/lod at the crgaD.