BERESFORD-STREET CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 65, 18 March 1895, Page 3

BERESFORD-STREET CHURCH.

ANNUAL REPORT,

The anniversary of bhe Beresford-streeb Congregational Church and the harveab festival were ' celebrated yesterday by special services in the church. The church waß prettily decorated with flowers, fruib, corn and vegetables, the interior presenting a pretty appearance. The music was an especially excellent feature of the services, a sbrong and efficient choir contributing special hymns. Mr W. Impetb acted as organist in the morning and evening, and Mr W. J. Cousins in the afternoon, The Rev. A. H. Collins conducbed bhe morning service, and bhe Rey. G. Burgess bhe service in bhe evening. During the morning service, Miss Alice Rimmer sang " God Moves in a Mysterious Way," and in the evening Mr.R. S. Abel sang the solo from "St. Paul," "God Have Mercy." In bhe afbernoon Mr J. T. Arundel addressed bhe Sunday-school children. Tbe annual reporb and balance-sheeb of bhe Church for tho paeb year were circulated amongsb the congregation yesterday. The reporb, which will bo presenbed ab bhe annual meebing this week, contained the following paragraphs :—" The Deacons are gratified in being able to presenb a cheering report for the year 1894. The earlier part of the y6ar was necessarily ono of doubb, as regarded bhe pastorate. On July llth a hearty and emphatic call to the permanent pastorate was accepted by the Rev. George Burgess, who had been filling the pulpib for nearly twelve months. The thanksgiving services' special offerings toward the Church funds, amounting to £58, enabled us to close the year with a small debit balance on the general account. We trust the members of the Church and congregation will assist to maintain our finances in a sound position by systematic and regular offerings. During the year 34 members have been added to the Church roll. The superintendent and teachers of our Sabbabh-school have been unremibbing in bheir labour of love, and albhough we cannob boast of any increase in the number of scholars the average attendance has been fully maintained. The Young People's Christian Endeavour Society is doing good, earnest work. The meetings of the Mutual Improvement Society have not been as well supported as they deserve, although the members were very successful in bhe Literary Societies' debates. The ladies' sewing circle was reorganised bhis year under Mrs Burgess' supervision, and rendered efficient help to bhe Church by contributing £13 to the thanksgiving Sunday collection. It ib to be hoped thab this Society will not be allowed to die from want of sustained interesb."

The sbatemenb of accounts for the year ending December 31eb last show that the general fund receipts during bhe yearamounted bo £594 13s 2d, brie-,expenditure being £596 16s lid. . The collections during the year amounted to £52S 6s. The principal disbursements wero: Minister's stipend, £250 ; organist's salary £25 ; care _ake.*salary, £35 ; gas, £21 19s Bd. Tho Home Mission fund receipts had been £40 6s 3d. The amount to credit of the school-building fund was £19 Is Id. The Sunday School fund accounts showod thab the receipts for the year had been £132 4s 7d, and the expenditure £125 13s 3d, leaving a balance in hand of £6 lis 4d. The amount collected for the London Missionary Society was £20 17s lid. The balance on band to the eredib of bhe choir fund was £4 9s Bd. The church liabilities are as follows :— Morbgage, parsonage, £600; mortgage, church, £209: loan irom school building fund, £15; bobal, £824.