ECCLESIASTICAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 17, 21 January 1897, Page 8

ECCLESIASTICAL.

A soiree and public meeting were held on January 6 ab the Mount Eden Baptist Church as a welcome to the llev. J. F. Jones, thejnew pastor of the church.

A meebin_r of the Auckland Presbytery was held on January sth in St. Andrew's Church, the Rev. T. Norrie presiding in the absence of the Moderator. A welcome was accorded to the Rev. J. M, Mitchell, lately from Scotland, who bad been appointed to the charge of Hamilton, and who was present in the Presbytery. The vacancy caused by the retirement of Pastor Blaikie from the charge of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle is to be filled by the Rev. Joseph Clark, of Nottingham. A cablegram was received on December 29 by Mr S. H. Matthews, Secretary to the Tabernacle, stating that Mr Clark had accepted the call to Auckland, and would leave with his wife and family on the 18th of February.

There was a large gathering ab Sb, Paul's schoolroom, Dunedin, on Jan. 6, to bid farewell to Dr. Neville, Anglican Bishop of Dunedin, who is aboub bo leave New Zealand to attend the Lambetn Conference. A presentation was made, and complimentary speeches were uttered. The Bishop said he intended to get a? much as he could for the diocese when in England. It was intimated during (he evening that Canon Robinson had been appointed Archdeacon

Ab the opening of the Primitive Mefchodisb Conference at Feilding on January 6th forty-one delegates were present. The following officers -were elected :— President, Roy. Mr Lyon ; Vice-President, Mr John Clemenb (the oldes. lay preacher in the colony) ; Secretary, the Rev. Mr Williams; Assistant... Sscre; taries, Rev. Messrs Sharp and Boys. The report of the Building. Committee showed the total number of churches to be 52; other preaching places, 67; parsonages and homos, 15; increase, 1; hearers, 7,824, an increase-of 321; value of church property. £31,849 178 Id, an increase of £574 13a 3d; paid off debt this year, £522 3s 6d ; present debt, £6,000 3s. The district treasurer prosented the missionary report, wh/ch showed a total income of £360 15s IJd. The expenditure was £3.5 0* Bd, leaving a balance in hand of £15 14/) s_d. He also pre wanted the report ef tho Loan Fund Committee. There had been money lent since the comrr/encement of the fund to the value of £1,. 09 ; lent during lasb year, £160 ; incoroe for last year, £272 ; balance in Savings Bank, £179 lis Id. The reporb of the book room showed an income iv the year of £126 3s 7Jd. The balance, to credit on the year's transactions was £21 2s 9£-_, and the total balance to cred'i'i £226 lis 2d. It was decided to hold the next Conference at Dunedin.

"/.he annual meeting of St. Andrew's Pyesbyterian Church members was held c/i Jan. 13th, the Rev. It. Sommerville, Moderator, presiding. The church ac counts, which were adopted, shewed that there was a credit balance of aboub £31, and that during the year the church debt had been reduced by £100. The following were elected church managers tor the ensuing year:—Messrs G. Fraeet, J. Smart, M. A. Clark, Johnston, J. Grange, J. Kirkwood, McKay, Hastie, Whitfield, Falconer, Wiuks and Oliphant. The annual reporb of tho church was as follows : " The session regret exceedingly thab the pastorate still remains vacant, and thab there is no immediate prospocb of securing a suitable minister to fill it. Several ministers have been communicated with, but, as yet, the Committee of Selection is unable to bring a likely candidate before the congregation, but it hopes that ere long it will be in a position to do so. During the yoar the work of tho congregation has gone on without intermission, with the assistance of able pulpit, supply given by eighteen ministers of the Gospel, t$ whom we are greatly indebted. The membership of tbe congregation has increased, 42 now communicants having joined, 17 being members with certificates and 25 young people, by examination. Six members left the district and received disjunction certificate*. With sorrow we record the removal of three members by death. The communion roll now numbers 182. The attendance ab communion averaged 94, which is an increase on previous year. The building debt is now reduced to £320." The church receipts for the year were £535 14s lid, and the expenditure £567 19s 6d, leaving a balance in hand of £32 4s 7d.

The Most Rev. tho Primate, the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, gave a farewell address at St. Mary's Gabhedral, Parnell, on December 27th. prior to his leaving for England. There was a large congregation presenb. His Lordship said they knew that Zealand for a time, to attend a Conference of Bishops of their Church. Oae of the great objects of the Lambeth Conference was to promote brotherly love, especially in the universal Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in tho mutual relations of the different sections of Christ's people throughout the world. It wasa great responsibility to be a member, and a senior member, ef such a Conference. He would ask thorn to pray for him, thab by God's help he might do something to contribute towards the promotion of wise counsel*, lie wished them a happy New Year, and hoped that the spirit of brotherly love might grow amongsb them. To those who bod more of the good things oi this world than they tequired, he commended tho completion of St. Mary's Church, and thab tbey might have a building to which tbe humblest and poeresb mighb come without feeling that they were being thruet aside in any way; bub that all should be equally welcome. It would be a sincere happineea to him if

soon after his return ho Bhonld be asked to be present at the consecration of tho completed church. The Primate concluded with the words—" Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace ; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."