PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EXTENSION ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume XX, Issue 2303, 18 December 1872, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH EXTENSION ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL SOIEEE. The first annual soiree of the Presbyterian Church Extension Association, which has been such a success in its working during the past year, was celebrated yesterday with more than ordinary eclat, owing to the presence in Canterbury of the representatives of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. The tea meeting was held in Mr John Anderson's paddock, two large marquees being erected, which had the advantage of being cool, a consummation devoutly to be wished during yesterday, the heat being something intense. ' The tables were laid in the marquees, and comprised every delicacy of the season, being presided over and superintended by the following ladies : —Mesdames Deans, D. Graham, Ambrose, Fergusson, Rattray, Campbell, Craig, Boag, Sinclair, Dunlop, Webster, Cuff, Eaglesome, and Dymock; Misses, ..Wilkin, . Boggis, Rattray, Stout, AKlnnes, aniDymock. ' The following ladies also presided over tables for the following churches:—St. Paul's : Mrs 37 Anderson, Clephai.e, Campbell, McPherson, Duncan, Mitchell, Shod, Reese. McDougall, Misses Cuok, Anderson, Sutherland, Ga«un, Reese, Guthrie. Lyttelton : MrsMcGowan, Terguson, Cunningham, Flett, Misses McDonald, McGowan, Fife. Kaiapoi: Mrs Brougb. Bangiora : Mrs John McFarlane.

■ In addition several contributions were received by the committee from ladies unable to attendj notably £6 6s from the ladies of Timaru.

About, 800 partook of the good things proyided, and after a short time spent in listening to the strains of Heir Biinz's band, the parties gradually strolled off towards the town

Altertea" an adjotrrnment was made to the Oddfellows' Hall, which was rapidly filled, there being over 600 .present. The chair-was - taken by the Key Charles Fraser, and on the platform were the various ministers attending the Presbvteriau General Assembly, several qtthe office-bearers and leading members of the Church, Extension Association The united choirs of St Andrew's and St Paul's churches, under the leadership of Mr Long, was also present, Mr J. O. Sheppard presiding at the harmonium: The proceedings were opened by singing the i6oth Psalm, and the Rev W. McGowan* of Lyttelton engaging in prayer. ; The Bey Chairman said he wished to express the featisfaction he felt at ! being present <s>n the occasion and presiding over them. It was a very pleasing thing to him to be able to record that there had been good work done by the association, and it .was a matter of great gratification to him to be able to say that in twelve months they had new laborers from home and were able to take up parts of the province which they had not been able before to do, and further than this to provide for the vacancies caused by the death orremoval of the ministers. Looking at the fact of the great activity in commercial.and he might also say in political circles, caused by the activity of tie Government, it would not at all be creditabVethat the Church of Christ should stand still.' "The [ Rev D. Bruce in'his opening address to the General Assembly, had spoken of the argument used against the ministers of the that they were not producers, and from this point of view he (the Chairman) would desire to : point out that the ministers of the Gospel were producer?, and in all our Saviour's parables h& Spoke, of them as. such. ■ It was; a great rnattexfor satisfaction,, thatthey, had, amongst them on the occasion of the celebration of their first anniversary, the members of the Presbyterian General Assembly of New Zealand, not that they wanted this to keep alive their interest in the Presbyterian cause, but that they felt that it was a great thing to have this body sitting amongst them. He hoped that when the Assembly was convened to meet in some other part of the colony, that their deliberations would be as successful for tKe general .-' good as that which; bad , just closecU' He would now call upon the Secretary to read his report-- ! Mr Andbew ;I>uncan said that as it was a warm evening hfe had takenithe precaution to see that each person present was supplied prith a copy of the report of the proceedings, Which >was?a, xaqte preferable proceeding. rHeat-5 • He ieltuiura_when they read it. at home they would feel more than ever induced to support the association in tfre,, gre*fc work it tad to carry out \ [Hear.J ,'vl The following is the report 1—

" V- ojjr comnaitteepresent thg first annual Report of the Canterbury Presbyterian Church Association with feelings of devout thankfulness to Almighty God, for the large measure of success with which it has pleased Him to bless their labors. If theyhavenot accomplished, during tbeirfirst year's existence, all they could have wished, they can confidently affirm that they have effected much more than some of even their most sanguine frieuds ventured to hope. This is owing" to the heartiness and unanimity of the committee, and to the cordial sympathy and generous support which they have received from all parts of the province.- ---" Those who have followed the proceedings of the association, with interest, are aware that it originated in a conference of the office-bearers of the three churches of St. Andrew's and St. Paul's, Christchurcb, and St. John's, Lyttelton, which was held iv St. Andrew's vestry, on the loth of June, 1871. At that memorable meeting the state of the Presbyterian Church in the province was fully considered and the formation of an association Tesolved upon. ' to assist poor and struggling congregations to sustain a gospel ministry ; also, to maintain one or more missionary preachers and to assist theological students to prosecute their studies for the ministry.' At the adjonrned meeting, which immediately followed, the first practical step was taken by the provisional committee resolving to apply at onoe to the colonial committee of the Free Church of Scotland for their first Missionary, On

the'~2sth August" followed the inaugural public meeting in the Drillshed, which was such a magnificent success, and gave such an impulse to the cause, thst the committee, then elected, recorded on the minutes their sense of God's goodness in *>o Smiling upon their endeavors. From this date the work has proceeded quietly and steadily; the monthly meetings beingalways well attended, the discussions full, free, and brotherly, the members of the committee enjoying their work, and each one vicing with his neighbor in the endeavor to bear the common burdens.

" The first work to which your committee gave attention was that of deputations. They resolved, as far as possible, to visit the different congregations and centres of population with a view to interest the people in the work, and to enlist their support. Accordingly, public meetings were held at Lincoln, South £elwyn. Ashley Bank, Halkett, Lcithfield. Kaiapoi, Rangiora, and Kowai Pass : the Rev C. Fraser visited alone, Waimate, and Ashburton; and the Rev W. S. MGowan the Peninsula. In every case the deputations were most cordially received. This work has not been proceeded with so extensively as was wished, as it was found that in the outlying districts little could be done, save when the committee were able to promise the services of a preacher ; and, as their ability was hereof a most limited character, their operations in this direction have been much contracted.

"In reporting next of the districts, which they have been able directly to benefit, your committee might begin with the congregations of Brookside, Leeston, and Southbridge. These churches were fully organised at the time the association started into existence, but they were destitute of a fixed pastor, although receiving fortnightly supply of services from the Rev J. Campbell. The Rev J. W. Cree arrived in November, commissioned by the colonial committee of the Free Church of Scotland to the Presbytery of Canterbury. The association's committee gladly accepted this gentleman's offered services, and he supplied these vacant congregations with such acceptance that he was at once taken out of the hands of the association, and in due time inducted by the Presbytery into their pastoral cure. While the committee had no direct hand in this settlement, their friends there will confess that they have been much benefited by the impulse which the association has given to the cause generally.

"Whilst speaking of these districts, we may advert to the Prebbletou and Lincoln churches, which at one time, along with those now under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. W. Cree, formed the district which the Rev. J. Campbell was minister of. And without being formally connected with the association these two churches now have regular Sabbath services, conducted by the Rev. J. D. Ferguson, of Lyttelton, who at considerable inconvenience to himseif ministers to the people there with great acceptance. There is a probability, at no distant date, of these districts being joined with Green Park, or other adjoining district, and thus have the services of ja, settled pastor. '• kaiapoi. "This Church was also in existence previously, though it was reduced to the lowest j possible state. Its minister, the Rev. W. Kirton, died just as the association was formed, and the supply of the pulpit was thrown on the Presbytery. ~ ', For five months, the Rev. A. P. Douglas—who was appointed moderator of the session, by the Presbytery—kept the pulpit open by such temporary supplies as he could procure. In the meantime, however, the committee being informed that the Rev W. M'Gregor.-?-who Lad been recently sent out by the Free Church Colonial committee to the district pf Meanee, near Napier- had been unwittingly intruded into a field al ready partially occupied, and was therefore willing to labour elsewhere, offered him an engagement. Having consented to labour under the committee he was sent to Kaiapoi, with instructions to pneh his way up to Rangiora, and as far as the Oust Valley. He began hie work there on the second Sabbath of January, 1872. Very soon, as the result of his services, the congregation at Kaiapoi started into new life, and the vacant seats gradually filled up; a congregation began to be gathered together in Rangiora; and in the chapel in Cust Valley, which is connected with no denomination, but which the trustees willingly granted the use of, a respectable audience was every Sabbath evening assembled to-, gether. After six months' work, these three congregations—being highly satisfied with Mr M'Gregor's servioes, and 'feeling strong enough to sustain him without the help of the association—resolved to call him to be their minister. This was accordingly done in the ordinary method, and a large . deputation of - your committee had the pleasure of taking part in the evening services connected with the induction. Moreover, since then, your committee also took part in 'the services connected with the opening of a handsome new church at Rangiora, which the congregation gathered together by Mr M'Gregor have bu,ilt for themselves. Nor is this all that we have to report concerning this field of labour, for so generous and lelf-respecting have been .the people, and so disinterested has been our missionary—Mr M'Gregor— r , that the three local committees have refunded his six months' salary. The committee in terminating their fostering relationship with these congregations, which they- regard as the first-fruits of their efforts, cannot but express their deepest interest in them, the highest hopes of their future prosperity and usefulness, and at the same time, trust their example and that of their respected pastor, may prove a standard and a stimulus to other districts throughout the province. " SOUTH SELWYN TO MALVEBN HILLS. " This great district was early the object of the committee's consideration. Services i were begun fortnightly- at the school of South Selwyn by the Rev. J. W. Cree, when he first entered upon bis work in that neighbourhood, previous to hie settlement. This came to an end when he was inducted into the pastoral charge of Brookside, Leeston,. and South bridge. Providentiallyj however, nearly at the same time the Rev.. R. Ewen arrived in thfli province, having been sent out by the Colonial committee to supply the new church at Temuka, which! had in the meantime called the Rev'Gγßarclay of Timaru. His services being avanabre,"Ke" was appointed to labor between South Selwyn and Kbwai Pass, and began his labors, on" Sabbath the 14th of April. Previously to this, "a deputation of your committee .had, by request, met in the. month of December last with the Presbyterian residents of' Russell's Flat and the neighborhood; where they held a most interesting meeting, and' for Wed a local committee, and' premised monthly week-evening services until further supply could be obtained. These services were given up when Mr Ewen entered upon this field. Since the date of his arrival, he has held regular fortnightly services at" Selwyn, Halkett, and Courtenay stations, with monthly services at Hororata, Hawkins, Russell's Flat, and Kowai Pass. The Sabbath school, which, had been established at the Selwyn school-room, has now five teachers and an attendance of forty scholars. Sabbath schools are now also organised at West Melton and Courtenay. He alao visits the various districts as far as possible. Universal testimony is borne to the zeal, diligence, and ability, with which your Missionary discharges his duties. He has two difficulties to contend with which must be overcome if the work here is to become permanent. There are, as yet, no places of worship ; the people assemble in the local schoolrooms. So long as this state of things continue there can be no congregational life, and no opportunity for engaging in these good works which cluster round the church, nor can it be said that there is a congregation at all. We are happy to state that"movements in the direction of remedying this evil are. in progress; as the followin" extract from a late report of the Rev R. Ewen will shew : —" Active steps are being now. taken for building churches at Halkett and Courtenay. Mr A. Keir has presented a site for Halkett, and Mr M'Xae one for Courtenav. and subscriptions are being received for the "buildings. The other difficulty is the extent of the field. It is twenty-five miles long by seventeen miles broad—much too to be undertaken adequately by one in-

dividual. Besides this, experience proves that occasional services produce little fruit ; it is only the Tegular weekly service which may be "depended upon ..as. tending to the provvth and prosperity of the -oongmrition. It is to be hoped that this district will be so re arranged that the prospect will be nearer of their being formed into regular charges, with settled Ministers of their own. "ASHLET BANK. MOCXT GBEY DOWXB. SALTWATER CREEK, A>'D LEITHFIKLD. "These districts formed part of the sphere in which the Roy. W. Ho.g labored, but by his translation to the congregation of Koss, Westland, they became vacaut. and applied to your committee: for assistance. They were able, however, to give them only very occasional services the arrival in the province of the Rev H. M. Murray, who had been sent out by the colonial committee of the Free Church, in answer to the appeal addressed to them by the association. Though he arrived ou the loth of July, his services were not available till September 29th, owing to his being appointed to preach, for the first two Sabbaths, in St. Andrew's and St. Paul's, to allow the ministers of these congregations to visit and preach in these districts ; and to his being sent to the branch association at Timaru. at their urgent request to assist them in their present emergency. Mr Murray has since preached—according to hia instructions —at Ashley Bank, at Mount Grey Downs or Saltwater Creek, and at Leithfield. The cause here is in a highly interesting state. The people are zealous and hopeful ; a beautiful church has just been opened at Ashley Bank almost free of debt ; a site, generously given by Mr Young, has been fixed upon for building another between Saltwater Creek and the Downs to accommodate the lesidents of both, and very liberal subscriptions have been promised towards its erection ; and, at Leithfield, considerable : progress has been made in the same direction. Your committee devoutly hope that the day is jnot far distant when the three congregations, between the Ashley and the Waipara, will rejoice in the ministrations of a settled pastor, and they shall be as a well-watered garden which the Lord hath blessed. " THE PENINSULA. " With regard to this field of labour, your committee have scarcely anything to report. The pulpit at Lyttelton was supplied at the expense of the association, for one Sabbath, to enable the Rev W. S. M'Gowan. to visit and preach there, which he did. Surprise has been expressed in the committee, oftener than once, that no communications have been received from this quarter, as, from almost every other corner of -the province, they have received messages and subscriptions Mr M'Gowan expects that he will soon be able to do something for this district, and, it is to be devoutly hoped, that he will be more successful in stirring up the people there than your committee have hitherto been. " waimate. " In this distant corner of the province the Presbyterians have been recently bestirring themselves to meet their own necessities, and those of the neighborhood. They are preparing to build a church —a good work whichwouldsoon.be completed were your committee able to send them a Missionary. All they have, as yet, been able to do for the people was to give them the services of the Rev R. Ewen for a fortnight. The local committee are now urgent, for an immediate supply of their wants. At the present time it is most regretable that this request cannot be complied with ; but, as every mail may bring tidings of mcc Ministers, they will not have long to wait; and they may be assured that the committee will attend to their wants at the earliest possible moment. In the meantime l —far from being discouraged—let them diligently prepare for the future, by proceeding with the erection of the church, and stirring up all their people to interest themselves in the work of the church. " ASHBTJBTON-. ■ "Since the formation of the association, the Presbyterians in this district have taken a lively interest in its work, and have subscribed handsomely to its funds. In October, the President visited, at the committee's request, the township of Ashburton, and held a public meeting. were anxious for a minister to be placed there as soon as possible, and strenuous efforts are being made to have a church erected at an early date.

! "These are all the districts in which your committee have been, as yet, able to do anything definite in supplying the spiritual wants of the people. They ! are aware that there is much work before them, and they are zealous to overtake it. Nor do they think themselves too sanguine in hoping that, during the course of the next year,'they will be able to come to the assistance of at least all the most ' necessitous neighborhoods. Among these spheres of labor to which they are casting anxious eyes are—the Amuri, in the North, and Oxford, Moeraki Downs, and Eyreton. - " Your committee have also to report that the various districts have formed local committees of their own, who work in con* , nection with the central committee, and occasionally send dep"ties—as the chairman and secretary of committee are etc officio members of the central committee.' It is most desirable that these visits should be more frequent. It has been suggested that were it understood that once a quarter the country deputies would be present, the special matters of business, which pertained to them, might be referred for fuller discussion to the occasions of their presence.

" The oversight and personal superintendence of the districts surrounding Timaru, have been committed to the care of the active and intelligent committee which has been formed there. They are prepared to do their utmost at.present, and it is not doubted when the church there is provided with a pastor, they will be able —with but little assistance from the parent committee—efficiently, to plant and foster churches in the surrounding country, as the increase of the population requires it. ; . ;'" Your committee have also the pleasure to report the formation"of a sister association on the- ? West Coast. The President, the Re* i). Fraser, took advantage of his supplying ihe vacant pulpit.there, tp explain the.principles arid plans of the association at a public meeting specially called for the purpose: and, as the result, a local committee was formed with the same rules and the came methods, in-strict conjunction with the parent committee in Christcnurch, but with the special purpose of supplying the necessities of the West Coast; This committee hail this movement with the utmost thankfulness, and trust that the brethren there—whose zeal and earnestness in extending the Kingdom of Christ are well known—will meet with every encouragement and. abundant success. They have a large field of usefulness, and with this organisation, and the active assistance of the able Ministers whose ministration they enjoy, they will eventually be able, to occupy it fully.. The, first and most pressing claim on this- committee, has been the new township of Reefton. A few of the office-bearers and members of tho Hokitika congregation, with other Presbyterians, having taken up their abode there, have made it one of their first duties to aim at the establishment of a Presbyterian congregation— surely an example worthy of universal imitation. Through the Hokitika committee they have applied to your association for a Minister for the infant Church, That committee also generously guaranteed, on their own "responsibility, a minimum stipend of £200 per annum. This committee has, however, stipulated that—as the expenses of living are always much higher on a goldfield thnn'elsewhere —the minimum stipend should be £300 instead of £200—the salary paid on this side of the ranges. With this condition maybe anticipated at an early date the effective supply of this most important field of labour.

" Besides what has-been already narrated, one of the principal duties of your committee is; to procure the preachers who may in due time, be settled over the congregations they gather together. In order to do this they have communicated with the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, as a church which takes a deep interest in the colonies, and is very generously disposed towards them. They laid before that committee, through the" Presbytery Clerk, their plans and hopes, and the highest gratifies-

tion was expressed—' They had not heard such good news for many a day ; and they promised every assistance they coul! ivnder. Nothing more was requo- ■ 1 from '.'.., -.:\ than men, and that the p>i*.-a_'e out sjki-.*Ul b< , paid—an expense which the committee did not feel able to face. The first ruquest for a preacher, as has already been stated, was made in June, 1871. The second resolutiou in this direction was passed in September ; this time it was agreed to ask for two preachers, in addition to the one previously applied for. Again, at the monthly meeting held on July 25, 1572, it was agreed to apply to the same quarter for three more ; one < f" the three to be chosen out of the Irish Presbyterian Church : in each case the application was made through the Presbytery. In answer to these applications they have sent the Rev H. M. Murray, at present stationed north of the Ashley, and tne Kov A. M. Tait, who has been labouring some years in Canada, but for the sake of health seeks a more genial clime, and who comes with the highest recommendations. Though the process of obtaining preachers seems slow, yet it must be remembered that, from all quarters of the world, the Free Church receives similar applications, and, consequently, finds it difficult to meet tho constant demand for men and money ;aud it is certain that the utmost haste that can be made is being made for us. Your committee, however, feeling that it was their duty to tax the home committee as little as possible, at its monthly meeting in October, resolved to transmit the sum of £100, as a contribution towards the expenses incurred on this behalf. It is to be hoped, before long, that the members of the association will so increase that the whole burden will be borne, asit ought to be, by the church here, seeing that the people here are better able to face all the cost of church maintenance and church extension than the heavily burdened churches at home. It is believed by your committee, however, that this contribution towards the expenses incurred on their behalf will tend much to increase the interest which is already felt in their work at home.

" Another piece of work has been under discussion in your committee, suggested by Mr Dymock—'The propriety of insuring the lives of the ministers connected with the association. . There is no doubt but that this would be very desirable, as most of the provisions made by the home churches for their ministers—in the shape of aged and infirm ministers' fund, and widow and orphans' fund—are sacrificed when they cast in their lot with the churches in the colonies. A sub-committee has this matter, in the meantime, under consideration.

" Your committee also —in the hope that a ' Magazine, , in connection with the association, would deepen and extend the interest felt in the work, and on the understanding that it should be no drain on the funds— started the project of such a publication in November, 1871, by appointing a sub-com-mittee to carry the same into effect. A quarterly periodical—under the editorship of Mr David Craig, and called ' The Canterbury Presbyterian , — was issued in February, 1872. Three numbers have since been issued, and, although not such a success as your committee would have wished (considered financially), it is calculated to do much good to the cause. It ia earnestly to be hoped that the members of our church, in the country districts, will try and extend its usefulness by becoming subscribers, as well as by furnishing, to the editor, such information from their respective districts as may be interesting and instructive to the church at large.

" Your committee—taking into account the difficulty of properly working the different churches in one Presbytery, on account of the difficulty of communication, and also considering that, at the present rate of progress, there will be -within the present bounds of the Presbytery of Canterbury upwards of twenty ministerial charges within a year or two—passed a resolution suggesting to the Presbytery the desirability of petitioning the approaching General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in New Zealand, to form the churches of Canterbury and Westland into a Provincial Synod.

" Lest our mode of operations be misunderstood, your committee invite attention to the method pnrsued in regard to the support of the missionaries while in the service of the association. Our salary is £200 a year, guaranteed for two years, and remitted monthly direct by our treasurer. The preacher has no pecuniary connection with the people among whom he labors. All the collections, subscriptions. &c, which are raised in connection with his services are remitted to the treasurer in Christchurcli. This plan secures to_ the missionary a certain definite fixed income, whether the people among whom he labors be able or willing to support him or not. It moreover sets the missionary free to organise—to teach the duty of Christian liberality without the suspicion of s°lf-seeking. Oα the part of the people it acts as a stimulus ; it awakens a desire to return to the committee at least,as much as they receive ; it helps them during the process of forming congregations, and quickens organisation, setting before them a minimum to reach, and teaching them how to gather it together before the responsibilities of the congregation are assumed. It will be seen by a reference to this report and that of the treasurer's that your committee's expectations in regard to this mode of operations have been largely fulfilled. -

" There is nothing further to be added, save that the committee have throughout acted in accordance with and under the superintendence of the Presbytery, and that the utmost harmony has prevailed between them. .

" Such is a succinct account of the year's work. Your committee look back upon it with satisfaction and thankfulness. - They feel assured that this report of their labors will satisfy all interested, that they have not labored in vain, and that they are warranted in asking that the support extended to the association for the past year may not only be continued, but largely increased. £n a few years- more, if God continue to bless their labours as He has done in time past, the Preebyterian Church of Canterbury will not be behind any of -the churches in the province, in supplying the means of grace to the people of the colony, and sharing in the evangelisation of the world. May it be" the ambitioa of every individual connected with the church to have a part in this good work, to seek not only to be blessed, but also to be a blessing : and as God's words are verity the promise will be fulfilled—' Bring 'ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove mc how herewith, saith the. Lord of Hosts, if I will not open windows of ; heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive It.'" " Andrew Ttxrscks, " Secretary." The Chairman then called upon the Rev Mr Kirkland to more the adoption of the report. The Rev Mr Kibkland said that any one reading the report of the past year must be struck with the marked progress made by the association. This was a success far exceeding the most sanguine expectations of the founders. The committee were men who were determined to succeed, and whose labours were zealous and unwearying, so that it appeared to him that the success of the association would be a permanent one. There was no reason why the association and the ecclesiastical courts should clash, as the association was swifter of foot in the work it had to do. The association, it appeared to him, had also enlisted the sympathies of the whole of the people throughout the whole province, and it had also givon a great impulse to church extension, and to send the Gospel of Life to their brethren, and to all Presbyterians scattered throughout the various districts. He knew this was the case in tbe Otago province and Canterbury, and also, he believed, in the Northern provinces. The association was a sort of machine, and they wanted them to give them the sinews of war,' so as to enahle them to carry out the great work the association had in hand. To the people they looked for support, and he hoped they wouldjreceive it. [Hear, hear.] They hoped that from their hearts they wished the association God speed ; as though, perhaps,

the work of the association might not be seen now, it would be iv that day when all things became known, and then it would be seen that a number of souls had been brought in through its instrumentality. He begged to move the adoption of the report. The Chairman eaid they hail heard the adoption of the report moved by a member of their branch association at Hokitika, and he would now call upon an elder and a member of their branch association at Timaru. He would call upon Mr Hart to address them. Mr Andrew Hart said that it afforded him the greatest pleasure to note the marked progress made by the association during the past year, a progress he felt sure, which was due to the iudufatigablc labors of their secretary, treasurer, and committee. He would not detain them longer, but would simply say that he wished the association God speed. The Chairman then said he would now call upon the Moderator of the General Assembly, the Rev Mx Elmslie, of Wangauui, to address them.

Rev Mr Elmslie said that it gave him the greatest pleasure to be present that evening, and to take part in the proceedings. He would say a word or two respecting church extension, and while he did so he must disclaim, on the part of their church, the adoption of the principle taken up by some of their Protestant brethren of planting churches in close proximity to others of another denomination, thus subjecting ministers to a struggling existence to keep a congregation together, but what they wanted to do was to further the efforts of the Christian Church, and spread them widely. Many of their brethren were last in the church because they could not send to them the means of grace. The speaker concluded au impressive address by urging upon those present to support the work of the association.

The Chairman said that he had received letters and telegrams from the Hon A. Bonar and Messrs Chisholm and Miller, apologising for their absence that evening. He then called upon Mr Scott, of Hokitika. Mr Scott iv a few well-chosen remarks expressed the sympathy felt by the Hokitika association in the work of the Canterbury one. He had very much pleasure in supparting the adoption of the report. The motion for the adoption of the report was carried unanimously. Anthem—" Before Jehovah's awful throne," Choir. The Chaibstan then called upon Mr Anderson to submit the financial report. Mr Anderson said that the Christchurch men had made a compact not to make long speeches, so as to allow of their visitors from the far North or distant South to address them. He therefore s'lould follow the excellent example of his friend, Mr Andrew Duncan, and let them read the statement for themselves. It was highly satisfactory to him to be able to announce that the association during the first year of its existence, had collected no less than £533. (Hear, hear.] He might also say that they had £100 in hand, and that they had been enabled to eeud £100 home to the colonial committee of the Free Church of Scotland for the purpose of defraying the cost of ministers' passages out to the colony. [Hear, hear.] And during the next year he hoped they would be able to double this. [Hear, hear.] From the printed statement, it appeared that during the year the sum of £533 2s 2d had been received during the year, while the expenditure for th 6 same period had been £453 lOs lOd, leaving a balance of £97 2s 4d in hand.

The Chairman said be would now call upon Mr David Craig to move the adoption of the report.

Mr D. Cbaig had great pleasure in moving the adoption of the report, but while he did so. he objected to one remark made in that report, viz., that he was editor of the magazine which had not been financially a success. This was the only point in which it had been, as the gentlemen who had promised articles, had not come forward. He said this, because he did not wish his name to be connected with any institntion which was not financially a success. [Hesir, hear.] Aβ the probable successor of Mr Anderson as treasurer, he hoped that next year he would be enabled to come before them and tell thorn that £1000 had been collected and had all been spent. [Great applause.] Dr Campbell supported the motion.

The Eev D. Bruce, of Auckland, said that since the last Bession of the General Assembly eight years had gone over, and he had noticed several changes in the work of the church. He might mention that they had now three times the number of ministers attending the session of the General Assembly just closed, and double the number of representatives meeting in the General Assembly this time as compared with the last. The rev gentleman concluded a very eloquent address by urging the claims of the aasocia- j tion upon them. The Rev. Mr Magky in » most eloquent address supported the motion. , The Chairman said that the ladies of St.? Andrew's Church would be glad to see the children of the Sunday schools, and indeed all the children, at the High school grounds this day at three p.m.

Te Deum (Jackson's) —Choir. The Chairman then called upon Mr Dymock to move the next resolution. Mr Dymock came forward to move the revised code of rules, which were in the main the same as those passed at the meeting in November last. He was glad to find that the interest evinced on the occasion of the inaugural meeting had not decreased, as was shown by the attendandance that evening, and the amount of support accorded to the committee. He would move the adoption of the rules now before them.

Mr J. D. Macphebson seconded tbe motion. ' . •'

The Rev Mr Patebson expressed the pleasnre he felt in being present that evening, and hoped that the blessing of God would,: rest upon their labors. Tbe association was doing a noble work, and it Was with the greatest pleasure he saw areund him such , a niimber of true-hearted,; • leal#7 Christjans gathered together to advance tbe interest of the association.., ... ,

The Rev Mr ' Watt then addressed the meeting, and the resolution was agreed to nem coji. .

Mr HIGGINS then moved—" That the following be the officers and committee for 1873 —f President, Mr John Anderson ; vice-presi-den±a,-Eey_Uharles Fraser, .Rev A. F.Dougv. las, and the Rev. »W. S. McGowan ; treasurer, Mr David Craig; secretaries, Messrs Wm. Dymock and Andrew Duncan, Committee—Revels J. Campbell and J. D. Ferguson, Messrs B. WilkiD, A. 0.-Fyfe,. R. Black, W. Mcllroy, VV. Boag, J. C. McDowell, W. Mills, Mitchell, J. D. Macpherson, J. M. Watt, J. Miln, R. Sutherland, J. Paton, Jas/.i Tait. J, Shand, P. Cunningham* J. Q. Fyfe, Dγ Campbell.

Mr B. Black seconded the motion. The resolution was then put and agreed to unanimously. .

Mr Somebville (Auckland) '■ moved— "That a hearty vote of thanks be given to the retiring committee."

The Rev Mr Ewen eeconded the which was agreed to.

The Rev A. F.Douglas returned thanks on behalf of the retiring committee.

Mr Munbo (Timaru) moved —"That a cordial vote of thanks be given to the ladies of Christchurch for their ample provision at the tea, and also to the ladks who acted aa tract distributors to the various coDgregatiune." f Loud cheers.J Mr A. DuscAS seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, amid loud cheers.

The Rev A. F. moved a vote of thanks to the president for bis able conduct in the chair.

Mr Johx AxrJEBSON seconded the motion, which was agreed to.

The Rer D. Bbuce moved—' . That the thanks of this meeting be given to the leaders and members of the choirs for their services during the evening."

The Rev Mr seconded tbe motion, which wae carried unanimously.

After the singing of tbe I>ox.,logy, and the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Moderator, the meeting broke up.