OXFORD.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 1 (Supplement)

OXFORD.

Tha annual parish meeting was held on Monday evening, at eight o'olook, at the East Oxford Tewn Half: the Bey. P. T. Opie in thtdmr.

Tbe meeting was opened with prayer. The nx-nfee 0 f meeting were read and conanned.

Mr Parish read statement of accounts, and . the fallowing report: — -J!wwi_Bi__._i_g the inconvenience caused by *«§__? sen * se m *he Town Hall, the offertories " eouected show a considerable increase over last T>g. Last year'B balance sheet shows a sum of *«15. 111 derived from that source. This 3wrt__ sum received is .£75 lis Id. a matter of regi-t that from 139 regiss*t£~ church members in this district only sttte-a have contributed this year directly to■*»rdi th* working expenses of the parish, aud *>■« of those only contribute the small amount * ?er BEBnm > an d were it not for the profits i St. Andrew's Day, fc-e churchwardens *8B» be placed in a very disagreeable position. **astipend is paid in full, and aU the debts due •wa old church leaving a small balance of ? *_2_ in our credit assets ; liabilities, £5 Ss * ** Crate* to parsonage.

BICHD. HOLiIAN PABISH, ._ Churchwarden. -Dr. Weld proposed, and Mr Beaton J* w »dad-- , *T_- l t the accounts as presented wweetved, and that the thanks of tbe meet°fhe given to the chnrchwordens." Carried. Proposed by Mr Beaton, and seconded by außrel—"That the thanks of thia meeting ■* |rran to Mas Woodfield, for presiding at •"•organ during the past year." Chairman, in putting the resolution, *«___ was carried unanimously, paid a high to Miss Woodfield, for her xeal ___k nominated Mr Garbet as his *®&warden. "opoaed br Dr. Weld and seconded by that Mr Paul be people* church-*«^-~Ch_T_)d. were nominated as Teatry|*afort_i. ensuing year:—Messrs Hewlyn, yfiS*** Sal, Dobson, BevelL Jeffs, and Dr.

«**J»rish stated, a* returning officer for *** dabici for a member for the Synod, that, "* ««v one candidate had been proposed, !gj»M*Cbibow he should declare Bim duly

Mr Bevell proposed and Mr Jeffs seconded, a vote of tbauks to the Lay Headers for their services in the oast, and hoped they would continue in tbe fat are.

A vote of thanks was given to the Sunday school teachers for their zeal in the work. The Chairman said—Brethren, in making this my annual statement, I do so at this time in language that may appear paradoxical, for I am both pleased and painedpleased at what I believe to be the prosperity of the parish, pained because this is the last time that I shall meet yon in a public parish meeting. During the six years that I have I had complete charge of the parish the population has not quite doubled, but I am pleased to state that the members of the church and ' the communicants are at least three times what they were. Since the last time I had the pleasure of meeting you in the old church, twelve months ago, the parish has passed through the most trying year that it has ever known. About seven months ago, we experienced the most dreadful hurricane that the oldest inhabitant remembers. A hurricane that did immense damage in the district, and wrecked the parish church, yt present you know tbat this district suffers, in common with all others, because of the financial crisis ; yet in the face of all difficulties our church accounts, as far as I can find, stand with a credit balance. It was prophesied by some of our church oflioers some years ago, that when other denominations came into the district then the church would suffer. Now, brethren, when these denominations are at work in the distriot, and I slate, and I do so without fear of contradiction, that there has been, as far aa the church is concerned, a gradual and constant progress, and tbat our congregation and income are larger than they ever were, and that our baptisms duriog the last year are nearly 20 per cent, beyond what they were the year before, I think that the state of the church) proves such {prophesies to be utterly untrue. You all know that we have had to put up with the inconvenience of worshipping in the Town Hall for months past, yet even this has not destroyed our success. There have been murmnrings and grumbling, yet there have been congregations that would more than filled the old church, and the offertories for the last half-year are, I believe abont 20 per cent, beyond what they were for the half-year preceding last Easter. Mr Parish's statement, which shows a balance in hand and a total income of over £250 has only to do with East Oxford. I believe that the total income of the parish will be nearly £320. This is the greatest annual income the parish has ever enjoyed. This fact being considered also that a sum of £500 is in hand and promised toward the new church should lead you to be thankful for your position as a parish—to thank God and take courage. I cannot finish saying what I havo to say without passing a tribute of praise to Mr Parish for the able and efficient manner in which he has fulfilled the duties of his oflice during the last four years. I have no hesitation in stating that without his help the financial position of the parish would not be what it has been and is.

Proposed by Mr Beston, ssconded by Dr. Weld, and carried —" That the thanks of this meeting be given to the chairman for his very satisfactory statement."

Proposed by Mr Boston, seconded by Mr Parish—" That this meeting hears with regret that Mr Opie is leaving, that the members of the church appreciate his able and zealous work among them, and will pray that God's blessing be upon him wherever he goes. Carried nem. eon.

The Chairman having pronounced .the benediction, the meeting ended.