ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7247, 1 March 1889, Page 6

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

The annual congregational meeting of this church was held on Wednesday evening. From six o'clock to half-past seven the old church was the scene of a happy social gathering, where the young ladies of the congregation wera dispensing tea with cake and fruit to a large number of the people who had accepted their generous invitation. At half-past seven there was an adjournment to the new church, where others were assembled who had preferred taking tea at home. The Rev Mr Elmslie, pastor of the church, occupied the chair, and after devotional exercises reports from the various departments of church work were successively presented to the meeting. In the absence of Mr Gavin, the Chairman read the report from the Session, which sated that, spiritually considered, the work of the congregation had been carried on with very much the usual success. It also contained the pieasing announcement that although nineteen disjunctions had taken place during the year, thirty-five new members had been added to the roll. The report from the Sunday schools was then given in by Mr P. Davidson. This report, which embraced statistics from both the Central School and that conducted at Richmond, was of an exceedingly gratifying character, and several members of the Church expressed their indebtedness to the Superintendents and teachers for their unwearying services. The report from the Young People's Bible Study and Christian Work Association was presented by Mr G. Launjnseu. This, it was stated, was one of the most flourishing and hopeful institutions of the Church, there being over 100 young men and young women on the roll of membership. The balancesheet for the year was then read by Mr A. Scott, Treasurer, and the report from the Financial Committee by Mr E. Mcßae, Secretary. These were less encouraging, perhaps, than the other reports, because, like other congregations ana other institutions, St. Paul's Church has been feeling the pressure of the times. The congregation, it appeared, had raised £1500 during the year, and yet that sum, it wa3 stated, was about £150 short of meeting current expenditure. This deficit arises wholly from the fact that Sr. Paul's Church has to pay £500 a year in the shape of interest. A praiseworthy effort is now being made to greatly reduce the amount of the congregational debt. Mr Chrystall, Mr Tait, Mr Mcßae, Mr Johnson and others strongly urged the importance of all combining to make this effort a success. Mr Davis Hunt presided at the organ, and, along with the choir, discoursed some excellent music during the evening. Under iVlr Hunt's leadership the choir of St. Paul's Church has now attained great efllciency, and this was frankly recognised in the session's report. After singing the 122 nd Psalm, a very happy and successful meeting was brought to a close by pronouncing the tiene liction. In the room of the twelve managers who retire on the present occasion, the following gentlemen, it was announced by the Chairman, had been elected, namely:—Mr P. Davidson, Mr P. Duncan, Mr K. Sutherland, Mr Wm. Henderson. Mr J. Ferguson, Dr. Thomas, Mr R Struthers, Mr A. H. Anderson, Mr Wm. Edmonston, Mr J. Gibb, jun., Mr R. Sneddon, and Mr R. Ross. __ m _ mim^m^mm — m^-mim