ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10057, 8 June 1898, Page 5

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of this church was held on Monday evening, in the Hall, the Bey. Gordon Webster presiding. There was a large attendance of office-bearers and a fairly representative gathering of the congregation. After devotional exercises the financial statement was presented by the Treasurer, Mr G. Lambie, from which it appeared that the revenue for the year 1897 from all sources had amounted to £705 2s lOfcd, and the expenditure to £677. The year began with a debit balance of £5614s 10d, and the income included a number of subscriptions specially given to reduce it. These with a few email ones etill to come in would practically wipe it out. The seat rente showed a small' decrease, and the maintenance fond a small increase as compared with the previous year, while the ordinary collections had increased from £343 in 1896 to £368 in 1897. The amount for echemes was £48 as against £43 for the previous year. The Treasurer strongly urged the adoption of the envelope system as most likely to relieve them of the uncertainty attaching to the maintenance fund, which was necessarily of a fluctuating character. Mr J. Deans moved, and Mr W. Bpag seconded the adoption of the balance sheet. They congratulated Mr Lambie on the excellence .of his report, and expressed satisfaction at the improved financial position of the congregation. The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr W. Perry, seconded by Mr A. Johnston, a very hearty vote of thanks was most cordially accorded to the ' Treasurer for his services. The Sabbath school report showed a credit balance of £5 6s B£d, after paying all expenses. The Moderator stated that the communion roll wae as large at present as it hod ever been, and this year there was a larger number of young communicants than for several years past, ten being admitted at the last communion. There was a considerable increase in the attendance at the weeknight meetings, and the Band of Hope and the Ladies , Dorcas were both healthy and prosperous. He greatly desired to see a more regular attendance at public worship on the Lord's Day, morning and evening, on the part of some, though the regularity of others had been all that could Dβ desired. He also intimated that the anniversary , services this year would be conducted by j the Rev. W. Hewiteon, minister of Koox Church, Dunedin, and that there wonld be the usual social, both of which would be advertised early in July. The meeting was brought to a close with devotional exercises and the pronouncing of the benedi: ion. •