OXFORD TERRACE BAPTIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17747, 26 April 1923, Page 15

OXFORD TERRACE BAPTIST CHURCH.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. The fifty-secor-d anniversary of the Osf jrd terrace Baptist Church, -was .held on. Sunda./ when the Rev. Charles Dall&ston, of Dunedin, was the special preachdr. He delivered two stirring sermons, baling his rema,rks in the morning upon Martt &40, and in the evening the text was Acts 8-35. There were very good congregations at both services notwithstanding the wet day. A strong choir, under the baton of Mr TV. Jones, led tho musical service. ilr Vv. A!elvi.lt' La wry presided at the organ. The celebration was continued 011 Tuesday evening, when e, large congregational social meeting waa held, 'xhe devotional' exercises were led by Mr R. J. £l. 'i'wose, the vicepresident 01 the Canterbury Auxiliary of the jc,» Zealand .Baptist Union. The chairman, Mr Justice Adams, briefly relerred to the growth 01 the Church from very small beginnings, and encouraged it to continue with ute&dy perseverance in welldoing. Mr A. Chidgey, the church treasurer for eighteen years," showed by his balancesheet that last year's income was & lecord. The amount received for missionary purposes was £4OO, and the tstal on all accounts wus £1930. During the past year 40 members have been added to tne churcii ro'.l which now numbers 632. Thb is the highest figure touched in. the history of the church. Sister Grace reported on her work aa Church Deaconess. The mothers' meeting had 32 members, and ito Savings benk was well supported. Services wer« regularly conducted during the lunch hour of one of the large city factories. Visiting amor.gst the members of the congregation and ministering to the distressed was a constant work. The gifts brought to the harvest thanksgiving services were distributed amongst <0 families. The ladies of the Dorcas Society had vnade over 300 new garments, and, in addition, much left-ofi clothing .had been given, all of -which had been greatly appreciated by many needy people. Tlie Dorcas Sooiety hod also mode a. large parcel oi garments for the children oi the Har.urewa Baptist orphanage. Mr A. R. Jordan referred to the work amongst the young people of the church. The Sunday School had CO ir.iar.t4 in its primary class. The Institute was comprised of live Bible classes, c.nd the Christian Endeavour Society, and had over 100 members enrolled. Mr J. Richardson reported on the worlt o* the branch church at St. Albans, which was full of encouragement. The attendjnee at the Sunday services had ate-sdi.y increased under the Ministry oi the studentpastor, Mr Xi. Crampton. The Rev. Charles Dallaston, who was the Minister of the Church during the years 1877 to JSOI. expressed his grea-t pleasure in finding himself again fi-midst the scenes of hia early labours. Ha the church "upon maintaining all its activities, notwithstanding the absence of the H'-y,- J* J North, who wes away on a year s furlou'h. He recalled many experiences 0. past days, and urged to unwavering faith and constant effort. The same love and courage thai had characterised the work for fifty-two years would alway3 bring results. It vras announced, that the Rev. J. VV. Kemp, of the Auckland Tabernacle, _ would conduct an evangelistic mission in the church from May 20th to May 27th. Musical items were contributed by jars Rodeer, Mrs R. Voller, Mi's Lilly, Mr J. p Jones and Mr I>. Richards. A message of love was ordered by the annual church meeting to be forwarded to the absent minister, the Rev. J. J. Jtorth.