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ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. THE ANNUAL MEETING, The annual meeting of members of St. John's Church (Prnsby'.oriaii) was held in tho Church Hall, Dixon Street, lest night, the gathering taking the form of a tociul evening. Tlio Rev. James Ciibb, D.D., prosided, and there was a large attendance. In opening tho meeting Dr. Gibb raid that in future it was proixjHxl to hold the annual meeting if possible a little earlier, and to .separate the butinoss side of it , from tho conversazione. Jle did not propose to make a long speech, but ho thought the year's work was a matter tor congratulation. They had endeavoured to do many things and had accomplished not a few. He thanked the numerous willing . workers who had assisted him in the work of tho church during the year. Mr. James M'Kerrow moved tho adoption of the annual report (a summary of which appeared in yesterday's issue), and in doing so referred to the work that had been carried out in connection with tho repainting and repairs of the church properties. This had involved a good deal of extra expenditure, and though the ordinary collections had improved, Uicre was still a total indebtedness of -C](!s2. Some effort would be made to extinguish this, and it did not seem such a difficult task ' for the. largo congregation, for if every member wore able to contribute SlI the debt would be almost wiped out. It would fall to tho lot cf Mr. Aitken and himrelf to approach members in connection with the matter, but they would not do so just yet, and in tho meantime he hoped that additional contributions to the Sunday offertories would dp something tor wards reducing (he debt. In seconding the motion, Mr. J. G. W. Aitken eaid he considered that although some members might view the matter of tho debt without much concern', it waa desirable it should be wiped off. Ho hoped . that everyone would look into the question and ascertain how much they could \ contribute to tho ordinary collections to assist in reducing the debt. Mr. Aitken nlso made 'reference to the excellent work done during the year bv the various in- • stilutions connected witli the church. Tho .motion that the report bo adopted was carried unanimously. The Rev. A. Macaulay Caldwell, of Timam, briefly addressed tlio meeting. Ho remarked that in these days of criticism, when (hero was so much talk, of empty churches and the failure of tho pulpit; it was a pleasure to find that Ihcso conditions did not obtain in Wellington, It was a good thing to remember that the church was still a power and the pulpit still a force. He was glad to see from tho report that the services of the minister were appreciated. He urged thoso present to always mako the best of everything, and then they would always (jet the bast out of everything. They should cultivate tho grace of liberality, and as Christian people think less of the work they had to do and more of Him who gave them the work lo do. Then they would bo more strengthened as the days went bySeveral vocal items wcro rendered during tho evening, including three selections by tho choir, after which refreshments were dispensed. . ITEMS FROM THE REPORT. In addition to the matters mentioned in the summary of tlio annual report of '.St. John's Church which appeared terday's issue the following references to t'he work of various agencies connected with the church are of interest:— Tho Ladies' Dorcas and Visiting Socicty has had a successful year's work. After the mid-sumruer holidays it received a number of new members and the average attendance has been very satisfactorily, especially in view of tho fact that tho meetings have for several months been held every week instead of onco i fortnight. The. income htis been close on -CSI), of which tho greater part lias been expended iu direct' pecuniary contributions to the poor, and the balanco iu the purchase of'materials.for garments, of which 202 were made. Of these the Deaconess received U6 for distribution, and sli went to the Orphanage. For some timo past the society has been busily engaged in preparing a stall for the sale of work which is presently Oo bo held, under ,the. auspices of the Missionaryr''Gml(lv~'' ■""' "•■•■••■•> "'■■•''•> • Sister Mabel has again given a good account of herself in the various agencies of the congregation. She is leader of ono of tho Young Women's Bible Classes, and conducts the Junior Endeavour. Society and the Mothers' 'Meeting.' She haa rendered valuable assisl'anco to the minister iu visiting the sick, and outside the congregation has done much visiting, especially among the very poor. : ' The Mothers' Meeting is conducted by Sister Mabel in the Boys' Institute. It meets once a fortnight throughout tho year. Fifteen mothers comprise the membership, tho average attendance being 10. - Tho Juuior Christian Endeavour Society, which has been in existence only during tho last twelve months, reports itself as having an average attendance, for tho year of 12. The Sabbath School teachers have, stood steadily to Iheir task, and there have been few changes in the staff. Tho anniversary services, conducted by the minister were very successful—the children giving a good account of 'themselves in leading the praise and the collection, about which a circular was addressed to the people of the church, yielding close on .£7O. The Teachers' Training Class, cenducted by Mr. W. Gray, M.A., .met during two months of last winter on Sunday afternoons, and was attended by 12 persons, many of whom were from the Bible Classes. The total roll of tho stniot Bible Clasps lust year was 28(1 (men's 109, women's, 171). This year the roll numbers 2(!i (men's 101, women's 1G0). Tho record of work is a convincing iestimony to the vitality of tho classes and their determination to give a good account of themselves among the agencies of t'he church. Tho roll of the Willis Street Young Men's Class contains tho names of S3 members as against 99 last 'year, the average attendance being 59 as against C 5. There arc 48 members in full communion with the church and of those 11 joined during the year. The contributions of ■ the class have this year exceeded any previous record. Of a total inconio of ,£lsl, no less than .£125 have been devoted to objects outside t'ho class, namely Hoys' Institute Aid, Easter camp JM2 (about .£9 of this was obtained from members of the church not class members), reduction of church debt Xl>, Foreign Missions £U, other missions £3, Youth of the Church Fund £&. Appreciative reference is also made to the good work clone by the Young Women's Class, the Literary and Debating '.Society, tho Boys' Institute, the Willis Street Young Women's Biblo Class No. 2, Mount Cook Young Women's Class, and the Mount Cook Young Men's Class?. The Management Committee.—Besides the transaction of the considerable routine business of the Church, the commit! ee had to deal with the questions of the much-needed repainting and repairs of the properties, including the organ. This work involved the large expenditure of .C731--the organ improvements costing .-C135, repainting .C3BO, and the balanen for repairs. The task of putting Iho properties in ('borough order has been effectively carried out, and the expendilure under this head should for some time be of small amount. The oriran has not only been put. in thorough order, but preally improved in tone and effectiveness for tlio purpose of public worship. NEW ZEALAND COAIPETITIONS SUCCESS. ASSURED. Mr. AY. H. A tacit presided at a tncet* ing of tlio executive committee of the New Zealand Competitions Society, held in Gualtor, Dykes and Co.'s Rooms. Tho appointment of Mossrs. \Ym. Allen and R. T. Robertson as members of, the committee was rnKfjcd. The name of Mr. J. 11. Helliwoil was also added to the commiUoo. 'llho secretary (Mr. J. Dvkes) reported that the Green Island t'lioir (ono of t'he best in Ot.igo) intended to compete, and that word had been received that one of the best choirs in Cliristrhiirch inlendo:! lo make the trip to Wellington for tiho purpose of competing in tho contest for church choirs. Tho weretary also reported that the onirics so far were highly .satisfactory, and that a big rush was ex-pedo-.f during him next day or two. Tlio date for the riosing of entries was Monday next (Dominion Day), when his ofiico would bo open the whole of tho day, nnd up -to 1.0 p.m. for the receipt of entries. Mr. M'Elwain, a gentleman who has had experience of competitions elsewhere, was appointed stage manager^.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19110922.2.3.8

Bibliographic details

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 22 September 1911, Page 2

Word Count
1,435

Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 22 September 1911, Page 2

Page 2 Advertisements Column 8 Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1239, 22 September 1911, Page 2

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