BAPTIST CHURCH ANNUAL SOIREE.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2867, 3 October 1866, Page 5

BAPTIST CHURCH ANNUAL SOIREE.

Last evening, the anniversary soirge in. connection, with the Baptist Church, Wellesley-street, was held in the school-house adjoining the chapel, and was, in every respect, a most successful congregational festival. Tha achool-room was adorned with a profusion of floral wreaths, ornamental shrubbery, and gay festoons;|and much care must havebeen bestowed on the decorations. The arrangements were satisfactorily carried out. About three hundred persons were assembled. The proceedings were commenced with the usual hymn of blessing. After tea, and thanks returned, the assemblage repaired to the chapel, which was also tastefully decorated, in order to hold the public meeting. The Rev. P. H. Cornford, pastor fool, presided, and gave out for singing the 660 th hymn, which was sung by the assembly, led by the ' efficient ohoir of the church, Mr. Oughton accompanying on the harmonium. The Rev, Mr. Hamer engaged in prayer. The Rev. Chairman delivered an appropriate introductory address. He said it devolved upon him to commence the meeting with some few remarks especially bearing upon its object. It was no trifling matter to them — it was no insignificant matter to him— to have passed another year of their Christian history. It wia true that they met together for congratulation and mutual encouragement, but they could not do that without partaking, in some degree, of feelings of the .deepest solemnity. Another year in his life, as. a Christian pastor, had reached its end ; another year of the life of many of them, as partakers of the grace that is in Christ Jesus, had concluded ; another year to others who had not yet "laid hold upon the hopo set before them in the .Gospel" had terminated. Whilst he felt that they had great cause for thankfulness to Almighty God, he felt, at the same time, that they had great reason for humiliation and anxiety too. Would to God that he could fael satisfied within his own soul that he done all that he could have done to win, sinners to Jesus, and to buildup believers in their most holy faith. He prayed the Lord would give effect to and bless the humble effoits that had been used for their welfare and His glory. As they were met to celebrate another anniversary, they looked back upon the past history of the year through conflicting thoughts and feelings. They had much to be grateful for that they had been helped bo greatly during a time of comparative trial. The rev, gentleman then referred to some members of the congregation who had gone to various distant plaoes, of whom they could not think without gratitude and joy; also to others who had gone to a better country beyond She grave, who had bade them a short farewell, and whom they hoped to meet again. It was not a little thing for those he now addressed to belong to Christ, or to gather together and conspire with each other .that the Gospel might be published to the *alvation of many souls. They rejoiced in their Christian fraternity, and thanked God that grace had been given to them which had made their hearts glad. Although the report to be submitted would not present all those remarkable features of progress as in former years, yet God had been gracious to them, and they had reason to bless His holy name. He heartily welcomed all their brethren present, and was glad to find their hearts were one in bidding God-speed to all those who loved the Lord Jesus in sincerity and in truth. God's promises were unchanged, the Saviour unchanged, and His sufficiency unchanged ; and whatever their deficiencies might be, they would prove Him to be the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He trusted the effect of all would Tae that they should be united more closely together for the purpose of helping forward, in their several spheres, the cause of Christ, and disseminating the truth as it is in Jesus. Mr, P. Herapath, secretary, then read the annual report, of which jhe following is an abstract.:— The report states that both the ohurch and congregation have during last year suffered severely in the removal of members to whose aid, in every department of religious usefulness, they had been deeply indebted in former years. In this way, also, pecuniary resources had been crippled, without any possibility of proportionately contracting the expenditure. The claims upon personal sacrifices and self-denial had been more urgently pressed, at a time when the difficulty of accomplishing what was needed was much more seriously felt. The report then noticed the loss the Church had sustained by the death of Mr. G. Fitness and Mr. Cranwell. The additions made jbo the Churoh did not equal those of former years, "the total number being but 23. During the past two yeara and a half £520 cf the debt on the ohuroh had been paid, of which, in the past year, the Ladies' Collecting Committee had contributed £108 10s. 3d. In the Wellesley-street Sabbath■chool there are 24 teaohers and 220 scholars ; the average attendance is in the morning 90, and in the afternoon 150. The departure of the superintendent, Mr. George Plummer, to Albertland, has caused to the whole school the deepest regret. Mr. F. Battley had been appointed to tha superintendency. The sohool-room has been recently compMfcdrat a cost of about £70. In connection with the progress of the sohool, the teachers mention with satisfaction the progress of tha infant department, under the care of Mra. Munday. The average" attendance at the Sunday-school at Mount Eden is in the morning 37, and in the afternoon 69. Servioes are held on Sabbaths and on the Thursday evenings, with an encouraging amount of attendance. A Monday evening prayer-meeting is also held. The report then proceeds to notice the opening of a Sabbath-sohool by Mr. Woolgar in Franklyn-street, Ponsonby Road, at which there is an attendance of 21 children; and the cottage meetings and Bible-classes held in connection with the Church. The names of members of the Church now on the books amount to 235, but of these about 56 have removed so far away as to be precluded from attendance, so that not more than 179 can be recognised as the numerical strength of" the Church. The Choir then rendered, in an effective manner, the beautiful anthem, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness." The Rev. J. Buller moved the adoption of the report. He expressed the pleasure which he felt in listening to the encouraging statements contained in it ; as indicating that pastor and people had not laboured in vain, during the past year, for the cause of their Divine He referred to the early history of the Church in the city of Auckland, and contrasted the state of things as they then existed with the progress made up to the present time. He •poke of the importance of the various evangelioal denominations uniting together to promote the efficacy and success of Christ'i Church on earth. *He was glad to -witness the growth of the Baptist, Church in Auckland, and the increase to its numbers. He prayed that a more enlarged spirit of charity and love would be manifested by them, as well as by the people connected with other churches in the city, so that they might be made a blessing to themselves and others. The Rev. Dr. Wallagk seconded the adoption of the report. He was glad to be enabled to take any part in the proceedings of that meeting. He gave a brief and interesting sketch of the social and moral world in which we live. The report was unanimously adopted. The choir sang, " Oh, come unto me." The Rev. Chairman apologised for the inability of the Rev. E. N. Bree to address the meeting, as he had expected to do. The Rev. Mr. Hamer next addressed the meeting, especially dwelling upon the principles which should actuate the every-day life and conduct of the members of the Christian Church. He congratulated the congregation on the return of their anniversary, and upon the progress attained by them as a Christian Church. The choir rendered " We praise Thee, O Lord. Mr. BraMß briefly addressed the meeting. The Rev. Mr. Maodonald made a few observations expressive of his sympathy with the minister and people of that church. „,,.,. The Roy. Chairman, on behalf of the meeting, thanked the ladies who had so liberally furnished the tea-tables, and the Ministers present ; also, the Choir for their valuable services. The Choir then sang the anthem, "Holiest, breathe an evening blessing." The Rev. Chairman announced that the Jiev. James Hill would preach in the chapel on Sunday evening next, when a collection would be made in aid' of the funds of the chapel. The Rev. Mr. Buhubb dismiMed the meeting with the benediction;