St. Paul's Church.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5388, 29 November 1888, Page 2

St. Paul's Church.

Tho annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Paul's Church was held in the church last night, there being a good attendance, tho Rev. J. G. Paterson occupying the chair. During tho evening the choir rendered several" anthems and hymns, Miss Bowman and Mr. Nelson also contributing selections. Mr. R. C. Harding, clerk of the Court of Sessions, read the report for the year. The Session lind to report a year of prograss, while the congregation showed an increase. The Port Presbyterian Church was progressing favorably, and some of the congregation of the town church, who resided at the Spit, had withdrawn, in order to give tho Tort church the benefit, of their attendance, and to help tho Port church in its difficulty. A Ladies' Visiting Society and a Dorcas fociety had been formed during the year, both of which had done good work, and tliankd were duo to Mrs. Begg, who had in a great measure originated the societies. The report referred to the leave of absence given to their pastor, the Roy. J. G-. Paterson, whose place had been ably filled by the Rev. Mr. Mcintosh, during tho former's absence. The Session had also to thank the Rev. D. Sidey, who rendered good servico during the year., The congregation by a majority of votes had adopted the " Church Praise," but in this department there was room for improvement. Th« Sabbath School had progressed well, but the Session regretted that Mr. Craig, who had filled the office of Superintendent for the last fifteen years, had been compelled to resijrn through stress of private duties. Mr. Mopitn-mid hud boen appointed in Mr. Craig's place, and the Session desired to place on record the very great services that had been rendered by Mr. Craig during his connection with the "Sunday School, i"he Band of Hope had a largo membership, and in conclusion, the Session looked forward to a prosperous year. The Court of Managers' report was read by Mr._ Craig. Balance from last year, £338 17s Id; from collections, seat rente, &c.. .£BO6 lln 3d; balance duo to the Bank of New Zealand, £.)4 14s; making a total of £1200 2s 4d. The expenditure,-including the partial repayment of a mortgage, totalled £1174 10s Bd, with cash remaining in the hands of the treasurer, £25 2s Bd. The report and balance - sheet were adopted. Tho following office-bearers were elected : Court of Managers, Messrs. Olliver, Todd, and J. Crerur, jtin. The retiring members were Messrs. Renouf, Murray, and Eccles. The Rev. J. G. Paterson said ho was pleased to see so many present. They had come to the end of another year of work in connection with the congregation of St. Paul's. During the year "things had happened which had acted somewhat prejudieiously. Thero had been a great depression of trade throughout the whole coiony, ancl they in the town of Napier lmd begun to feel it as well as other towns, and their finances hud not been so large as otherwise would have been the case. It was only to bo expected that the churoh should feel the bad times as well as other institutions; in fact, he thought the church was among tho first to sutler in consequence of bad times. Plowover, tho congregation had been good, and their church had always been to the front when there was any necessity for it. and he lmd not the slightest doubt that it would bo with thochurch in the future as hadbeen in the

past. Still, they felt tho depression at present but he trusted it would soon be at an end. Ho thought he was right in saying that they had seen the worst of the bad times,

and better tilings wore in store for all of thorn. The starting of tho Baptist cause iti their town had resulted in many old members of St. Paul's seceding from the ehurub, but it was only to bo expected tlint when their own denomination had started that the members who had seceded from St. Paul's should go there. Ho desired to thank thoso of the Baptist cause who had worshipped with them for many years for their liberality and assistance, and he wished them well in their own church. In connection with the Presbyterian Church at the Spit, hitherto only evening services had been held, but now morning tierviee3 had been commenced, and both were very well attended on the Sabbath. It was only right that the members of the Presbyterian Church who resided at the Spit "should attend the Port church, and jive it their iissistitiicu. Tho npenintr of this church ! hud caused' many old members to leuvo the town church, but it had always been [ tho custom of their congregation to give assistance where needed. He referred to his holiday to Melbourne, by which he had much benefited, and ho hoped in the futuro to do good service. Tho Eyv. D. Sidey had always been ready to come to the front when necessity required, and he desired to thank him for his assistance during thu past year. Ho regretted that their worthy superintendent of the Sabbath bchool, MiCraig, after so many years of good work, had been compelled" to resign. Tho school was never in a better state than it was at present, and ho hoped that the parents would givo the teachers every assistance in the spiritual training of tho'children.' He touched upon tho wurk cWic by tho Dorcas and Ladies' Visiting Societies, "to, which tho congregation had tv lw thankful. Ho trusted that tho work of the church and Sunday school for tho next year would bo as satisfactory as it. had been in thu past. The Roy. 1). Sidey said he had had much pleasure in hearing the reports indicating tho various steps of prosperity that had taken place during the year. Mr. Sidpy then referred to thu meetings of t% Pun-. Presbyterian Council in Lcn,don, and dealt with what h:;cj tukwi placo at at those weetinga with reference to the spiritual welfare of tho masses. He hoped that in their own little district they would strive to cany tho spiritual welfare of the congregation with them, and ho had no doubt that if wevo done they would liuvc continuous success. He strongly fuvoved tho appointment of ueacanncKSL'.s for the Christian work, Mr. Sidoy referred to tlio bringing , up o f this subjoot by Professor Pwrsan at Homo, and he (Mr. Sidey) thought it was a matter which might be tried in New Zealand. As soon as tho womcu took it up, they would find that true work would be dono by them. Tho Eev. Mr. Paterson said they wi.ro indebted to Mr. Sidey for tho stirring address he had givcu them. If they had not deaconesses in reality $icy had theia in uamo. ' TJio Boy. I). Sidey differed. Sir. Paterson explained that ho meant they had tho order in "reality if not in name." Mr. McDiarmid mid as tho clerk hatl been good enough, to meutio/i Ijvj name as successor to Mr. Craig, ho vyc-u,l<3 take the opportunity <>f thanking, them for huviujf olesital L.i;u to tho office of superintendent. Me had scarcely entered upon his duties yet, but ho had sutUcient data to give them something about the Sunday school. Tho total number of scholars attending the Sabbath .school was 29'J, and tUu average attendance up to the JCtb September hjid boon 187, wbjlo tlio average attendance} since: * been 200. Tlicvp were 3Q "classes for the scholars_ aud a capable staff of ti-nchfirs, 'D'.o library was v, iiti'go one, idid through thescrvices of songa and coucerte that'hml beo« given, additions were enabled to bo xnude. Mr. MuDiannid tlicn referred to Sunday school work generally, and trusted that the parents would assist the teachers by sending the diilchvin ivgulurly to Sunday scJiool. Mr R. Lamb t&onght tho report they had iiofirtl was vcvv gratif\ii;g indeed. Ho spoke briefly on tho Sub'butli school ipiestion.

Mr Paterson moved a vote of thanks to the choir, a matter which brought Mr MoDiiumid to his feet, and he stated that last

year he had said some unkind things of the choir, but now he was very happy to say that they had made great improvement during the year, and ho hoped that it would continue. , '

Tho benediction having been pronounced, :he meeting terminated.