VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 16195, 17 August 1916, Page 9

VALLEY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Ihe congregation of the North-east Valley Presbyterian Church held their annual meeting last night, tho Rev. H. B. Gray presiding. The Chairman said that tho rear just ended had been in many respects about the most trying thev had ever had in their congregational life/ It was a matter for great gratitude that the work had been so well maintained. Most of all the difficulties had been felt in the Sunday school, the Bible classes, and the choir, inasmuch' as many of the workers in these,organisations were away serving King and country. The congregation Jiad been enabled to maintain their liberality, so that at the end of the year they found themselves not behind financially. IJo expressed his personal gratitude to friends. in the congregation, and paid a tribute to the faithful and efficient, work of elders and deacons, the treasurer,.members of the choir, and other officers. . r

The session. report,, submitted .by Mr. G. D _ Ritchie> stated that the present roll number of the congregation was 462, an increase of 12 or, the past year. Durir.g the year 50 joined the church—2o by certificate and 30 on profession of faith. Deep sympathy was expressed with relatives of young men connected with the con<rreca- £? n ™° K«id given their lives in ths° vrlv. Ihe attendance at the regular morning and evening services hud been very good. Tb» fusion hoped soon to introduce a scheme to encourage more of the children to attend at least one of the services. The average attendance at communion services was 294. For the past eight years the* week-night prayer meeting had been remarkably well attended, but during the past few months there had been a falling off in numbers and interest. The minister was much concerned regarding this, and felt strongly that not much of spiritual value could be accomplished when the prayer life was at a low ebb. The Sunday school report stated ' that there were 39 teachers on the etaff and 275 children on the roll, of whom 125 Mere in the infant department. The averago attendance was 194 and there were 111 on the cradle roll. Dtrrint' the year the infant school had been abfe to move to much more* suitable quarters in the loung Men's Institute. Tho Christian Endeavor Societv, the somen's senior and intermediate and s se , mor and intermediate and junior Biblo classes, the Women's Missionary Union, and the choir submitted reports, showing that these organisations had been working successfully during the year. Reports frcm the Opoho branch of the church showed that tho membership of the Opoho junior band now stood at 42 The Opoho junior young women's Bible class had raised £2O for the orphanage. At the morning Sabbath services there was a large attendance, including many young people. Ihe week-night prayer meeting had been a eource of much encouragement. There veie 98 children on the Sabbath school roll, with an average attendance of 72, taught by 12 teachers. Reports from Mount Cargill and Upper Junction indicated fair attendances at church services and useful work accomplished.

Tho financial, statement of the Deacona' Court showed total receipts of £1 048 3s °f JP ye fi bega , n with a debit Glance r «- ,T? ' and cloS6 d with a credit of £a 17s 7d. It was stated that the total indebtedness on tho church property was £1,520, against -which they had £SB m hand. .