FIRST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 19351, 10 September 1926, Page 4

FIRST CHURCH

AJiUAL REPCGT Tho seventy-eighth annual report to bo submitted by the session at the annual mooting of the congregation of First Church, to be held on Wednesday evening next, states; The session records another year of unmistakable progress in every branch of the activities of the charge. The steady growth in the membership of the congregation and tho increase in tho attendances at communion to above the number of 500 during tho past year show that the spiritual work of the church is being well maintained. The induction of eight, additional elders to assist in the oversight of the congregation has greatly strengthened the session for future activities. The appointment of the Rev. A. C. Watson, M.A., as assistant to the minister has been of considerable help in tho organisation of the pastoral work, and .'specially in connection with the Russell street branch. _ In his pulpit work Dr Herrington ■ontinues to maintain the high traditions of tho church; and, as in his preaching he touches life at all points, so also within the circle of congregaional life he is a leader in providing means for the worthy development of the physical, social, and intellectual, as well as the spiritual, side of our lives, ■ n tho interests more particularly of the younger members of tho congregation. Sixty-four members have been added to the roll during the year, twenty-two by examination and forty-two by cerificate. There were thirty-nine disjunctions, twenty-eight by certificate nu eleven uy ue.itn, These figures show a net increase of twenty-five in membership, which now numbers 760. Tho choir, under the organist (Dr Galway), continues to serve the musical interests of tlu>, congregation in a very •no way; and wo are pleased to express the high appreciation which is -elt in the city regarding the excoieiico of tho music of the sanctuary. The improvement in the special funds : or missions and the Assembly schemes, ncluding our own missionary fund and .ho sustcutation fund, is very gratifying, and indicates a liberal spirit mong the members and adherents. The ympatby and prayers ol the congregation are exercised on behalf of Dr <ohn Kirk in his heroic work at Kong ■linen Hospital, Canton, where he continues nobly to minister to the sick liner very diihcuiu conditions. Six new members have been added to he Deacons’ Court, which reports, .mong other details, the completion of leak rooms, tho provision for heating lie church in the cold. weather, tho ■verhaul of the church organ, and tho ■nmpletion of the lawn tennis courts or tho young people. Tho installing in tho .church of an ' Acoiisticon,” with its listening-in tations, for the he.ncfit of those whose hearing is impaired is proving a great .access. To liquidate the existing church debt a scheme (launched fourteen months igo) to extend over three years was heartily entered into, and to date of 1:2,600 promised £1,826 9s 2d has been paid in. The various church organisations report a year of steady effort, with a fine team feeling existing throughout. The Ladies’ .Association celebrated its fiftieth year of church service. The church treasurer reports; Tho .■ea.r’s ordinary church collections total C 1,681 17s 9d (including the anniversary collection of £224 10s), constituting a record for tho congregation. The previous record, established two years ago, was £1,534 9s. The special funds account shows a healthy condition. Subscriptions to sustontation fund have increased by £47 14s. aita home and foreign missions by £l9 Is lid. Unfortunately the support given to the U.S.S.A. has not been as good as tho orevious year, and is less by £lO 15s lid. The total subscriptions for outado objects came to £1,442 7s 9d, an increase of £2B 3s 8d over the figures shown for the year ended June 30, 1925. The various organisations connected with the congregation have, as for so many years past, contributed very largely to this satisfactory result. Tho old Mother Church of Otago faces the approach of four-score years of witness lor the kingdom of God with faith and confidence. The past year has been the best of all in many respects. Tho . years to come will find “ greater things ■ yot,” if all our people will consecrate i themselves to the living Lord Who is “ the same yesterday and to-day and far ever.”