MORNINGTON PRESBYTERIANS

Evening Star, Issue 19633, 12 August 1927, Page 3

MORNINGTON PRESBYTERIANS

ANNUM. CHURCH MEETING The annual meeting of the Mornington Presbyterian Ulmrch was held in the Sunday School Hall on Wed•nesday evening, tho Rev. W. Trotter, 'minister, presiding. The Chairman said an innovation had hocn brought about this year iu not having the reports of the various associations'connected with, the church printed as hitherto. It was thought that more interest would be taken iu the proceedings if the various secretaries road their reports, and this was the system that it was intended to adopt. The Chairman then presented the lorty-seventh annual report of the session for the year ended June JO. Ho said the regular work of the church had been well maintained with spiritual benefit, it was hoped, for all concerned. The communion was celebrated as usual in September and Dec mber, 1926, and in March and June of this year, the average attendance being 167. Thirty-two names were added to the roll —twenty-four by certificate and eight by profession. Seven left by certificate and one had died. There had been ten baptisms and nine marriages. In August, 1926, tho church had a visit from the Rev. Dr Gibb, in the interests of the Theological Hall Scholarship fund of the Assembly, and several members whom ho visited generously contributed tho sum of £SB in all. in August last there was an induction of elders, four members - r tho Managers’ Court being added the session roll. Mr J. Mercer resigned the treasurerehip of the congregation in December after five years’ service, the office-bearers conveying to him their thanks for the excellent work ho had done, and tho deep regret they felt at losing his services and help in the Managers’ Court. Mr T. Wilson was elected to fill tho vacancy. Meantime the session was without the valuable services of Mr W. Henderson, who, along with his wife and daughter, wore on a visit to the Homeland. During his absence Mr J. Edwards had very kindly taken charge of the session records. The session heartily congratulated Miss Macfie and Miss Marion Nelson on having gained diplomas from the School of Religious Education. The weekly prayer meeting was not attended as well as it might he, but the minister was grateful to those who attended. Perhaps, however, tho minister in these days spent his time to better advantage in giving lessons in the public school every Wednesday morning. The attendance of choir members, both at practice and on Sundays, nad been disappointing during tho past year, and : t was hoped that the interest in .this imnortant part of worship would speedily be revived. The session again recorded its appreciation of the work done by tho minister and his wife, by tho officebearers generally, by the P.W.M.U., by tho Ladies* Association, by the Sunday school superintendent and teachers, by the Bible class leaders, and by the organists and choir members.

On the motion, of Mr J. Edwards the report was received.

Mr H. Booth, in the absence of Mr T. AVilson, presented the treasurer’s report. This showed the ordinary revenue to have been £566 10b 6d. There had been a decrease in the amount collected by way of subscription fund and in ordinary collections. He felt, however, that they had only to appeal to the congregation, and this would bo rectified. During the year the managers had embarked on a. comprehensive repairs scheme for church, manse, and halls, and this had been most successful, the members of the congregation responding most generously. He moved the adoption of the report. Mr D. Craigie seconded the motion. The Chairman, in speaking to the motion, said the managers had, during the course of the year, discussed, the question of the envelope system of «ontrihuting, and lie felt certain that it would he an advantage if adopted. The motion was carried.

Mr 11. Booth presented the managers’ report. During the year £515 had been expended in church repairs, and all the buildings connected with the church were now in a most satisfactory slate of repair. The managers were deeply grateful to those who had contributed so liberally to the fund. He moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded h,v Mr Edwards and carried.

In answer to Mr M‘Donald whether it was necessary to spend so much money on church repairs at tho present time, the Chairman said that Die managers felt that it was more satisfactory to make one job of it than to he always effecting minor repairs. Mr D. Craigie said debentures were issued at 5 per coni., and these were being paid off by members of the congregation, £125 of the repayment money being already in hand. They had received £IOO from the Ladies’ Association and £IOO from the Synod, so that pari of the finance need not cause them any further anxiety. Tho whole of the debenture money would be paid off within two years. Tho P.W.M.TJ.’s report was presented by Mr W. Booth on behalf of Miss M‘Cosh Smith. Addresses had been given during the year, and considerable interest taken in the proceedings. The Busy Bees (under Alisa Ford and Miss 'Winnie Lowrie) had sent monetary gilts and contributions ol clothing and toys to Maori missions and elsewhere, and had done excellent work.

The adoption of the report was moved by Mr J. Kenton, seconded by Miss Thomson, and carried. The report of the Ladies’ Association, which was presented by the chairman, showed a very success!ul year’s operations. The adoption was moved by Mrs Tail, seconded by Mrs M'Naughton and carried. Miss F. M’Kimion (secretary) presented the report of the senior girls’ Bible class, and Miss Robertson that of the junior girls. The membership of both had been well maintained, and the leaders—Miss Macfio and Miss M. Nelson —had done excellent work. Mr S. 11. Morrison (secretary) re ported on behalf of the young men s senior Bible class. Considerable interest had been taken in the work during the year. Early in the year Mr W. G,. Lowrie, wdio had tilled practically ’all Die offices in the class, was transferred on promotion to Wellington, and prior to his departure had been presented with a gold-mounted fountain pen. Numerically tho_ class was in a healthy state, and the spiritual and social sides of tne _ organisation’s activities were well maintained. The senior class was ably led by Mr J. A. Wallace, whoso services were warmly eulogised. Mr Thomson reported on behalf of the junior Bible class, and referred in appreciative terms to tho interest which the Rev. Mr Trotter took in the work of the class. Mr. Morrison had proved an excellent leader.

The report was adopted, on Die motion of Mr D. Craigie, seconded by Mi S. Morrison.

Mr Craigie reported on behalf of Ihe choir, and Mr H. Booth (super!'.rondent) on behalf of the Sunday school. Ho said that the school had been open on forty Sundays and the average attendance was 131. It was hoped to secure tho services of several additional teachers. Tho teaching staff at present consisted of nineteen, three more were urgently required. The recent examinations had been most suc-

ecssful. Li the memory section 42 sat, 17 gained 100 per cent.. 5 gained 00, 7 98, 2 97, and 3 95. The cradle roll was languishing through the lack of a superintendent. Miss Lowrie started this department, and had done well with it, and he had not been successful in obtaining anyone to take charge of the work since Miss Lowrie'e departure for Wellington. He moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr F. Bell and carried. The election of five managers resulted as fellows:—Messrs W. Garside, W. J. Kennedy, J. R. Rutherford, G. Smith, and T. H. ’Wilson. At the conclusion tea and cakes, supplied by Die ladies of Die congregation, were handed round. During the evening songs were rendered by Messrs Rutherford and J. Clark, a ’cello solo by Mr Blyth, and a violin solo by Mr S. R. Morrison. Misses F. Blyth and Thelma Morrison acted as accompanists.