YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY

Evening Star, Issue 20943, 6 November 1931, Page 14

YEAR OF OPPORTUNITY

WORK OF MORAY PLAGE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH The year had been a strenuous one, hut, nevertheless, had been one of opportunity, said tho Rev. Albert Mead, 8.A., in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet at the annual meeting of tho Moray Place Congregational Church, held last evening. He pointed out that during tho difficult year the depression had emphasised the failure of all things material, and he suggested that now was the time to widen the influence of tho spiritual side of life. The church, he said, was a place of refuge and strength, and their responsibility lay in tho creating of the right atmosphere for worship. Ho advised those who needed comfort and courage to turn to tho church., The deeper need could only be satisfied by tho most lasting things, the “ Jiving bread ” and “ living water.” What they wanted was a warm spirit of worship, and a helpful atmosphere of praise and prayer. For this it was essential to have good music without 100 much light and shade, and hearty and real singing. Sermons should contain helpful thoughts, in order to produce foundation material for the structure of life. Ho referred to tho new work which the church had undertaken during tho year that of tho men’s rest room, which had been carried on very successfully. Excellent results had also been attained by the Sunday school, and the changing of the Sunday school hours from tho afternoon to the morning was inculcating the church-going habit in the children, for the children were already beginning to “ talk church.” (Applause.) Mr J. G. Dykes, in seconding the motion, spoke in terms of the highest praise of the work carried out by Mr Mead during tho past year. Sister Lilian’s report gave evidence of the great value of hef work for tho church, and the extreme modesty with which she had referred to her own activities served only to emphasise the magnitude of tho work that she had accomplished. Tho financial statement for tho year was a very creditable one. The report was adopted. At the conclusion of tho formal business of the evening an inspiring address was given by the Rev. D. C. Herron on tho great need of tho church for the support and encouragement of all its members. Prefacing his address, Mr Herron spoke eloquently ot the work which Mr Mead had done in tho city, especially amongst the unemployed, and expressed the opinion that it was a minister’s duty to take an active interest in the social work of tho city, and not confine himself entirely to tho pulpit. Proceeding, Mr Herron dealt with three classes of people who were to bo found in almost any ‘ congregation. The first wore the grumblers, the people who always expected too much from their minister and church officers. Ho was sure that if every member of a congregation stoutly maintained that his was the best minister in tho city, an atmosphere of encouragement and success would ho created which would stimulate tho minister immensely. Then came tho people who wfero always seeing the silver lining in things. They wore the people who were needed most during these times. Tho people who were confident in tho strength of tho church were the ones who would help to conquer the inferiority complex from which the church had apparently been suffering since tho war. Lastly, there woiv) the people who were always helpful without having to ho asked to do things. Such people made a remarkable difference in the general atmosphere of a church and lightened the minister’s burden immensely. At the conclusion of his address. Mr Herron was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. During the corning the choir, under tho ronductorship of Mr A. Walmsloy, presented several enjoyable concerted items, whilst vocal numbers were also given bj Miss Burns. Mesdames Anderson and Evans, and Messrs J. D. M’Kcclinie and Watt.