ST. GLAIR PRESBYTERIANS

Evening Star, Issue 23059, 10 September 1938, Page 9

ST. GLAIR PRESBYTERIANS

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING At the annual meeting of the St. Clair Presbyterian Church, which was held in the Sunday School Hall on Wednesday, the Rev. lan G. Borrie presided over an attendance of about 80 members. The moderator paid a tribute to the late Mr A. Kilpatrick, who had given loyal service to his church, having been a member of the Deacons’ Court for 25 years. "The meeting passed a motion of sympathy with his relatives and with other members of the congregation who had suffered bereavement during the year. It was agreed that a message of comfort should be sent to Mr W. Wills, a member of the Kirk Session, who is in very poor health. The session reported that during the year the Rev. R. G. McDowall received and accepted a call to St. Luke’s Church, Remuera, Auckland. It was with much regret that the congregation parted with Mr and Mrs McDowall and their daughter. Later a call was accepted by the Rev. lan G. Borrie. Mr Borrie’s fine work both in and out of the pulpit was greatly appreciated. Mrs Borrie had also won a warm place in the hearts of the congregation. During the year Mr and Mrs Fox and Mr Fox, jun., left to take up their home in Hampden The congregation expressed its appreciation of their services. The roll number now stood at 326. During the year there were 19 additions by certificate and 16 by profession of faith. There had been 24 disjunctions by transfer or removal. The report of the Deacons’ Court was adopted on the motion of the clerk, Mr J. C. Doig. He spoke of the work that had been done to keep the church buidings in good repair, and made special reference to the manse. This had been renovated at a cost of £l6O. The balance sheet, presented by the treasurer, Mr D. R. Anderson, revealed the church’s finance to be in a satisfactory state. In spite of the long vacancy which occurred during the year the congregation, besides meeting its own obligations, was able to contribute over £3OO to the various assembly schemes This included £241 10s for missionary work and a special contribution of £34 3s 3d for the Maori missions. In moving the adoption of the balance sheet. Jhe treasurer included a vote of thanks to Mr D. Hamilton for his work as envelope treasurer, and to the honorary auditor, Mr H. Brown. The reports of the other church organisations (Sunday school, Bible classes, P.W.M.U., Girls’ Auxiliary. Busy Bees, and choir) were adopted on the motion of Principal Dickie, who also moved a comprehensive vote of thanks to all office-bearers and members who had, by loyal co-operation and service, made a contribution towards the success of the year’s work. Mr G. T. Palmer spoke enthusiastically of the centenary fund, and urged the workers to send in regular reports of progress. The Rev. Professor J. A. Allan addressed the meeting and congratulated I

the congregation on the healthy state of affairs revealed in the reports. A visitor could not but feel the vigour and earnestness of the congregation’s spirit. He went on to stress the importance of keeping their minds fixed on the vital things in the Christian life and in all church activities. The great danger of organised religion was to become trivial and petty and limited in outlook. Perhaps the greatest contribution the church could make to the life of the nation was to keep her people’s minds on the really essential things in the life of society. So, too, in the busy activities of the life of a congregation, they should not lose sight of the great things for which the church existed—worship, Christian nurture, witness and evangelism. Also in worship and in preaching congregations must help their minister to keep away from all that was cheap and shallow, and to give all prominence to the essentials things of the Christian faith. On the motion of Mr Colquhoun, a hearty vote of thanks was extended to the speaker. During the evening solos were given by Miss Isobel Barron, Miss Dorothy Mackay, and Mr C. S. Bragg, and a double quartet was arranged by the choirmaster, Mr Bragg. A hearty vote of thanks was extended to the performers. The minister acknowledged with gratitude the warm welcome which Mrs Borrie and he had received since beginning their work at St. Clair. He found a real friendship g. owing between himself and the congregation. Mr Borrie said that by the example of their lives they might reveal to the community in which they lived a faith adequate to present needs.