YEAR OF PROGRESS

Evening Star, Issue 23354, 25 August 1939, Page 12

YEAR OF PROGRESS

FIRST CHURCH COHGREGATIONAL MEETING Extending a welcome to those present at the annual congregational meeting of First Church last evening, the Kev. W. Allen Stevely, said the activities of the church during the past year had been both manifold and earnest. Ho expressed thanks to the office-bearers, referring particularly to the devoted service of the session clerk (Mr W. H. Adams), the clerk of the deacons’ court (Mr A. L. Salmond;, and the treasurer (Mr Crosby Morris). Mr Adams had been session clerk for 40 years, and Mr Morris treasurer for 31 years. Mr Stevely also mentioned the work of Mr J. A. Robertson as roil clerk. ADOPTION OF REPORT. Moving the adoption of the animal report, Sir E. J. Smith also referred to the vigorous growth and activity of the church and the signs that it was living up to its responsibilities. There were two items in the annual reports that had caught his attention. One was a reference in the Sunday school's report. “No picnic was held this year, the scholars agreeing to give the proceeds of the special collection to the Chinese children's relief fund.” Surely, this revealed a groat spirit? One other item that interested him was in the Busy ißees’ report. This movement began about 25 years ago with a group of five girls, and during that time the sum of £17,558 had been raised by the Busy Bees of New Zealand. Mr Smith referred briefly to the work of the choir and other _ church organisations, and to the untiring and devoted services'of Sister Elinor, who had completed 21 years as a deaconness. Ho asked members of the congregation never to forget the gallant work being done in China by the church’s missionary (Miss Eileen ißeid). Mr Smith concluded - by paying a tribute to Mr and Mrs Stevely for their devoted service during the past_ year. Seconding the motion, Mr F. Foote referred to the centennial thanksgiving fund, which, he said, now stood at £200,000. He appealed to members of First Church to do everything in their power to assist in raising the third £IOO,OOO. This latter amount was far more important, he said, than the wiping off of.church debts, and he appealed to members to give as generously as possible at the thanksgiving service in October. The report was adopted.

DEACONS RE-ELECTED. The following deacons were elected; —Messrs A. P. Bremner. J. V. Hanna, Angus Halligan, I. Macfarlane. J. Farquharson, A. H. M'Leod, T. Thomson, and G. Salmond. SISTER ELINOR’S ADDRESS. A brief address on her work was given by the deaconness, Sister Elinor, who mentioned that the Social Security scheme had not made her work any easier. Visiting in the homes provided a wide avenue of service,, she said. At the assembly last year the need of a personal evangelism was stressed. Statistics showed that there were 40,000 Presbyterians in Dunedin, but how to keep m touch with them was the problem. Recently she had visited a member of one of their mothers’ meetings, who was ill. From that lady she ascertained five families in the one house, all Presbyterians, but only one in touch with the church. To-day the children were attending Sunday school, and all were in touch with the church. Helping in the homes in times of sickness and sorrow, opened many hearts, said Sister Elinor, and made for faith in God and in prayer a reality. A vote of thanks to the church’s organisations and office-bearers was moved by Mr James Wallace, after which Mr Stevely pronounced the benediction. During the evening songs were contributed bv Mrs F. Loncworth and Mr A. Walmsley, and Miss D.' Barron and Mrs J. Macfarlane sanjj appreciated duets. The aceomnamments were played by Dr V. E. Galway.