ST. PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume X, Issue 1273, 17 April 1878, Page 3

ST. PAUL'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. Paul's, Cashel street, was held last night in the new church, under the chairmanship of the ReV. J. Elmslie. The proceedings opened with a hymn and prayer, after which the chairman called upon iUr Gibbs, sessions clerk, to read the report of the Kirk sessions. Thi3 acknowledged the services of the Rev. Messrs Waddell and Somers during the absence of the pastor through serious illness; stated that the return of Mr Elmslie had been productive of the best results, that the opening of the new church had caused a marvellous increase in the attendance, that the Sunday schools had been carried on successfully, and that it was hoped a fourth school would soon be opened in the N.E. quarter of the city ; recommended the formation of a psalmody committee or association ; and recorded thanks to the present choir and organist. It concluded by congratulating the congregation on the increase of the number of communicants from ninety-eight last April to 152 this April. The Uha rman, iu submitting the report to the meeting, regretted the departure of the late sessions clerk, Mr Gavin, whose services had been of so important a character for so long a time. Mr R. moved, and Mr B. Fulton seconded, the of the report, which was agreed to. Mr Guy read the Sabbath Schools' report, which disclosed a very satisfactory number of children and of teachers, both in the central and Montreal street schools. The Colombo road school had not progressed so well as the others, owing to a deficiency in the number of teachers. The statement of receipts and expenditure showed a balance of .£5 15s Bd, after an outlay during the year of £67. The ge.eral missions account showed, receipts £23 9* sd, and expenses .£ls. Mr Callender moved, and Mr Bowie seconded the adoption of this report, which was agreed to. MrR. Sutherland read Ibe financial report. Jpromtjis it appeared that the receipts durin? the year from church door cohesions, p jw rents, &c had amounted to .£lO7l 7s Bd, and special collections to .£73 10s sd. The payments had amounted to .£1214 5s 4d. The building fund account, from the Ist February, 1876, to 31st March, 1878, showed receipts from collections, Ac , .£2802 19s, and amount borrowed on mortgage, .£SOOO. On the expenditure Bide of the balance sheet appeared amount paid to contractor .£7683 14s 4d, and other disbursements to the amount of =£1720 8s 3d. There was a balance due to the Bank of New Zealand ot jfils6s 13i4d, , , ~ Mr Gann moved, and Mr Guy seconded, the adoption of the report, and Messrs Anderson and Duncan having addressed the meeting on several items in the report, it was adopted. Mr C. A. C. Cunningham moved, and Mr Bowie seconded, a vote of thanks to the choir. Which was agreed to. Mr Callender moved, and Mr Morrow seconded, a yote of thanks to the committee of management, which was also ag Q e he choir, which had sung several hymne at intervals during the proceedings, having sung the 220th hymn, the Rev. J. Elmslie pronounced the Benediction, and closed the meeting.