PARISH MEETINGS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1613, 22 April 1879, Page 4

PARISH MEETINGS.

ST. MICHAEL S. The annual meeting of the parishioners of St. Michael’s was held last night in the schoolroom. The incumbent, the Rev. E. G. Penny, occupied the chair, lie said he should be sorry to think that the paucity of the attendance was any proof of a failing of interest in the work of the parish. They were there for a twofold duty, the election of officers and the transaction of other important business in connection with the parish. Reviewing the past year, ho thought there were signs of the prevalence of_ a true church spirit, fellow earnestness, unity and zeal. Of the spiritual work it would be necessary to speak with caution, as outward manifestations might bo illusory. It should never be forgotten that temporary impulses might give a fictitious vitality. They had proof of the existence of spiritual life such as could not be overlooked, and which was perceptible by the increased attendance at the Holy Communion, especially on Easter Day, but, at the same time, he should like to see more frequent attendances at the altar. He was not inclined to be self congratulatory on the subject of finance, or blow their own trumpet on the subject of the offertories. In glancing over the financial statement he thought there was a little falling off, bat this was capable of explanation. 'J here had been two special offertories, one for the Indian Famine fund and the other for the schoolroom. On the whole, there was cause for encouragement generally. He alluded to the increasing onerqusness of the pastoral work of tho parish, which, single-handed, he found it impossible to undertake. The system of appointing deaconesses was occupying the attention of tho Bishop, and he thought the time was ripe for the establishment of aid of that nature. With regard to the Sunday schools, as churchmen, they could not rest content with only one hour, which was frequently reduced to less than that per week, for religions instruction. The Saturday school, which had been tried, was partially successful, but the whole question would have to be met by churchmen. In England, the difficulty had been encountered by a Religious Education Society which had been established, and had done great good. On the subject of finance, he might gay that the ladies who had been instrumental in assisting in the furnishing of the church hoped to be able to contribute something to its funds. In conclusion, he alluded to the sympathetic bond existing between himself and his parishioners, and expressed his thanks for the kindness which had been shown to him. Tho minutes of the last annual meeting were then read and confirmed. Mr T. S. Field submitted the financial statement of the year ending March 31st, 1879, which showed the receipts, including an overdraft of £477 and amounts received from sale of permanent shares £529- £2226 9s 4d ; and expenditure, including balance from last year, £522 Us 2d—£1696 11s lOd. The general indebtedness of the parish was £1147 6s 9d, as compared with £ 1323 6s 2d last year, Ho concluded by moving the adoption of the report. Mr E. J. S. Harman said that the financial position of the parish was different from the other town parishts, because much of it was occupied by shops, which contributed nothing to the church. With regard to the education question alluded to by the incumbent, he would suggest that a form of prayer should be introduced similar to the practice in the London schools. Mr W. J. Brittan went over the school account. Tho receipts were equal to his anticipations, with tho exception of tho item of rent of the room for concerts. _ He had expected this source would have contributed £2O, but it had realised £5. There was a small balance on the wrong side on the working account, but ho was sanguine of reversing that next year. The building income showed a credit balance of £43 17s Id. There was a sum of £SO to be received, and he hoped to see it expended for an additional room for an infant school. It was gratifying to learn that the churchwardens were in a position to show that the debt had been so much lessened, but that was no reason that their efforts in this direction should be relaxed. He estimated the expenditure for the coming year at £950. The receipts which could bo depended on were the forty-five offertories which, averaging £lO, would reach £450. A further sum of £250 would be realised by seat rents. This would total £7OO. The plan for liquidating the debt was well organised, but care must be taken that there was no falling back. Mr Field expressed bis opinion that Mr Brittan had over-estimated the expenditure, and uuder-estimated the receipts for rent. Mr J. G. Hawkes seconded the adoption of tho statement, which was agreed to. The next business was the election of officers and the incumbent nominated Mr R. J. S. Harman as his churchwarden, and on the motion of Mr Field, seconded by Mr J. 6. Hawkes, Mr Cherrill was elected parishioners’ churchwarden.

The following gentlemen were then elected as vestrymen, Messrs Evans, Field, Hawkes, Hartley, Cotters!!, Lane, Brittan, Palmer, Bennett, Hawley, and Wachsman. Before passing the usual votes of thanks, Mr Hawkes said he wished to propose a special one to Mr McArdell for the present he had made to the church of the very handsome scroll which was over the arch of the chancel. He had done a great deal for the church, but this time he had been especially successful. The vote was carried by acclamation. Mr Brittan nominated Messrs Evans, Hawley, Brittan, and the Incumbent to act as a committee to transact business connected with the school. Mr Lane seconded the proposal, and they were duly elected. Votes of thanks wero passed to the superintendent and teachers of the Sunday school; to the choir-master and ladies and gentlemen of the choir; to the ladies who had contributed to the lessening of the church debt, and the outgoing churchwardens and the vestry. The meeting then terminated with prayer. lohubn, The annual church meeting of the parishioners of Lobum was held on Wednesday evening last, the Rev. A. C. Wriabt in the chair. The churchwardens’ account showed a small debt of £(. 3s, which it was arranged should bo paid off by a concert, to bo given early in June. The retiring church offcors, C. A. Cunninpand T. Mungesm were re-elected, andLtt» -»saal votes of thanks to churchy:*-A-** 15 “ nd tha «»*• chairman hw—' ‘ 4,1,0 meeting *o a close,