ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 912, 25 January 1868, Page 2

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

CONGREGATIONAL TEA MEETING. A social meeting of the congregation attending St. Paul's Presbyterian church — < under the pastoral care of the Rev. G. Morice — was held on the evening of Tuesday last. Tea was served in the school room at half-past 6 p.m. The tables, which were loaded with good things, were presided over by ladies of the congregation. The attendance, although considerable, was not so large as to cause bustle or confusion, and the arrangements were carried out in a very methodical and satisfactory manner. After tea, the congregation adjourned to the church, and the business of the evening was opened by His Honor D. M'Lean Esq., being called to the chair. The Chairman said that, while one object of the present meeting was to lay before the congregation a statement of the financial position of the church, it was to be regarded quite as much in the light of a social gathering, such a gathering as he hoped in future to see repeated oftener, Ifc did seem to be essential, in a place where men were so much occupied with their usual avocations, that aa opportunity should be occasionally afforded them of raising their thoughts to things of a more exalted character. Choir. — "St. George's, Edinburgh." The Chairman then called upon Mr. Stables to read the report of the Kirk Session. Mr. Staiu-es, as Session Clerk, accordingly read the following report : — The Kirk Session was, as you are aware, constituted on Sunday, the 12th day of May,

of this present year, by the ordination and admission to the office of eldership of those persons who had previously been elected to that responsible trust by the voice of the congregatiou. Since the commencement, the business of the session has been more or less necessarily of a routine nature. The session would take this opportunity of publicly expressing their grateful acknowledgment of the services of Mr. Orr, whose long experience as an elder of the Church in the home country, rendered j his advice at the outset of peculiar value ; and, although his removal to a considerable distance prevents his taking that active part in the work of the session which it is his inclination to do, he still remains a member of the court, and continues to take a warm interest in everything connected with the welfare of the congregation and of the Church at large. Immediately on the establishment of the session, a division was made of the parish into districts, with the view of appointing an elder to each ; and a systematic visitation of the congregation was undertaken by the Key. Mr. Morice, along with the respective elders. Although unavoidably detained from various causes, the visitation is now nearly completed. The session desire to express their thanks for the kindness and consideration with which they have everywhere been received. The weekly prayer-meeting has been resumed as formerly, and the session have great pleasure in recording their satisfaction at the manner in which it continues to bo attended. A speoial collection, made on Sunday the 6th October last, being the day set apart for the celebration of the communion, was kindly placed by the managers at the disposal of the session, to form a fund for the relief of any sudden and unforseen cases of distress that might arise. The congregation will learn with thankfulness that no call has, as yet, been made on the fund. The Rev. Mr. Morice takes this opportunity of thanking anonymous friends who have sent him several sums of money to be applied to the support of the various missionary undertakings of the Church, and for the relief of cases of distress ; and be also takes this opportunity of stating that these sums have been applied as directed. The session regret to announce that, through the resignation of Mr. Martin, the office of conductor of the psalmody is at present vacant 5 and would beg to express publicly, on behalf of the congregation, the thanks which are due to Mr. Martin for his long and zealous discharge of the duties devolving upon him in conducting this department of the religious services. A committee of the "Kirk Session " and " Court of Managers " baa been appointed to take steps for filling up the vacancy. It has been under consideration to obtain a suitable Tune Book for the use of the congregation. A copy of the English Presbyterian Church Hymn and Tune Book, recommended by the last General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, has been sent for; and, if approved of, a sufficient supply will be procured without delay. In conclusion, the session desire to express their thanks to the Sunday School teachers, for their earnestness and untiriDg zeal in the discharge of their arduous and responsible duties. It must be peculiarly gratifying to all to observe, from the flourishing condition of the schools, that the labors of the teachers are duly appreciated by the congregation. The Chairman said that the next part of the business of the evening was the Treasurer's Report, which would now be read. Mr. Lawson then read the following report of the managers and treasurer : — The present managers of St. Paul's Church were elected to office on- the 23rd day of June last, and siuce that time they have held eleven meetings for the transaction of business. The most important subject on which the managers have to report is the present financial position of the Church, and it will be necessary to go back as far as to February, 1865, up to which date the last financial statemeut that was made to the congregation ~MA&-kn«m<»i»fc-~ Tlnrinn thia i%tuucd~a£ — w^-^1... three years, the total receipts, including a loan of £200, and a balance in hand on the 9th February, 1865, of £9 18s. 7d., have been £1761 9s. lid., and the total expenditure has been £1757 12s. 7d.— leaving the cash in the hands of the Treasurer £3 17s. 4d. But to show the actual financial position of the Church on the 31st of December last, reference must be made to the Asset and Liability Sheet, from which it appears that our liabilities amounted to £334 los. 2d., and our assets to £58 17s. 4d., leaving a balance of £275 17s. 10d., which of course represents the actual debt on the Church at that date. It is, of course, most desirable that this debt should be cleared off as soon as possible. The only question is, whether a special effort must be made for this purpose, or whether the ordinary revenue of the Church is in such a satisfactory state as to afford a surplus, by means of which it may be gradually cleared off without the necessity for special effort. That it is not so will be seen at once by a glance at the estimated income and expenditure for next year : —

It will be observed that, in the above estimate, the pew rents have been calculated at £1 a sitting, whereas hitherto the pews have all been rated at £1 10s. a sitting. In explanation of this, it is necessary to slate that soon after the entrance of the present managers on office, the sittings in some of the less advantageously situated pews were reduced to 15s. per annum, and that, more recently, all the other sittings in the Church, with the exception of five pews, were reduced to £1 each per annum. This reduction was made in deference to a widely-expressed opinion that the pew rents were too high — an opinion in which your committee confess they could not but share ; and if they be asked how, in the view of a probable deficiency of income during the coming year, they could make up their minds to cut off at one stroke so large a sum from the revenue, they have to say, in reply, that they hope the revenue will not Buffer to bo great an extent as some might imagine, for they have reason to believe that many were deterred from taking sittings in the church by the high rate charged for them, and that others, for the same reason, took fewer sittings than they really required. They have received many assurances that more sittings would be taken if the sum charged for them were reduced, and they earnestly trust that these assurances will be verified. At the same time, it must he remembered that the estimated deficiency is not entirely caused by this reduction. Even if the old rate had been continued, the income would still have fallen short of the expenditure by £G3 Bs. But if the same number of sittings now let — viz., 160— were to be let throughout the coming year at the reduced rate of £1, and if the present average of the ordinary church door collections were to be maintained, the excess of expenditure over income would, as has already been btated, be no less than £143 Ba, It becomes a very serious question how this large deficiency is to be met. In past years it has been root by special efforts, in the shape of! donations, loans, &c. ; but your committee cannot recommend that such precarious sources of revenue be relied on for the future. They believe the Church cannot be regarded as in a sound state financially, until the necessary current expenditure is covered by the ordinary income.

If this financially sound and healthy position is to be reached, either the revenue from weekly offerings must be largely increased, or an Auxiliary Fund must be formed. Several oases have lately been brought under the notice of your committee, where the weekly offerings have been more than doubled by the simple plan of collecting them from the pews at the close of the service, instead of by means olN^ri&tes placed at the church doors. This plan, to which many of us were acous. tomed at home, is now generally practised throughout the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, and it has been suggested that it be tried here. Your committee have endeavoured to lay before you a statement of the present financial position of the Church as full as it seembd possible to do without entering into those details which may best be gathered from the treasurer's balance-sheet, which will be printed and circulated with as little delay as possible ; and they would now desire to express their conviction that if our financial condition is not in all respects so satisfactory as might be wished, this only requires to be made known to the congregation in order to be remedied ; and they pledge themselves to administer the finances of the congregation with the strictest economy which is consistent with an honourable discharge of its obligations. In concluding this part of the report, it is pleasant to be able to state that the published proceedings of last General Assembly show that St. Paul's Church, Napier, has contributed a larger sum to the geueral schemes of the Church, than any other congregation whatever in the Presbyteriaa Church of New Zealand. Your committee are, glad to say that the church and school buildings are in good repair, although certain improvements are no doubt desirable, For instance, complaints are frequently made as to the ventilation, and it is believed that by a comparatively small outlay it might be considerably improved. The removal of the bell from the tower to the top of the bill behind the church has also been contemplated, as the stability of the spire is endangered by the ringing of the bell, and the bell itself is not so well heard as it would be in a higher position ; but no allowance has been made for these improvements in the estimate already given of next year's expenditure. The Congregational Library is about to be largely increased. It was formed in 1863 with 323 volumes, and has since been much enlarged and improved, Many of the books suitable for the young have been taken out to form a Sunday School Library, and their places have been supplied by othera. A box containing a large number o£ volumes, selected and purchased at home by the Hey, Mr. Barclay on behalf of tbe congregation, has arrived in Wellington, and may soon be expected here. The thanks of the congregation are due to those ladies who have exerted themselves in this matter, and who have attended in the schoolroom every Monday afternoon for the last four years for the purpose of giving out books. When the new books arrive, the Library will probably be reorganised, and your committee would take this opportunity of calling the attention of the congregation to the hitherto too much neglected Library. The Week-day School in the Port Church is in a flourishing stato. This building owes its existence, as most of you are aware, to the exertions of a lady* respected by all amongst us for her zeal and earnestness in every good woik. It is to be regretted that as yet it has not been found possible to have Divine Service regularly conducted, but the Sunday School and Week-day School are both prosperous. The latter was opened in May last, and, under the able superintendence of Miss Mitchell, rose from very small beginnings to an attendance of 30 on the roll at the recent examination. Miss Mitchell has accepted an important situation in another province, bufc Miss M'Gowan has been appointed to the school, and from her wellknown success in teaching in Scotland, there is every hope that it will prosper under her care. Before leaving this subject, your committee desire to acknowledge with gratitude the kindness of the Bishop of Waiupu, who, at a time when the attendance at the school seemea uoubtru!, "raised by subscription a sum of £20, for the purpose of enabling tbe School Committee to retain Miss Mitchell's services. The managers avail themselves of this public opportunity of conveying the thanks of the congregation to the ladies aud other friends to whose kind and "energetic exertions the success of the recent Bazaar was owing, and. of stating that, after payment of expenses, donations to tbe amount; of £25 were made to the New Hebrides Mission and the Sunday Schools, and the surplus was handed over to tbe treasurer for general Church purposes ; and it must be remembered that, but for the timely aid derived from the proceeds of this Bazaar, and of the concert that took place in February last, the debt on the Church would have been much greater than it is. Our thanks as a congregation are also due to our former pastor, the Rev. Peter Barclay, for bis most appropriate and generous gift of Communion Plate for the use of St. Paul's church ; as well as for the very handsome Pulpit Bible and Psalm Book which he has Bince presented. Tho managers cannot forbear making some allusion here— although it may scarcely fall under their province to do so — to the very warm interest which Mr. Barclay still takes in the people amongst whom he once labored so earnestly, — an interest which is manifested, for example, by the trouble he has taken in selecting, buying, cataloguing, and packing with bis own hands, the new books for the library, which aye now expected. And the congregation will be glad to learn that the monument to the late Mra. Barclay (whose natural sweetness of character and truly Christian life, endeared her to all who knew her, and especially to the members of this congregation), is expected to arrive very shortly, and will, without further delay, be erected in the Napier Cemetery. It may be added, in conclusion, that this burying ground, under the management of the new trustees, one of whom will be appointed by His Honor tbe Superintendent from this congregation, is likely soon to present a more seemly and pleasing appearance than it has hitherto done. The Rev. Gr. Morxce said he did not believe that at any time St. Paul's church bad a more energetic and efficient court of managers than at present, and he regretted exceedingly that one of their number was about to leave the province. The report of the managers, just read, shewed a very serioug disci'epancy between the income of the church and. the necessary expenditure connected with it. Two suggestions had been made as to the best means of making up this deficiency — one that the collection plate should be taken round the pews ; the other, that an auxiliary fund should be formed. Tor himself, he highly approved of the plan of sending the plate round the church, as he knew of cases where the system had been attended with very pleasing results. He found that in Sfc. John's church, Napier, where this plan was followed, the average weekly receipts were £4, just double those at St. Paul's. A still niore striking instance of the value of this plan was shown at Wanganui, where there is a flourishing Presbyterian congregation. The money was originally collected at the door, and 15s. was then considered a good collection. The plan of taking round the plate was then adopted, and the receipts at once rose to between £9 and £10, and had continued at that rate. In Wellington,. as he understood, the weekly collection at the Presbyterian church, taken in the mode suggested, was £8. It would be seen from the estimate of receipts which had been rend that the seat-rents had been reduced, being estimated at £1. This was now the rate for the greater number, the committee considering that it was a bad

system to raise funds by high seat-rents, for two reasons — that it deterred many from taking sittings who otherwise would do so, and that it was an unfair tax, falling equally on rich and poor. The other plan which had been suggested was that of a auxiliary fund; — to be created by a committee of ladies, who would divide the parish into districts, . and . make periodical collections. This plan also had its advantages, as it brought the congregation closer together, and more into communication. With regard to the debt of £275, it was no wonder, with the enlargements that had been made, and the general scarcity of money, that such a debt should exist. And yet it could scarcely be said that this debt, which appeared so formidable, was wholly incurred in building or enlarging the church, — these works having been assisted by large subscriptions at the time. . It had been mainly contracted by falling a little in arrear year by year. With regard to the reduction of this debt, the Treasurer suggested that subscriptions might be raised to reduce it for the present by £75 --leaving £200. ' This was a good suggestion, but it would be still better if £175 could be raised ; and he thought he could undertake to collect the £100 in large sums, on the simple condition that the congregation would undertake to raise the remaining £75 in small sums. Judging from the liberality of the members, he did not think this idea an extravagant one. In conclusion, he hoped that at future meeting's of this kind, finance would nob occupy so prominent a placethat the vexed question' of debtwould not arise, but that the congregation would be enabled to give their attention to. subjects of a higher and more important character. Mr. Wood said that this meeting presented a striking contrast to one held just 10 years ago, in Munn's Hotel — in January, 1858 — to consider what steps could be taken to establish a Presbyterian Church -in Napier. Among the few present at that meeting, one was their worthy Chairman, who would remember the circumstance well. It was resolved to open a subscription list, with the view of raising funds for the purchase of land and the erection of a manse, in anticipation ot the arrival of a minister. At the conclusion, subscriptions were received to the extent of £86 — the list being headed by Mr. M'Lean with -the sum of £20. This meeting was by way of following up a commencement made in May, 1857, by the Rev. D. Bruce, who in that month visited the district and, in his usual indefatigable manner, exerted himself to prepare the way for a stated ministry. Mr. Wood then adverted to the erection of the minister's dwelling, to the arrival of the Rev. P. Barclay, and to subsequent occurrences of note in connection with the history of the Church. Referring to the report which had been read — the adoption of which he bad been asked to move — he thought it a very satisfactory document, inasmuch as it showed clearly the financial position of the Church. True, it showed that the Church was labouring under a debt, as well as a probable deficiency in current income ; but he did not think there would be any serious difficulty in reducing the one and making up the other. It was well that the congregation should be made acquainted with the true position-of affairs. It was but too common an occurrence for cooimunitiea. while rfiW'.n.fain"' *frf», \vpportancworE or the Christian ministsyj "to forget the necessity of supporting it"%y their contributions ; and a gentle reminder was often all that was wanted. Mr. Wood, after expressing approval of the suggestion made as to the collections, and offering one or two further remarks, moved the adoption of the report, which, on being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously. Anthem, by the Choir — " I was glad." Mr. S. T. Gkeenwell, on being called upon by the Chairman, read, the following Report of the Superintendent of the Sunday School : — The Superintendent of the Sabbath Sobool in connexion with St. Paul's church takes this opportunity of reporting upon the position and progress of this important branou of the Christian work, During the two years he has held office, the school has fully maintained the numerical strength that existed during the term of his predecessor, Mr. Thomson ; but, latterly, the want of an adequate supply of teachers has been much felt. The staff consists at present of the Superintendent, five female and five male teachers. The number of scholars on the book's is 109, in the proportion of 59 girls and 60 boys, as against a total : of 97 in December, 18G5. The average attendance in 1867 has been 62, as against 55£ during the year 1866, These figures show that a large number attend very irregularly — the disproportion between 109 and 02 being very. great. To correct this avil one of the teachers was deputed to visit the parents of absentees and ascertain the .cause of the children's absence. Doubtless this plan, if continued, would have been success* ful ; Lut it was found that the services of the teacher could not be dispensed with on Sab. bath afternoon?, and that the system could not be carried out. The funds of the school are in a satisfactory state. Some time Bince the handsome sum of £25 was contributed by Mr. Edward Dickson of Gothenburgh.(a brother-in-law of the Rev. P. Barclay) to be invested at inte. rest for the benefit of St. Paul's school. This amount is at present invested in the church funds— the interest, £2 10s. per annum, being paid over for school purposes. With this income, aud £10 granted from the proceeds of the bazaar, the school, after paying for the children's treat on New Year's day and all other expenses, has on hand a Email balance. The school library contains over 200 volumes. It was raised by subscription at the commencement of 186G ; and, during the last year, several additions have been made by kind friends, which are acknowledged with gratitude. The books have a considerable circulation, especially among the elder portion of the scholars, but great inconvenience arises from there being no stated Librarian. In connection with the Bchool there is a Jn venile Missionary Society, which is liberally subscribed to by the children. The sum collected last year was £3 10s., which was agreed to be equally divided between the Melanesian mission, and the fund for extending the church in New Zealand. To stimulate the scholars to take a greater interest in the Sunday school woik/ a system of giving tickets as rewards has lately been introduced ; upon the number of which held by any one child will depend the value of the prize to be given. But all plans of this kind, however good, Avill fail to some extent if parents do not cooperate with the teachers in this matter, by seeing that the appointed lessons are committed to memory, and that punctuality of attendance is observed. Notwithstanding little difficulties and discouragements, however, the Superintendent ia not without confidence that, under the Divine blessiiig, the school has been instrumental in diffusing ir'cripturftl knowledge and in laying the foundation of religious principle in the minds of the rising generation of (his town. The Rev. Gr. Mobice observed that, in the report just read, the Port Church Sunday school had, inadvertently, not been referred to. That school "was really in a

satisfactory state— the number on the books being 39, the average attendance 37. The choir sang the 39th Scripture paraphrase. > The Rev. John Macmichael then addressed the meeting at considerable length. He said that it was a pity the? could not get angels to do the work of the gospel, as while it was done by men there would be always debt or difficulty of some kind. The great Whitfield, after preaching that the gospel was to be had " without money and without price," was disgusted at beiug reminded that he had to intimate a collection. With regard to the debt of the church, to which allusion had been made in the report, he believed the congregation might free itself by a good effort ; let them give a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull all together, and away would go the debt. He had seen this done at home ; and, in connection with his own church on. the flat, the same thing had been done by Mr. Wood and other kind friends who stepped in at a critical juncture. He had been asked to say a few words upon his late % isit to Nelson, where the General Assembly sat. He had been uniformly received and treated ■with the greatest kindness. The principal subjects that engaged the attention of the Assembly were the fund for widows and orphans, the fund for the support of aged - and infirm ministers, a church extension scheme, a foreign and Maori mission scheme, the necessity for a hymnal to be used in the . churches, an overture on intemperance; and one anent students. Of these, the church extension scheme was probably the most important, its object being to assist in maintaining ministers in thinly populated districts. With reference to the Maori mission, a gentleman in Nelson had generously offered £100 to the church to extend their operations amorig.tbe Maoris. At one time, as many present probably knew, there was a mission in connection with the Presbyterian church among the native 3at Manawatuy A minister (the Rev. Mr. Duncan) had spent 20 years among them, laboring . . well and zealously, instructing them in their religion, in their bible, and their shorter catechism ; and their good teacher hoped that some lasting benefit had, under Divine Providence, been effected. But he was disappointed. The war broke out, and bis twenty years* instruction and counsel vanished — the Maoris discontinued attending Divine service, and relapsed into a state as. bad as ever. When this minister was telling ot this — as he thought of his twenty years' labour — his life's work — . thus being swept away in a moment, it was too .much for him, and he could not speak. He (Mr. M.) was glad that they were to get a Hymnal for the Church, as there were many who would like hymns to whom the old metre psalms were not endeared by their associations, as they were to others. In such cases as this they must bear arid forbear. What was now wanted was a spirit of universal love, which would combine all Christians into one great body, without distinction of sect or belief. Unity of spirit did not enforce unity in external ceremonies, or in belief, but simply the one grand foundation of all Christianity— love of Christ. The Rev. GL Monies said that in his address . there was one subject which he had forgotten, and the remarks of the last speaker about forbearance had reminded him . The voluntary played at the close "of tile service had for some time been discontinued, in consequence of its being distasteful to a portion of the congregation. This discontinuance had given another portion some pain, as they considered that it was a decorous and pcemly way of ending " the worship. He . uould like the question to be now put to the congregation. The Chairman put the question, and it was decided in favor of the voluntary by a large show of hands, only two being held up for its discontinuance. Choir: "Marybank." Mr. Stables was sorry that through the absence of some gentlemen who had been expected to address the meeting, he was called upon to speak. He had a kind of dread of again speaking before such a meeting, from* some strictures he had heard on a few remarks of his, made on a similar occasion some months ago — that they were too narrow-minded, too Scotch, and unsuited to the Colony. There was no more fervent admirer of unsectarianism than himself and he was prepared to hold out the right band of fellowship to any member . of the Church of Christ, no matter what his denomination. There would always be diversity of opinion among churches, as there would be in congregations, and he . hoped there would always be a keen rivalry between the churches in every good cause. He believed that this was the eleventh time that he had been at such a meeting as the present, and he always took the greateat pleasure in such gatherings. He was deeply sensible of the honor they had done him r by electing him to the responsible por sition of an elder. - He was much pleased ,' at the account given by Mr. Wood of the first meeting held for the establishment of a Presbyterian Church in Hawke's Bay ; he remembered the circumstance distinctly, though not in the district at the time. He considered that a deep debt of gratitude was owing to those who had borne the burden and the heat of the day ; but thought none more deserving of the gratitude of the congregation than the Rev. Peter Barclay, who, wherever he was, was still working heartily for the good of the Church in New Zealand. He (Mr. S.) had been the second person to welcome him to the shores of New Zealand, and a lasting friendship then commenced between them. He thought the debt of the church was not very frightful, and might be easily wiped off by the congregation. It had been considered unlucky for a church to be out of debt, as if they had no debt to < attend to they would quarrel amongst themselves ; . but he thought the congregation would clear off the debt and risk the quarrelling. As to the deficiency, which looked so formidable upon paper, he did not believe for a moment that any such deficiency would be realised. Mr. Lawson proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies who had so kindly given their services to the tea-meeting, as well as to Mr. Martin and the choir. Carried by acclamation. The Rev. Ot, Morice, proposed, and the Rev. J. Macmichael seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried. . ; The Chaibman, in returning thanks, drew an ingenious comparison between the early settlers. of this colony and the Pilgrim Patherflipf America, and also referred to>the^gdp : (|^ influence of '• Piresbyteriafliijai,

which had served as a model for other purposes. The choir then sang the anthem, " Thine, O Lord," the Rev. J. Macmichael proj nounced the benediction, and the meeting separated shortly after 10 p.m.

Approximate Expenditure for 1868. £ s. d. Stipend 800 0 0 Organist's salary 30 0 0 Church officer's salary 25 0 0 Lighting and insurance ... ... 32 0 0 Sundries „ ... 13 0 0 £400 0 0 Approximate Income for 1868. £ s. d. Pew rents— l6o, at £1 IGO 0 0 Ordinary collections — 46, at £2 2s. 9G 12 0 Total income ... £256 12 0 Balance £143 8 0