ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 9543, 1 December 1893, Page 3

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. Paul's Cburcb was beld last night, the Rev. J. G. Paterson presiding. There was a good attendance. The meeting was opened with singing and prayer, after which tbe reirliog of the various annual reports followed. Mr King read the report from tbe sesElon, which disclosed a very satlsfac-

Tory condition of things with relation lo Church work generally.

Mr Gardiner, superintendent of the Sunday school, read the report of that part of the Church's effort. Ib disclosed general progress. Mr Kelly gave a brief statement of the results for the year of the Endeavor Society and tbe Band of Hope. Mr Whitelaw read a report on the choir by Mr Hugh Aplin, the organist. Mr Craig read the financial report drawn up by tbe Church managers. It was of a satisfactory nature, and showed receipts for the year totally £1191, with a cash balance in hand of £61 olear of all

liabilities.

Tbe whole of tbe reports were adopted, on the motion of Mr R. Lamb seconded by Mr Grant,

The retiring managers were Messrs M'Vay, Gardiner, and Cottrell. Of these the two latter had signified their wllliogness to be re-elected, and that course was adopted. Mr Dean was elected to the other vacancy. PRESENTATION TO MR PATERSON. Mr Craig reminded thoso present that on tbe preceding Sabbath Mr Patereon referred to the fact that he had been among them for ten years as pastor, Durim? tbat tfme, Mr Craig said, Mr Paterson had only had one holiday, and tbat was nearly six years ago, when he was away for three months. There waa a large amount of expenditure of mental and physloal energy in connection with the work of any pastor ot a church, and this was specially tbe case with Mr Paterson. An occasional rest for a man in bis position was absolutely necessary, and the managers bad decided to put it into his power to take a two months' holiday without inconvenience to himself. It was hoped tbat he would enjoy his holiday, and return thoroughly refreshed by It, and so strengthened to do the work of God. Tbe financial report showed a balance of £61, and the managers feeling that Mr Paterson had largely helped to bring about that satisfactory state of things, decided to give £50 of it to blm to enable him to enjoy his holiday. The speaker therefore had much pleasure In handing to Mr Paterson a cheque for £ 50. Mr Patereon suitably responded, and returned his thanks for the generosity of tbe congregation, He tben passed on to general Church toiucß, referring to the changes that had taken place in tbe congregation since bis call to tbe pastorate ten years ago. He urged the congregation to rally round the Rev. Mr Morrison, who would occupy the place of the speaker while be was away, Mr Paterson in concluding thanked all those concerned in the various branches of church effort, and specially thanked the choir for their labor of love, concluding his address by invoking the bleating of God upon the congregation. Addresses were also delivered by the Rev. Mr Sidey, Rev. Mr Morrison, and Rev, Mr Donglap.

During the evening the following musical programme was gone through :— Hymn, " Lead, Kindly Li«ht," the congregation ; anthem, " The Homeland," the choir ; solo, " The Garden of Prayer," Miss King ; hymn, " The Strain Upraise," the congregation ; duet, " Hast Thou Cheered the Brokenhearted ? " the Misses Cowell and D'Autbereau ; solo, " Arloremus," Mlsb Olive Ribineon ; anthem, " Arise. Shine," We choir ; " Evening Hymn," Mr Hugh Aplin presided at the organ,