ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIII, Issue 5950, 22 March 1880, Page 5

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

The annual meeting, of this congregation was held in the church on Wednesday last, andwas largely attended. The Bev John Elmslie, pastor of the church, occupied the chair. The meeting was opened by the congregation singing the 100th Psalm, and the pastor engaging in prayer. The Chairman then congratulated the congregation on the amount of prosperity •enjoyed throughout the past year,, notwithstanding reasons for apprehending the reverse; and that in the midst of a state -of commercial depression felt throughout the Colony generally, they had not only been able to meet the necessarily heavy expenses of the year, but had in addition slightly improved their position. He hoped that the season of -depression and distress from which the country was now emerging would leave important lessons and salutary influences behind it, and that with the return of better times, the congregation would nobly and bravely .face their liabilities, and soon have the satisfaction of seeing their efforts crowned with abundant success. After calling attention, to come of the first elements of true congregational prosperity—namely, 1. Let there be high resolutions; 2, Let there be firm and noble determination; 3. Let there be more -entire consecration of oar hearts to God; 4. let us strive to foster amongst ourselves mutual consideration and brotherly love—the Chairman called for the report of the session, which was read., by Mr John Gibb, session clerk.

Mr Archibald Scott, after a few remarks of congratulation, moved that the report of session as read be adopted, which was seconded by Mr James Fleck, and unanimously agreed to- The report was of a highly satisfactory nature, showing as it did that the attendance upon the means of grace had been larger than on any previous year, and that 73 names had been added to the communion roll, and 14 removed. The majority of the latter were names of members who had joined the newly formed congregations. The Session Clerk was then called upon to read over the names of the nine gentlemen >who had been elected to fill the vacancies occurring in the financial Committee—viz., Messrs B. M. Adair, John Cooke, Dr- Campbell, Andrew Duncan, William Dunford, William Ferguson, F. A. Guy, Archibald Scott, David Scott, all duly elected by the ■congregation. The next report called, for was that of the Sabbath schools. The report and state of ■finance were both cf a very encouraging nature, showing that although one. of the large side schools, most efficiently organised, arid in a flourishing, condition, had been formally handed over to the newly-established church at Sydenham, there still remained on the roll •-about 50 more scholars than were this tme last year, and that while last year the Treasurer was short of funds this year ho had not only met the liabilities of the various schools, amounting to £144 14s 7d, but had at .present a sum of £l2 0a lOd to credit.

After a few remarks, Mr S. 0. Farr moved the adoption of this report, which was ■seconded by Mr dark, and carried unanimously. The Chairman now called upon, Mr B, Sutherland, Treasurer,, for the report of the Financial Committee on the congregational funds. Mr Sutherland, after reading over the details of receipts and expenditure for the last year, said that the Financial Committee had ■ a considerable measure of satisfaction in being' able, notwithstanding the severe commercial depression of the past 12 months, to present so favourable a statement of accounts. The ■ gross ordinary revenue for the year was made up follows i—Sabbath collections (ordinary), 17s lid; ditto ditto (special), sfi2o4 Id i pew rents, £470 6s; miscellaneous, Qs 6d, amounting to $1722 7fl 6d, and

showing an increase of £lO6 Os 2d over the receipts for the year preceding. The expenditure amounted to £1705108 Id, thus showing a smell balance in favour of the year 1880. Xu addition to the foregoing, the .report showed that the congregation raised £12119s 4d for Sabbath school and Mission purposes, besides amounts received on account or the Building Fund, which were shown in a separate statement. The report went on to say that the Financial Committee deemed it prudent to postpone asking the congregation to make any special effort for the reduction, of the debt on the church until more prosperous times. They, however, thought-it needful to remind the congregation again, now that times were evidently improving, of the great desirability of reducing the. amount of Seating debt—now consuming sb muoh ojt the ordinary revenue in the shape of interest—ae speedily as possible. To attain,,this end measures - would be adopted by the. Committee as soon as practicable, and it was hoped that, the members and adherents of the church would respond with as hearty a liberality as they had hitherto shown, Mr B. 0. Farr moved that the report of the Financial Committee as read be adopted. Seconded by Mr J. 0. M'DowaU, and carried unanimously. After some friendly and practical remarks on Church work and debt extinction by Messrs Clark, Cooke, Hialop and others, Mr J. Milne moved the following resolution : “ That this meeting is of opinion that the Finance Committee should devise some means . to appoint collectors to visit personally the members and adherents of the congregation, , to solicit subscriptions for, the redaction of the debt on the Church, as the best means for raising funds for that. purpose." Seconded by Mr John'Cboke and unanimously adopted. A pleasing feature in the congregational meeting was the, attendance of the organist and choir of the church, evening rendered several selections of sabred music in a very 'effective manner, and at; future congregational meetings still greater’ prominence, it was hoped would ba given to this , part of the programme. - When the selection of fine anthems'now ordered from England baa arrived, thb: choir will be, in. a position to prepare from the, works of. the best composers selections that will he - both ' elevating and entertaining on such occasions. ’The Chairman, in the name of the congregation, said he desired to • thank.,the, officebearers and other workers in the church, including the Ladies* Association, the choir, and the Sunday-school staff, for their exertions in their several spheres of Church work during the past year. After prayer engaged in by the congregation, the Chairman pronounced the Benediction, and thus brought to a clospi one of the most enjoyable and harmonious of congregational meetings.