St. Andrew's Church.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7900, 28 July 1904, Page 2

St. Andrew's Church.

The annual'tea and public meefcinc m connection with St. Andrews Presby* tcrian Church was held last evenin" Tea was laid in the hall and was lareefv attended. ; The Key I. Jolly -presided a? tho public meeting m the church. Tho principal business was the reading of various reports and addresses by visiting clergymen. MrH. E. Astburyread the sessim's report. It stated tho number on the church roll was 229, an increase of 18 on last year's figures. There had been lo baptisms, 21 marriages, and three members had answered the call of God to come up higher during the year. It was regretted that one who took a prominent and active interest m the church, Mr W. Rutherfurd, had been compelled to take an extended trip on account of indifferent health. It wa ß hoped he would return benefitted, bemces had been held at Kairanga every fortnight, and the attendance had been encouraging, also at Kelvin The attendance and interest shown by the young people m the minister s bible class was encouraging. Several members of the class had been received into fellowship of the church on profession of faith Mr J. E. Vernon, Superintendent of the Sunday School, read the report on the past year's work. The roll number at present stood at 175, an increase of 3d during the year, the average attendance having been 100, and the highest 1*54. In the examinations in scripture and catechism held by the Assembly and Sunday School Union in July, 27 certificates had been gained by various scholars.

Mr Vernon also read the Band of Hope report showing that the average attendance at 14 meetings! had been about 60. .

Mr J. C. Lane read the Ladies' Guild report and the Manager's report (published last week). Mr J. S. Munro read the treasurer's statoment (also published last week). He moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.

Mr R. Gardner seconded the motion, speaking strongly in favour of the adoption of the managers' proposal that an effort should be made to reduce the church debt by the adoption ot the envelope system.

The motion was carried with the amendment that the scheme be held over for a year. Other reports read were those of the Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union (by Rev. Mr Jolly), and the Christian Endeavour Society (Mr A. Barry). The Rev I. Jolly referred briefly to the interest shown by the congregation in the affairs of the church, and mentioned the gratitude felt towards the ?r£ an xIst (Mr A' J" Graham), choirmaster (Mr J. Bett) and the choir. The Rev. J. Mather (Broad-street) expressed his pleasure at being present and at hearing or the spiritual and financial progress of the church, which he hoped would continue. The Rev E. Richards (Baptist) also spoke a few words of congratulation. On Mr Gardner's motion a vote of thanks was passed to the ladies who assisted at the tables, the choir, organist and choirmaster and visiting clergymen. During the evening Miss Pegden sang the solo •'. Bide a Wee," and the choir rendered an an them.

The gathering closed with the singing of the Doxology.