PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 308, 26 November 1932, Page 8

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

REVIEW OF PAST YEAR’S WORK. Tho report of the session of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church to bo presented to the annual congregation meeting by the session clerk (Mr D. W. Low) states that the work of the minister (Rev. G. T. Brown) is carried on with devotion, and both by word and by example. His visits the claims of the Christian faith. His visits to the sick, the aged, to new mcmbors and to members -and adherents averago about. 80 every month, and with pulpit work amt other meetings, makes bis work very heavy. ‘ The roll at the beginning of the year was 516, 18 havo been admitted by profession of faith and 11 by certificate from other parches; 18 have left, and death has claimlid 4. The roll is now 523. Tho following have been removed by death during the year: Mrs Walter Graham, Mrs Cripps, Mrs Law and Miss Marv H. Colquhoun. To the relatives of these tho sincerest sympathy is extended. To other bereaved families of the congregation we would extend the deepest sympathy. Overtures from the AsBmbly were discussed upon:. (1) Ministerial tenuro and (2) Church Uniop. Tho session agreed in rogard to ministerial tenure that future appointments be for a fixed period. In regard to Church Union _ it. agreed to the proposal to open negotiations with the Methodist and Congregational Churches. The session also suggested that other evangelical churches be approached with a view to the formation of a league whose chief concern will be to bring about a greater measure of harmonious, co-opera-tion between the various denominations at present working in New Zealand. The session also suggested to the Wanganui Presbytery that gratification be expressed at the resolution of the Farmers’ Union that its meetings be opened with prayer. The musio of the congregational services are led by Mr A. J. Graham, organist and choirmaster, assisted by a most efficient choir. To them the congregation owe a deep debt of gratitude for fho excellence of one of the most devotional parts of aur church service.” The report also express thanks to Mr P. Carville for welcoming strangers and the various organisations for work in connection with the church. YOUTH WORK.

The report on youth work shows that that are 11 men and 23 women on the staff of St. . Sunday school. Including tho branch school the scholars number 156 boys and 133 girls and their behaviour has been very good. Contact with the Bibio classes was well maintained and 28 pupils were sent into this movement during the year. Forty children, sat for tho Sunday School Union examinations and 38 gainod prizes. By planting potatoes tho. children sent a-quarter of a ton to the orphanago in Wellington. During the year £6 worth of books were added to the library. The schools raised £37 14s for self support, and £34 for the mission schemes of tho church. The secretary and treasurer (Mr N. A. Tilcy) was largely responsible for tho smooth and economical running of the school. Tho report mentions that tho work is progressing steadily at the Lombard Street branch Sunday school.

Tho report on the Bible classes states that Rev. G. T. Brown continues to lead tho senior men’s class and Mr A. Pitt has taken over tho intermediate boys as a separate class. The senior young women’s Biblo class meets every Sunday morning under Miss Chapman. Tho intermediate young women's Biblo class is under the direction of Miss Godfrey, and tho junior class under Miss Forbes. The Young Worshippers’ League still maintains its large membership, tho roll being 150 and tho average attendance about 104. Best thanks are expressed to Mis 3 J. Mills and her assistant, Miss Simpson, and to Mr J. H. Griffiths who superintends this department.

WOMEN’S WORK. Tho report states that the gatherings of tho Ladies’ Social Guild have been well attended and during tho year 20 guineas have been handed over to the church treasurer. The P.W.M.U. held eight meetings during the year with an average attendance of 24. Tho Busy Bees, under the leadership of Mrs Stewart, are reported to be doing good work. The sum of £B9 19s 7d was collected in various ways for mission work. Thanks are expressed to all the officers, special reference being made to tho work of Mrs Wallace, tho president, Mr C. Fraser for auditing the books, and Mr Longney for other help. DEACONS’ COURT. The report to be submitted by the honorary secretary of the Deacons’ Court (Mr A. D. Campbell) gives the following figures, those for the previous year being shown in parentheses .-—The revenue from all sources was £1496 (£1743), and the expenditure, £1375 (£2134), the overdraft being reduced by £l2O. The working expenses account shows a surplus of £l9B (last year thcro was a deficiency of £258), which had gone to reduce the deficiency account. The golden offering amounted to £lßl (£195), which is considered an excellent response considering the present financial stress. The weekly freewill offering totalled £383 (£437) ; tho self-denial collection £32 17s 4d; and the collections for others £276 (£305).. The amount received for the sustentation fund was £B6 (£7l), and thanks are extended to Miss Bryce for her splendid work in connection with this fund. The collections for the Presbyterian Orphanage were £ll (£sl), but Mr Osborne has since collected over £25. The not return from tho choir cantata was £l4 and thanks are expressed to tho capable conductor (Mr A. J. Graham) for its excellent work. Thanks are also extended to Mr R. C. Donald for auditing the accounts.

ST. DAVID’S CHURCH. The annual meeting of the congregation of St. David’s Church, Terrace End, was held on Thursday evening when Rev. L. G. B. Whitehead presided over a good attendance. The report presented by the session clerk (Mr A. C. Alien) stated that Rev. Mr Whitehead continued to endear himself to the people of St. David’s by his frank and earnest discourses from the pulpit, and by the kindly interest he has manifested towards all, especially the sick, the enfeebled and those suffering as a result of the present trying time. During the year Messrs Aldridge and Forster had been elected elders. The number of communicants on the roll on October 31 was 148. The session had unanimously agreed to hold a campaign or mission Jn the church in the autumn of 1833. The report of the management committee submittod by Mr J. Blackwood (secretary) showed that the receipts amounted to £543 6s 9d, and the expenditure to £565 13s lid. The amount brought forward was £134 12s 3d. A payment of £l6O was made in reduction of the Church dobt and the year closed with a debit balance of £37 14s lid. The working expenses account opened with a debit balance of £ls 13s 9d and closed with a debit of £42 Os sd. The Sunday collections, including envelope contributions, amounted to £334 9s lid and the sustentation fund accounted for £4 4s. The golden offering was £52 17s compared with £64 6s lOd last year, and £73 14s 5d in the previous year. The contributions to missions had been £66 19s 6d compared with £SB 14s Id last yeir. In the previous year the assets were taken into account at £3410 and that figure had not been ultored. The debt at that date was £1375 and the sum of £l5O then in hand for the purpose had since been paid in reduction. The Ladies’ Social Guild reported having had a very successful year, the attendances at the meetings averaging 28. The report of the P.W.M.U. stated that under the capable guidance of the president (Mrs Sorensen) seven meetings had been held and interest in missions had been well maintained. A successful year’s work wan also reporti|d*by 1/ho Girls’ Auxiliary of the P.W.M.U. under the capable leadership of Mrs Glendinning. Reports were.also submitted by the Junior. Girls’ Auxiliary and the Busy Bees. Mr T. P- Henderson, the choirmaster, reported that there had been man- changes in the choir. The sum of botween £lO and £ll 'had been handed to the treasurer towards the general funds of the church. Reports submitted by the various Bibio classes showed that the work had proceeded steadily throughout the year and contributions had been made to the mission funds. Mr A. (J. Allen reported that tho roll number of the Sunday school was 125 and during the year 15 scholars eat for the

Sunday School Union Scripture examina tions and all gained prizes.

The financial statements in connection with the church wore submitted by tho treasuier, Mr S. Sorensen. M".srs Blackwood, Honore, Glendinning Holmes, Edwards, Ladyman and Gilchrist were re-elected mombers of tho management committee and Messrs Hopkirk and F. Honore were also elected members. During the evening a musical programme was rendered under the direction of the choirmaster, Mr T, P, Henderson, those contributing items being Messrs Henderson and Murray, Misses Feist, Forster and Stevens, the accompaniments being played by. Mrs Henderson and Mrs Murray. Refreshments were provided by the lady mem. bers of the congregation.