ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

Manawatu Times, Volume LII, Issue 3565, 20 July 1927, Page 2

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT, The report of the trustees of St. Paul’s Church for the year ending, July 16, 1927, to be presented to-night, reads as follows :

“ The trustees gratefully acknowledge the many mercies and blessings bestowed upon us .as a Church during another' year although we cannot report anything sensational, we can report a year of steady and persistent effort.

“ It is a matter for gratification that the year just closed has witnessed the final completition of the memorial organ in our church. Although the instrument was opened in October, 1925, it was not until a year later that the organ was finally handed over to the Trust.

“ In March last we said good-bye to Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, who had been the Superintendent Minister in the Circuit for the past four years during which period he exercised a ministry, rich in blessing to the whole church and he is gone from us to take up the most responsible office in the Methodist Church in New Zealand, a work, for which he is eminently fitted and he has left behind him in Palmerston North a host of friends who will always thank God for his coming among us. and pray that the Divine blessing may rest upon him and his and that he may find much joy in his new sphere of abour. We have recently had the pleasure of welcoming Rev. J. E. and Mrs. Parsons and Dorothy into our Church, and we rejoice in the work which Mr. Parsons has already accomplished as the minister of St. Paul’s. We are indeed glad that there are signs of a spiritual uplift which we trust will be intensified as the weeks and months go by. We welcome his faithful declaration of the Gospel, the deeply spiritual tone of all his pulpit utterances. and we feel sure that his ministry among us will bo abundantly fruitful in the highest and best sense of the term. Lot us all remember that the success of the ministry of Mr. Parsons here can largely be stimulated by the backing we give him as a people. While he can do much, he can do infinitely more, if he feels that ho has the prayerful sympathy and co-operation of a people whose hearts Clod has touched. Let iis surround his labours with an atmosphere of prayer that, under (he blessing of God, this Church may become a mighty power in this community through his ministry. “ The trustees wish to sincerely thank the various departments of Church activitv for all that, has been

accomplished during the past year. As the different branches of the Church are presenting separate reports of their work, there is obviously no need to refer to them Individually in this statement.

“ This report would not be complete without reference being made to the work of the ex-secretary, Mr. E. G. Bennett, during the past four years. During his term of office, Mr. Bennett has discharged his duties with conspicuous ability and diligence. He held office during a period of great trust activity, the erection of the new parsonage, the Jubilee Anniversary of our Church and the bulky correspondence connected with the organ contract, involving the 'secretary of those days in an immense amount of work which is unseen and perhaps unrealised by the vast majority of our people. When Mr. Bennett was appointed to the office of Circuit Steward in January last, he requested to be relieved of his duties as Trust secretary, and at a meeting of trustees held on February 23. the following resolution was placed on the minutes : ‘ That we accept with sincere regret Mr. Gordon Bennett’s resignation from the office of secretary of the Trust. We record our cordial appreciation of his services in such office, and the affection and regard in which he was held.' ' “ In conclusion let us all strive dur. ing the year that lies before us to make this Church a centre of spiritual vitality in this town, remembering that this cause is the highest and best to which any people may be called.”