Palmerston North Baptist Church

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 6839, 21 April 1932, Page 9

Palmerston North Baptist Church

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS. At the annual meeting on Tuesday ovening of membors of the Palmerston North Baptist Church, Rev. 0. S. Matthews presided over a good attendance. Prior to the business commencing there was a session of song and devotion.

The secretary, Mr. W. Whitehead, presented the 30th. annual report. The pastor, officers and members of the church could, he stated, look back over the year with thanksgiving. The membership had increased considerably and fine -work had been done in the Sunday school and Bible classes. The church had been much blessed by various missionaries, and the spiritual life and missionary zeal of tho members had been deepened. On May 24 the anniversary services were held. On the first Sunday of tho week of prayer the president and secretary of the Central Young Men's Bible Class Union occu-

pied the pulpit. Cottage prayer meetings wero also held and tho other meetings had also proved a time of refreshing and spiritual uplift. The Baptist Women’s Missionary Union met monthly for prayer and fellowship, tho members making garments for tho native converts and others in India, and a parcel was sent to the Manurcwa Children’s Home (Auckland). Good work was being done in the young peoples' departments comprising the Junior Endeavour, tho Young Worshippers’ League and others. There were 93 members in tho Sunday school, 33 in tho primary and GO in tho main school. There was a staff of 15 teachers and seven officers. The anniversary services were held on October 19, being conducted by Rev. J. D. McArthur, Rev. C. S. Matthews and Mr. Gillanders. Mrs. Drury, of the children’s department of tho League of Nations, gavo a talk. A new Sunday school branch had been formed with eight members. Steady progress was reported in the Bible classes. There were 31 infant names on tho cradle roll and the parents of 20 did not attend the church. Twentyone names had been added to the roll during tho pust year. The Thursday night young people’s meeting was 53

strong and there was great keenness. .The Junior Missionary Society —“The Young Rope Holders’’—met fortnightly. The choir deserved hearty thanks for faithful and useful services. During tho year a gift of beautiful carpets for the church had been made by an anonymous friend. There was an increase in the church's membership; 29 new members had been gained and at the close of the year there were 213 on tho roll after 10 had been transferred and one had died. Gratilication was expressed for tho faithful services of both Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Matthews. Mr. Matthews had rendered a very effective ministry and had proved himself as one who had not shirked tho responsibilities placed on his shoulders. Thcro was also a faithful band of servants who were working unobtrusively-

The financial statement showed income of £lll6 Is 6d. The sources and objects were as follow: —Envelopes, £261 6s 9cl; cash, £213 2s lid; missions, £127 6s; Manurcwa Home, £l2 Is Sd; sundry contributions, £ll4 10s Id. Election of Officers.

The following church officers were elected for the ensuing year:—Secretary, Mr. Whitehead; treasurer, Mr. P. Grover; deacons, Messrs. W. P. Anderson, A. Crabb, G. Thompson, C. Carr, J. Howard, It. Haselden, A. Hay; deaconesses, Mcsdames Matthews, Thompson, Grover, Crabb, ltickard; V/ilby, Philpott; envelope steward, Mr. G. H. Elliott; assistant, Miss Perry; Communion steward, Mr. A. Crabb; union collector, Mr. G. H. Elliott; agent for the Baptist, Mr. A. Crabb; reporter to the Baptist, Mr. Gwynne; Manurewa Home collector, Mrs. Crabb; organist, Mrs. Thompson; auditor, Mr. \y, P. Anderson; Sunday School .superintendent, Mr. C. Carr; caretaker, Mrs. Carr; baptismal stewards, Messrs. l'\ Grover and C. Grover; representatives on council of Christian Congregations, Messrs. W. P. Anderson and B. linscl-

Yotes of appreciation were accorded the officers for their conscientious work during the year. At. the conclusion of the business supper was served.