BAPTIST CHURCH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 25 April 1907, Page 2

BAPTIST CHURCH.

AMMVi^RS^RIf CELEBRATIONS. The anniversary of the B.ipti.-t ; Church has been celebrated this week. L On Sunday tho sermons were preached , by the Rev. C. H. Garland and the f Pastor (Rev. Stanley Jenkin). . Last evening the annual social was i held in the schoolroom, when -the Pastor presided, and there was a large attendance. The Chairman expressed hi< pleasure *t soeing so many present nolwithstand-ing-the inclemency of tho weather. He regretted that Mr EdmondF, the Secretary to the Church, was unavoidably prevented from being present to read iho report, which showed progress had been made during the past year. The membership now stood at 142, being an inuease of ten for' the twelve months. In the Sunday School there were 22 oTicers and teachers, and 221 scholars. The finances of the Church were satisfactory. Rev. J. H. MacKenzie (Presbyterian) said that the fact that the Church had raised upwards of £40 for foreign missions during the past i ear was a credit to it, and he emphasised that progress was beingmade in the spread of the Gospel. He hoped that the Church would have cause to rejoice still more in tho year just entered. Mr Thomas Pettit, the Treasurer, gave an account of the finances. During the year a total sum of .£440 bad been raised. He congratulated tho Church in its salisfactoiy financial condition. The building has been painted and new forms obtained for the Sunday School luring the year, also £41 (is 3d had been contributed to foreign missions. While ihey had such a stamp of man as their Pastor, he bad no fear as to finances. Each had his individual responsibility, and if each faithfully did nis or her duty the Church would continue to prosper. Rev- J3. L. Thomas (Congregational) considered the large attendance on such a wet night as a proof of the loyally of the Baptists to their Church. Miss F. Coote gave one of her admirable recitations, " The Jackdaw of Rheims." Mr J. J. Franklyn (Church of Christ) spoke of the new religious movement in England, as set forth by the so-called Progressive party. He urged that the teachings of Saint Paul, who wiis an inspired teacher, should not be cast aside. He urged that there- should be loyalty to the Bible, which should be estimated and vulued as the Word of God. Rev. C. H. Garland (Methodist) spoke of the Church as being the foster mother of religion- The Bible, he said, would stand uniil # better book was written, and it behoved them to preach and live the Christian refigion more effeptually. Votes of thanks were accorded lo those who bad decorated the hall, to tho ladies who supplied the refreshments, to Mr and Mrs James IJockey for fhs Jqan of the piano. During the evening a programme of singing and reciting was presented, those taking part being Misses Beer, F. Foote, McKee, the Choir, and members thereof. Miss Coote accompanied the soloists, and Mr H, Wood presided at the orgaD. The meeting closed with fbe Benediction, pronounced by the Rev." S. Jenkin.