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North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3887, 21 February 1885, Page 2

HAMPDEN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

(from a correspondent.) A congregational meeting of the above church was held on the evening of Thursday, the 19th instant, for the purpose of receiving reports from the session, the court of managers, and the Sunday school. There was a good attendance of members and adherents belonging to the congregation.

The minister, in giving the report of session, made a brief statement regarding the history of the congregation. In 1863, the first meeting in connection with the organisation of the congregation waa held under the moderatorship of the Rev. Chas, Connor. (Mr Connor had at that time hia bead quarters' at Oaraaru, and was bishop of the greater part of Northern Otago.) In 1565, Otepopo and Hampden were disjoined from Oamaru, and formed into a aeparatH ministerial charge. The Rev. Juan Ryloy, now of Port Chalmers, was the first minister of the united congregations, but in 1871 the Rev. James Baird was ordained to the charge of Hampden alone. Ia 1879 Mr Baird waa called to the charge of Winton and Forest Hill ia Southland ; and in the faame year the Rev. John Summers was inducted to the vacant charge. Mr Summers died in 1881, and was succeeded by the present miuister in 1884.

The report went on to state : During the past year 10 members have been received into the followßhip of the church; 10 of these for the first time. Services have been conducted twice every Sabbath in Hampden, and once in three weeks at Trotter's Creek. Attendance and interest at all the services were encouraging. The evening service, which has been mainly evangelistic in ita character, has baon specially full of promise. There are also two prayer meetings — one on Sabbath evening, and the other on Thursday evening. These are very much " open " meetings, and found to be refreshing and helpful to U3 in the work. There are tokens of a deepening interest in spiritual things in the district. Some have been quickened, and some are enquiring after the way of life ; while some are rejoicing in the experience of a new l'fe. We have reason for thankfulness and hopefulness.

The treasurer's balance sheet showed a balance of LlB 4s Gel, after all expenses were met. At the same time, in Mr Findlay'a statement, it was brought out that there was fully LlO more of a balance in hand at the beginning of the year, and that we had a amaller expenditure by about LS than we shall have in the present year. It was therefore pointed out that a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, would be necessary, if ends were to meet next year. And at the same time the conviction was ex* jpressed, that with united effort there would be no real difficulty in meeting juat obligations.

The auditor's report was read as having examined the books and found them correct. Mr Adam, in addition to auditing— the books, deserved the thanks of th< jl congregation for the transparent statement of congregational finances which he drew up. Mr Donaldson, in proposing the adop» tion of the report and balance sheet, spoke of their satisfactory character.

Thereafter, on the proposal of the chairman, a very hearty vote of thanka waa given to Mr James Findlay for the faithful and zealoua manner in which he had discharged his duties as treasurer to the congregation. A vote of thanka waa also given to the managers for the diligence they had abown in their work.

Mr John Baudeen gave a brief but lucid report of the Sabbath school ; after which managers were nominated for tho present year, and with praiße and prayer the meeting was brought to a close.