ANNUAL CHURCH MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8470, 22 January 1891, Page 6

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETINGS.

ST. JAMES' CHURCH. The annual meeting of the congregation of St. James' Presbyterian Church was held yesterday evening. There was a good attendance. The Rev. R. F. Macnicol presided, and opened the meeting with prayer and bible-reading. From the reports read it appears that the history of the past year was devoid of anything of striking interest. Ten new members had been added to the roll, and ten names had been removed. It was regretted that so few of the young people came forward to confess their faith. .Notwithstanding the exciting meeting of certain travelling evangelists the attendance at church had not fallen off. The balance-sheet showed that there had been an increase both in the collections and pew rents, the total receipts for the year amounting to £727 Is lid, and the expenditure to £721 17s 2d, leaving a balance in hand of £5 4s 9d. Against this must be placed outstanding liabilities to the amount of £18 Is Id. The state of the Sabbath-school was somewhat discouraging. The average attendance had been 285, which was a 1 decrease of 37 as compared with the previous year. However it was gratifying to notice that at the recent Sunday-school exhibition 59 out of the 74 exhibitors obtained certificates of merit. The reports were received and ordered to be printed. Mr. Farrell said the St. James' Hall seemed to be a great drag on the funds of the church. There was something ridiculously wrong in connection with this building, and something should be done to make it more profitable and attractive for meetings He had frequently heard of complaints of the restrictions made in the letting of it. The hall ought to pay its way, and the tapu placed upon it was not creditable to an intelligent community. The Foresters Hall seemed to be in use almost every night in the week.

Mr. Entrican said that as long as he was a member of the church he would not like to see St. James' Hall let for the same objects as the Foresters' Hall has been let for.

Mr. Johnston was in favour of personal appeal being made to the people, and subscriptions to lessen this debt. Mr. Farkell pointed out that these subscriptions almost invariably fell upon those who were already contributing regularly to the funds of the church. Some method should be undertaken which would get at those persons who were Presbyterians, but who neither attended church nor provided funds. Get them to give, and they would then take an interest in church matters, if only to see how their money was spent. The question was eventually relegated to the consideration of the incoming committee of management. The members of committee were then elected .-is follows: — Messrs. Johnston, Thompson, Gallaugher, McGibbon, Cash, and Drink water. Messrs. Lamont and Hibbs were appointed auditors for the present year. After a hearty vote of thanks had been passed to the outgoing committee, on the motion of Mr. Farkell, the meeting was closed with the benediction. AVON DALE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The annual meeting of the Avondale Presbyterian Church was held on the 19th inst., the Rev. C. Worboys in the chair. There was a fair attendance, and a pleasant evening was spent. Light refreshments were served during a short interval. The treasurer's statement showed a credit balance of £4 9s 3d. Messrs. Wickham, J. Todd, W. T. Murray, W. Ingram, and F. Renshaw were elected on the board of management ; it being the rule for half the board to retire annually. The Avondale and also the Henderson congregations had lost considerably by removals, but in other respects the state of things is encouraging. Swanson and Titirangi have been added to the places supplied, and it is intended to commence services at Huia. The minister spoke of the cordial co-operation of each department in the church, also of their obligation to the lay preachers who supplied the pulpit when he was absent in other parts of the district. He also expressed the hope that they would all realise greater devotion to God and His work, and that those who have not decided for Christ may be led to Him. NESS VALLEY" (WAIROA SOUTH), PRESBYTERIAN. At the close of the usual Sabbath evening service, which was held on the 11th January, and was largely attended, the annual meeting of the Presbyterian congregation was held, —the Rev. T. Norrie in the chair. The treasurer's report for the year 1890 was read as follows :—Sustentation fund, £7 9s 7d ; missions, 2s 6d ; Dayspring fund (collected by Miss Emma Kate McKenzie), 7s ; harmonium fund, £10 : total, £17 19s Id. The report was adopted, and thanks given to the collectors and subscribers for the harmonium, and especially to Misses Currie and McKenzie for their successful efforts

in getting such a fine instru ment! Ach • has also been formed, Missi Carrie kindu acting as leader and organist, but i n absence this evening she Misses Bell (f r Wairoa) attended and gave great assistant in the service of song. The committee re-elected for the current year n*moi Messrs. T. McCall, William McCormS and Hugh Mckenzie, secretary and trw surer. The next monthly' service will be held <1 the Bth February, at eleven a.m. rA Cd respondent] " I