CHURCH MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12930, 28 July 1905, Page 7

CHURCH MEETINGS.

DEVONPORT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual congregational meeting of the Devonport Presbyterian Church was held on Wednesday evening in the schoolroom, and was largely attended. The' Rev. I- E; Bertram, A., presided. Mr. Tim Micky presented the report of the session, which was of a very satisfactory character. The Sunday and week evening services had been well attended, and the ministrations of Mr. Bertram were very much appreciated. The membership roll showed a small increase, being 152 at the end of the year. Reference was made to the efficient services rendered I>y the choir, and thanks were expressed to, Mr. C. 11. Little for, his efficient voluntary services as organist during, the past two years. A young women's Bible class was started during the year, and has now a membership of 27. A young men's class was also formed under Mr. Bertram, but has not been so successful as regards numbers. The Sunday-school ■ report showed that the average attendance had increased, and that the work was being well done, as evidenced by the large number of scholars who. woro successful in gaining prizes at the assembly's examination. For the support of a native teacher in the New Hebrides a sum of £6 was donated, £410s to Dr. Barnardo's homes, and £2 to local home mission work; £5 was spent on the purchase of new books for the library. Mr. J. S. Fairgray, lion, treasurer, read the financial statement, which showed that the total income, including a balance of £12 brought forward, . was £443 and the expenditure £455. The deficiency was caused by several items of extraordinary expenditure, amounting to about £40. There • are no outstanding liabilities. A motion was proposed and carried unanimously, "That a collection be now taken to wipe out the deficiency. The result was a collection of £26. Ordinary collections were £358, as against £321 last year; collections for mission purposes, £26, as against £16 10s last year. The debt on the manse remains at the same amount, £650. Mr. R. Mitchell read the managers' report, which emphasised the fact that the work of the church is carried on entirely by voluntarily contributions, no seat rents being charged or other means used to raise money, and pointed out that the receipts for the year had been a little short of requirements. The improved lighting of the church and other matters were also dealt with. The report from the Takapuna branch was read by Mr. Bradstreet, and showed that the work there was going tin in.a satisfactory manner; £25 had been paid off the church debt, and the year closed with a credit balance of £17. Addresses were given by Messrs. J. Frater and A. Campbell. Messrs. J. Miller, M. Murehie, P. McCalliim, A. Campbell, E. Reals, R. Mitchell, J. Sin ton, A. Clarke, J. Evans, A. McMurtrie, and CI. G. _ Collett were elected managers for the ensuing two years, and Mr. J. M. Ban- auditor. The following motion, of which notice had been given; was submitted and carried by a large majority: "That it be an instruction to the Managers' Court to obtain the authority of the Auckland Presbytery, to sell the manse, and thereafter the property be placed ...in the hands of an agent for sale at £1100." It was also resolved that in order to increase the amount raised for mission purposes collectors be appointed to wait upon members for subscriptions. The choir, under the direction of Mr. B. Buddie, sang _ several items, and Mrs. Sutherland and Miss Williams contributed solos.

PONSONBY BAPTIST CHURCH. The completion of the building and repairs scheme in connection with the Ponsonby Baptist Church was celebrated by a public meeting held in the church on Wednesday evening. The minister (the Rev. A. North) presided. The St. John's Methodist choir, under the leadership of Mr. A. Wiseman, rendered some choice selections of music, and Mi 1 . E. K. Pearco sang- two kilos, which were .greatly appreciated by the, audience. Mr. W. H. Patterson reported on behalf of the Building Committed, and .Mr. H. Dearsley (treasurer) for the Finance Committee, that the sum of £605 Is . had been expended, and subscriptions amounting to nearly £300 had been received. A sale of work was being, inaugurated, , which it Was anticipated would realise £200. The total debt was expected to be liquidated within about 18 months. 1 Handsome souvenirs of the completion of the work were presented to eaoh of the audience and subscribers to the fluid; ' A pleasant feature of the meet*j ing was the presentation on behalf of tlie; choir and church of a very handsome piece of silver to Mr. and Mrs. F. W. May for long and faithful services in connection with the choir, and to Mr. May as honorary organist. The Revs. Clark, Clements and Luxford gave congratulatory addresses. The church and .school has been put into thorough repair, and a neat, comfortable hall has been erected for use by the juniors of the school and for meetings.

ST. STEPHEN'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual congregational.meeting of St.. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby, was held in the church last night. The Rev. ft. B. Monro presided over a good attendance. Mr. Tlios. Peacock read the session's annual report, which stated that, the number of members on the roll was 164. The attendances at, the church -services 011 Sundays had been well maintained. The matter of .procuring a minister for the church had received the committee's close attention. The committee have had the names of various clergymen before them froin time to time, but regret was expressed at the committee not being able to bring a definite candidate before the , congregation. They hoped, however, that this would ,be accomplished in September next'. The report of the managers' court, which was read by Mr. William Rot, stated the state of the finances had bfieli buoyant, and the receipts had surpassed those of the previous year's. The amount received from pew rents was £118 Is 3d, an increase of £7 lis 3d. , The greater increase had been in the weekly collections, which totalled £315 4s lOd, an average increase of £1 per week. The receipts for the year were £433 6s Id, plus a -balance brought forward of £13 16s lOd, making a total of £447 2s lid, the largest for many years. The expenditure was £418 ss, leaving a balance in hand of £28 17s lid. The balance, with pew rents unpaid of £18 ss, made assets totalling £47 2s lid. There was £29 10s of small amounts unpaid, which left a net credit balance of £17 12s lid. During the year £41 6s 6d was given to missions. On the resignation of the pastor, a subscription was started, and -resulted in £140 being raised and presented to him. The managers' court decided that in future at annual meetings three of the managers should retire by rotation, but to be eligible for reflection. The report of the Sunday-school, which Was also read by Mr. W. Rew, stated that the school had now 151 scholars and 17 teachers on the roll, with an average attendance of 98. The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts had been £53 9s sd, and the total expenditure £37 7s 9d, leaving a balance of £16 Is Bd. The report and balance-sheets were received. Messrs. 0. Dickinson, M. H. Scott), R. L. Stewart, and W. Rew Were elected to the managers' court for the en-" suing year. Mr. 0. 11. Poole gave, an interesting address. Mrs. J. W. Stewart contributed a solo, and several items were rendered by the choir.

UNITED PRAYER MEETING. _ .Under the auspices of the Auckland Ministers' Association a united prayer meeting was held in the Alexandra-street Church when members and friends of the St.. . Andrew's and Alexandra-street Churches and of the Central and Helping Hand Missions assembled in large numbers. The Rev. W. S. Potter presided, and the Roy. H. B. Gray delivered ah inspiring address. ' The meeting throughout was of a most hearty and helpful character, and at its olope it was unanimously resolved, "That it is desirable that such united prayer meetings be continued, and that, if possible, the next meeting be arranged for in 'St. Andrew's Church in three weeks' time.