Emmanuel Church.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7358, 4 November 1898, Page 4

Emmanuel Church.

SOIREE AND PUBLIC MEETING.

" The little church around the corner," which during the past year or two has mxdergone sufficient trouble to have caused its death, was very much alive last night on the occasion of its annual public meeting. The tea arrangements were in the hands of the young people of the church, who. under the guidance of Miss Ida M'Kenzie, have every reason to be proud of the result of their efforts. Fully 150 persons sat down to tea, and the following presided at the tables: — Mesdames M'Kenzie, M'Leod (2), and Young; Misses M'Kenzie (2). Tempero, Adair, Rutherford, Rout, Kay, M'Lsod, Baker and West.

The public meeting was largely attended, the church being filled. Mr D. M'Kee Wright, the pastor, presided, and there were also present the Revs. A. Dewdney and J. Ward. After devotional exercises, the chairman read the following report: —

Tn presenting our nineteenth annual report, we desire to express our deep gratitude to our Father in Heaven for His many mercies shown to ns during tbe past year. In His strength we feel that we may yet go forward to do much good and faithful work.

Compared with years gone by, the last 12 months have not been prosperous, but, compared with the year immediately preceding, there haß been much to encourage us and fill us with hope for the future. We believe that God is hearing our prayers, and that in TTiw own good time there is a future of prosperity before the Church. At the time of our last annual meeting the Bev. Mr Eldridge had entered on his pastorate, and for some months the Church continued to make satisfactory progress. TTiw early resignation caused a very general feeling of regret among our memhers, and once more brought us to a standstill. After a short period of uncertainty, during which the Church was filled by " supplies," Mi- David M'Kee Wright undertook the pastorate of the Church on receiving a unanimous invitation from its members.

With Mr M'Kee Wright's advent the Church was brought completely under the care of the Congregational Onion, who undertook to subsidise its finances. This advantageous arrangement continues, and ac the same time the Church retains its absolute independence in all other respects. The Charch membership has shown a considerable increase since the beginning of Mr M'Kee Wright's pastorate. In all thirteen have been added to our fellowship. Six old members have been re-elected, and seven others hive joined on confession of faith in Jesus. It is satisfactory a'so to note that under Mr M'Kee Wright's guidance a more settled feeling pervades the Church than tum existed for a long time past, and this condition of affairs cannot but have a good effect upon all belonging to us. During the year Mr G. Jones, an old and faithful member and deacon of the -Church was translated to the Church Triumphant. Tfia loss was very deeply felt, and a suitable minute recording his valuable services to the Church has been placed upon the Church books.

The attendance at our monthly Communion and at fcunday services has not been as large as we could desire, but it is hoped that each coming month will show an advance in this respect.

The Sunday i'chool continues its work under an efficient staff of teachers.

Among the young people the Mutnal Improvement Bociety and the Emmanuel Band have done good work. The choir, though of necessity smaller than we might wish, has rendered admirable service. Constant praise i 3 due to Mr R, Penfold, the leader, and Miss Tempero, the organist, who have labored with success against very considerable difficulties. During the month of August a thtee days' mission was conducted by the pastor's brother, Mr B. J. Wright. The services were well attended, and it is hoped that they may be productive of permanent good. In the matter of finance we have neither surplus nor deficit to record for the past year, but It is pleasant to note that there haa lately been a considerable improvement in our weekly offerings. The church is absolutely free from debt, all outstanding accounts having been paid during the year. Tn beginning a new year of church life we do so in the hope and confidence that God, who has in such a wonderful way preserved our existence as a church, will set before us an open door for further usefulness. Mr Wright said it was not necessary to add much to the report. He thought the tide had turned in their church affairs, and that they were now in a fair w*y to enjoy a season of prosperity. It made him glad to see so many representatives of other churches present, for it was an evidence that they had the full sympathy of their fellow Christians. This was as it Bhould be; for while a wholesome, healthy emulation between churches was a good thing, it was always well to remember that thelr differences were, after all, but small, and that they had much in common. They all preached the same Gospel and all prayed to the same Father. At the same time he believed in Christians beingloyal and true to the denomination to which they belonged. The "floaters," those who made out that loyal church connection was unnecessary: who, while seemingly supporting each church in turn, practically supported none : were of little account. The best helper was the man or woman who was loyal to his or herownparticular church—for it was the church they loved. Coming back to his own little charge, it must be confessed that Emmanuel Church was not very strong on its 19th birthday; but they must remember that it had recently passed through a lot .of trouble which had hindered its growth. Now, however, its trouble had gone, and it was quite reasonable to expect a steady increase in their members and a corresponding increase in the efficiency of their work. They were a little but united band, and they were going to do their best for their Church and their God. (Applause.) The Rev. J. Ward, after heartily congratulating his Congregational friends on the success of their anniversary season, gave one of his characteristic addresses, in which homely advice was judiciously tinctured with personal experience. " Personal service*' was Mr Ward's theme, and in the course of an address which kept the audience in good humor, he pointed out that the great need of the Church at the present time was a firm conviction in the heart of every Christian that there was work for all, and that each individual was responsible for his own share of it.

The Rev. A, Dewdney thought the Congregationalists and their pastor were very brave In trying to keep their little church alive. It was easy to form one of a crowd, but not so easy nor so pleasing to form one of little band who " held the fart" against adverse circumstances. And he admired the Emmanuelites for their pluck. (Applause.) The speaker then gave a spirited address on the subject of " Success in the Christian Church." In his well-known forceful style—a style which impresses an audience with the sincerity of the words uttered Mr Dewdney pointed out the difference which existed between apparent and real success, and warned them of the danger of mistaking the former for the latter. True auccoss was inward rather than outward, aiid a large church, while pleasant to contemplate in many respects, was nob necessarily a successful church. Good work could be done by small as well as large organisations, and the day of seeming failure was often the time when the best work was done—work which would tell in the future and for which, perhaps, others than th&original laborers would get the credit aDd reap the regard. The address, which was full of cheery comfort and practical advice, was listened to with attention and rewarded with loud applause. During the evening a bright little programme was carried out under the direction of .Mr Penfold. The choir—small bub effective-—sang two spirited anthems in excellent style, were six

little girls : who gave an umhjella song. This item was loudly applauded, and Miss Tempero, who had trained the youngsters, is deserving of credit for the success of the number. Two recitations were given, one by Miss Adair and the other by Mr Wright, and both were well received. Solos were nicely sung by Misses Effie M'Leod and Winnie Macintosh, and a trio, in which there was a pleasing blending of voices, was rendered by Misses West and Rout and Mr W. Searle.

A general vote of thanks was moved by Mr Baker and carried by acclamation, and tbe pronouncement of the Benediction closed a very successful anniversary season.