ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10518, 28 July 1910, Page 6

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. c The annual inciting r.f St. Paul's 1 Church congregation was lit-Id in Holmes Hali last evening. There was ' a fair attendance. The Rev. R. J. j I'ori-er presided. '! he meeting opened with praise and p raver, afrr-r which Mr A. Fraser (Ses- ■ s:o:i Clerk) road the minutes of last ! .'.i nil.!l •••••'."tin'r, ar.d those were confirmed. 'Mr A. Fraser road the annual report cf i:i?e'Section as follows: Session Report.— 1 hj." voar just ended has been char-i-cieri-.ed by steady and progressive effort ii: the various branches of the clirirch':: actlvitv ; by loyal and-faith-ful service of a large number of deveced workers, and by earnest prayer for an outpouring of the Spirit of God upon the whole congregation. For all thr- gf.od dr.no during its course wo der;r? "f'•■-.■ outiv to render i hanks to our MaW-/—to thank God and take rcurFor all the evil which has mingled '•Hr!> -ih->t eosd we desire ro humble f.ur--"-■hr- "aiul to P''ay for cleansing thVr.H«£h Christ's an.ni-.ig Hor.d. May the reiiii:i'>.'r-:ie.?s of the past racnc •■•ratard" and love, and lead to greater vvafrhfulnrrs and prayer, and*thereby l>" a ■noiiif! of puril'vhig ai:<l blessing to cur souls. The attendance on the public, woy--hio < f God has hern o::ecuraging. ,:-,>fc, howler, that there are still :ranv in our midst who haoitually i:o"d'"ft the public- moans, of grace. Tl"ni"h due attention has been give;to pastoral visitation, yet sonicthii},r more is ronuired to correct tins evil. It behoves each member to put forth e-TPrst and persevering efforts to induce such persons to come to the house of prevor "Compel them to eome m, r.T.F the Master, "tliat My house may h-"idled." We note with much satis-factir-n the large increase m the millibar of young people attending the corning service, ar.d the umiormly ."r'ond'heiiavi.-iur of one and all. ~ V/e are umbr a debt of 'gratitude to ■ill <ho.se friends who have kindly conducted services in the church at Eveluir. Their efforts have, been much appreciated. Wo would again tender our -hicere thanks to Mrs Dunn for the v-u-y valuable services she has rendered to our branch church, and pray that she. n:av he Ions; spared to carry out her food work tliere. The Session record witli regret the inss'of Messrs H. Stevenson and J. W. F;--.hot> through their removal b Aa-iv-r "Bv their interest in the welfare of our young pocple, as well as by their d^-ot : o'n to the special duties or their office, these brethren endeared them--dves to the whole congregation. It n-iU be nreossarv at an early date to -oave=-+ the church to elect a number r-f additional elders. Mr W. H. Rose i« -t p-osont on an extended trip to Vuro-:--. and his place as Session Clerk j" V-hi-.r filled bv Mr Andrew Fraser. " Twelve months ago the triennial •visitation cf the congregation by the presbytery of Oaniaru took pl» cc - Ravin:' gone very fully into the affairs r.rtbo'cburch a'deliverance of a complimentary character was read to a i-.-i-,-> i-!prr : ii-. f cf members and adner ■v r ~. The sr.reohos delivered on the , T "j!;..|'i,.- ,-.-":r '.'siting brethren were Useful and encouraging. ir.- ; , i- picked to notice that --he -(.-.-! -.1-1 ci' r trr.i of public baptism is V?'.--r "-01-'--c-.l : ;i -cur church. We sincerely "trust that wil^je<sig-.'h-i'.iiv:! ioGcc! ji: the presence of to ""ri-a'ke this'"b-:i:tiiui t ordinance a =v« ; ev ■•■ race to both old ana young. "The Lord's Sup;:-'.'r was dispensed four thros durin-x the yo;:r. I< itty-n.ve members .were added to the rr.!l— If, by r ,.. t ;,; r ..,;,. al .;i 27 bv profession oi eertifieate. etc.. ar.d - by death, vi;:,, Mrs i'rown'.ee, _ Mrs __ Churchy , --^ ■> ! '": : :';'.?:"..' ViVd"Mr"'T. M-Donakl. Se.-e----..'_'l 'o' l: '-r-'rent3 heve also passed away. VV ',>;;, ; ,v.:l our ih-rr> fympathy to all 1!,.',;"". f-.-p|i.Vth r.nd eeivi'ert may i>e ve!iirh«.afed them in their time of need. Our membership at prcs-nit is -io-f-. The attendance -i week-mglu services cannot lie regarded as sati::frtetorv. Special prayer is ::-iierrd ior the oftWeied ar.d bereaved, for the voung and temuted. and for a blessing ',-, -. I, •■,.--.•;>•- (if "-rare. The meec- :,'.'.,'"- -Vil-l' prove" a great blessing

t.'rthe ronvrrcgarion ii only a large mivneo;;!d be induced to attend ic. YVe

a"i'H ai-.pe-.l to every earnest rci.-.n r.:ni woman among lis to identify thomsolvo: with this gathering, and thus help to make it what it ought to be—one of the mosfvomforthig and inspiring agencies of the church ' The report f-n Si.tiib.atb Seiiool work. ~i, wU' be read,-shows that this im- -.'; ]1 „„ r Vmnrh of religious instruction ;', ;»-.;„.,■ ofUcleiitlv carried on by a de- :, ■/■-;! bind -if teachers, male and -err,-!.- The work done by tucso >acan be dulv appreciated only by f'.io'-e who have engaged in school operations. It is arduous and self-dony- ;',",'" i n -; bic'jspd when done from love iour n»id the souls of the voting. YVe trust the appeal for ir.orv wo'-lierr, will be generously rospc-r.de:. -- zr--\ that fathers and mothers wio e'Vd-a\ottr to promote the efficiency 01 -n-r S'-bosls bv reettiring their children •■a prepare their prescribed lessons and ■Vv ; u" on their regular and pur.ci:aJ 'tt : -r"cl-M'c-e. hi the absence or the of the church sciiool, Vi ~''\ C Buist is verv ably discharging the duties of this important office. Th" Bibl- Cltss and C.i!.. Society, under cana'ble leadership, continue to •,e c-'itrcs c-i vigorous anu active fire. :'h- f-re to which these organisations 'v-c-jfis the golden age—the sprmgof religious being. If it be al,',:„:eci t0 p ass unimproved the oppor--ii"t-- i"ay never come again. While for what has been accomriHie'd.' we hone for still better things hi the davs t-J come, and to this end .-,-i-ld uro-e parents to encourage those of "their young people who may deem too eld to attend -the SabV ; b School to become members of one -,;" ether of those institutions. A■; i'-rav that God may reward all workers among the voting by crowning their fabo-iTwith abnnrhnt. sueco". From the report of the Managers it -,-ili b" '"on that the contributions tot missions this vcar have been greatly increased, and are the highest in tnr hi-torv of the congregation. While thanking God for this increase as a token of good, we have to acmicw cdg. our obligations to the members of the PWM tJ + 'or their untiring laocrs. The Sabbath School and Bible Classeshave again given proof of a hearty oerire to send the Gospel to the heathen, whether near or remote. , The Session records us sincere tnan.-:- 1 to the Ladies' Guild for another ypar cf service in the interest of the church. ' , „ On the first Sabbath of Aovembei our new cr.gnuist and cnoirrr-"st<"-- • t Randal, entered, on his duties h"re " r,td the improvement already noticeable in tiie service cf praise shows th~\- is'lcti of the choice made by your , <f;c--b'- ; -rers twelve months ago. On mi-'fine organ Mr Vxandal is heard to adjutage, and his voluntaries r...,"., 0....,ir C " of inspiration and deugiu to' ev-e'r-irereasiiig numbers in our duirch ami town. The choir has renA -r-A <-mr\ £"rvie- to the church, and deserve the thinks of the eongroga-

In concision, the Sosaion would -■„' !;.„.. t sc-lf-dcnyiug effort for tjiosa - ration 'of their follow men. ' work v,-h4.~ it is to-cby." —Managers' Eopovt.— Mr A. Hedley (secretary) read the "VI-uipTer--:' report as follows: . ""ThAlanagers, in presenting their re,Jt f.:"the vear ending 30th June, j"d "are pleased to state that the financial affairs of the congregation continue satisfactory. The total reccjpts for the year 'n-c-ludi.m the credit balance of £26/ Os 4cl at Ist Jnlv, 1309. amount to £lo6o 17- 7d Th" expenditure for die same time I'« liecn.£l4oo Is 9d learme a M-r-lit balance jn the bank ot tlfaU los i'o'f This shows an apparent loss ot •r-lOf) 4s lid on the year's operation, bun the credit balance of £267 0s 9d, brought forward from last-year there «-•>: an unexpended amount ot ±,.411 is 3d" ~ raised on account of the organ adflVtions. of which £194 19s 6d .has since paid to the contractors, so that r-nrVtual credit should have been less liv that animmt. The actual surplus on

the year's operations lias been £BB 14s " d - . ,- i The contributions to foreign and other missions have been well maintained, and amount to £135 lis lOd. On account i>i the introduction ot the envelope r.ystem it is not easy to make an accurate comparison of tin? receipts i'or ordinarv collections, coat rents, si.istontation fund, and envelopes, but taking the several amounts contributed under these headings, the results are for 190!) £779 ife 3d, and for tins year £857 4s 2d, an increase of £7B 7s 9d. ■ The -contributions by • the envelopes have increased from £39 0s 3d for three months of 1909 to £lB9 3s 2d for this year. - . ' The thanks of the congregation and Managers are again due to the Ladies (Jnild'for the financial' assistance rendered to the funds of the church, as this -,ear thev have handed to the treasurer the sum-of- £l6O sterling. Tins brings the amount raised by the Guild no to £1217 2s lOd sterling. We can honcot-Iv say, "Well done, the Ladies Guild."'

After several delays the organ was jpened in September last by Mr.David Cooke, organist of Moray Place Church, Osim-dhi.' it was, however, very.disccuraginy; to Mr Cooke to attempt to give a recital, as from various causes the ortran v.-as not nearly- finished, and severei of the finest stops could, not' be used. Mr Ccoke deserves our hearty thank", for coming to Oamaru and opening the organ under such adverse circuTiritances. It is, however, very satisfactorv to know that wc now have a rea II v" first-class instrument that, should a::sist in our service of praise for many years without any additional expense. As the revenue received front letting Wear Street Hall last year was much under the amount paid for rates, the managers decided that for this year they would not lease the hall for any prn'pose whatever, and so free it from beiii"- rated. The rates paid on the hall last year were £l4 Is 7d, and the amount received for letting £5 14s 6d, a loss r,f £8 17s Id.. During the year wc have paid Oil £•200 of our debenture debt, which now stands at £6OO, £2OO being on account 7 of Kveline" Church. Of this amount £l5O is duo from the Synod and Church Board of Property and £'loo is on account of organ alterations and additions. This debt the Managers hope to reduce very considerably during tiie current year. The Managers desire to 'thank the church officer for the faithful manner m which he has carried out his various duties. Mr J. Martin (treasurer) "^read the annual balance-sheet. Mr Hedley referred to the balancesheet as being most satisfactory. He expected that by the. end of next year there would only be a debt of about £250 on the two churches, hall, and manse. Mr D. Paterson proposed the adoption of the report. Mr Young seconded, and the motion was carried. The Sabbath School report, read by Mr A. C. Buist, referred to the steady progress which had been made in all branches of school work. The roll number of the main school was 242 and at Eveline 39, which, with the addition of 139 names on the cradle-roll, made a total of 420, an increase of 40. There were 20 teachers at the main school and 4 at Kveline.

Mr A. Eraser read the report of the Presbyterian Women's Mission "Union, which' stated that £Bl 12s Id had been collected, as against £66 7s oAd last year. The !V\v~.M.LT. had a. m.?mberihip of 60. SO of whom take the "Harvesc Field."

The Young Women's Bible Class report wai read by Mr Anderson. It .stated that the class- -was under the faithful leadership of Miss Sumpter, a::d had a roll number of 24. At the close of last year 12s Gd was voted to thu Maori girls' school and £1 10s was forwarded to the orphanage as a Christ"'Tjio Youths' Bible Class report, read by Air Geo. Jack, referred to the successful year, it having been in every way more satisfactory than the previous one. The roll number was now 37, and at the present rate of increase a larger room would soon be necessary. The collections showed a gratifying increase, and £6 was forwarded to the Presbyterian Orphanage, Dunediu. Mr A. C. Buist (superintendent) read the Christian Endeavor Society report. The Society commenced the year with 63 active 'members; now" there were 64; and the motto-was "'IOO members for 1910." The finances were in a satisfactory state, the year closing with a credit balance of £2 Bs.

Mr I). Grant read the Ladies' Guild report, showing that the efforts of the •'iuild were devoted to the reduction of the debt on the organ. As a result of the October sale £l6O was handed over toward?; that object. The Choir report was read by Mr F. Meldruni. It referred to the loss sustained by the death of Miss Jackson and of the late organist, Mr J. J. Hardeman, and to the good work being done bv Mr Hardeman's successor, Mr Randal.

Mr F. H. Anderson read the Scripture Union report, showing the enrolment to be 114, made up as follows: Sunday School 96, Eveline 10, Airs Porter's class 17, youths' Bible class 21. The cards issued to members of the congregation totalled 154. Mr F. H. Anderson also read the Birthday League report. The year was commenced with 44 members, and the number had since increased to 80. The sum of 52s was handed over to tiie Maori Mission as against '62s last vear.

Y'erbally reporting on the state of the cradle roll, the Rev. It. J. Porter said the roll contained the names of 140 children all below five years of age. The reports were adopted on the motion of Mr J'as. Rodman, seconded by Mr J. H. Milligan. The Rev. It. J. Porter expressed his great satisfaction with the reports. He said the financial statement was one that ought to encourage everybody, and reflected the greatest credit on the liberality of the congregation. It was indeed satisfactory to him (Mr Porter) that there were so many engaged in work amongst the young, who must be looked after if the Church membership must be kept up. It was satisfactory to know that there were so many workers in the Sunday schools and in the Bible classes —it was a hopeful sign and very encouraging. Mr Porter said he desired to, acknowledge his indebtedness to all with whom he had come in contact during the past year for the kindness shown to him and his wife, and for the sympathies extended during the twelve years covered by their labors. •

Votes of thanks were accorded to the session clerk, the Church secretary, the treasurer, the Seat-letting Committee, to Air Ferens for his work tion with the envelope system, the Sunday School teachers and librarian, the Bible Class leaders, the.P.W.M.TL, the Ladies' Guild, the convener of the cradle, roll, the Choir and organist, the Eveline preachers and to Mrs Dunn, the M.M.8.L., the Scripture Union secretary, the Sustentation Fund Committee and collectors, and the Church officer (Mr Bissett). A special vote of thanks and confidence was accorded to the minister, the Rev. R. J. Porter, and also to Mrs Porter. The following were elected and reelected to the Board of Management for the ensuing I'2 mouths: —Messrs Jas. Martin* G. Brownlcc, N. Meldrum, Jas. M'Diarmid, and J. Bews. The meeting closed with prayer.