PORT CHALMERS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10289, 21 February 1895, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The anniversary services of the Congregational Church, fort Chalmers, took place on Sunday last. The Rev. B. T Hallowos, 8.A., of Wellington, officiated in the morniog, and the Kcv. B. L. Thomas, chairman of the Congregational Union, iv the evening. A flower service was held in the afternoon, when the children were addressed by the Rev. Q. Burgess, F.R.A.S., of Auckland.

On Tuesday evening the annual tea meeting took place in the church, which wan very prettily decorated with (lowers and ferns, the tables being pD-sided over by Mesdames Davidson, M'Aiiliffe, Fisber, Morgan, Leijon, Hodge, Neale, Itae M'Kiulay, and M'Douald. After justice had been done to the (jnod things, the Rev. D. It. Fisher, pastor of the churoh, too!: the cbair. The choir having rendared the " To Deum,"

The Chairman gave an addre»s,i n which he briefly outlined the work of the church during the past eleven months. Since the annual gathering in March last eight persons hud been admitted into fellowship, and during the same period they had lost by death and removals three members ; while from amongst the adherents death had also taken several, both old and young. Iv recounting the losses special mention was made of Mis* Florence A. Fail and Mr David Kilgour. During the year Mr George Yeoman, a promising worker, owing to failure of health, was compelled to leave the district; and Mr and Mrs Ritchie and family, who had been associated with the church sinco its formation, had removed from the district. There had been an increase of attendance at the Sunday services during the past year. The weekly prayer meetings had been well attended, also the Sunday school and the mission at Deborah Bay. Towards the end of the year Mr Bauchop, who had been the superintendent of the Sunday school for a number of years, resigned the pesition, and the duties had'since devolved upon Mr Neale and the pastor. Some excellent work had been accomplished through the efforts of the senior and "junior members of the Christian Endeavour Society. The ajted and tht! Hick had been visited, and cottage meetings had been held in the out-lying districts. During the winter months a class has been conducted by the pastor for young men, and serviced of song have been given, which were bath successful and helpful to th* church. Special mtintion was made of Mis«es B. M'Kinlay, Read, and Miller, who conducted, for their unwearied labours.

Mr John Morgan, the treasurer, read the balance sfleet, which showed the receipts from all sources for the 11 months to have been £191 8», leaving a debit balance of about £6

Addresses were given by the Rev. I. Sarginson (of Christchurch), G. Burgess, H. Adamson, W. L. Salter, and A. H Wallace.

Between the addresses, solos were given by Misses Sears and Read and Mr Cray ; and organ and violin Bolos were contributed by the Misses Ran. The choir sang several anthemn, Bliaß B. M'Kinlay presiding at the organ.

Votes of thanks were then accorded to the speakers, the ladies, the choir, and Miss M'Kinlay (the organist), and the meeting was closed with the beuediotion.