RAVENSBOURNE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13995, 30 August 1907, Page 7

RAVENSBOURNE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The following is the report of tho Deacons' Court and Committee of Management, fo bo presented to the tmnual meeting of the congregation, by tho Havenebburnc Presbyterian Church:—

SufltcnJtttion Fund.—ln February a visit we received from Kev. Robert Wood re putting this fund on a more secure basis. The oonrt expressed its sympathy with tho mammont, arid determined -to-endeavour to raiso its contribution to the amount of £210. Sunday School.-Ovring to tho dilapidated state of the Sunday school hnll and tho necessity for increased awioinmoclalion it wa3 found ncoKsary to have tlio building repi!:d and repainted and four now classrooms odd«l, For this purpose Die sum of £150 was borrowed on tho personal security of Messrs Boss, Jamieson, Tomkinson, and Srawlcy, said ram to bo at 6 pet cent, per annum, and to bo repaid by such means'as tho Doacons' Court thinks fit outside'tlrat of the regular church contributions. Tho Sunday sohool ie in a very flourishing condition, luigely due to tho earnestftoss and zeal of tho superintendent (Mr Boss) and his capable staff of toaohere. In February « flower show was hold inconneotion with tho Sunday school, which prorod to bo the most successful in the annuls of *ho clinroli, tho net pioceaSs amounting to £21 10s. The St. branch of the Sunday school, under the supervision of 'Mr Phillipps and his staff, ilSo nesorves the highest praise for the gootl work being done there, Christian End«avour.-Tho senior branoh of this organisation, under the direction oT Mr DonrJdson, and the junior branch, under Mr T. Cairncy, contiimo t» bo very Buocessful, and aro d'oing good , work amonj the young people. Young Women's Bible'Class.—Under the leadership of Mrs M'Neiil. Miss Fisher, and latterly Miss Jcr,nnio Crawley, much gocd werk has been (lone in this clara in. Scrir-'iiro study. A branch, of this class has also beau formed at St. Leonards, and under Ihe manngemerit cf Miss Purdio is doing excellent work.

.' Young Men's Bible Glass.—During tlio year tho church suffered a severe losa in the dspiirture of Mr M. Matbeson as loader. Tho gap lias, however, \x£m well, filled in the appofntmcirt of Mr Inndsay Weir to this poriSon, which ho now holds to tho eminent satisfaction of all concerned.

' _ Choir.—This necessary adjunct (o th»'service of file oburclii has during tfna past 12 months remlel-ed gooll service, ilia evening attendance.} osr«ci»lly averaging 15 to 18. Tintest thanks of the congregation iro du? {o Miss K6ss for her solf-sacrifico and devotion aa organist nnd; choir leader; wiwle at St Leonanls flic leadership of the ohoir, nuder Miss Agjics 'M'MulHn, is all that scan be desired. . .

Finance.—The- finances' of tho clmro'i tiaw not been in «too healthy condition during tho past yenr. The money contnlinied shows a'Jailing off of £15 3s 80. This.in spile of tho fact that the communion roll 12 months ago WES double what it Imdi lwon ssven years ngo. I/ast jvar lho Deacons' Court made w\ appeal to pay off existing liabilities; about a dozen members' contributed sums varying from 5s to 20s each. As there was a eoheicJSf ablo amount still outstanding at December 31, including tho minister's stipend, Messrs Wise, Ross, and Crawley advanced the sum of £21 10s, thus enabling tho stipend to 1» paid in full. Tho congregation are doaply indebted to these gentlemen for their idmsly help. The Deacons' Court impresses on the congregation tho necessity of making a. special effort to clear off to liabilities, amounting to £35 -Is, as per balance sheet, and not lcavo it to a few willing worker!) to share tho whole burden of tho iiuanco of tlie clrnrch. .