MORAY PLACE CONGREGA-TIONAL CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14358, 30 October 1908, Page 8

MORAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The Art Gallery Nail contained a very large gathering night when the fortysixth annual.umversaz.ione and public meeting of the Moray .I'lucp. (.'ongregatiunal Church was held there. The chair was taken by the Rev. \V. Saunders, who was supported by the Rev. Dr Nisbel, the Rev. W. M. Grant, and the Itev. W. S. Kcrnie. The Rev. Mr Grant led thV gathering in prayer, after which the choir sang an anthem. Mr I).- Cooke was al. the piano. The Chairman, in addressing the meeting, said their church was never more prosperous than it was to-day.- -(Applause.) tie wished lo correct a little misunderstanding that apparently existed in the minds of ?ome. Two or three days ago a prominent layman of the Anglican 'Church in,the city said lo him. ''How is it that the Congrcgationalisls are not stronger now than they were in tho early .days'!".' That, of course, wits an utter misconception, and showed that Anglicans, even though they might be prominent, layj men, were not quite conversant with the affair's of other denominations. Their Church here was stronger now than ever it was. There were live churches in the city and suburbs, not counting the church nt Port Chalmers. Their Church was not an aggressive church; it never went into any place for purely denominational reasons. One reason why it was not stronger than it was was probably this: The Congregationalists in the Old Land wero, for the most part, members of the upper middle classes, and such did not as a rule emigrate, unless it was for the purposes of health or for .specific business engagements. Of all the immigrants arriving so frequently now by the Home boats he was not aware that their Church had benefited by one additional member. It must be remembered, however, that the country was yet in its .infant stage, and that a largo population would live here in the days to come, and then the liberal platform of the Church would, ho believed, commend itself to tho people and meet with largo support. lie urged the people to take a deeper interest in the affairs of the Church, and to show that interest by their attendance- at the monthly meetings. He also thanked the congregation for the holiday it had been decided to grant him in the coming year.—(Applause.) A vocal quartet was rendered by Messrs Hale, Bone, Searlc, and Reid. The deacons' report which was submitted by tho Secretary, (Mr T. YY. White), contained the following paragraphs: — During the year we have welcomed to the fellowship of tho church SO new members, whose names have been, added to the roll either by transfer or on profession of faith. We havo -transferred to the new church at Masterton our friend, Mr R. Groig, whilst for various reasons five others havo teen transferred or removed from the roll, leaving the present membership at 302. At the church meeting held- on October 31 the following members were unanimously elected to the office of deacon:— Messrs H. E. Lawrence, Andrew M'G-ill, William Thomson, and T. W. White, and at the following meeting Hie latter was appointed seerctaiy of tho church. In January Mr.J. F. Coull tendered bis resignation as a- deacon in consequence of continued illness, but owing to his long con-oe-tio with tho church Mr Coull was asked to consent to retain (he position, and we wore pleased 'when our friend acceded to the request. Miss Joan Bcgg took advantage of the presence of (ho home secretary to intimate her desire for work in the foreign field. As tho result of the encouragment afforded by A. N. Johnson-, Miss Begg is now studying at tho Presbyterian Young AVomens' Training Home, Dunedin. Perhaps the most cnthuiastic church meeting of the year was that held on June 4. Mr Win. Coull occupied the chair, and, after speaking in felicitious terms concerning Mr Saunders, reminded the church of the anxiety occasioned last year by the seriions illness of our pastor, and (pointed put that, although his health had greatly improve;!, the deacons realised tho need of a prolonged holiday, -Mr Ban urged that whilst Mr Saunders needed a. holiday on the ground of ill-health, he was fully entitled to one for length of service, and concluded by moving the following resolution:—"Thai in view of his 18 years of strenuous work at Moray place, the church cordially approves of the proposal of the deacons that tho Itev. \\. Saunders be granted early next year leave of absence for, say, eight months, to enable him to vist the Old Country, and authorises them to make the necessary arrangements for supply during dm ministcrs absence." This was supported by several deacons and members, and passed enthusiastically. In accordance with the rule of the church whereby one-third of the deacons retire each year, notice was given on September 3 that Messrs Wm. Coull, James M'Gill, P<,{ C r Barr, L. Laurenson, A. E. Bone, and. J 1? Coull would retire at the next meeting At our last church meetiug all cere unanimously Tc-elccted. ■ The choir, under the lcoderdiip of Mr Cooke, renders helpful service, which is much appreciated. In this connection we specially commend to your notice tho senior classes, so ably conducted by Mr Barr, for young women. We cannot close without reference to the Sunday serrices conducted by our esteemed pastor Although we had reason to prai-c uod for his recovery last vear, those who are intimately acquainted'with him know tin:-, 011 more than one occasion he has this year beon very near the point of breakin" down again Yet, in spite of physical weakness, and theological disturbances uHin«- the air he has maintained the high standard pf his preaching, .and frequently -his appeals have been most heart-searching, and we feel sure must have had results beyond those wo are able t Q tabnkle. Whilst thanking Mr Saunders for nis ministry, the deacons a so acknowledge the hearty co-operation of Mrs Saunders m the work of tiie church. The report of the treasurer (Mr Poter Ban-) was as follows:-"Tho annual statement of receipts and expenditure, printed herewith, must lie recognised as satisfactory in that, opening with nothing, it closes with a credit balance of £40 Is lOd. This is largely accounted for by the fact that the profit from the last anniversary (£52 16s Id) has been retained in view of special expenditure expected next year. Apart from this, however-, the surplus would bo £7 5s 9d, so that tho ordinary income has been more than sutlioiont to meet our requirements. Tho most satisfactory feature of the accounts, however, is the "fact, that the Sunday collections have increased by £45 17s 3d, and that of these collections the proportion contributed in envelopes lias Ix-en 44.62 per cent., ar against 36.48 per cent. This moans not only that members and adherents have responded to the appeal made to cover our increased expenditure, but. that we may reasonably expect that increase to be maintained. Tile average collections for tho year have been £12 5s 7d per week, a gratifying increase from tho £11 10s per week of the previous year, and nearly up to Ui-s £12 10s at which we aim. W-n may therforo look forward with confidence to the future." The receipts for the year totalled £706 1£» 9d, and tho expenditure £666 14s lid. Tho total of £706 16s 9d does not. represent the total amount raised ip 12 months, as the sums handed to the treasurer for various home and foreign missionary work and other items wero not included in it. Mr Wakefield Holmes sand "The May queen," and Mr Coombs played » violin solo. The Rev. Dr Nisbel gave a brief address, iu the course of which he touched on tho difficulty experienced in churches in .getting the children of the members to attend Sunday school. Families, us united families, ehould go to church on Sunday morning, and there was not so much of that as there should bo. He severely criticised tho excuses made by many people for not attending church. Referring lo financijil matters, he said that in tho Moray place congregation their average contribution was. .in proportion to their numbers, the largest givon by any congregation in Dunedin. He congratulated the church on thchealthy condition of its young people's clubs. Regarding the contemplated holiday of the Itev. Wm. Saunders, be said ho was only sorry Iho congregation had not made ii.s length 12 months instead of eight months. He hoped Mr Saunders would enjoy the trip thoroughly and come back to iii'mi re-invigorated for bis work.—(Applause.) Refreshments were handed round by the ladies of tho congregation and friends, and votes of thanks we.ro accorded the performers of the evening and the ofiiccbcarers for their services in the past year.