KNOX CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16766, 7 August 1916, Page 3

KNOX CHURCH

The report of the Kirk Session and the Deacons' Court for tho year ended Juno 60 coi taias the following information: — " Tho war has taken its toll of our best, and wo fear there are many dark and difficult days to come. Tho oversight of sucti a largo congregation as that of Knox Church makes very heavy demands on tho Minister, and the calls oil his time and strength aie unceasing. Mr Davics's health throughout tho year has been tried b„> tlio constant strain, but his office-bearers have been able to lighten the burden to some extent in tho past, and hope to do so successfully in tho future. Tlio Rev Mr Jamieson, who tilled the position of assistant minister for over three years, received a call to the pastorate of Waitabi, and enters upon his duties there with tho wellwishes of all the office-bearers and members of Knox Church. Sister Jean is filling a largo place in the work of the congregation. The session found it necessaty to increase its members by tho appointment of six additional elders. Dr J. Bowie, the Hon. Thomas MacGibboD, Messrs Fawcett, Frame, Mathieson, and Scoular were elected elders. The session lost tho services of Mr Magnus Johnson, who was for many years connected with the church and an active member in several branches of its < work. Ninety-live names were added to the communion 101 l during the year —71 by certificate, 24 by profession of faith. The disjunctions wero 63—by death 30, by certificate 33. Tho services have been held regularly at Leith Valley and Pine Hill during the year. The attendance has fallen off slightly on account of the enlistment of nearly all the young men in tho district. The retiring deacons—Messrs Burt, Main, M'Kay, Moncrieff, Rennie, Stewart, Taylor, and Young —were re-elected. Five additional deacons were elected—Messrs Mowat, Reid, Simpson, Sinton, and Urquhart. The session regrets to record tho death of Mr Eden Bowler, who was connected with tho church from his childhood, and v who for many years filled tho offico of deacon in a most satisfactory manner. It is satisfactory to bs able to report that, m spite of the many adverse conditions, our ordinary revenue, as shown by statement of receipts and expenditure, has this year exceeded our expenses and the amount collected for special funds is equal to that of last year. The figures for the year ending June 30, 1916, are: Ordinary revenue, £1963 10s Id (last year, £2027 12s Id); expenditure, £1954 3s 4d (last year, £2160 19s 6d). In addition to the above amounts, there has been collected and paid over for special objects tho sum of £1373 8s 2d. Last year this amounted to £1373 9s sd. Our subscriptions for the year to the Sustentation Fund amount to £496 14s 3d, being an increase of £18 13s 3d over the previous year. The money is always needed to supplement the moderate stipends of country ministers. 'J he Ladies' Association reports a year of considerable activity, improved attendance, and increased energy and interest in the work undertaken. A legacy of £300 has been left tho association by tho lato Miss Dalgleish. Tho interest on thus sum, it is hoped, will be availablo soon, and will be the means of enabling the association to further extend its charitable aims. Tho Patriotic Society was formed soon after the outbreak of war. The committee consists oi the office-bearers irom the three women's societies of tho church.. Sewing of all descriptions has been undertaken. Help has been given to the Otago Women's Patriotio Association in making various articles of equipment for the soldiers. Several cases of clothing have been sent Home for the Belgians and the poor of Great Britain. Despite a number of adverse circumstances, the Sunday school work may fairly bo said to be m a healthy condition. Tho branch schools are all making good progress. Tho school rolls stand as follows-Central schools 354-. Pelichet Bay 68, Leith Valley 41, Pine llill 24; —total 517. The session oxprefsrs its thanks to Mr Galo and tho members of the choir for the services rendered during tho year. Sinco the outbreak of war quite a number of the young men associated with the Stuart Hall have gone to the front. Nevertheless, the attendance has been more than maintained, and the lovalty and earnestness of all concerned indicate that the mission supplies a real need "