ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19250, 14 August 1924, Page 11

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of St, Andrew's Presbyterian Church was held in the Bible School last night. The Rev. Hector Maclean presided over a large attendance. The following clauses from the reports of the church’s organisations were presented, and are as follows; The session report says: Throughout the year, our minister, Mr _ Maclean, has, as usual, been assiduous in performing the duties of his office, and the session feels not only gra.titicd, but also thankful, to know that your by year he is gaining a stronger bold upon the congregation as is evidenced by a steady improvement, in attendance at ordinary services. Mr Maclean has expressed some regret because of his rather lengthy absence from his pulpit on the occasion of Ilia being appointed to lecture at the Summer Schools on theology, held during the past year for the benefit of homo missionaries and young ministers, but the session felt that this was a duty for which he had special fitness, and readily agreed that he should undertake it. The session felt confident that tho congregation would approve, bearing patiently, for the general welfare of the Church, the deprivation which his absence occasioned. In addition to the ordinary duties of his office, this winter the minister bogan a Sunday evening Bible Claes, which meets immediately after tho evening service, 'the attoi.dar.ee and the inteif,st_ exhibited by member? are distinctly encouraging. Regular Bible lessons are given by Mr Maclean and Sister Auric at the High Stiect School, and the thamts of the session, as also of all interested in the welfare of the young, are due to the committee, head master and staff of the school for tho facilities so readily given, and for their steady interest in the work. Heartiest congratulations arc extended to Dr and Mrs Waddell upon their marriage. Tho Kirk Session wishes them many years of happiness together, and gratefully acknowledges all that they have meant to the Church. Mrs Waddell’s marriage left the position of deaconess vacant, a x j °sitiou she had hold with conspicuous success for 22 years. Sister Annie, who on several occasions has done splendid work ss locum tenena, was appointed deaconess, and she, has given herself with vigour and resourcefulness to her difficult duties. Under ■ her care the Sunday evening service in the Bible School has had a remarkable development. Her ministrations on behalf of the poor and the. sick aro greatly appreciated, and her work among the children who corns under her care and in the Bible Class is highly successful. In connection witn her work among tho poorer families there is a useful sewing circle, while a promising Boys* Club is being conducted by Mr Xicol. Vacancies in the positions of choirmaster and organist occurred through the resignations of Mr J. H. Nimmo and Miss Williamson respectively. Valuable service had been given by each of these, and the session has put on record their appreciation of their helpfulness. Mr J. Leech was appointed choirmaster and Mr P. Service organist. Under Mr Leech, the choir continues its good work, the service of praise rendered at the evening diet of worship being particularly inspiring. The work at Kensington has forged steadily ahead under the able and devoted guidance of the Rev. A. W. Kinmont, M.A., whom the session welcomes back lo St. Andrew’s with greed heartiness. Mr Kinmont is gathering around him a fine band of workers, and everything promises well for the future of the branch church. Tho youth work is deserving of great praise. The position of director of the Bible School is at present vacant, but the heads of the various departments are carrying out their duties with zeal and are assisted by a self-sacrificing and faithful staff of touchers. The urgent need at present is an increase in the number of teachers, men being specially wanted in this all-important work. The Yeung Women's Bible Class, under Sister Annie, is continuing its quiet and steady work among its members, and is providing a number of good teachers for the Sunday "School. The Yoimg Men’s Bible Class, under Mr Farquharson, has the making of a splendid class. In a year or two these young men should prove a valuable asset to tho church. The communion ot the Lord’s Supper has been observed quarterly in St. Andrew's at both the morning and evening service, and at Kensington at the evening service. The attendances at the various communions were as follows:—St. Andrew’s; September 245, December 250, March 214, June 218; —average, 232. Kensington: September —, December' 33. March 43, June 43; —average, 42. Average for the whole parish, 274. Last year the average was 30D. Tho sacrament of baptism has been dispensed on It occasions. The total membership of the congregation is 482, During the year there have been 28 disjunctions, seven by death, and 21 by transfer, ar.d there have been 23 new members nddea to the roll, seven by profession of faith and 111 by certificate from other churches. The ministers have officiated at 23 marriages and 10 funerals.

The Deacons' Court reports;—The statement of accounts attached hereto sots out the various funds in detail. The general revenue is practically the same ua last year, only some £ls below tbe previous total. Through last year’s special effort in connection with the Diamond Jubilee, wc are in tbe extremely satisfactory position of having 1 all our properties entirely free of debt. Our ordinary account is about £IOO in debit, and although this is not embarrassing in any wry, , yet it is felt desirable that it should be cleared off us soon as possible. With thin end in view it is proposed to invite a special thank-offering at the anniversary services to be held on Sunday, August 24, and we have every confidence that the members mid adherents of the congregation will give this the same loyal support as on so many previous occasions. The special appeal in aid of the Canton Villages Alission sites and buildings hind was undertaken by our missionaries in the Foreign Field Committee, ami realised £2OO 8s 6d. The appeal for the funds of the Waiznana (Maori Boys) College resulted in £lll 5s 2d being contributed for this object. Our subscription to (be aid of weaker churches through the Bustentation Fund was £125 for this year. The choir reports that the choir roil shows a membership of 36, nnd, on the whole, attendances at both week-night practices and the Sunday evening services aro very good. In speaking to the session report Mr AV. (low said be would first refer to the loss sustained by the session in the death of Messrs W. Taylor ami W. Eudcy. Mr Taylor had been connected with tho church for a long time, and had served it faithfully. He for some years held the position of treasurer, and always performed his duties to the utmost satisfaction of everyone. In losin Afr Eudey the church has lost, a staunch supporter and friend, who would be greatly missed from among them.

Continuing, the speaker said the report had mentioned (heir minister (the Rev. H. Maclean), but he could not let the opportunity pass without making further mention of the man (hey had all come to admire.— (Applause.) They honoured him for his splendid qualities, and greatly appreciated libs efforts as n teacher. While congratulating Mr Maclean, lie thought the minister had to be congratulated on his congregation.— ( Laughter.) Everything was going along smoothly, and in ins 3.3 years’ membership of the church (here hud never been a rift in the congregation, and in every case they were out to support the minister. With reference to Sunday school work he would point out that there were Mill vacancies in the ranks of the teachers, and he would urge the young men to come forward and fill (he gaps.

Pealing next with the rhoir, tho speaker said it was gratifying to note the improvement that had been made in this direction, but ho would like to see more choir mom-

hers at the morning services,_ and ho hoped tho numbers would increase in the future. Miss E. Findlay (superintendent of the primary department of the Bible school), speaking in regard to the Sunday school, said there was much concern regarding the paucity ot teachers, and it was thought there should be more male teachers. She would like to enlist the interest and sympathy of those present in securing teachers for the boys; it was a matter for the whole con"rogation. The shortage of teachers could be placed to the beginning of the war, when a number of the teachers went away and since then the ranks had remained vaennt. Mr J. Farquharson had been doing good work, but they wanted still more assistance. They wanted the young people to grow into Christian men end women, and they were always looking for reinforcements to help bring this about. She made an appeal to the congregation to make a sacrifice and help with the work. , Mr J. Farquharson said he would like to say a few words in regard to Sunday school work. It had been rightly said (hat the 20th century was an ora of childhood. In all pons of Ihe world (loverninentH were spending money on the education of children, and he considered turn to lie a worthy thing. The church played a big part in the educating of children, and 'although St. Andrew's Church had had a set-back lie thought the future would see a big improvement. There was now a chance for concentrated action, and every member ot the congregation had a responsibility, and it was up to them to assist in the' matter. There were 230 pupils in the Sunday school classes, ami the teachers had the work of moulding their lives, mid if tin* church set its mind on the work of teaching them mid finding more teachers the position would be so much easier. Air A T. M'Na lighten, in moving the adoption of (he Deacons’ Court report, said that although the credit balance was not large the position was entirely satisfactory* He said the amount, contributed by the congregation during the year was astonishing, it amounting to £2362 fin 2d. Of thin amount £3(13 had been paid to missions in New Zealand, while £Oll3 had gone to foreign mission.-.. , . , . Willi rotfiiril to tlio Kensington brunch he could say it was making good progress, nnd in his opinion would soon tie selfsupporting. . , Mr W. Forrester seconded the motion, which was carried Tim Chairman said lie was very pleased to see such a large attendance. He would not sav anything in regard to the various reports brought forward, as he would go fully into matters at the anniversary services on August 2!. The remainder of the evening was taken up will, musical and vocal Hens. Ihe followinr- contributing itemsMmses Mitchell,’Cue. and Air M'Neil. .Supper was also provided.