FIRST CHURCH OF OTAGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 7

FIRST CHURCH OF OTAGO

EIGHTY-FOURTH ANNUAL REPORT The congregation of First/Church will hold its annual meeting next Thursday night. This is the eighty-fourth year of the life and work of the church, and the reports reveal a busy year of harmonious and hearty service. In his pastoral letter to members and adherents, the Rev. W. Allen Stevely expresses warm thanks for their loyalty and friendship, and appreciation of the devoted co-operation of all the officebearers End workers, and of the invaluable service of the session clerk, clerk of the Deacons’ Court, and treasurer. It was encouraging to all that so many of the young people in the congregation had made a profession of faith in Jesus Christ, and had decided to follow Him as Leader.

The session statement in its review of the { year’s work remarks The harmony and goodwill of the congregation have been most gratifying, and the sessiomrecords its appreciation of the faithful and self-denying labours of leaders, superintendents, and teachers.” The organist (Dr V. E. Galway) and members of the choir have given much help in the service of, praise, and their work has been an inspiration to all. To Mr and Mrs Stevely, the session expresses a gracious tribute for their faithful labours. “ Outside our own congregation, too, Mr Stevely gives fully of his powers to the many societies that call upon him, and maintains a First Church tradition by acting as one of the honorary lecturing staff of the Presbyterian Women’s Training Institute,” The : work of the deaconess, Sister Elinor, has been carried out with much sympathy and energy. “Through her efforts help has been given to those in sore need of it, and comfort brought to many who are lonely and downcast.” Sister Elinor reports that “coal, groceries, clothing, blankets, books, etc., have been supplied. Many recipients of such help will endorse the statement in a letter received —•* we can face the future with cheerful hearts. It makes all the difference to know there is a hand ready to help.’ ” The Children’s Church and Busy Bees have had a very successful year. The year has been a strenuous one for all concerned with the social welfare work of the city. Sister Elinor has ably represented the congregation in this branch of its work. The membership of the congregation is now 805. During the year 113 members were added to the roll, of whom 34 joined by profession of faith, and 79 by certificate. The recorded removals have been 44; 36 by certificate and purging of the. roll, and eight by death. The names of the members who have been rein' "od by death are Mrs Knight, Mrs M'Vicar, Mr T. Hare, Mr D. Scott, Mrs A. Adams, Mr W. Duncan, Mrs Graham, and Mr M'Diarmid. The session expresses its sincere sympathy to all who have been bereaved, and commends them to the comfort of God. ’>

The Deacons’ Court has taken keen interest in its special province of the work. Messrs D. C. MTnnes and D. B. Mark joined the court during the year. The envelope system, or weekly freewill offering, has now been in operation for four years and a-half. The number of contributors is steadily growing. The total contributions for the year ended June 30 amounted to £1407 18s 9d. Mr and Mrs D. Cunningham were congratulated on their careful attention to the church buildings, and on their unfailing courtesy. 1 •

SETS ,OP SIX SOLID STEEL WRENCHES, double ended, Including screwdriver blade, sizes ranging from Jin to lln. The set complete for 3/6. COTTER BINS, Nettlefold’s, English. Assorted, I gross'ln box.A For'l/6’: gross. D;. GATE FASTENERS, easily fixed with four screws. For 9d eaeh. FILE HANDLES, Iron Ferrule. For 2d each. STEEL BEVELS AND SQUARES. 61n blade, English. For I/-' each. f SOLID COPPER EXTRA STRONG LONG-SPOUT UPRIGHT OIL CANS, i pint. For 1/10. Worth 2/9. BUTTERFLY HINGES, Antique copper, full size, with’ copper screw. (Od eaeh. ANTIQUE COPPER CUPBOARD, TURNS, full size. For lOd each. SHOCKLESS SCREWDRIVERS, assorted sizes, Sin, 4ln, 'sln, or Bln. For I Od each. FILES, Mill Saw. lOln f<?r I/- eaeh; 12Jn, 1/6 each. RIM DOOR LOCKS, 61n, full size. All complete with screw, key, handle, escutcheon, etc. For 3/6. English. DAIRY THERMOMETERS, registering 240 deg Fahrenheit.' Each cased In cardboard box. For 1/6 each. OIL STONES, large size, the best. Now 2/-, were S/6. CULTIVATORS, five prong, for drill work. These are unbeatable. All prongs Interchangeable. With long handle. Great bargain for 7/8 each. TREE PRUNBRS, with socket and loop. Can be attached to any length of handle. Without the aid of a ladder, any branch of a tree can be properly pruned. Simply attach a stout piece of,twine to loop of pruner. For 2/6 eaeh. SOLDERING IRONS, nice handy size, and large enough for any class of work, English. For 2/-. BAG NEEDLES, bent, 51n, 61n, 7ln. Any size, 6 for 6d. COMBINATION HOE AND RAKE, with socket for ordinary handle. For I/-. TETHERING ROPES, with loop and pegs; made from Marlin rope—3 for 1/6. DOG CHAINS—6ft, I/-; 7ft 61n, 1/9; 9ft, 2/-. English. CATTLE CHAINS, heavy—Oft long, for 2/3 each. Great bargain. HAVERSACKS, made of strong waterproof Khaki Drill, with web shoulder-straps. Price 2/6 each. Size 121 n xl3ln. N SHOULDER PACKS, strong waterproof drill; shoulder straps. Size 141 n x 13In. Price, 4/6 each, with outside pocket. RUCKSACKS, large size, with two outside pockets: waterproof canvas. Size IGIn x 14!n. Price 8/6 each, complete with ‘shoulder straps. MEGAPHONES for 2/- eaeh. Big bargain. ENAMEL STEWPANS, best English make. Complete set of five, all with lids, for 12/6 set. FRENCH COOKS’ KNIVES, the only perfect Carving Knife: lOln blade, ebonlsed handles. For 4/6. Worth 7/6. BUTCHER KNIVES, English—6ln blade. 2/6; OJIn blade. 3/CKOWN TOPS for ale bottles—l/6 gross. PATENT CAP BOTTLING MACHINES for 8/WOODEN BOTTLE CAPPERS, with steel collar For 9d. BOTTLE CAPPERS and OPENER COMBINED, all metal: wonderful line. For 1/- each. For home brewing purposes. HUNDREDS OF DOZENS SHEFFIELD FIRTH STAINLESS DESSERT AND TABLE KNIVES. For ,9/- half dozen. Worth double, FISHING LINES. English, white—llb equals 20yds for 8d; 21b equals 40yds for I/- These lines /are all connected, and can be had In any quantity. Give length of line required. SHEATH KNIVES, English; strong black bone handles; best Sheffield steel blades; In leather sheaths. Complete for 3/-. HAIR-CLIPPING MACHINES for ladles or men, for neck trimming, etc. Fine cut. For S/6. HAIR-CLIPPING MACHINES with extra two combs, for general hair cutting purposes. For 5/6. Honestly worth 8/6. Hundreds of 18/6 LADIES’ or GENTS’ WRISTLET WATCHES for 9/- each. SHAVING CREAM, giant size tubes, made In England. Acts like a skin food. For 1/8 tube. Worth 2/G. PEROXIDE TOOTH PASTE. ” Guards the Pearly Gates to Health.” For 9d tube. WATERPROOF DRESSING, large size tins, for re-olllng oilskin coats, leggings, etc. For 3/tin. COTTON WOOL, large packets. For 9d. Packs ” 500 ” PLATING CARDS for six hands, 2/- pack. GENTS’ UNBREAKABLE COMBS, English make; as used by all the London hairdressers. Easily worth 1/6 to 2/-. Hundreds to go at I/-. EMBROIDERY SCISSORS with extra One points. For I/- pair. NAIL SCISSORS, bent or straight. For I/FOUNTAIN PENS, self-filling; Indestructible nibs. Bor I/- each.- Worth 3/6. MAGNETIC COMPASSES. Bargain Price. 1/3 and 3/11. ... _ „ TISSUE PAPERS, Le Nils or Tic Tacs; well gummed—ls books for I/TOBACCO POUCHES, rubber lined, dome fastenings. For 1/6 each. STUD SETS. English, and all on card. Comprises Tiepin, Front and Back Stud. For 3d sot. The Tiepin alone is worth 6d. BANDAGES, sizes lin, IJIn. 21n, 2Mn. and Sin —five for I/Mail your order direct to the MANAGER, ARMY STORES, Box 137, CHRISTCHURCH. Shop: STRANGE’S BUILDINGS, High Street, CHRISTCHURCH. Store: STRANGE’S BUILDINGS, Lichfield Street, CHRISTCHURCH.

The meetings of the Ladies’ Association have been exceptionally well attended, and great interest has been manifested in the work. Two donations of garments for the relief of those suffering from unemployment were made—one of 126 garments and another of 89., For the social work of the congregation another supply of 412 garments was prepared. The total for the year was 676. Donations of money were made to the Nisbet and Glendining Homes. The interest of the Women’s Missionary Union has been well sustained. The sura of £7O 10s was raised during the year, and a generous response was made to the appeal fo.r gifts to the home missionaries. A member of the congregation, Miss Jean M’Neur, proceeded as a missionary to China, and was accorded a cordial valedictory social. Interesting letters received from missionaries at home and abroad are read at the meetings. Instructive addresses dealing with different aspects of missionary activity were given to the association during the year. The work of the Bible classes, and Sunday schools in both the .central and Russell street branches has been carried on with untiring. energy. The treasurer’s report states: .“It is gratifying to be able to report that the congregation has had a successful financial year, the bank overdraft having been slightly reduced during the 12 months. The Endowment Fund was increased by a legacy of £IOO, and the Debt Extinction Fund by £18.” The total receipts from all services for the year amounted to £3955 8s sd. The sum of £1469 5s 8d was contributed to the various schemes of the church; and of this amount' £490 14s Id went to missions, £217 5s 8d to the Sustentation Fund, £135 12s 4d to the Presbyterian Social Service Association, and £l5O 2s Od to the assembly self-denial appeal.