ROSLYN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 34

ROSLYN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The fifth annual meeting of the members of the Roslyn Presbyterian Church was held oh the 25th. The minister (the Rev. James Chisholm) presided, and announced that an innovation had been decided upon, and that the secretaries of the various sessions, courts, and guilds would Tead their, own reports. The report of the session showed that 29 members had been removed from the communion roll, four by death and 25 left the district, and that the addition of 25 new members had only partially made up for their los 6. The session placed on record its deep sense of the loss sustained by the removal of Messrs Bett and Bremner. Mr A C. Begsr, who had been identified with. the Presbyterian Church of Otago from the beginning of its history and occupied a high place on its roll of honour, was much miesed on account of his serious illness. The session also placed on record the loss sustained by the death of Mr James Kilgour and other members of the congregation who had also adorned the doctrine of God their Saviour. The Deacons' Court reported an increase in the Foreign Mission Fund, and a total income "from all sources of £776 -Is lOd. Donors to the Sustentation Fund were heartily thanked.** The Ladies' Guild reported a successful year, larger membership, more interest shown in the work, and a net profit of £♦+. The report of the secretary of the P.W.M.U. was equally satisfactory. - Delegates from all over the colony had been entertained, and the General Assembly gatherings had proved highly successful. The sum collected for foreign missions amounted to £29 10s 6d. The Young Women's and Young Men s Bible Ciaases were reported on most favourably. The membership of the Sunday school was 6hown at 160, and the school was congratulated on having secured Captain Strang as superintendent. The library now contained 300 volumes, to which the children had contributed £27 7s 6d. The Band of Hope gained two first prizes and a second at the competitions, and a shield for competition had been given by one of the elders (Mr R. Chisholm). The choir was shown to consist of 15 sopranos, 5 altos, 5 tenors, and 10 basses. Average attendance at practice, 27; at morning and evening services, 22 and 26 respectively. The popularity and ability of the choirmaster and orsanist (Mr G. L. Lmdley) was also touched upon. The balance sheet showed repeipts at £776 Is lOd, expenditure d£675d £675 17s W, -and a credit balance of £100 4s 9d... * The Rev. J. Ch'isnolm laid stress on the marked progress made in the past five years, during which £5835 15s lid had been raised for church purposes, and the membership had risen' from 96 to 170. The congregation were deeply indebted to their band of earnest, hearty, workers. The hall was decorated with greenery and flags ; the attendance was large, and, business disposed of, some excellent glees were rendered by the choir, and 6olos by Miss Chisholm and Mr Walter Strang. Mies Middleton was the accompanist. The following letter was read from Mr A. C. Begg: — . My dear Pastor,— When you kindly called on me to-day I thought I should write a short not© for you to read to the congregational meeting to-night. I have first of all to wish you a successful meeting and the congregation every blessing, both of a temporal and spiritual nature. In mv hours of weakness I often think of the Roslyn Church, and pray that every one, young and old, may be a true and faithful member of Christ's Church. To the brethren of the Session and Deacons' Court I especially desire to send my best greetings and wishes for their spiritual welfare. Let us all remember that " The night is far spant and the day is at hand—let us therefore put off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light." Let -us remember that the silent influence of a humble and Christian life does more to attract sarelesa ones than any grand music or ceremony, or even preaching. Now, may I aay to the young men and young women : Do not look on the ChuToh as a place of amusement or even a place of social meeting, but look upon it first of all as Christ's in&titution for the mutual instruction and upbuilding of souls and th© gathering in of those who are outside its pale, and mutual encouragement in Divine things. I cannot write more to-day, but wish yon a'l God's richest blessing, that blessing -which maketh rich and adds no sorrow to it, and that you may ba able to appropriate the words oi fche 2a*d Psalm :' — " Goodness and mercy all my lif« Snail surely follow me, And in God's house for evermore My dwelling-place shell bs." Now, with best wishes for the prosperity of tho congregation. — I remain, etc ,