FIRST CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 39

FIRST CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The sixty-first annual meeting of the First Cluwch congregation was held in the Burns Hall on Thursday, 13th inst., and wa« largely attended. The Rev. T. Nisbet, JR.D., presided, and after opening the meeting with the usual devotional exercises called on the session clerk (Mr W. H. Adaane) to submit the following, summary of the reports of the various organisations: Session.— There has been no change in the membership of the session during the year, the roll of members (22) being the same as last year. The usual meetings hay© been held with satisfactory attendances. Communion Roll.— The additions to the membership during the year are — 24 by profession and 24- by certificate — 4-8 in all.— while there have been 37 disjunctions, including four deaths— viz., Mra Wilkinson, Mm M'Master, Misa J. Wileon, and Rev." J. M'Kerrow. The membership now stands at 772, showing an increase- of 11. Attendance a^ public worship, eepecially at the evening service, is most gratifying. Attendance at communion hae been afi follows : September, 360; December. 480: March 428; June, 450. Sunday Schools. — It is gratifying to note that the schools have more than held their orrn during the past year. From the report« submitted at the annual meeting- of teachers we learn that the work has been carried on with characteristic faithfulness under the superintendency of Messrs Struthers (Central School) and Armstrong (Russell Street Schcol). The Central School roll (with 127) shows an increase of cix, while that of Russell Street (with 138) shows an*advance of nine.

Bible Classes. — The report* from the seven Bible classes show that there is a more hopeful spirit prevailing than at the beginning of the year.

Th© report states that the Christian Endeavour Societies have a membership of 91. Reference was made to the work of tho Haeremai Club and Young Women's Club, Ladies' Association, the choir, the church officer, etc.

Our Minister.— By such visible eigna of progress aa our new hall and organ w« all feel deeply gratified 1 , but this feeling of satisfaction must necessarily be intensified a hundredfold in the case of our minister, not only because he ie minister of the church, but because he has, in these larger undertakings as in everything connected with the work of the congregation, taken the keenest personal interest, and has been able to give on all occasions invaluable practical advice. And, as a. "congregation, we must feel proud that Dr Nisbet heus been «,bl« to extend hie beyond .his own special charge, and take a prominent part in Church and social work generally. We might instance specially hie presidency of the orphanage, in which capacity he hae done a great work for the Church and 1 the community. In the meantime the doctor has been administering the ordinary affairs of the congregation with the »ame efficiency as heretofore. The Sunday services continue to be a source of profit and inspiration to old and young that continue to assemble in such encouraging numbers, and both Dr and Mre >?i^bet, by tli-eiir kicudly interest and practical thoughtfulness, ,are year by year increasing the esteem and iove that their people entertain for them. The balance eheet, submitted by Mr A. Todd, treasurer, showed that the income for the past year had amounted to £3886 3s 4d. and that after deducting all receipts and payments (from the figures in the working account) in connection with the Burns Hall and the new organ there wae a surplus of £149 17s 5d over expenditure for the year. Taking everything into account (including money borrowed to complete payments for tho Burns Hall, organ, etc.), the total revenue for the year etood at £6347 19s sd. It was pointed out subsequently that, whereas the beet four years financially that the congregation had ever had prior to 1904 had yielded £8946, during the past four year 3 the members of the congregation had raised no less a sum than £13.071 — an amount that speaks volumes for the life and liberality of the church. The Ladies' Association provided refreshments during the evening, and a short but, enjoyable musical programme was rendered by Mea*rs Wallace, Wilson, and Ritchie, Mrs Glover, and Mies Diok.