KNOX CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2840, 19 August 1908, Page 70

KNOX CHURCH.

The following are the more material clauses of the report of the Kirk Session and Deacons' Court of fcha Knox Church for the year ended on the 30th June last: — During the year the following were ordained, as elders: — Rev. J. W. Shaw, M.A., Messrs John A. Robertson, Alex. Hamilton, and John Porteus ; and the following as deacons— Messrs William Wills, Arch. W. Flefet, James Thompson, William Young. Richard Jack, John Bevin, Ohas. R. Gooch, and James G. Laurenson. The additions to the membership have been 75 — viz., 31 by profession and" 44 by certificate. The disjunctions wore 59 — viz., 10 by death and 49 by certificate. The total membership is now 1043. The attendance at the communions were: — September 527, December 638, March 698, June 669.

Sustentation Fund. — Knox Church raised £1-00 for the Sustentation Fund this year, or £26 less than last year. The congregation of course understands that less than half of this goco to assist other congregations, over £200 being returned to us as equal dividend, which we use for our own church ; purposes. j Knox Church Debt Extinction Fund.— Most of our members are, doubtless, aware of the steps which have been taken towards extinguishing the debt of the churchabout £4000 — before the jubilee of the congregation, which tak&s place in May, 1910. The first step was taken last year, when the Deacons' Court decided to ask the congregation to assist them in the effort, and, in response to circulars then issued, a fair biim was promised. In March last, the Deacons' Court decided to follow this up by a direct personal appeal to each member and adherent, but, before referring the matter to the congregation, the office- | bearers themselves undertook to subscribe the sum of £727. The work of canvassing the members and adherents was entrusted to a strong committee, with Mr G. M. I Thomson a 6 convener, and already fair ; progress is shown. . The figures for all districts are not yet available— about nine aro still to be reported — but at thus date contributions have been oromised by the congregation totalling £673, making with the office-bearers' amount stated above, a total sum of £1400, And of this the sum of £500 has been paid. The object aimed at will | be kept steadily in view for the next two years, and it is hoped by all having the interest of the church at heart, that our jubilee will see it accomplished, and our beloved church, together with manse and Sunday school, entirely free of debt. Even, however, if this i-s not attained in the time _ at our disposal, the amount owing will '

be' materially reduced, and the present . conimittee are -.pled god to see th_e debt paid off as soon as it can possibly be done.

"Finance. — The statement of receipts, and expenditure now presented shows that for the year ending June 30, our expenses hav4 exceeded .our revenue by £18 4s lid, the figures beingr — receipts, £1922 10s Id; ex- * penses, £1940 15s. The ' defioienov is accounted for by the amount expended, this year in repairs and general oharges, items having to be paid to keep buddings in. repair and grounds in order which will not recur for some Tears. In Addition to • our ordinary receipts we "have ' collected^ and paid over for special objects the sum," of £1395 12s, making the total amount ■ raised during the year £3318 12s — a result which must be considered very satisfac-' tory. During the year the ohuich. re--> ceived a legacy under the will of tKe late ; Mr Daniel Smith, which is to be invested. - and the income donated to the support- of : native teachers in the South Sea- Islands working under the Presbyterian Church in New Hebxicks. The net indebtedness of the congregation at the close of the year was £4079 5s lid. .The report also makes mention of the services that are conducted in Leith Valley and Pine Hill, of the work among. the.,, young, of the - operations of the .liadies' . Association, the Young . Women's «. Society. ; the Women!* Missionary Association^-, and . the Men's. Guild. • . j "' " '-