CHURCH MEETINGS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3414, 20 August 1919, Page 42

CHURCH MEETINGS.

WEST TAIERI. The annual meeting, held on Tuesday, 12th, was well attended, notwithstanding' the inclemency of the weather. The Rev. J. Bates presided, and, in addition to hia remarks, addresses were delivered by the Revs. R. Scott Allan (Musselburgh) ana W. W.* Brown (East Taieri). The annual report was adopted, and the balance sheet showed satisfactory progress. Tho session report stated that the Sabbath school work in the three centres has been carried on efficiently. The attendance at publio worship has been fairly good at West Taieri and Outram, but unsatisfactory at Maungatiia. The minister has officiated 'at four baptisms, five marriages, and 18 funerals. The sacrament of the Lord's'"Supper has been dispensed four times, the attendances being 77, 80, 35, and 101. There are now 147 names on the roll. The Deacons' Court report stated-that when at the beginning of the year the debit balance of £55 17s 8d was transferred from the property fund to the general account, its credit balance of £BB lis 2d was reduced to £32 13s 6d. The ordinary collections at West Taieri and the Outram Hall have been well maintained, but at Maungatua they have dropped from £33 5s to £25 14s. The sustentation fund also shows a decrease of £ls 6s 6d for the year. The condition of the Maungatua and West Taieri Churches is causing the Deacons' Court some aitxiety, and at the last meeting it was left with Mr Chisholm to get expert advice as to their condition. An excellent programme was rendered by the choir and friends, and supper was handed round at the close of the social. MOSGIEL CHURCH. The annual business meeting of the Mosgiel Presbyterian Church was held on Tuesday, 12th' inst. The Rev, Dr Calder presided, and commented on the satisfactory progress made during the past year. The annual report, wliich contained tho following information, was read and adopted:—Quite recently the membership roll has been re-prepared, and at the end of June it showed an active membership of 268, with a supplementary roll of 7. Tho attendances >at the communion were: December, 144; March, 138; June, 153. There were 11 baptisms, and the minister officiated at 21 funerals. records its warm appreciation of the devotion, skill, and continued faithfulness of the leaders of the Bible classes and the superintendents of the Sunday schools, and the many loyal women workers in the missionary societies, and > of the efficient manner in which ths services of praise have been led by the choir. Early in the year a generous offer was made by a lady member who desired to provide the salary of a lady visitor to the congregation for six months. The Session appointed Miss Ewart to the position. The generous giver carried on for a further period of six months, and has now offered to. contribute partially towards retaining the visitor's services for a still further period. Votes of thanks were passed to all church workers and the choir and organist. A discussion took place on church repairs and painting of buildings, but action was deferred for some little time. . The annual meeting of the congregation of .the First Presbyterian Church passed off pleasingly, the Rev. G. H. Balfour presiding. The treaaurer's report showed that the receipts for the year totalled over £4OOO. The surplus over expenditure was £63, after paying off £IOO of the church debt. The contributions to outside objects was over £2OOO, the Sustentation Fund contribution amounting _to £402. They had given £142 to _ the" Presbyterian Social Service Association, which now had an annual expenditure of £SOOO, and was caring for more in its homes throughout the Dominion than the Salvation Army. The peace thanksgiving offering had now reached £1495. They were«airning at £3OOO. The proposal to erect a memorial window to fallen soldiers had been -unanimously approved. At the annual meeting of St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, North Dunedin, the Rev. Dr Dunlop congratulated the minister (the Rev. W. Fairlie Evans) and the congregation on the past year's work. The communion services were well attended. Four members had died during the ""year, and three had fallen in battle or died of wounde. The Sunday School continued to do good work, the total scholars being 229, with 26 workers. The Young Worshippers' [ League and the Bible Classes continued to progress. The budget system had so far '-.worked satisfactorily. The financial report showed that tne ordinary revenue for the year was £4Bl, the total increase in the givings being £73 over the previous year. The annual tea and business meeting of the Edendale Presbyterian parish was hold at Mataura, and was well attended. The Rev. J. Pringle, MA., presided. The reports of the Session and the treasurer, which were satisfactory, were adopted. The balance sheet showed a credit of about £2O on the year's working. The Rev. J. E. Lopdell, tho principal speaker, held his audience spellbound in giving l his experiences as a chaplain, and as he touched only the fringe of hie subject he pen.erously intimated that if opportunity offered he would deal with the theme at some future time. A musical programme of a high order was greatly enjoyed. The ample refreshments, provided by the ladies were done full justice to. Votes of thanks were carried with enthusiasm to the workers for the church, and to all who had assisted in making the evening such an enjoyable one Tho Rev. Mr Pringle, in returning thanks to the vote passed to him as chairman, drew attention to the presence of Mr Hanlon, of New York, who had just arrived on a visit to his sister, Mrs R. S. Wilson, of Seaward Downs.