Church Anniversary.

Southern Cross, Volume 19, Issue 25, 30 September 1911, Page 7

Church Anniversary.

ST. PAUL’S, LEET STREET. The anniversary of St. Paul’s Wesleyan Church was held in the church on Wednesday night, and under the genial presidency of the Rev. W. Grigg, Superintendent of the circuit, proved a very pleasant gathering. -

In the unavoidable absence of several of the oflice-bearers, the chairman had to deal personally with the various reports, and was quite equal to the task. After explaining that the Trust Account would just about meet current expenses, he reaad the following report : THE PAST YEAR. It is with a sense of gratitude the Trustees present to the congregation their annual report. As in all years, changes have taken place, but on the whole the review of the year gives great cause for thanksgiving and encouragement. Since the last anniversary, and particularly during the last six months, there; has been much; sickness in the congregation,' and some of our closest friends have been cal fed upon to pass through the dark experience of bereavement. To these families we tender our respectful and prayerful sympathy. The attendance at public worship has been well sustained, with a more decided improvement in the morning congregation. In all cases where practicable we plead for a general attendance at Sabbath morning worship, especially that parents will bring with them to that service the children God has given them. CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL. The membership of the church today is 144. During the year 16 persons have been received on prolession of faith, and 12 by transfer. The work of the Sunday School has progressed encouragingly during the time under review, with a decided improvement in the average attendance. The superintendent and his staff have adopted the graded lessons of the International Sunday School Association, and the excellent literature for the children as well as for the teachers provided by our own Church in the United States. It is recognised by all that it is an imperative necessity for the Sunday School to be provided with more commodious buildings in the near future, and the Trustees are considering the matter and about £l5O is in hand towards this object. The Young Women’s and Young Men’s Bible Classes, the former under the leadership of Mrs Grigg, and the latter in the care of Mr P. Bennett, have made solid progress during the year.

WESLEY GUILD. To meet a felt need in our congregational liife an'd work, a Wesley Guild was organised during last winter. It is intended to promote the intellectual, social, and spiritual needs of the young men and women of the congregation. It is pleasing to note that, many of the senior friends take a live interest in its doings. The first session is nearly ended, and all through the Guild has been growing in numbers and influence. The membership stands at sixty, but many outside the membership take part in its work and share its advantages. This is as we wish it to be. THE CHOIR. The Choir have done excellent ■work through the year, and our thanks are due to them, and especially to Mr J. E. Taylor, the conductor, for the conspicuous ability and faithfulness with which he has discharged his duties. With grateful appreciation we also record the excellent work of Miss Gladys Searell as organist, and Mr D. Wesney as deputy conductor. FOREIGN MISSIONS. The work of the Junior Endeavour Societv in co-operation with the Wesley Church Junior Endeavourers, in connection with foreign missions, has been very praiseworthy. _ Some time ago they agreed to raise £3O per year by which to support three native teachers in the South Sea Islands. They have gradually exceeded this by collecting subscriptions and by holding an annual sale of work, until this year they hage reached . a sum of more than £52. We rejoice with the juniors in their success. ■Miss Griffin, 8.A., who for sometime since has with faithfulness and devotion held the office of superintendent will soon be leaving us for work in Fiji. She will be much missed, but we congratulate her upon the noble work she has chosen, and upon her acceptance for educational work in Suva by the Board of Missions, Syd-

ney. Miss Griffin’s public dedication j to the work will take place in this ’ Church during the meeting of the Synod in November next. THE CIRCUIT DEBT. A lev,’ weeks ago, through the generosity of a few friends, the circuit debt of £l4 0 was completely wiped out, as was also a small trust debt of £3O. The members and officebearers offer their heartfelt thanks to these generous donors.

THE FUTURE. We enter uijon the new church year with thanksgiving to the Giver of all good, and high hopes for blessing and usefulness in the coming days. The chairman supplemented the report with a few earnest words on the importance of training children to regular attendance at church. The urgency of this branch of church work had occupied a good deal of attention at Home of late, chiefly through the columns of the British Weekly, which had urged the formation of leagues of worshipping children .

Rev. C. Blair, of Wesley Ohureh, Teviot street, who was the only other speaker, offered his hearty congratuiations to the congregation on the success of the year’s work. An excellent musical and elocutioanrv programme, nearly every item of which was encored, was contributed to by Master J. Sutton, and Messrs McGruer and Gilmore (recitations'), Mr Barrett (violin solo), Misses Ibbotson and Griffin, and Mrs B. Undrill (solos) —the last-named, who sang for the first time here, being cordially welcomed. Mr Phillips gave three songs and Mr. J. E., Taylor, conductor of the choir, sang “O God, have mercy” with fine effect. The choir also did good service with anthem, glee, and part song. At the instance of the chairman, the work of the performers was recognised by a very hearty vote of thanks.

The accompaniments on the organ and piano respectively were played by Miss G. Searell.

The meeting closed with the Benedietion, pronounced by the chairman.