St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.

Southland Times, Issue 11899, 21 November 1891, Page 2

St. Paul's Presbyterian Church.

The annual meeting of this congregation was held in the church on Thursday evening, the Rev. Geo. Lindsay, the pastor, presiding. The reports of the various working orgnisations of the church, printed in pamphlet form, had been previously distributed, and, after a few comments from various members present, were unanimously adopted. The report by the session uhowed that an increase of the membership had occurred during the year, and recognised that the attendance at the regular services of the Sabbath, and at the week evening meetings, had been fairly satisfactory, a regret being expressed that some who could not plead distance seemed satisfied if they were present at one diet of worship on the Sabbath. The session also urged the members to avail themselves in larger numbers of the week evening " hoar of prayer." Speaking of the Bible classes the report states that "The Minister's Sabbath morning class has 45 names on the roll, with a fair attendance. The juvenile class has been more numerously attended this than any previous year. From both classes nine went up for the Synod examination, with the result that J. T. Careweil, Alex. Lindsay, Bella Sutherland, James Brass, and Chas. Wyse gained prizes ; while Maggie Hush and Win. Carswell gained certificates of merit." The meetings held in North Invercargill mission house were said to have been more encouraging during the past year than formerly, the attendance and interest manifested, having been greater. After reference to one or two other subjects of internal interest the report conclude*— " On entering upon another year's work the Session would specially draw the attention of the congregation to the necessity for doing more on behalf of the missions connected with our church." The following extracts from the Sabbath school report embrace the items of most public interest. After giving a list of the teachers, of whom there are 24, the report says : — " It is very gratifying to be able to report that this important branch of the church's work has been carried on with great interest and earnestness by the teachers during the past year, and we hope with permanent good to the .scholars. The average attendance during the session has been 177, being an increase as compared with last year. The total number of scholars on the roll is 234. Our Library has had an addition of 40 volumes, so that there are now 340 volumes ou the catalogue. The Band of Hope.jis ably conducted by Mr W. H. Mathieson, under whose management they gave on entertainment entitled "Old Father Christmas," the net proceeds, amounting to over LlO, has been handod over to the treasurer for our library. " The Deacons' Coart report, which evoked most comment, and that entirely of a congratulatory nature, referred to the financial affairs of the church as follows : — " The debt on the church has cow been reduced to LBSO, which, together with the LSOO on the manse makes only the very moderate sum of L 1350, a burden which, in view of that carried by the congregation for many years past, seems easy to be borne. Morever, against this sum there is still Ll5O to come in from the Synod, and that may be expected within the next three or four months. The receipts from the three main sources of income have considerably increased during the year. Ordinary collections have yielded L 34 more than last year ; seat rents LI 2, and Sustentation Fund L2O more, or a total increase of over L 64 from these sources. The bank account is also in a very gratifying condition, inasmuch as that whereas we began the year with a debit balance of L2B, we end it with a credit of L 22. This satisfactory position has been Achieved through the systematic liberality of the people — which the Court most cordially acknowledges — and notwithstanding the fact that a well-merited addition was made to the Minister's stipend in the early part of the year, and that L 55 has been expended on church repairs. Appended to the balance-sheet, the gist of which has already been given, is the following brief table showing the reduction effected in the church debt during the past three years : — 1888— Sept. 30— Church Debb ... £2000 1889-Sept. 30— „ „ ... 1800 1890— Sept. 30— „ „ ... 1100 1891-Sept. 30- „ 850 The usual votes of thanks having been passed to the choir, the treasurer, auditors, tract distributors and collectors, the proceedings were closed with the Benediction.