St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church

Southland Times, Issue 17092, 14 November 1902, Page 2

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church

The annua,! meeting t eld In the church last night was a large one, there there being a capital gathering of the congregation. The Rev. tleorge Lindsay presided. The documents pre.’ented at tho business part of the meeting showed that during the past year the church had made good progress in every department, the various agencies working steadily and successfully. Forty-nine new members bad been added to the Communion Holl, and six were disjoined by death. The minister celebrated. 36 marriages, baptised 11 children, and attended 32 funerals. Parents were urged to assist the Sabbath school teachers by, sending their children regularly and seeing that the set lessons were prepared. It was also pointed out that there was room for improvement in the attendance at the weekly prayer meetings. There were 39 members on the Bible class roll and tho subjects of study had proved instructive and stimulating. Tho Deacons’ Court recorded a year of continued financial prosperity. The pipe organ was formally taken delivery of and was giving great satisfaction. The organ fund had been augmented by £53, the result of a sale of work held by the Ladies Guild, and £3O from organ recitals given by Mr David Cook and Mr O. C. Hearne. Of the total cost of organ and screens, £730, some £4OO had already been collected from various sources. The credit at the bank now stood at £33 Os ■ sd. During the year £2OO had been paid off the fixed loans, reducing tho liability of the church thereunder to £7OO. The ordinary collections amounted to £5Ol 8s lod, showing a gratifying increase of £BB 9s Id over tho receipts for the previous twelve months. £49 16s 2d was collected for missions, and a contribution of £4 13s 7d was made to the Armenian Fund. Seat rents showed a small decrease (from £ll4 to £lO6 15s). Tho receipts for the sustentation fund were £l4B, or a trifle less than last year. It was mentioned than tho importance of this fund was apparently overlooked by, many of the members as every year the court had to appropriate a sum out of ordinary revenue to make tho amount up to £2OO. In'nddition to ordinary expenditure there had been last year an outlay of £326 upon improvements and repairs. The result was that the church properties had been placed in thoroughly good order and should not require further attention for some time to come. The annual collection taken on 17th August' when the Rev. W. Hewitson conducted tho services, amounted to £26 7s 6d.

The next outing in connection with the Sunday School will be held towards the end ot January. At the Sabbath School examination under the auspices of tlie General Assembly 38 scholars presented themselves, 13 obtaining between 80 and 100 per cent (first class certificates) ; seven gained between 60 and 80 per cent (second class certificates) ; and 11 obtained between 40 and 60 per cent (third class). It had been decided to form a Sabbath School building fund as the present accommodation was not altogether suitable, and a committee had been appointed to collecT funds. The average attendance at the school was .157, out of a total roll number of 264. In 1901 the attendance was 160 andthe roll number 250.

Mr McKinnon having spoken on behalf of the session and Mr J. T. Carswell on behalf of the Deacons’ Court the report und balance sheet were adopted. After the business had been disposed of a most enjoyable programme o! music was-gone through. The choir was in good strength and gave a capital rendering of tlie anthem " Great and Marvellous.’’ Solos were con-,.'inured I y Miss Brydone (Tlie Better Laud)- Mrs Blue /Oh Divine Redeemer), and Mr A, R. Thomson (The promise of Life). A clarionet solo was ronirii'iited Ly Mr F. J. Lil'icrap, neemiAt-.1e.l by the organ. and the organist. Mr G. A. Carr, contributed two s.fios. Ihe items were without exception reteived with expressions of appreciation by tho' audience. During an interval refreshments were dispensed by the Indies, A few remarks having ini’.n imide by the Rev. J. R. Ward, end the Rev. Dm, White, votes of thanks carried by acclamation to the choir and enoirmaster, Sustentation Fund collectors, fle tieasurer .(Mr A. B. Campbell), those who had supplied the music for the evening, the ladies who had provided tho refreshments, and the chairman. A hearty anil spirited congregational peering then closed with the Doxoiogy. w