PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 21576, 14 December 1931, Page 9

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

WINTON-LOCHIEL PARISH. At the annual meeting of the WintonLochiel parish of the Presbyterian Church, which was held at Winton on Wednesday evening, the Moderator, the Rev. Allan Gardiner, presided over a good attendance. The balance-sheet was presented by Mr John Brown, and a bank credit balance of £96 16/1 was disclosed. The annual report of the kirk session stated (inter alia): “In January, our pastor, the Rev. H. Hogg, accepted a call to Weston. During his five years’ ministry he had faithfully and zealously and with earnestness of purpose and in an acceptable manner ministered to the spiritual needs of this congregation. Although we have been without a settled minister during the remainder of the year, we believe the work has not suffered. We were fortunate in the supply available and could hardly let this opportunity pass without mentioning the work of the Rev. Mr Robertson, whose pulpit ministrations were of a very- high order. Without a settled pastor, the work of the parish was carried on at a disadvantage. However, with the assistance of our interim Moderator, the Rev. J. Cauley, who lent valuable assistance and encouragement, and the Rev. Mr Robertson and also the prospect of having Mr Gardiner inducted, the work was kept in good heart. We welcome our new minister and believe that here he will find ample scope for his talents and that he will find a ready response from the officebearers and members alike. The attendances at the church services have been fairly well maintained, still there is ample room for improvement. The attendance of the children at the morning service in such goodly numbers gives good cause for thankfulness and augurs well for future life and prosperity of our church. During the

year our senior elder was suddenly called to his rest. The late Mr McWilliam s services to the church extend over a lifetime—43 years a choir member, 25 years an honoured member of the session and for many years church treasurer. _ During ‘he whole period he was untiring in his efforts in every endeavour to the extension or Christ’s Kingdom in our midst. The work among the young in the Bible classes and Sunday schools is in good heart and again we record our appreciation of a faithful and devoted band of leaders and teachers. The Boys’ Brigade and Life Boys continue to prosper and have proved an unqualified success. We commend the officers for their painstaking work and enthusiasm and the rank and file for the splendid spirit they have thrown into their ■work. The P.W.M.U. continues its good work as a real live missionary organization. The choirs, as for many years past, continue to lead their services of praise m an inspiring manner. We again commend the devotion and enthusiasm of the. choirmasters and organists. In conclusion may we say that although the period covered with this report contains nothing in the way of extraordinary achievement, we believe it provides a record of steady and unremitting effort.”

After a number of other reports had been presented Mr Gardiner mentioned that the meeting had been most instructive as well as profitable to him. It was a real inspiration to hear over twenty reports, especially when one thought what all those organizations stood for. . The missionary movements, both Maori and foreign, were helping in wonderful work with their contributions and the faithful devotion of the workers, especially the youth workers, was Christian service of the highest order as was also the irksome work of the elders and deacons. ‘‘We thank God that he has united us in Ulis congregation which is part of the family of God," he said. ‘‘Being united in this permanent manner may we press forward to ,even greater efforts in tho service of God.”