FIRST church

Southland Times, Issue 25367, 20 August 1935, Page 4

FIRST church

annual meeting of CONGREGATION YEAR’S ACTIVITIES The annual meeting of the First Presbyterian Church congregation was held last night when the Rev. A. G. Mackintosh Carter presided over a large attendance. The 75th annual report stated (inter alia): — “Seventy-five years (three-quarters of a century) have passed since our congregation was established with its roll of 105 members and the induction of the late Rev. A. H. Stobo on June 29, 1860. The name of the Rev. Alexander Bethune, M.A., however, will for ever be associated with the religious history of Southland inasmuch as it was he who on November 10, 1856 (nearly four years before Mr Stobo’s induction) conducted the first Sunday service ever held in the district in a building which stood on a section on the corner of Dee and Tay Streets. Regularly thereafter under a variety of circumstances he conducted Divine service for the people until the advent of a fully ordained minister. It is worthy of note that after Mr Stobo’s induction the first office-bearers were elected and ordained on June 23 of the following year. These were the Rev. A. Bethune, Thomas Ferguson and James Bennett (elders), and Thomas Watson, Kenneth Finlayson, William H. Calder, A. J, Elies, and John Blacklock (deacons). Mr Thomas Watson had charge of the Sunday School and was clerk of the Deacons’ Court, the Rev. A. Bethune was elected clerk of session and Willie Steel was appointed beadle. The congregation now fully manned proceeded to fulfil the duties of the high office to which, in the Providence of God, it felt itself called. How well it has been true to its trust only the Great Day will declare. “The outstanding event of the past year, 1935, was the resignation of Sister Janet as deaconess in consequence of continued indisposition. The congregation deeply regretted the severance and showed their love and goodwill by presenting her with a suitable parting gift. A minute, expressive of the session’s appreciation of the valuable services rendered by her to the Church during her 13 years’ connection therewith was entered in the records. “Our Minister has continued to present to us with zeal and earnestness the old story of the Cross in all its beauty and power. His pulpit ministrations continue to meet with acceptance and in pastoral visitations, especially amongst the sick, his visits are much appreciated. His health has been good and has enabled him to fully undertake the manifold duties of an extensive pastorate. He has attended 22 funerals, conducted 22 marriages, baptized 14 children (13 of this number in the church), and has, in addition to the week evening services, conducted the Junior Boys’ Sabbath Morning Bible Class. The session wishes him and his family God’s richest blessing in the performance of his duties and prosperity within the walls of Zion. The choirmaster, organist and church officer have all been true to the trusts reposed in them. The attendance at the diets of worship on the Lord’s Day have been consistently maintained during the year. “A Christian Endeavour Society was instituted during the year which is proving helpful to the spiritual life of its members. Forty-six members were added to the r 011—23 by profession and 23 by certificate. There have been 16 disjunctions—B by death and 8 otherwise—an increase of 30 for the year. The attendances at Communion were— September, 430; December, 445; March, 444; June, 431; an average increase of 16 over 1934. The attendance at the December Communion was the largest for very many years past. “Messrs R. *R. Macgregor and W. A. McCaw have represented the session in the Presbytery. Mr McCaw represented the session in the synod. Mr W. Farnie retired from the position of teacher in the Sunday School after a long period of 44 years’ active service in this important branch of the church’s activities. Mr Farnie had the distinction of being presented with the Assembly’s diploma of long service in 1924. The session sincerely thanks Mr Farnie for such self-sacrificing performance of duty. The session also notes with deep interest the retirement from the active ministry of the Rev. J. A. Asher, 8.A., of Napier—after eight years’ service in Gore and 36 in Napier. Mr Asher is a native of Invercargill and in his early manhood was a member of the Church and a Sunday School teacher. The Presbytery honoured our session clerk by electing him as its moderator during the term November, 1934, to March, 1935. Mr lan Rodgers has willingly acted as hon. carilloner as in years past. Mrs J. L. McG. Watson provided the wreath lor the memorial pedestal at the Anzac service. The ladies, under the superintendence of Mrs G. J. Yule, have embellished the Communion table and surroundings with exquisite flowers artistically arranged. Five handsome vases for the flowers were donated and dedicated as memorial gifts by friends and relatives to the memory of Miss May Strang, Miss Edna Cameron, Mr T. W. Hay, Mr Frank Bishop and Mr D. P. Campbell. A brass lectern was also gifted and dedicated for services conducted from the Communion table. The choir has rendered notable service at the various diets of worship. The evening anthem has been of .much spiritual help. The junior boy choristers, with their fresh, liquid voices, have been an inspiration at the morning services. To all the numerous and willing workers the session tendcis sincere thanks.” In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the Sunday school superintendent (Mr W. Aitchison) reviewed the work undertaken and accomplished by the various church organizations and suggested that the Sunday .School rally, which had been so encouraging, should be an annual fixture. . .. Mr W. A. Ott, m seconding the motion, expressed appreciation of the attention shown to the sick by the Minister. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. . „ , The report of the Deacons Court was also adopted. On the motion of Miss K. Griffiths, a comprehensive vote of thanks to all the workers during the year was carried unanimously. ANNIVERSARY CONCERT. At the conclusion of the annual meeting an enjoyable concert was held in Stobo Hall. The opening item _ was community singing led by Mr W. Ai»chison, after which a varied programme of excellent items delighted those present. The Rev. J. Smith (a son of a former minister of the church) was present from Dunedin and his interesting reminiscences of his boyhood days in the old manse greatly amused the audience.