ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 1, 17 August 1911, Page 7

ST. ANDREW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual congregational meeting of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church was held on Tuesday evening in the church, the llev. J. M. Thomson, M.A., presiding. The night being inclement the attendance was. not. very large. The various reports showed a prosperous state of affairs, the financial report especially being exceptionally happy. The session report also showed a net gain in membership of 11, there being 18 disjunctions during the year and 29 additions. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the superintendent and staff of the Sabbath school, to the Ladies’ Guild, and to Mrs Campbell in connection therewith, and also to the Minister for the past year’s work, and continued confidence was affirmed in him as minister. At the meeting of managers thereafter high appreciation of Mr J. W. McMillan’s secretarial service during the year was expressed, and a cordial vote of thanks accorded him, lie being unanimously re-qppointed to the office.

MANAGERS' REPORT. The following report for,the year 1910-1911 was read:— The Management Committee have pleasure in submitting a, brief but happy report of a prosperous year in connection with the congregation’s finances. Tire balance-sheet speaks for itselfthe gross receipts being MSI 12s:f:7d, the best in many ways in the history of the church. The Sabbath bcJlleclions and ‘sustentalion fund totalled about £2OO find £IOO respectively,' while the various special funds and ) appeals have met with a most cordial and liberal response. The outstanding feature of the year’s work is in the fhet that of the largo gross receipts over £430 has been contributed , .direct, by straigbUdnt giving by members and adherents of the church filone, less than £SO (£47 18s 9d) being credited to socials, sales of work, anniversary tea, rent, etc. This year wo have the pleasant and unique experience for many years back of closing accounts without any overdraft or arrears. The overdraft was extinguished by special effort of the committee, the credit being mainly due in this connection to Messrs Wake, McCluggage, McCormack, and Mrs Savage. Wo have also the happy experience of carrying over a credit balance of £2l 16s Bd, while our liabilities have been reduced by £B3 14s 6d, thus improving our position by over £lO5 for the year. The Ladies’ Guild have raised some £4O for the painting and cleaning of the church and schoolroom, which have now been thoroughly renovated, and the Guild is heartily thanked by the managers for their assistance in this mneh-de-sired work. The anniversary function was of special interest this year being the 21st, and, favoured with good weather, it was again an unqualified success. The managers have met regularly during the year, and have also held special meetings which have on the whole been well attended. The special work undertaken was the reinstitution and reorganisation of the sustentation fund, and this has now, thanks to the ready and: liberal response of tho members of the congregation, been placed on a sound basis, and the members are asked to continue this hearty support to this most necessary fund. Tho seat-letting has been in charge of Mr G. Smart, and this branch of organisation also shows marked improvement. The managers

would recommend the roinstituti.on of the envelope system for the Sabbath collections as far as practicable. Wo have to specially thank our late organist Mr Newton, and the choir for their valued services in connection with the church functions. We have also to thank the young people for their assistance towards the payment of the last quarter’s interest hy holding a social lor the purpose. In conclusion, the managers .desire .to thank the congregation for the way they Imre supported them during the year and furthered their efforts, and also the minister, Mr Thomson, for his unfailing ‘and most ready and' valuable assistance to the committee in every branch of its work, and above

all they would humbly praise and thank the Lord, the Giver of all gilts, for the prosperous year vouchsafed to us.