GERALDINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Temuka Leader, Issue 4001, 22 January 1903, Page 2

GERALDINE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the Geraldine Presbyterian Church was held on Tuesday night, when there was a large attendance and the meeting was presided over by the Rev. A. B. Todd. The Rev. Mr Todd read the Session report as under In the providence of God the session is called to lay before you the report of another year ofcongregational work. In doing so it gives thanks to Almighty God, the Father of Mercies, . for all blessings enjoyed and for the measure of success attained, “ The Kingdom of God cometh not with observations.” Its marks are spiritual and inward, yet there are some outward evidences of the state of religion. One of these is attendance upon the means of grace The Session is pleased to note a gratifying increase in this respect in Geraldine, especially during the last six months. The evening service is attended largely by young men and women who are manifesting a deeper interest in Divine things. In some of the out-districts there has been a slight falling of! in attendance. The session urges all to take -advantage of the opportunities of worshipping God that are placed flu their way. “ Come thou with us, and we will do thee good.” The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed four times, the attendance of communicants being respectively 53, 73, 85, and 89. The Session is thankful to record this steady increase, and prays that it may be maintained. The average attendance of 75 is still below what should be, but this may partly be accounted for by the first Communion being held at Easter, when so many are from home. Eleven joined the membership of the Church, ten by examination, and one by certificate ; while seven received certificates of disjunction. The membership has thus increased by four, and the number now on the roll is, .158.

Fifteen children were baptised, 11 marriages celebrated, and 11 funerals attended. May the God of all grace comfort those whom he has bereaved! The election of Elders was held during the year, and Messrs K. Mackenzie and N. Campbell appointed to this responsible office. These young men have for many years taken a deep interest in the Church, and done their share of the work; and the congregation has thus shown its confidence in them. The attendance at the weekly prayer ' meeting has improved. The Sabbath School lesson forms the subject of address. Those who attend find this hour of fellowship during the week helpful and profitable, and are praying that God would graciously visit us and revive His work among us. In the large centres of population New Zealand has enjoyed a season of revival. Let, us pray that it may spread through the whole land. The Salbhath Schools are carried on with increased diligence. At Rangitata over 30 children attend and are taught by two teachers. The school'in Geraldine maintains its efficiency under the devoted supervision of Mr Colin Mackenzie, sen., whose report is appended. The Bible Class has a roll '.number of 20, who showed their interest in the work done by regular attendance and careful preparation. The subjects of of study were the Missionary journeys of Paul, and the History of the English Bible. £1 12s 3d was -contributed by the members to the Canton Villages Mission. The children belonging to the Band of Hope enjoyed their meetings during the winter as thoroughly as usual. They mustered above 70 boys and, girls. Their annual entertainment was carried out with much enthusiasm and was greatly enjoyed. Ihe service of praise receives due attention at the hands of the choirmaster and organ-

Ist, and the members of the choir. I he ladies are still in the majority. Gentlemen on whom God lias bestowed the gift of song will find here a sphere in which to exercise it. In the outdistricts we are indebted to several ladies who for years have acted as organistes and to whom our thanks are hereby given. The annua! parish gathering, held in . September, was as enjoyable and success-

ful as ever. Coarse weather interfered with the anniversary services, which were conducted by the Rev. W.

Wright, Oamaru, and were much enjoyed. The Session gives thanks to God for indications of His presence

and gracious working, and prays that His-Spirit may be more abundantly poured out upon us. May we realise more and more the need of His'presence' and power, and go forward “ Strong in the Lord and the power of His might.” Mr C olin Mackenzie, So nr., read

the Sabbath School report, which was to the effect that the past tear had been «n evctuf.il one to the Sunday

school, which was in this iv.-peet in keeping-with both the Church ami the Empire. The Church had reaped much benefit from tho Torry-Aloxander mis-

sion, the Empire, after pro.lou.ged hostilities, was at peace with the world

again. This latter fact was of particular interest dm conuectipn witfi the Sunday School, as amongst those brave men who had left New Zealand’s shores to take part in the war in South Africa were several former pupils of tho Sunday School. The past year had seen some changes in tho personnel of tho teaching stall. Some had ’left the locality, and some had been married. However,

the year was an exceptionally favourably one for the school, although the weather had not been of the best. This did not have any material effect on the attendance of scholars, of

whom there were 65, .with an average attendance of 52. The staff consisted of the following ladies and gentlemen —Mrs Todd, Misses Fyfe, Gibson, Watson, Anderson, Sherratt, Messrs J. Rodman and G. Sherratt; organiste, Miss Elsie Sherratt ; librarians, Misses E. Sherratt and Mabel Watt and secretary and treasurer, Miss A. Mackenzie. While the scholars put in a fair attendance and the teachers, as usual, worked with untiring devotion it is a matter of regret that so few of the pupils /were 'willing to their knowledge at the General Assembly’s examinations. The help of parents was solicited in inducing the children to enter the examination in future. The Sum contributed by the children to the missionary boxes for the Dayspring Fund was £6. The proceeds from the children’s Service of Song amounted to £4, and this sum was offperionced in making additions the schoolroom. Thelibrary now contains 330 volumes. The annual picnic was held at Four Peaks, M)(dly ],ont for the occasion by the Hon L Walker. The children were conveyed thither 'in /Miss Button’s drag. ThSe spot was one of the best that could bo chosen for the purpose, and the delightful native bush on the banks of the Hac-Hac-Tc-Moana river was fully appreciated, and an enjoyable day was spent . by one and all. Looking forward into the future the prospects are full of hope, fmd through the exercise of faith, prayer,

and continued efforts on tie part of all there |is every reason to believe that the seed will be sown in the minds of the little ones that will ultimately blnsfom forth and assist . ■ them to k. ■; ;-, od and useful Eves hme below, bring for them in^B the hereafter “ the bright inheritance of Saints in Jerusalem above.''’ Mr A. McLean Jnr. (secretary) read the Managers' report which was as iollows :

• the Managers have much pleasure at tiie expiration of another year in placing before you a general outline of the year’s work. AH things con- > skdored the year has been a saccess - ful one, which is very encouraging to the Managers, as it shows that the congregation as a whole are taking, an active interest in the welfare of the Church. The total receipts for the year were £199 13s 3d, and ' the total expenditure £443 tLs sd, showing a profit of £SO 8s lOd on the year s work, which must be considered satisfactory. Although the assets of the Church have recently been materially increased by the purchase of land and a new organ the bank overdraft has been reduced /from £l5O 4s Sd to £ll3 Is 7d during the twelve months. From the foregoing it will be £eon that the financial affairs of the Church are being conducted on a sound basis,'and on very economical lines, and the congregation have reason to be satisfied with the efforts of the managers in this direction. The church finances are now on a sound footing, and the managers arc looking forward to a time in the ■ nejar future when the Church property shall be fico Irom, debt, and earnestly so- 1 licit the support of the- congregation with a view to obtaining this end. The present debt when divided among A tlm members and adherents of the I Chinch is but a small amount per ■ head, and if all responded it should be nearly wiped off (with one special collection. The success of the year’s work must be attributed in-a large degree to the efforts of the present treasurer, Mr Rodman, who has worked very hard in the interests' of the Church, and to whom the managers ■ are very much indebted. The Sunday, collections for the year show a decrease of £2 4s, as cdmparqd with those of the previous year. This is not to be wondered at, as the, past year was marked by its large number, . ■ of wet Sundays. The Stipend collections show an , increase of £8 18s 8d over those of the preceding year and : compared with those of two years * back, an increase of £37 7s 4d. This

is Veijy gratifying to the managers, and tends to show that the member and adherents are helping forward the work of the Church, by keeping up their contribution, and it is encouraging to the collectors to. know that their efforts have not been in vain. The Parish Gathering was an unqualified success, the net profit being £2l 14s 2d as against £ls 14s ( Jd for the previous; year. This in itself is enough to show that the congregation is still evincing? an interest in the welfare of these gatherings. The Foreign Missions and Dayspring Funds are still well maintained and altogether the managers have reason to feel satisfied that their efforts for the advancement of the Church are being supported by the co-opera-tion of the congregation, which is a stimulus to them to go forward to the work of another year with renewed vigor. The tranks of the managers are due to Thos. Sherratt, wfio is now giving his services ns organist free of charge, to Mr Mongomery for his. services as choirmaster, to Hr Todd, for. his untiring efforts to further the advancement of the Church, and to all those who assisted at the

parish Gathering and in .Mission and Stipend collections. The retiring man-

agers are W. Beattie, W. Ashby, K. McKenzie and A. J. McLean.

Mr J. Rodman (Treasurer) read the balance sheet showing the finances of the Church to be in a satisfactory state as mentioned in the Manager’s report The several reports and balance sheet were adopted after members of the congregation .had expressed satisfaction at the prosperous year which the Church had passed through, which one and all considered was largely duo to the good work of the treasurer, Mr Rodman. It was dcided to have the reports, balance-sheet, etc., printed in phamphlet form as usual.

The Rev. Mr Todd moved votes of thanks to the Session Managers, the Sabbath School teachers, the collectors, the Secretary,, treasurer, choirmaster, organists and other, Church workers-, and Mr Archibald seconded this resolution.

Mr A. J. Mackay moved that the land deeds of the Church be transferred from tho present trustees to the Church property trustees, .Wellington. Mr A. Mackenzie seconded the resolution, and, after considerable discussion, Mr A. Mackenzie moved an amendment that the deeds remain where they are On • being put to the meeting the motion was rarried by a largo majority. The election of t ilieers then took place. Messrs W. Ashby, W. Beattie, A. McLean and Jos. Webb were elected managers i; Mr A. McLean was elected secretary, and Air .i. Rodman treasurer.

Mr Todd suggested rue advisability of forming a Presbyterian Women’s Missionary*.'Union ini connection with the Church. ,(Mr Todd’s suggestion was carried into effect at vue close of the noting, when the ladies of the Church met for that purpose.) Mr C. Mackenzie (senr) mover a hearty vote of thanks to the Press for the manner in which all meetings, etc. in connection with the Church had been reported. This was seconded by Mr D. McLeod. After the business had all been transacted the ladies dispensed tea and light refreshments, which brought to a close one of the most successful annual meetings ever hold in the Church. Acting on the suggestion of the Rev. Mr Todd a number of lady members of the congregation met after the annual meeting when it was unanimously resolved to form a missionary union. Mrs Todd was elected President Mrs R. Skinner, vice-president, Miss Anderson, secretary, and Mrs McColl treasurer. A committee of nearly all

the ladies present was formed and it was agreed to meet at a future date to make arrangements for the work of the Union.