CHALMERS CHURCH.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14521, 17 August 1911, Page 6

CHALMERS CHURCH.

NINTH ANNUAL MEETING

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The ninth annual congregational meeting of Chalmers Presbyterian Church .was held in the Robert Jockson Memorial Hall last evening, there being considerably over 100 members and adherents present. The pastor, the Rev. A. Macaulay Caldwell, pros.ded. 'The mooting was opened with the Doxology and a brief prayor by the pastor.

, It was then agreed that the several annual reports should bo tuken as read :

The first report was from the pastor, Rev. A. Macaulay Caldwell, who cordially thanked the congregation for tho loyal way they had .supported him during the year, and for tho interest shown in his work. He liad been greatly cheered and stimulated in life work by tho large congregations at Chalmers Church, but ho would like to see an increase in the number of children at the morning service. During the year ho intended to conduct a special' pastoral mission in connection with tho congregation. The pastor expressed' his indebtedness to all ■ the church workers, and especially to Mr R. H. Bowie, Session Clerk, Mr McRao, Treasurer, and Mr C. G. Morgan, Olerk'of Deacon's Court.

' The report of Session stated that the Minister continued his work among the congregation with unabated zeal and ability, and his preaching gavo tho greatest .satisfaction. The most gratifying feature of tho services was the largo number of young people who attended. Early in the year the regular services at Clareniont and 'Washdyke were discontinued, tho Session feeling that to minister to a large congregation'like Chalmers -was quite as much as one man could undertake, but as there was a fairly Wge Sunday School at Washdyko, Mr. Caldwell, ratlier than lose touch with the people, had continued to conduct services there from time to time, which had been well attended and highly appreciated. In connection with these services Mr. Robert Davie had to be thanked.for his continued goodness in driving the minister to and fro and in other ways helping this good work. The Session hoped that the people of Clarecmont, Washdyke and surrounding districts would at no very distant date come forward with the support needed to provide regular church services for these districts. All the different organisations of tho Church continued m a healthy state. The Young .Women's Bible Class, under Mrs. Caldwell, and the Young Men's Class, under tho leadership of Mr Dalglish,. 8.A., had had a very successful year, but the Session felt, that the young people of tho church were not taking full advantage of these excellent opportunities of gaining Bible knowledge. Tho Main Sabbath School, with Mr. McKenzie as superintendent, continued to prosper. More teacher* were urgently needed. The Highfield Sabbath School continued, under the leadership of Mr. ,G. Dawson, to make good progress. 'Washdyke School under tho superintendence of Miss Devon was being oarried on very successfully. The Communion roll had again been thoroughly revised and now showed a total membership of 660, being 76 more than last year. 'Die admissions to the membership during tho year were 114 in all. The demissions were, by death 6, by removal 3S; a total of 44. During the year there were 21 baptisms, 20 marriages, and 6 deaths. Thanks were recorded to tho choir for their valuable services, and regretful reference was made to tb-j departure of the late church organist (Mr Moore), for Christohurch. Thanks wore recorded to all who had assisted in the work of tho church during tho year, the report concluding with a flattering reference to tho church, pastor and his wife.

The Deacons' Court reported:—The general account commenced with a debit balance of £lB2 6s 3d. The col- ! lections at tjie church services amounted to £lllO 9s sd. constituting a record average of £2l 6s lid per Sunday, as compared with an average of £l9 12s 6d last year. After paying all current expenses there, was a credit balance-of £l2O 10s lid. The sum of £lls 30s was paid in interest on debentures and Bank account, a slight increase on the previous vear. One £SO dofconture was paid off and £IOO issued during the year; £45 19s Sd was paid for interest, rates and insurance on the Manse propertv. T},; s item it was hoped will be considerably reduced during the incoming year, as _ tlw Treasurer proposed payiug £BSO off the Manse mortgage in tember. The special effort in collecting cfr. the reduction of the church debt, inaugurated by the Court during

ilic war , Met with a fair r.'ipim.sv, althfui-h nut in. n. ill,, tnimmir aimed at bv tho Court, i.e.. X'liHii). • To dale £3:13 03 had been collccfrd. The «-ollectiohs for nu.-sioaai-y piii|>e..-e.s -during the year amounted to £124 0s yd, including £7 from the .Sunday Schools, Young Women's Bible Class £5 10s, Young Men's Bible Class £lO 12s 6d, and tho P.W.M..TJ. £32. The congregation contributed £6 toward tho cost of supplying Bibles to the public schools I and £4 to Knox College, ' DuhedinThe winter course of lectures brought in the sum of £4O 4s 9d, and a. lecture given by Mr .T. Craigie in aid of the [ Sunday School realised £l3 17s fid. • The expenditure on tie church buildings had again been rather heavy, underground drainage at church and Manso costing £ll 9s 2d. During tho year tho total revenue raised from all sources amounted to £1.862 13a 2d. Tho gross amount of debt now Btood at £3220 10s lid; as against £3482 Gs 3d last year. Tho assets over liabilities were £2SS 13s !)d in excess of last year. In conclusion, tho Deacons' Court again draw the attention of members to the cnvelo])e system of contributing to tho church funds. The Court thaiiked Mr James Granger for gratuitously auditing tho accounts. Finally, the Court expressed its thankfulness for the great lihcrality shown by the contributions of the congregation to tho various funds,, and for. the keen interest taken in the welfare of tho church.

Reports on the Sunday Schools, and the various other church organisations were also read, these all being of a satisfactory nature. A detailed bal-ance-sheet was also supplied. Mr J. Robertson moved the adoption of tho session report, and, in doing so, stat«l that it was a very satisfactory one. There liad been a total actual increaso of 76 members, and that was highly creditable and satisfactory. Tho great eucooss was principally <mu to the untiring and sincoro efforts of tho minister. (Applause.)— The report was seconded and, without discussion, adopted, unanimously.

Mr B. Evans, in moving tho adoption of the Deacon's Court report and the financial statement, remarked on the very sound and satisfactory financial position of tho church. If matters progressed at tho same rate as during tho past year, tho church building would bo paid off in seven years. A pleasing feature was the increaso m the envelope collections, the net increase on tho previous year being £4B Mr R. H. Bowie, speaking to the Sabbath Schools reports, spoke also of the surprising progress that had besn made and said that the dearth of teachers was very disappointing. Mr A. McKenzie, Superintendent, referred to the shortage of teachers. The various other reports, all of a satisfactory nature, were adopted. Mr Saunders urged the necessity of a weekly prayer meeting and of Christian Endeavour work.

Mr McKenzie supported tho statement that Christian Endeavour work was needed, asserting that such a society had a bind.ng c-ffeet on the young folk and helped many on to Christianity.

The Rev. A Macaulay Caldwell said that the suggestions offored would receive the best consideration of the Session.

On the motkm of Mr J. G. Gow, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded all who had assisted in the management of affairs connected with tho church during the year. The Rev. A. Macaulay Caldwell then addressed tho meeting, dealing in a concise manner with the work of the church and tho various associations connected therewith. They should all be thankful to God for tho gr eat success of the year. Mr Caldwell traced tho history "of Chalmers Church, and gavo some interesting facts and ngures, showing tho very rapid and excollent progress made. From beginning of the church in 1902," the progress had been steady, and the

m,.,i.-y viiluularlly mi).-,,-, i',--i had inrivuscd imimallv. O,' i_h* late Unhurt .lackson. liriu; pastor (,? tiio church, th.. spca';cr hyri much r.raifßwnrtliy to i,ay. II" ro.mseiled the congregation to hold tue lato Robert Jackson's memory in the highest esteem, for ha was a man to be remembered—a man whoso | work would never perish. FTs was thankful for the. ['ncourngemc.it ha had | received from the congregation, aDd also from others. The present congregation had given him more encouragement than any previous one. Votes of thanks were accorded tho pastor and his wife. Enjoyable refreshments were then handed round.