ANNUAL REPORT OP THE PRBSBYTERIAN CHURCH, WILLIS STEET.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 3125, 16 February 1871, Page 3

ANNUAL REPORT OP THE PRBSBYTERIAN CHURCH, WILLIS STEET.

♦ — The following is tbo report of the above Church, held over from our last issue : — The Office. Bearers and Committee of Management to the Members and Seatholders of the Presbyterian Church, Willis street. Deab Friends, — It is our pleasing duty to lay before you, at this our annual meeting, a report on our congregational affairs during the past year, and in doing ao we feel that it well becomes us to acknowledge with devout gratitude, the poorness of Almighty God to us as a congregation, in preserving us in peace and comfort, and in continuing to us the enjoyment of our Christian privileges and blessings. Although there is nothing in our history during the puat year calling for special comment, yet there is much to awaken feelings of thankfulness. We have been enabled to pursue our way, to make quiet, steady progress, to maintain our position, both as to numbers and resources, and to carry on our various schemes and operations with activity and success. But comparatively few changes have taken place amongst us during the year, yet there are always a few changes occurring to remiud us that here we have no continuing city, no sure place of abode. Aa reported last year, there were members on the communion

We hare to regret the temporary absence of two of our office bearers, Mr William Gray and Mr Walter Turnbull, whose duties have called thorn to visit, the one America, the other Europe. That they are greatly missed by us, both in our meetings and our general intercourse, we need not say, for they are both most useful and generous hearted men, and earnest and efficient office- bearers, and most truly devoted to the intere3tu of the congregation. Our best wishes accompany them dnring their absenoe, our heartiest welcome will be given to them on their return. The Sabbath School continues in a healthy and prosperous condition, there being a considerable increase, both of teachers und scholars since our last report. The school is still ably superintended by Mr Francis Fraser. The advanced classes are efficiently taught by experienced teacherß,aßalßotheinfant department by Miss Patrick, assisted by Miss M'Xenzie. The attendance, on the whole, is very regular, and we trust that through the earnest labors of the teachers, a good work is being done, which, will bear abundant fruits hereafter. As a more detailed report of the Sabbath School will be read by the Secretary, we deem it unnecessary to add more. The Young Women's Bible Class, taught by the Minister, was held on Wednesday afternoons up till the close of the year ; abont twenty members joined and the attendance was fair, although, at times somewhat irregular. When it is resumed again, it is hoped that not only the old members, but others, will avail themselves of ifc, and seek by a regular attendance and diligent application, to derive the benefit from it which such a class is fitted to yield. The Young Men's Society, after being formed, was merged in a larger and more general society, which met in the Athenaeum. The weekly services held on Wednesday evenings, continues to be fairly attended. During the year a, series of short expositions of the parables was given, and a course of lectures h*3 been begun on the Epi&tle to the Thessalonians. This service, occuring as it does in the middle of the week, and giving an opportunity to Christian people to withdraw for a little from the cares and occupations of j the world, and to hold fellowship with their | common Lord, muat prove profitable to those who regularly attend, and leads to the wish that the members of such might be increased. For some weeks past a considerable number of the congregation have met on Monday evening for the practice of Psalmody, Mr James Wallace having kindly attended to condnct the singing. The meetings have been carried on with much spirit. It is an important exercise, os it impresses our knowledge of the Psalms with their appropriate tunes, which vre sing in the service of the Sanctuary, and as it is both our duty and privilege to serve God with our best, so also is it to sing his praise. For some time past nil available sittings in the Church have been let, and many have made application for pewa who cannot be accommodated. In these circumstances the question is pressed upon us whether it would not bo well to enlarge the church. It has been ascertained that this can be done at a very moderate outlay, and a proposal to this effect will be submitted to you this evening for your consideration. By carrying oufc this project ifc is anticipated that the revenues of the church will be increased and additional members added to the congregation, which is at present impracticable. From the financial statement which will be submitted to you, you will see that in regard to ordinary revenue we about maintained the position of last year. There is a falling off in the Sustentation Fund and a alight 1 decrease in the Sabbath collection9,butthißis accounted for and almost compensated by the iucrease in the amount collected for seat rents. Although it has been a time of general commercial depression, the congregation has nobly maintained its high standard of Christian liberality. We have thus presented you with a brief resume of the affairs of the congregation during the past year. It is a matter of thankfulness that tlrirags look so healthy and prosperous — yet when we think what wo might and ought to have done — what cause have we to be humbled ! and to ackowledgo our manifold unworthiness and our shortcomings. Muy we throughout this year seek to be more earnest — more faithful, more self-denying — more unwearied in every good word and work and the blessing of Almighty God will surely reet upon us. The balance-sheet, which was read, showed that the receipts of the church amounted to £768 2s 6d, and the disbursements to £752 8s Id, thus leaving a balance of £15 13s lid. The following resolution was> then agreed to : — " That an effort should be made to collect funds for the enlargement of the church, and that, subject to the necessary amount being subscribed, the managing committee bo empowered to proceed with the proposed alterations."

roll 128 Admitted aince by certificate ... 6 By examination „, 7 13 141 Left since 5 Deceused 2 1 Members at present on the roll „. 134