Riverton Presbyterian Church.

Western Star, 9 October 1908, Page 3

Riverton Presbyterian Church.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING., The annual meeting of the, Riverton Presbyterian Church was held last night in the Victoria Hall. The attendance was very good, and showed the active interest tl/al is taken in the church by its, members and adherents. A large number of people drove in from the country, representing well the districts of Tiiornbury and Gropers Bush. Hie I platform had been artistically decorated by the ladies, and with its floral decoratJons arid big cushioned armchairs looked very pretty and comfortable. Rev. . 0. A. Gray, M.A., occupied the chair, and there were on the platform with him Rev-, Kirkland, of Waianiwa, Rev. Mackey, from Win ton, and Mr George Robertson, treasurer of the Deacon’s Court. Proceedings commenced with the singing of the "Old Hundredth.” An apology was read bom Mr Hewat who iiac) been unavoidably detained. ’The chairman then, in the aKsenoo of the session clerk (Mi' Hewat) read the report of session. Tins disclosed a very healthy state of affairs in connection with the life of (he congregation. It dwelt upon the various spheres of activity in the church and showed that they were many, and were the cause of much good steady work. The attendance at services had been steadily mm using, and was now as high as it had been for the past sixteen years.

[work undertaken by the congregation !in supplying services to the cutfiolfi(3 ‘during the year. This was the first ; time the church had undertaken to carry on such work through the winter and it spoke significantly of the missionary spirit of -'he members that they had thought it fit to do so. The report concluded with a loyal appreciation by the session of its minister.

j Mr Gray, in speaking to the report [said that it was very gratifying to i him to see such flourishing life in his congregat on. Our gratitude must be expressed to the Groat Head of the Church, ip. whose mercy we had progressed. He then went on to speak of the different organisations connected with the church, mentioned in the report. First of all there was the Sunday school. Its numbers wore excellent, and above all the enthusiasm and spirit of the | teachers was very high. Mr Gray ! personally thanked them, and paid ja high tribute to 'the work done at j Thornbury and Gropers’ Sunday j schools also. He showed that the following organisations were in existence in the church, and all doing gvod work ; Throe Bible Classes, Presbyterian Womens’ Missionary Union, and Band of Hope Society. Choir practices had been held regularly, and the deep gratitude of nhe people was due to Mr Tarlfon for his untiring efforts.

The report was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The treasurer (M»r Geo. Robertson) then presented his report. He said that as copies of the balance sheet had been distributed already, he would not read it. In a few brief and pointed remarks he expressed satisfaction at the financial aspect of the annual report. There was a good credit balance, and the contri-

'button to the Sustentation Fund had been increased. Still, he thought it desirable that this should be further augmented. There had been a marked steady improvement of the financial position during the past two years. The Ladies’ Guild was to be thanked for the valuable assistance they had rendered by their increasing work, through which) they had made handsome contributions t 0 the church funds. The treasurer’s report was then submitted and carried with acclamation.

After several musical items, Mr Gray then announred that he had a very pleasing duty to perform. There were times when a minister needed help, when- he looked for someone to ■whom he could go for advice and consolation. There were times when ■the congregation passed through a crisis and needed strong men. Ha felt it was a good thing- sometimes to say what we thought of our Mends ; it was a better thing to express our gratitude to them in tangible form. There was a friend !of the congregation with, them toI night, a strong man upon whom they had often leaned hard, a man who bad always been to him a refuge in time of depression, and who had always had a word of comfort, and a song of cheer. That man was Mr George Robertson. Mr Gray said it gave him great pleasure to present Mr Robertson, on behalf of the congregation with a roll-top dak writing desk and table combined. The gift is a Handsome on®, and bears the following inscription ‘‘To George Robertson, Esq., from the office-bearers and congregation of the Riverton Presbyterian Church, in recognition of his services as treasurer and clerk of the Deacom’s Court for the past sixteen years."' Mr Robertson, taken by surprise, said ho found it difficult to evepress his feelings at the present moment. What he had done for the church had always been done with gladhess and pleasure to himself, Mr Gravy’s remarks about him he thought a little extravagant. ' He thanked the people with deep feelings for the#r kindness.

Addresses 'were given by the Rev. Moretend, vidar of the Anglican Church, Mr Mackey and Mr Kirkland.

During the evening music was rendered by the choir, and individual friends of the congregation. Solos were given by Misses' Ash, Cavill and Prentice, and Mr Philp. Miss Prentice and Miss Mclnnes sang a duet, Thesinging of the choir, under the leadership of Mr Tarlton was a feature of the evening.

In an interval refreshments wdi'e handed round) by the ladies, and were much appreciated. Votes of thanks were passed to the ladies, and those who had made the evening so pleosant. The proceedings were brought to a close .by the singing of the Doxology.,