S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2114, 26 January 1886, Page 3

S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

The following report will be presented at tlie annual meeting of the parishioners, this evening : — Report of the Vestry ok S. Andrew's Cambridge, for the Y eau Ending Dec. 31st, 1885. The Vestry in reviewing the work of the past year have again to ask the Paiiahioners to joiu with them in thanking God and taking courage. For though the general depression in financial matters which has existed for several years has increased rather than diminished, the work of the Church has not been hindered. On the contrary there are good signs of progress, as evidenced in the steady, albeit small increase of numbers attending the Sunday and week-day services, the steady increase of communicants, the progress made in the Sunday-school, and the interest manifested in the recent Church Mission. This is the more remarkable considering the loss in population which has of necessity followed upon continued depression. The Mission.— The great event of the past year has of course been the Mission, which was conducted by the Rev. Charles Bodinjjton, Vicar of Christchurch, Lichfield, in the month of November. The mission lasted for six days. Besides the evening services which were attended by an average congregation of 220, there weie addresses given especially to men, and to women, and to children, which were veiy well attended. The congregation at all the services increased from day to day, and but one opinion was expressed us to the Rcceptablenecs of the misMoner's work and teaching in thia district. The Vestry feel sure tli.it the solemn services of the Mission have left an impression in the minds of many that time will not efface. Sunday School. — During the Utter part of the year the Sunday school has had the great advantage of having for its superintendent Mr w. S. Stewart, 8.A., master of the Cambridge High School. Mr Stewarts well known capabilities as an organiser and school disciplinarian have had a great effect in infusing new life, and never before was the Sunday School in so flourishing a condition. Mr Sanders gives the same earnest help that be has always done, and is a most valuable co-adjutor to Mr Stewart. The number of scholars on the roll now is , and the average attendance . The number of teachers is . Out-districts.— The Incumbent hns during the past year continued to visit the various out-districts as before. From the Ist January, however, he will discontinue his visitations to Matamata, Richmond and Lichfield, which will henceforth be cared for by the Home Mission clergy, until a district can be formed and a clergyman appointed. This change is rendered necessary by the failure to obtain the help of an assistant minister for the district. Great hope* were entertained a year ago that the services of a suitable assistant would be immediately obtained, but they were not fulfilled. The altered circumstances of the district seem now to point to the importance rather of curtailing the Incumbent's sphere of operations, so that he may be able to do the home work better. _ But .though he will cease to visit the districts named, he has the satisfaction of seeing them (through the near opening of the Thames Valley Railway) brought into comparative nearness to the Home Mission clergy. Choir. — The vestry recently appointed Mr Thos. Hartley to the office of choirmaster at a salary of £25 per annum. In making the appointment they bad the hearty approval of all tha choir member?, and they made it under the conviction that some change was necessary, and that hii services would tend to make the choir more efficient. The appointment was a tentative one for three months only, but it will probably require a longer trial before showing satisfactory results. Attendance at Services.— The avers ge attendance at divine service on Sun<toy« , was 11-f, at Holy Communion 19. Fridty garvipes have been held throughout the year, and the average attendance exclusive of special occasions was 15. The baptisms were 40 ; marriage*, 3 : and burial* 9. <f#T/HCH a»& Schoou— Th© «hurgh, aatf

school which were being painted at the time of the last report aro in excellent re* pair. Parsonage.— Nothing hnsbeen done to the parsonage since last annual meeting. Some necessary improvements are now being effected, but some plan for more general improvement and enlargement ought soon to be devi&ed and carried out. Finance,— An abstract of the accounts shows the receipts for all purposes last year to have been £'518 as against £581 in 1884 ; and the expenditure (including £50 on account of sinking fund) £588 an against £.">97. The offertories were £2 less, the seat rents £11 more, and the subscriptions ■ £35 more. In 1884, however, a large sum [ was received for the bells fund. The , church loan stands now at £550. As the building fund and bells fund are now > practically closed and drawing entirely on . the ordinary revenue it is proposed in f future to simplify the accounts by making , all one fund.

Thanks.— The thanks of the parishioners aro due to Messrs C. Chitty and R. W. Dypr for their services tin lay-renders, to Messrs W. S. Stewart and F. J. Sander-*, and the other teacheis of the Sunday School, and to the members of the choir, and the guild of rinpfera. May God Almighty be graciously pleased to accept the labours of His servants, unworthy though they be. May He mercifully pardon what has been done amiss in the past, and guide His servants aright in the future, for Jesus Christ's sake. Wm. N. de L. Willis, Chairman.

Expenditure. £ s. d. Excess of liabilities to 31st December over assets as per statement ... 48 11 8 Incumbent 280 0 0 Organist and assisUnt ... ... ... 22 12 0 Choirmaster 25 0 0 Verger _. ... 14 C 0 Gardener 6 10 0 Insurance 21 0 0 Lighting 9 0 9 Sundries 35 9 0 Interest and sinking fund W 0 0 Total expenditure ... ... ...£555 13 6 .Receipts. £ s. d. General offertory 200 0 0 Seat rents 100 0 0 Contributions from out-districts ... 40 0 0 Rent of school 15 0 0 Social gathering-, lecture, cencert ... 30 0 0 Subscriptions required to balance ... 170 13 6 Total receipts £555 IS 0

general fund. Receipts. £ s. d. £ s. d. To balance at credit Jan., 1885 2? 9 0 „ Subscriptions tostipend and general lund ... 151 18 6 „ Contributions irom outdistrict* 78 Q 0 „ SeAt rents 66 5 0 „ Offertories, general ... 176 19 9 t> >, i special ... 35 6 2 „ „ . 212 511 „ Collections, Bee, for Sunday School ... 29 0 0 „ Rent of school 18 4 0 Total £584 0 5 Expenditure. By Stipend and salaries— Clcrpjman 275 16 8 Organist 20 0 0 Verger 23 12 0 Gardener 6 8 0 _ . . ... 325 17 2 „ Parish contributions — Sunday school ... 29 9 0 Building fund 11 2 10 Parochial mission ... 5 0 0 Home mission ... 017 4 Mdanesian mission... 4 7 3 Pension Fund 2 11 4 SPCK 13 8 Maori Fund 4 4 co 13 - „ Improvements to property — Church and School 65 12 6 Lighting 7 8 2 Insurance 21 1 3 Sundries 45 3 2 Balance at credit, December. 58 2 7 584 0 5 building fund Receipts. To Balance at Credit— Jan. 1885 ... 12 d 0 „ Offertories n 2 10 „ Social Gathering (less expenses £i 2s id) 17 5 5 „ Balance at Debit, December ... 57 2 9 Total 98 0 0 „ . « Expenditure. By Interest on Loan to July 48 0 0 Sinking Fund 50 0 0 1 98 0 0 BELLS rUND. — r> • . Receipts. To Balance at debit, December, 1885... 8 13 10 r> r. t ... Expenditure. By Balance at debit, Jan. 1885 8 13 10 ASSETS AND LIAIULITIES. (less liability balance of loan, £550.) a n Assets. Cash in hand at date (see quarter accounts) 23 3 7 Seat Rents due (good) 30 0 0 Subscriptions ... 20 0 0 Out-districts 13 2 6 Excess of Liabilities over Assets ... 48 11 6 A t f; I a P a 134 17 7 Liabilities. Overdraft at Bank [see Dec. quarter!... 30 17 7 Salaries 37 0 0 Parsonage Expenditure, say 20 0 0 Parochial Mission account, say ... 10 0 0 Interest on Loan 24 0 0 Sundry Accounts, say ,".' 13 0 0 n _______ 1 Total... 134 17 7 (

Estimated Receipts and Expenditure for 18S6.

Statement 01 Receipts and Expenditure for ant Year ending Due. 31st, 1885.