ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1526, 23 August 1912, Page 2

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.

THE ANNUAL MEETING.

"MOVING STEADILY AHEAD." The annual meeting: of St. Joint's Church was held in the hall, Dixon Street, on Wednesday evening. Dr. Gibb occupied the chair, and thero was a representative attendance of office-bearers and members. In a few opening remarks, Dr. Gibb said that sometimes in face of tho diiliculties that encompassed tho path of tho Church, \in face oi what seemed to Ire th» growing secularism and frivolity _ol the people in general, something like fear took possession of tliem. How could they hops to keep the ting flying and fight a winning tattle against such odds? But their confidence was in the God who ruled the world in. the interests of the kingdom of His Son; and how well grounded that confidence was, every rear's work as they looked back upon it made very plain. The prospect might daunt if it were not for the retrospect. Was not that so, in Ihu light of their own experiencea as a congregation? Tho record of tho past year's work, which they were met to consider, was in mainy ways gratifying. Tho largo sura of money that had been raised for nihilistic purposes, tlio increasing mem fcership, ami many other features of the report, wero full of encouragement and hope. They justified ftt least a feeling of profound thankfulness to God for tho mercies He had vouchsafed, and of trust that His hand would still bo upon thorn for good. Dr. Gibb thanked the large band of loyal helpers, who made his task at once possible and gladsome, and expressed a hope that a still larger number of their adherents would come forward to share tho burden. The annual report, extracts from which have already appeared in our columns, was taken as read. II r. H. W. Kersley moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. It was evident that they-were moving steadily ahead. Tho pace would be even swifter if every member felt a. call to personal service. Mr. G. W. Jlorice, It.A., seconded the motion. It was natural that any body, on reviewing a year's work, should. emphasise tho successes that had been achieved, but it was clear from, the facts set forth in the report that in this case the spirit of optimism was fully justified. Nevertheless they should lay to heart that tho work in which they were engaged demanded a still greater devotion, and their ambition for the coming year must be to do even bettor than iii the year that had gone. Jl.r. G. A. Troup made reference to the work in connection with the Bible classes. He emphasised the importance to the church of its work among young men and women. Tho Church which had no youth was in a hopeless condition, and it was iv source of sincere gratification that Iso many young people were connected with their congregation, and, that the Bible classes were so strong and active. Tho record of wprk and giving in this department as set forth in tho report made pleasant reading, and he thought he could say that they had as fine a body of young men and women in their fellowship as in any church in all tho land. He noted the large percentage of tho membership of the classes that was in full communion with the church as an omen oi ■ happy augury. Sir. J. S. Jiutler endorsed Mr. Troup's remarks. Tho classes, he said, would be to n great extent a failure if they did not succeed in leading their members into definite fellowship with the CJiurch. But they did, and their devotion to the Church was further indicated by the fact that all their bcneficenco was directed to (support • of the schemes of the General Assewblv. Inferring to tho other features of the report, they wero to be congratulated, lie thought, on the amount of work and giv r ing which had been accomplished. But they ought to realise that though tho debit balance on tho working account had been wiped out, and a small credit realised this was due to special contributions in aid of debt reduction. A sum of ■£« was needed to mako income and ture tally in connection with the maintenance of the ordinances, etc., as distinguished from their contributions to outside objccts. Mr. R, T. Caldow dealt with tho report of the choir.' Good work had been done, but they needed more sopranos and basses, especially the former, which ought, always (o bo tho strongest parts. He invited recruits to come forward. The. practices wero delightful, and not only would they, by joining tho choir, render an important servico to tho church, but under Mr. Burnett's instructions, greatly gain themselves. Mr. Snodgrass referred to the weeknight service. It was well'attended, but not so well attended as it should be from the standpoint of their church membership. Ho had heard tho minister speak of the possibilities of homeliness in tho addresses and the atmosphere of , this meeting, and tho possibilities wero fully realised. If he had to limit himself to one service connected with tho church it would bo this servico ho would chcose. The meetings were delightful and profitable in tho highest degree, and the sustained study of the Scriptures supplied a kind of teaching which was not possible on Sundays. lie pleaded for a larger gathering. .Mr. W. Allan made reference to tho Sunday schools. This was a part of their work, in which, unfortunately, they could not possibly look for much success in tho way of (in enlarged roll. Tho Stato schools in the neighbourhood were decreasing, and a very large percentage of Presbyterians had migrated to tho suburbs; but tho schools wero in good heart, and doing an excellent work. They were, ho thought, justly -proud of the report for the year, as they were of their minister and their varied agencies and organisations. Mr. A. Howitt emphasised the need of the members showing hospitality to tlio youths of the church. Ho referred to tho help and backing lie had received when ho camo as a yonng lad to Wellington, from members of St. John's. In putting tho motion to adopt the report, Dr. Gibb mentioned that he had now completed the ninth year of bis ministry in Wellington. Ho had been looking "up the reports, and found these interesting figures:—During these nine years they had added to tho roll lOlfi names, and removed 703. This showed a gain of 308. Tho membership bad increased from ill to 71!). Tho motion was unanimously adopted. Votes of thauks were passed to the workers and to the gentlemen who at a cost of considerable time and labour bad audited the accounts.