THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1833, 20 August 1913, Page 4

THE CHURCHES.

ST. JAMES'S ANNUAL REPORT. Tho aunual roportto be presented at tho annual meeting' of the congregation of St. James's Presbyterian Church on August 20, states that the communicant membership was 301, as against 359 at tho close of the preceding year. Tho names added by examination, mostly of young people, wero 31, and on certificates 32: a total of GU; aud the disjunctions from .membership were four by death and 57 by removal irom the district, the latter figures showing more than usual tho unsettled nature of the population. At the quarterly communion services tho attendances were:—September, 23G; December, 22G; March, 211; June, 240 (a record). In the course of the year tho attendance at the ordinary Sunday services has shown a noticeable increase.

There has been a revival of interest in. the weekly prayer meeting, with a larger attendance, and this, with, the ai'tor-ser-viee meeting oh Sunday evenings, have been a source of help and encouragement. The number of baptisms during tho year was seventy-nine—two adults and seventy-seven infants. The Minister conducted service at forty-four burials. The following figures relative to the congregation are given for comparison with previous annual reports:—Communicant members, 301; non-communicant members-over 16 years of a.ge, 72; young persons under 10 years of age—about 420; families represented by communicant and lion-communicant members, 215; other families which' have been receiving regular visitation, 80. Pastoral visitation of the members and adherents of tho congregation; and of others has been steadily pursued by the Minister, who has given also prompt and helpful attention to every ease of sickness or sorrow brought to his notice. Tho minister has as Moderator, tho pversight of the combined Home Mission Stations of Island Bay, Miramar, and Seatoun. The ladies Visiting and Social Committee continued their work steadily, and paid 391 visits dilring the year. , It became necessary to have an election of elders, and Messrs. J. Brooker, J. M. Johnston, J. Eeid, K. Richmond, and D. Ryrio were duly elected, and subsequently ordained. It further becamo necessary to' fill their places in the Deacons' Cburt, and this'was done by'the appointment, at a congregational meeting, of Messrs. J. Hamilton, T. Hook, H. M'Allum, T. M. Murray, \V. Eowntree, and G. Scott. The Sunday School work; for tho year was carried on with much satisfaction in all respects. The number of scholars is now 3G0—157 boys and 203 girls—an increase of 14 on preceding year's total. The average attendance in the primary department was 78, and for the whole school 23G. In tho Sunday School, as in tho church membership, the ever-chang-ing; character of the population of the district is prominently brought out. Tho Cradle 801 l now contains M 7 names. The staff of tho school is 2(J> teachers and four officers. Gratitude is expressed to the ladies of Hie Sunday School Visiting Committee for tho time devoted by them to making inquiries regarding . absent scholars. Spscial. attention js being directed to the praise of the school, and there is great promise of a pleasing improvement in this being effected very 60011.

The Junior Young Men' 9 Biblo Class has now twenty-two members. ' A contribution in aid of tho Canton .Villages Mission was again made by the class. The Young Men's Bible Class lias a very useful year's work in several directions to look back upon, and is now in a position that holds promise of substantial benefit to its members. ' The year has closed with thirty-four on the roll. The class showed .its sympathy .with missions and social service work.

The Young 'Woman's Bible Class roll now contains tweuty-nino names. The Turakina Maori Girls' School has again had the financial support of. the class, and active assistance was rendered at the annual sale of work. Tho senior division of the Young Peolilo's Society of Christian Endeavour held its regular meetings throughout the year. ■ The work of the junior division has been, well maintained, with an average attendance of thirty at the Sunday morning meotings.

The St. James's branch of tho Presbyterian Women's Missionary Union .has carried on its work, and held its monthly meetings. The branch has 82 members. . - The collections for tho year amounted to ill 7 10s., and it is intended to hold a "parcel teia" in September, in aid.of Dr. Kirk's hospital in the Canton villages. The circulation of tho "Harvest Field" continues to \ grow. The Maori Mission Birthday League continues to flourish, and has a membership of 113. The Dorcas and Orphanage branch of the union's work has been successfully carried on.

!• Tho operations of the Ladies' Sewing Bee and Guild were diligently pursued during the year, tho total amount derived from sales of work being .£136 15s. sd. The alterations to tho pulpit havo been satisfactorily carried out by contract, at a cost of !'3l 125., and the lowering of the front of' the choir gallery will be done by somo of the competent members of the congregation as soon as possible. The warmest ithanks are due to Mr. W. K. Potter, as choirmaster, and to Mr. D. C. Armstrong, as organist, for their valuable and honorary services, and 'to tho members of tho choir for their esteemed assistance in tho pleasurable ren-, dering of the Servico of Praise, l'n this' connection it is desired to acknowledge with appreciation the warm interest and practical assistance accorded by the choir in giving a very successful concert in aid of tho Organ Fund, which, it is understood, will be followed by others for the same object. Tho audited statement of tho lion, treasurer shows the receipts and disbursements on general account for the year. The income from regular sources displays an increase of .£37 9s. 9d., and tho larger attendances at tho ordinary Sunday ser-. vices are to some .extent reflected in tho raising of tho average collection from .£0 10s. sd. to .£G 17s. 2d. per day.. The drop in revenue from seat rents, winch was experienced in the year before, was partially regained by .£ll Is. 3d. more being received from this source.

This satisfaOtory position is largely duo to tho saving in expenditure secured by 'the esteemed honorary servioes rendered lo the congregation, and a lesser amount being- payable for interest through the debt on 'tho church property having, principally by the continued exertions of. tho ladies of tho congregation, been reduced from ,£llOO to .£BOO. .The total revenue from all sources ivas nearly <£600. Tho total amount collected, on behalf of missions through 'tho several organisations of tho Church, and duly handed over, was JC3S lis. -Id. The Rev. Mr. Sliirer has now been for twenty-five years the minister of tho congregation, and iu concluding this report it is only fitting tlint tho opportunity should be taken to give expression to the esteem with which liis continued devotion and untiring zeal is regarded, and of appreciation of the practical helpfulness of Mrs. Shim- in carrying out many arduous duties. In this history of the Church for the past year will be found tho evidence of an earnest spirit pervading its several activities, and 1 of a measure of advancement. and success over difficulties that should form a source of. gratification.

KENT TERRACE. Tha report to be presented at the annual meeting of the Kent Terrace Presbyterian Church this evening states that much goocl work of a practical character has been effectively carried out under tho direction of tho session. Arrangements ore well in progress for having a house-to-houso. canvass of the district, with tho view of inducing any who are not connected with any other church to attend and attach themselmes to this house of worship. Attention lias been given to tho subject of making tho Sabbath services increasingly effective and attractive, and out of consideration for many pcoplo who now live at a distance, but stil ldcpiro to retain their membership, it has been resolved for tho future to make tho service's a little briefer. Tho change has given much satisfaction. 13oth tho deaconato ami the session have been weakened by deaths; and removals, and need reinforcement. The attendances at the Lord's Supper have been: July 131!, October 159, Januarv 146, and in April 191. The average 157, or 53.4, of-tho membership. Tha additions to the Communion roll were 36 (ccrtificato 1, examination 18), and tho removals li deft district 10, non-attend-

ance 1, resignation 1, death 2). Tho number oil tho Communion roll is 291.

The year lias been on« of many changes in tho Sabbath School, and for some unexplained reason (says the report) thenhas been an exceptional ebb and flow in the scholars attending the school, anil at tho end of June tho decrease in numbers is 28 leas than at the same time last year. Tho total on tho roll is 223 (108 boys and 115 girls), with an nverags attendance of 12!), a very slight improvement on the previous-year. Home alteration of method has been adopted in (he infant class. Sister Elizabeth and Hiss Janes, assisted by several girls from the Uible Class, introduced several of the ideas of Mr. Archibald and Jliss Archibald, who visited Now Zealand to addre,-s gatherings of Sunday School teachers during the year. The iunovations have proved very interesting to tho little boys and girls. Unfortunately, lack of fltfur-snace is a serious drawback to effective work. The number of teachers on the staff at present is 20 (8 ladies and 12 gentlemen), ;tll of whom are on the church roll of members. Tho Young Women's Class lias had soma changes of leadership. At preseitt Miss N. Bertinshaw is ill charge. During the year tho class supplied no fewer than seven teachers to tho Sunday School. The Young Men's Bible Class is under the leadership of Messrs. C. S. I'alconer and A. E. Caddick, M.A. During tho yearMr. A. 11. Kobinson, M.A., resigned his position as sub-leader, having accepted a position on the staff of Nelson College. There are 19 names on tho roll. The Senior Endeavour Society has Mr. H.-Hailor for its president, and a roll of 13 active members. , During the year G active members, wero lost and 3 gained, the average attendance being about 15. The societ> lias continued to assist at the meetings held fortnightly, oil Sunday evenings at the Ohiro Home, and provided a most enjoyable social for the old people at Christinas time. Once a month a service lias been taken on board one of the Homo boats, and on tho same evening a tea provided for the sailors. The Intermediate Society is a new venture, and under tho leadership of Mr. W. C. l'urdio is full cf promise. Mr. S. M'Dowall-is ia charge o£ thu Junior Society,