PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1141, 14 March 1884, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETINGS. Congregational m -flings of the Alexandra and Clyde Presbyterian Church were held on the evenings of Wednesday and Thursday of last week. At Clyde the annual financial renort was submitted by Mr S.mart, and showed an increase of enntribut tons over the previous year of £47. On the motion of Mr Joss, the report was unanimously adopted, and a committee for the current year elected It was proposed by Mr Smart, seconded by Mr Harding, that a special and hearty vote of thanks he given to those ladies and gentlemen who had co lected for the gustonation fund during the past year ; and also to all the contributors who had so liberally responded to the calls made upon them on behalf of the Church. Mr Thomas Sims proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee; to Mr Masters for his assistance in conducting services and helping the choir during the year ; also to the choir and to Mr M'Connochie for his assistance in acting as precentor. The motion was carried unanimously, and it was

arranged that the uevr committee should meet on Saturday, the 6th April. At the Alexandra meeting on Thursday night, the report of the Kirk Session was read by the Chairman (the Rev. Mr Lothian) ! in the unavoidable alraenoeof Mr M'Neill, I Session Clerk. The report showed an increase of 16 members throughout the dis - I trict. and 20 baptiims. Ser 'ices had been conducted as often as possible at Alex mdra, Clyde, Ida Valley, and Bald Hill Flat, and also at most of the woolsheds during the shearing season. An earnest appeal on behalf of the Sabbath School was made to parents and people. Mr Robert Finlay presented the annual balance-sheet, which showed that the congregation bad been liberally supported considering the population ; and that a special effort had been made at Clyde which had been of great service. By this liberality the managers were able to clear off a debt of £4B 7s 6d, which was standing at the oeginning of the year, and also to add £25 to the minister’s sustenation fund, The report also suggested the desirability of having a Bazaar or Gift Auction about Christmas time in aid of improving and r< • pairing the church and manse and fencing in the glebe, and concluded by commencin'the sustenation fund to the liberal and dearty support of the district. On the motion of Mr William Thomson, seconded by Mr John M'Keuzie, the reports were unanimously adopted, and a number of new members added to the committee for the year. It was proposed by Mr Aldred, and unanimously carried, that a heaaty vote of thanks be given to the office bearers, especially to Mr M‘Neill, Session Clerk, for his services in connection with the Church and Sabbath School; and to Mr Robert Finlay, honorary secretary to the- Church ; also to Mr William Tbomson for representing the congregation at the Synod ; and likewise to the choir for their services in leading the singing from Sabbath to Sabbath in the congregation. Mr Finlay proposed a most hearty vote of thanks to all the ladies and gentlemen who had undertaken the onerous and important duty of collecting for the sustenation fund during the year, whose efforts had been so successful 5 an* l likewise to all the contributors to this central fund of the Church, by which we are enabled to have a minister settled in the district, and the ordinances of relirion regularly dispersed, and the gospel preached. Mr John M'Kenzie arid he had very great pleasure in seconding this motion. To she ladies they were much indebted for the ex ■ ce'lent manner in which they had helped the Church. The motion was carried unanimously, and thereafter collectors were appointed for the current year. It was announced that .arrangements had been made by the ladies and the Committee for bolding the annual social meeting of the united congregations in the Town Hall, Alexandra, on the evening of Wednesday, the 19th current. After a vote of thanks to the Rev. Mr Lothian, the meeting was closed.