THE FIRST CHURCH.

Evening Star, Issue 4056, 25 February 1876, Page 2

THE FIRST CHURCH.

_The annual soiree in connection with the First Church was held last night, but the attendance was not so numerous as on previous occasions The chair was occupied by the pastor (the Bev. L Mackie). The session’s report, congratulated the congregation on their increased liberality. There are 452 members on the roll, 95 having been added, and only six left during the year. There were fifteen elders who, with the Bev. Lindsay Mackie, formed the session, and associated with them eleven deacons forming the deacons’ court. The treasurer’s balance sheet showed the total receipts during the year to have been L 3.727. To the Sus tentation Fund there had been contributed L 530 being Ll2O more than last year. There were close upon 800 members on the roll. The Sunday School was under the care of thirty teachers, while there wore 280 scholars on the roll, with an average attendance of 2 oon fine Sundays. The accommodation being insufficient, the mmagement bought the Mission House in Bussell street from the Independents, and had last week accepted a tender to enlarge it to double its present size, and make it comfortable. Mr Couston had been appointed Superintendent of this school, at which there was an attendance last Sunday of 115 scholars. Additions have been made to the library during tbe past year. The Ladies’ Missionary Association, the objects of which are—lst. To cai e for any poor connected with the First Church congregation who, from sickness or other causes, are reduced to such straits as to need the helping hand of a true Cbj|jtion sympathy ; 2nd. To collect the offerings of the congregation for the heathen missions of the Church, has under Its consideration the advisability of making ud a box of material to be sent by the Dayspring to the Church's missionary at the Hebrides (Mr Milno). The reports were adopted. The following gentlemen were nominated for the election of six deacons of session:—Messrs Keith Ramsay, Cl. Adams, Moody, John Mackay, Saunders, T. Brown, E. M’Naughton, Archibald Die, Wm. Couston, P. Dunoon, Ingles, Cameron, Hislop, P, Dick, juu., Edward Kennedy, Robert Hunter, Finlaysou, P. Duulop, James Muir, James Curie, jun., and Alex. M'Leod. A vote of thanks to tbe choir (who «nng excellently several selections during the evening) and to the Bev. Chairman brought the proceedings to a close.