FIRST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 19661, 14 September 1927, Page 15

FIRST CHURCH

ANNUAL REPORT In a foreword to the seventy-ninth annual report of First Church, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the congregation on Wednesday next, the Rev. Dr Herrington states that, while it was one of the glories of First Church that its members and adherents responded to every outside appeal for funds from the General Assembly or the community on behalf of the needy and unfortunate, it was imperative that they realise that the first call was for the revenue of First Church. He thanks the Rev. A. C. Watson for Ins valued assistance, Sister Elinor for her devoted work in many directions, tho clerks of session and Deacons’ Court, the treasurer, and the treasurers of tho debt extinction lund, the conveners of committees, the Sunday school workers and leaders of Bible classes, the ladies who so zealously and hospitably carry on their work, and, by no means least, the organist and choirmaster (Dr Galway), and all who help in the services of praise for their cooperation during the past year. The report states; The Kirk Session finds many evidences of progress in the life and work of tho church. The vision from this historic centre of Presbyterianism lias been world-wide and constant. When it is remembered that its members during the past year have raised a much larger contribution lor outside objects, such as missions and other Assembly enterprises, than lor its own revenue, one will readily see that First Church is a strong centre ot larreaching service. As our minister and his who become more deeply rooted in the hie of our community their obligations to kindred movements outside our own congregation are rapidly growing, and both Dr and Mrs Merrington arc giving themselves without stint to such calls as well as to the more immediate claims ol their own people. The congregation cannot but rejoice that tho minister ol our historic church is taking his rightful place as a leader in upholding the things that are more excellent. I’or the first time in the history of our congregation a daughter of the manse is leaving for the foreign mission field (Miss Merrington is now on route for India). Our own missionary (Dr John Kirk, of Kong Chucn Hospital, Canton) has been much in our thoughts during the recent troublous events in China", We rejoice in his noble service, and look forward to seeing him during his furlough, which is duo next year. We commend him again to the prayers of all our faithful people.

Tho attendances at communion reached a high level during the year. Seventy-two names were added to the roll, twciitv-ninc on profession of faith and thirty by certificate. The removals numbered thirty-two, including seventeen by death, leaving a gain of forty on the roll. , ... The valuable work which being done by Sister Elinor in the children’s church, which meets at Russel! street every Sunday morning, is of special note’. There is an attendance of about fifty children, who arc learning to conduct their own service. The session desires to express the gratitude felt by the whole congregation to the ladies ol the church who. througly the Ladies Association, the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union, and tho Young Women’s Club, continue to make progress in their numbers, their activities, ami their contributions to the causes that need assistance in the world. The service of praise has been efficiently led by the cboi. under the guidance of Dr Galway, our organist. The session thanks all our choir members for their devoted and loyal service. TREASURER’S REPORT'.

Tho church treasurer reports that the working account for the year shows » fairly largo debit balance. i As against this, however, the sum oi £IOO has been paid during the year towards the church’s outside liabilities, with a corresponding decreased amount of £B7 in the interest account ns against ibo figures of two years ago. The church collection for tho year totalled £1.186 IBs 7d. The sums contributed to the special funds accounts, show a particularly large amount given to others—viz.', £2,120 7s 9d. This latter sum largely exceeds the amount the congregation has subscribed for its own congregational needs, and the question arises whether the congregation is not really too generous. Since the debt extinction fund was inaugurated slightly over two years ago tho sum of £2.308 16s 4d has been received in cash —a most gratifying result.