ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1564, 21 September 1905, Page 3

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

A SUCCESSFUL YEAR.

Tho annual congregational mooting of St. Androw'a Churoh was hold in the ohuroh last evening. There was a very largo attendance. Tho Rev. J. G. Paterson presided. The session report was road by Mr Andrew Graham, tho soesion clerk. It stated that tho year had boon one of quiet work without any groat ohangos. The oommunion roll now stood at 298, a not gain of 14 on tho provions year. Of oloven removals, ono was by doath, being Mr Thomas Adams, who was ono of tho original oommitteo in forming tho charge ! °hout 88 years ago, and during all those years was a consistent attendant at ohuroh ordinances. Tho attendanoo at Sunday j services continued satisfactory, and the large and increasing numbers of those | who took part in the quarterly communions was noted with gladness. Reference was mads to the meeting of tho Presbytery in May last. The anniversary services wore taken by the Rov. Dr. Gibb, and tho congregation heard with muoh aoooptanoe tho eloquent and gifted Moderator of tho General Assembly. Tho report continued : “Mr Lookbarl Mortoo, on evangelist from Vic-toria—well-known to and highly thought ! °f by our minister—was invited in February last to hold meetings hero, but oould not make it convenient to come tbop. Ho has now, however, arranged for a visit, aooompanied by his daughter who ; assists in the work, about January next. The choir is still under the ehargo of Mr Massey, and tho session desires to nolo with appreciation the increased numbers attending, and tho interest taken in this

port of our worship.” The report con* eluded with an expression of gratitudo to God and a plea for His blessing. Mr J. WarroD, seoretary, rend the report of the management committee, which showed the collections had reaohed the high sum of £467 14s Bd, but the sent rents had fallen to the lowest amount ever collected, £75 ss. This had been brought about in a remarkable way. The early members of the Ohuroh were all seat holders and paid regularly, but the younger families do not continue the subicriptions. Tbe oommiitee suggested the evivol of a sustentation fund, to bo colected by tbe use of quarterly envelopes listributed by tbo seoretary. It was mentioned that the olsss-room was let to the publlo school committee at 18s per week. Tbe day was near (continued the report) when the question of a new ohuroh was to be faoed, as the white pine in the old building was showing serious signs of deoay. “ We trust that our successors in office will devise a workable scheme for raising, say, £SOO during the next year towards the cost. If each member of our ohuroh would say, 'lf I um spared until Christmas I will save by that lime £1 towards a new church,’ one-balf of the first £SOO would be reaohed. There are many members who could do a little more for so excellent an object, and so relieve the yonnger members, who in many instances earn small wages. This should be taken as a pressing duty, as not only our ohuroh services require the better building, but also our Sunday school, which has always ; been retarded by the want of suitable accommodation, A few friends continue 1 to interest themselves in the purchase of a ohuroh organ, and this year £9 9s has been added to the fund. Mr Carnegie did not reply to our application for assistance, but a second application has been sent forward in the hope of gaining that gentleman's sympathies.” A report of the Sunday-sobool was also read by Mr Warren. The number of soholars was somewhat smaller than last year owing to the departure of some scholars from the district and of others to other schools. The average attendance wo* 140 ; the teachers, numbering 15, being tbe same as last year with tbe exoep* tion of one young lady now married. The school raised for mission purposes during tho year £23 9s. The senior boy’s cla«s bad developed into a young men’s Bible class, bolding meetings in Mr Townley’s building under Mr Bosie. A gap bad again formed between the boy’s classes and that for youDg men, but without better accommodation at the Bebooi for advanced c'asses he did not know how to meet the difficulty. The secretary of the Christian Endeavor Sooiety, Mr C. F. Perry, presented a report showing that the Dumber of members on the roll now stood at 75. Tbe collections amounted to £l2 17s 9|d, which had been devoted to good objects, inoluding £6 for the support of a New Hebrides teaoher and £3 Is 6a for the keep of a Chinese orphan. Tbe balance-sheet was read by Mr C. D. M. Bosie, treasurer, showing the receipts to be £698 7s, and the expenditure £614 16s 7d, leaving a balance of £B3 10s 5d in tbe bank. Tbe balance of assets over liabilities was shown to be £6l 7s lid.

The Chairman explained that there were many who did not pay seat rent, and for very conscientious reasons, believing the aeate in the house of God should be fre

0. They wore willing to pay to the church in other ways. The speaker believed there should be no seat rent at all—it should be entirely voluntary; but they would have to look forward, for things might nGt always be in Buch a flourishing condition as they were then. Mr Sootier, in an interesting speech, said there were signs of a revival, a spiritual awakening in Gisborne. The report and balance sheet were adopted, Mention was made of tbe good work done by the Junior Christian Endeavor Sooiety under its superintendent, Mr Warren, and Mr Hector Mcßeath. Mr Walker, of Ormond, was introduced by the ohairmaD. Ge said be felt nervous as this was the first time he had appeared before a New Zealand andience outside his congregation. He was afraid his addresß would appear a little dry, as for the last few days be had been in the Motu, and only forded 42 rivers, and ploughed through five and thirty milos of mud. He referred io the great contest before them in fighting the liquor trafib, and Btatedit was a parsod's duty to wage war against it, and everything else that was degrading and demoralising manfiind, The Rev. G. Houosell, D. Parry, and Captain Slattery also spoke, conveying their good wishes, and congratulating the Church upon its sound position. A fine musical programme was submitted. The orobestra, consisting of Miss Welsted Chrisp (cornet), Bartoa (saxophone), Foster (flute) and Massey (piano) played two selectione. Hongs were contributed by Misses Primrose and Donnellan, and Messrs MoGibbon and Barlow. Supper was handed round by the ladies of the congregation, who were acoorded an enthusiastic vote of thanks.

The meeting concluded with the singing of the doxology.