ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 219, 20 February 1875, Page 3

ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St Paul’s was held last evening in the church. With her usual liberality Mrs John Anderson had provided an ample tea, and after this had been partaken of, the Rev A.F. Douglas, pastor, took the chair, and the proceedings were opened with singing and prayer. The rev chairman then read his pastoral address for the year, in which he mentioned among other matters that the building of the new church had been unexpectedly delayed. Tenders had been called for the accepted plan of the new church, but the lowest received was largely in excess of the estimated amount. The plan had been modified, but the tender received was still in excess of the estimate, and the committee had deemed it prudent to suspend action in this direction for a little while. The difficulty of providing for the accommodation of the congregation had been in a measure overcome by the erection of side aisles to the church, but class rooms, and one for congregational meetings, were urgently required. The bazaar, taking the unfavorable weather into consideration, bad been a success, and a

great spirit of liberality and zeal had been displayed by the ladies and members of the congregation. would be no ladies’ report this year, as Miss Anderson, the secretary, had gone on a visit to Europe. There was one matter he wished to bring particularly underthoir notice, lie was convinced that one minister was unable successfully to administer to the spiritual wants of the district, and to meet this difficulty he would suggest that St Paul’s be made a collegiate charge, and that two ministers be employed. In order to meet the increased expenditure, he was willing to surrender one half of his income, and if £IOO were added by the congregation, it would give a minimum salary of £3OO a year, and that amount would enable them to obtain the assistance of a zealous minister. He would, by every moans in his power, assist the committee in securing the best man available, and until then he would consider he only held the position of sole pastor provisionally. There were many absent that evening whom they missed, and foremost among those was Mr John Anderson, and also Mr A. Duncan and Dr Campbell. The chairman read a letter from Dr Campbell, regretting his being compelled to be absent, and as a member of the finance committee, congratulating the congregation on the prosperous progress of the church. A letter was also read from Mr Duncan, apologising for his absence, and expressing a regret that press of business would prevent him accepting the position on the finance committee to which he had been elected. Mr Sutherland, treasurer, read the financial report and balance sheet, the latter showing the receipts for the year to have been £597 4s sd, the payments leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £l2 4s 9d. Altogether he considered the statement very satisfactory as the committee had not been able to visit the district thoroughly for want of time. Mr Sutherland also read the abstract building fund account, which showed receipts £896 8s lOd, the payments leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £2l 11s 3d; £645 17s 7d had been realized by the bazaar, and his estimate of £IOOO (though he had been laughed at when he made it) would have been reached, if all the goods had come to hand and the weather proved more favorable. The whole amount raised by the congregation during the year had been£l6oß9sld, and this he considered was evidence of great vitality existing among them. [Applause.] Mr Sutherland explained some reasons why the erection of the new church had not been proceeded with, and added that the real cause of the delay was that the committee considered the amount of the lowest tender excessive, and that as all kinds of building material were so high at the time, money would be saved by the delay. It was from no financial difficulty, as, judging by the receipts of last year, they would soon be able to repay any money it might be found necessary to borrow. The adoption of the report and financial accounts was moved by Mr Urquhart, seconded by Mr Sneddon, and carried. The chairman expressed the obligation they were all under to Mr Sutherland and the committee for their efforts during the past year. Mr Gavin read out the following names of the new finance committee elected :—Dr Campbell, Messrs R. Sutherland, Wm Henderson (Spreydon't, John Whitelaw, Wm Sclanders, O. C. Cunningham, James Tait, John Anderson, Peter Duncan, W. B. McDougall, and Geo Innes. Mr Whitelaw moved a vote of thanks from the congregation to Mr Andrew Duncan, for the very handsome present of a china service for the use of the congregation at tea meetings, and which had been brought by that gentleman from home. He believed the idea originated with Mrs John Anderson, who instructed Mr Duncan to purchase a set, which she intended to present herself. He faithfully carried out her instructions in obtaining the service, but gave them himself, and he (Mr Whitelaw) was pleased to see two such friends of the church emulating each other in the desire to present so handsome and serviceable a gift to the congregation. [Applause.] He would move a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Duncan and Mrs Anderson.

Mr Clephane seconded the vote, which was carried with acclamation.

A long discussion here took place on the mode of electing the committee, and a resolution and amendment were moved but ultimately withdrawn. On behalf of the congregation the chairman presented Mr Fulton, who is retiring from the office of beadle to St Paul’s, with a large Family Bible, and a silver tea service to Mrs Fulton. Mr Fulton returned thanks for himself and Mrs Fulton.

In reply to a member, Mr Sutherland said that the trustees for the new piece of ground were Messrs John Anderson, John Milne, Andrew Duncan, and himself. The Sabbath school report was next read, and a resolution approving it, and commending the school to the attention of the congregation, was moved and carried. The report of the Tract Society was read, when Mr Gavin moved—“ That the congregation having always taken an interest in the Ladies’ Tract Society, and appreciated very highly their labors and those of the pastor in connection therewith, earnestly desire that they may be continued and receive the divine blessing,” Mr Henderson seconded the resolution, which was carried.

Mr Johnson read the Congregational Library report. Mr King moved—“ That the congregation, having listened to the report of the young men’s library, express regret at the slow progress made during the year, and hope they will be able to report greater progress at the termination of the incoming year.”

Mr Cunningham seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. Hearty votes of thanks to the ladies for their services at the bazaar, to Mrs John Anderson for the liberal tea provided by her, to the choir, the outgoing committee, and chairman, were unanimously carried, and a blessing pronounced by Mr Douglas brought the meeting to a close.