ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 839, 2 March 1877, Page 2

ST. PAUL’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting of this congregation was held last Thursday in the church, • The Rev J. Elmslie presided, and after the meeting had been opened with singing and prayer, the rev chairman read an interesting pastoral adorers.

The cbairiaan called on Mr R. Sutherland (treasurer), who read the following financial report: "The ll flanc ‘ a l committee have much pleasure in laying the congregation a statement of accounts, which show that, through the hearty eo operation of the people, the committee have been able to meet their increased responsibilities with the greatest ease. The receipts from pew rente —which were doubled in price from the Ist J"ua last, in accordance with a resolution passed on the recCZ!T“ ~<J,itiou coin ‘ raittee at our last annual meeting—havt amounted to more than twice the sum usually received j while the church door ’■i’hctmriH have increased by about £2OO.

- •-» necessary to fall back much upon the liber* ality of the congregation for maintenance fund ; this leads the committee to feel that when the additional expense of interest on the cost of the new church has to he provided for, the congregation will feel it reasonable to increase the amount of their contributions to that fund, and so put the committee in a position to meet all their engagements with the same readiness as heretofore. Before the end of the approaching winter there every reason to expect that the congregation will be able to worship in the new church. Notwithstanding a delay to the contractor through losing a cargo of timber, the building is progressing satisfactorily. The coaa- , raitlee have not appealed to all the members and adherents of the congregation for subscriptions to the building fund, but they intend to wait upon those who have not yet had an opportunity to subscribe ; and they confidently expect that those appealed to will gladly respond as God has prospered them, and help in the great work of providing for themselves, their children and friends, a building in which to worship in comfort, under a pastor whose ministrations have already been so profitable'and acceptable.,” The abstract of accounts for the year ending Ist February showed the general receipts to have been £IO9B 7s 9d, and special collections £33 11s Id. The payments, including balance to bank £8 Hs 2d, amounted to £1122 14s 7d, leaving a credit balance of £lO 4? 3d. The present liabilities were £9O 17s 9d. Referring to the building fund of the new church, Mr Sutherland said that very satisfactory progress had been made, but so far the committee had not generally canvassed the members of the congregation. Ho had fifty-one names on bis list, and £IBOO had been promised, out of which amount £BOO bad been received; £3200 had been paid to She contractor, and about £<5500 would bo required. His very sanguine prognostications last year had been fulfilled, and he felt certain that the efforts of the committee would be warmly aided by those members of the congregation who had not yet been called upon. Mr J. Anderson, sen, chairman of the building committee, also referred to the very satisfactory progress made in the building of tho new church, the contractor of which was giving every satisfaction. The time had now come when the committee would have to appeal to members of the church in connection with '.he building fund, and he fait assured tha L . such appeal would be liberally responded to. On the motion of Mr A. Cook, seconded by Mr D. B. Bowie, the report and balance sheet were adopted. Dr Campbell moved—" That this meeting cordially expresses its satisfaction at the success which has hitherto attended the efforts of the building committee, and requests that due expedition be still further used, that the new church may be available for public worship as early as possible; and whilst recognising the liberalicy of those whose names already appear on the subscription list, that this meeting expresses a wish that steps be taken by the committee ts afford to every member and adherent who may desire it, an opportunity of contributing to the building fund.” Mr C. O. Cunningham seconded the resolution, which was agreed to. Mr W. Gavin read a report of the Sunday school, showing very marked and satisfactory progress to have been made during the last year. In addition to an increased attendance at the Central school, a side school had been opened at Colombo road, and another in Montreal street north, and it was contemplated to open a third at Bingsland. The balance sheet of the school submitted by Mr Watt, showed the receipts from all sources to have been £69, and the expondi. ture £56, leaving.a credit balance of £l3. Dr Campbell moved, and Mr J. Tait seconded, the adoption of the report and balance sheet, which was unanimously agreed to. The chairman read the following alphabetical list of members of the financial committee elected for the ensuing year— Messrs J. Anderson, senr, R. M. Adair, B. Beattie, D. B. Bowie, Dr Campbell, C. C. Cunningham. A, Duncan, P. Duncan, W, Dunford, J. Gibb, W. Hendersou (Spreydon), W. Kerr, T. S, Lambert, R. Sutherland, J. Tait, and Webster. This concluded the business.

The chairman said that as all the members of last year’s committee were included in those elected for the present year, it would hardly be necessary to psss a vote of thanks to them. He had been exceedingly well pleas.d to see the lively interest in the election that had been taken by the congregation, and the gentlemen who had volunteered to record the names had a very busy time while engaged in the work. The meeting closed with singing and prayer.