ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2498, 10 April 1882, Page 4

ST. PAUL’S CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. Paul’* Presbyterian Church took place on Thursday evening last. The Ber. Mr Blmalie, as pastor of the congregation, occupied the chair, and, after the usual devotional exercises, called upon Mr John Gibb, session clerk, to read the session’s report, ' Mr Gibb read the report, the main features iol which are as follows :—“ In submitting their annual report on the present occasion, the session feel that they have great came for satisfaction and thankfulness. The several 'departments of Church work have been conducted with not less than ordinary success, 'and with that harmony and goodwill which they have had the pleasure of acknowledging on former-occasions. The rapid extension of the Presbyterian Church in this pity has made the attendance at St. Paul’s somewhat fluctuating during the past three years, but the cession are glad to report. that it has well high reached its normal condition, and they I sincerely hope that the efforts of the' coming year may raise it to a higher point than it has formerly attained. During the past year fifty-eight additions have been made to the Communion roll, and six names have been withdrawn from it. A large proportion of these additions were from thb young of the congregation. In making mention of this pleasing circumstance, the cession desire to congratulate the Sabbath school teachers on the success which, under "God, has been attending their labors, and to express their thankfulness to them and to who took part with them in the special ' evangelistic services held in St. Paul’s church come six months ago. The session takes the present opportunity of expressing its indebtedness to the choir, the Ladies’ Association, the Young Men’s Association, and others who have been so unwearying in their efforts for the good of the congregation during the ’past year, and sincerely hope they will not be less devoted during the year on which we have entered.”

" It'was moved by Mr Qrinstod that the report Be adopted. This was seconded by Mr John Oooke, and carried unanimously. At this stage the session clerk intimated that the following gentlemen bad been elected as members of the financial committee in place of those retiring : : —Messrs John Oooke, Win. Dnnford, P, Hyndman, David Scott, O. 0. Cunningham, T. W. Grinsted, and S. O. Johnson, ■ "ji Mr Bbhert Sutherland then read the report of the financial committee, which was as follows: — 41 The committee of management has now to lay before the congregation the annexed accounts for the financial year, which closed on the 31st January last. The receipts from ell sources have amounted to £2239 2a lid. The committee regrets to have to refer to the fact that there is again some falling off in respect of each of the three sources of income, as wi.l be seen from the. following comparative statement : The Sabbath ' "collections, pow rents and maintenance fund for 1881 amounted to £1336 6j 63, as against £1427 10i 7d for 1880. There is thus a total deficiency under these three heads of £9l 4s Id. . The committee believes that this rather undesirable state of things is mainly due to the .establishment of several new Presbyterian Churches in neighboring districts. While the rapid extension of our Church is otherwise only a source of gratification, it has to bo noted, as accounting to a cor siderable extent for the deficit referred to, that the new congregations have been in some measure recruited from our own, and our revenue has necessarily suffered in a corresponding degree. The committee, however, confidently expects that anything that has thus been lost in respect of the giving capabilities of our congregation will soon be recovered ; and it would again take the opportunity of drawing the attention of the congregation to the great desirability of a sufficient sum being raised from the three sources mentioned to meet oil the ordinary or current expenditure. It would appear that the balance against the Church on the current account has been steadily increasing during the last four years, and at the close of the last it steed at £268 8s sd. The committee, therefore, trusts that the congregation will, as far as possible, endeavor to increase their contributions under the beads of Sabbath collections, pew rents, and maintenance fund, so that the considerable balance against the Church on the current account may be reduced, and the revenue made fully equal to the expenditure.” 'he congregation, Mr Sutherland pointed oat, had had heavy work to do, but the greater part of It, he thought, was now done, and they would •oon, he hoped, have the prospect of being in easier circumstances and able more fully to recognise the claims of the Church outside, Mr Sutherland moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr R. W. Black, and supported by Mr O. B, Button, Mr Hyslop, and others. Mr Black remarking that it was exceedingly gratifying that the voluntary contributions of the congregation had been so large. Mr Button pointed out that the simplest and easiest way to increase tho revenue to the amount required would be to enhance their weekly offertories. A small addition every week would amount to a large earn in the course of the year. The report was unanimously adopted. Mr John Cooke, at this stage, proposed a vote of thanks to the ladies, who by their timely services had, during the past year, added a goodly amount to the congregational revenue. Thia was seconded by Mr John Miln, and carried most heartily. Tue Sunday school report was then called for and given in by Mr James M. Watt. This report, which contains some very pleasing statements of fact, was unanimously adopted on the motion of Mr O. E. Button, seconded by Mr James Tait. The Sunday school financial report was read by Mr R. Beattie, end unanimously adopted on the motion of Mr Henderson, seconded by Mr J. Ritchie. The Chairman here took occasion to remark that at no former period during his term of office had the Sunday school department of the Church's work been in a more satisfactory condition. Daring the evening tho choir, under the leadership of Mr H. Johnson, rendered several anthems with considerable success, Mr H. Bilton presiding at the organ, Tho congregation then lung "Psalm 122, 6—9, and the meeting was closed with the Benediction.