CHURCH WORK SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2658, 13 October 1882, Page 3

CHURCH WORK SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of tha above society van held at 8 o'clook last evening in St. Michael's lohoolroom. Owing to the rain the attendance fell inert of the average. The Most Ker. the Primate presided, and after the usual devotional exercises Hu Lordship •poke forcibly on the importance of the subject of Ohurch work, and called upon all to help her in her mission, and to overcome the selfishness inherent in human nature, which held alike in spiritual, as in seoular matters, for it was true that godly parents thought they did enough if they attended to the spiritual wants of their children, and in the same manner did parochial and diocesan selfishness creep into parishes and dioosses, but they must remember that Ohuroh work was world wide. Nor must they forget those in the world who had not yet received the broad of life. Neither did those who worked for God bear him in their minds so much as they ought. The words at the head of tho society pointed out the wide work it embraced, and the united strength of body and mind should be called in to carry it out, whioh done in God's etrengfch, aided by much prayer, drawing near to G-od, asking him what to do and how it was to be done, would ensure the blessings promised. The Bev. P. Knowles then read the annual report, whioh, in roviewing the work of the year, spoke most favourably of the good effeoted by the ministration of the Bev A. Davidson amongst the seamen in Lyttelton, and the Hospital and Lunatic Asylum patients, although it had been found necessary, owing to a deficit in funds, to give that gentleman notice that his services in connection with the society must terminate in December next. The Diocesan Depot was fairly successful. At Burnham the Bov. W. Dunkley imparted religious instruction to the children at Burnham twice in each week. The Sunday Sohool Teachers' Association bad been incorporated with the society, quarterly meetings being held at Christ's College Library. The "Church News" had been enlarged, but the ezpeoted increase in circulation had not resulted, which it was hoped would be seoured by increased exertions. Beports from the Bevs. W. Dunkley and A. Davidson were read, whioh spoke hopefully and encouragingly of their fields of operations, the latter giving hopes of yet increased results when the Sailors' Home was erected in Lyttelton, The financial statement, duly audited by Mr Alport, showed the receipts of the year to 31st March, 1882, to be £338 17s 3d ; expenditure, £224 ?4i lOd ; oredit balance, £94 2s Sd j the supplementary statement showing a credit balance of £lO 5s lid. |

Financial statements duly audited of the Diocesan Education Fund, Diocesan Book Depot, and " Ohuroh News " Fund, were also submitted, each showing a credit balanoe. The report and°balance-sheet were reoeived and adopted on tho motion of Canon Stanford, seoonded by Mr G. Molntyre. Canon Cholmondeley moved, Mr W. G. Brittan seconded, and it was unanimously resolved—" That this meeting pledges itself to renewed efforts to raise funds for the chaplaincy of the Hospital, Seamen, and Lunatic Asylum, and other needful Church work, oommendicg same to tho other parts of the diocese."

In the absence of Mr W. H. Hargreaves, through indisposition, the Very Bev. the Dean introduoid for discussion the subjeot of " Tho best means of influencing prisoners during the term of their imprisonment, and helping them to make a fresh start after their liberation." He regretted the absenoe of the intended mover, who had olosely studied this subjeot, but as a guide to his views on the matter, he would read a letter reoeived by him from Mr Hargreaves bearing on the same, which advooated prison gate missions by ladies as in Dublin, of an nnseotarian character, each working for the oommon good, giving material aid to the deserving, who might be sent to a home that, perhaps, might be established instead of being thrown helpless upon the world. During the discussion whioh followed, the ideas oontained in Mr Hargreavaa' letter found general favor, The meeting was closed by his Lordship pronouncing the benediotion.