Vicar’s Annual Report for Year 1902-3.

Manawatu Herald, 23 May 1903, Page 2

Vicar’s Annual Report for Year 1902-3.

I will begin my annual report with statistics. We have had five marriages as against four in the previous twelve months. Thirty Baptisms this, against 45 the year before—* decrease of 50%. The number of Communions made, bn all Sundays an l holy days, was 257, as agaihjfc 335 the year before—a falling off 01 30%. Perhaps this last unfavourable comparison should be interpreted by remembering that W 0 had no Confirmation last year. Yet'it is most unsatisfactory that Communicants should fall away like this. The Bishop intends to confirm in this Parish in the latter part of this year. His Lordship’s visit to England was the cause of our mot having had a; Confirmation since October, 1901. In the Sunday School there has been a gratifying increase of scholars. We have lost several valuable teachers during the year—notably Mrs Wm. Robinson and her daughter; and we have gained others whose help iaalso invaluable. Mrs Stewart is still the indefatigable superintendent. At the picnic held a few weeks ago, it was delightful to see the excellent discipline and love of the scholars and to think that this represented the- state of things in the school on Sundays. I am never able to be present at school on Sunday ‘ afternoons. I therefore value the more the opportunity of meeting the bulk oI the children monthly, during the winter, at the gatherings of the children's Missionary (jhiild. This Guild represents, at present, all the missionary work that is being done. The amount subscribed by the children will probably amount to, at least, £5 per year. The members of the Guild undertake to saya collect every Sunday asking for God’s blessing on the Missions of the Church. Two Missionary magazines are circulated. I regard the work of the Sunday School as being, next to the administration of the Sacraments, the-most important work carried on in the Parish. Therefore I would lose no opportunity of urging our people to support heartily oar devoted superintendent and her assistants. The assistance of the L4y reader* of this end of the Parish has been, as usual, of the greatest value. Daring the year we have had to part with Messrs Lewis and Hickson, both of whom did loyal service. Mr Fraser, who was compelled to give up the work for a time, is* mow taking the evening services fortnightly. Mr O. A. Exall, of Shannon, is coming over fortnightly in the mornings, at great personal sacrifice. It is feared that we may be obliged to forfeit his aid owing to difficulty of transport. We want a volunteer to drive hk thirteen miles every other Sunday.I cannot but feel that the difficulty of securing more help, in this department, locally is a serious reflection on the state of your church life. I should also like to say how strongly I feel that our Lay readers should be heartily and loyally backed up. People should severely consider themselves especially bound to be present at services given in this way, with a great deal of effort, out of devotion to - the Church here. The organists and choir have worked well. and efficiently. The. fund for the. purchase of a new organ has not grown much during the year. The meeting should consider whether the time is not close at hand when this matter should be taken up with undivided effort. Wo greatly need the help of a few more men’s voices. The singing of the children’s choir, in the mornings, is a great pleasure. Mrs England deserves oar gratitude for this work and also for her sewing class for little girls. Thaw efforts will, we may well hope, bear noble fruit as the children grow up. The ladies’ Sewing Bee has continued its even way { and the accounts showed with good, finanotal result. A bazaar was held,, in the winter of 1902; and the Guild enabled the Vestry to go in fora scheme that gives great hope ol extinguishing all the Parish debts within a few months. On the 20th of November we had a social gathering in the schoolroom, to which all parishioners within reach were invited by letter. The Rev. O. O. Harper, Vicar of Palmerston N., was present and gave an address. It is intended to make this an annual gathering in connection with the Parish Festival of All Saints. We bad a visit from our old Vicar (Mr Leach) at the Harvest Festival, 1902, when Mr Leach preached. The Rev. J. A. McNickle, Vicar of Levin, also visited us, on All Saints* Day, and preached at evensong. Amongst the many efforts of the year was a concert, promoted by Mrs Thos. Lewis, at which most generous help was given by several ladies and gentlemen from a distance. The band of Church Cleaners deserve our special recognition. It numbers eleven ladles who do a bard office with the greatest faithfulness. This new departure has been entirely successful. We could-do with a few more members. There have been a great many departures and arrivals amongst us in the twelve months. Some idea of j the number may bo had from the f fact that, within (I think) nine months, we have bad no fewer than

four stationmasters, all of whom hare been churchmen with families. • Within the church additions have been made in furnishings. A white altar frontal was presented by Mr k. S. Jonsou. This frontal has an interesting history that connects the Pariah lastingly with the South African War. It was lengthened and enriched by the generous donation of Mrs Matheson and Miss Hitch of Eketahuna, A painted window has been inserted in the west end—-the gift of Mrs England and St. Mark’s Church, Wellington. Mrs England has also presented a beautiful Litany Desk. A Brass Alter Desk was presented by Mr and Mrs Percy Daniella in memory of a deceased daughter. And, lastly, a set of solid silver altar vessels, to cost £lO, have been ordered from England. We still require donations of about 20a to make up the cost of these. Services are maintained monthly at Moutoa. Himatangi development —services needed shortly. Oroua Bridge development and election of new committee. When Synod met last year an attempt was made by our representatives, at the instance of the vestry, to secure a lessening of the area of the Parish. It was found, however, that the difficulties in the way were too great to be overcome. I hope we shall, ere long, be looking forward to having an assistant clergyman. His help is greatly needed, I cannot compass the work. You all have observed how much Church work, that can only ha done by a Clergyman, is left undone. I admit it when the charge is made and would only ask that all would take more 1 keen interest in this state of things and work harder to do what thfiy can to fill the need. The first year of my work as a Vicar has not been without anxieties and the discovery of many personal failings for the last I ask your patient forbearance. In the work of a parish like ours, where there seems so much to be done and so few to work, it is necessary again and again to remind ourselves that the Lord works not by many nor by few. Yet He does make use of the faith of men and women. It is much more by what we are than by what we do that we shall effect change, and we ought to have determined hope that we shall effect change. God is still faithful to work wonders by the hands of His faithful and devoted people.