ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 455, 1 May 1909, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHONERS. The annual meeting of parishioners was held in the schoolroom on Tuesday night, the vicar, Rev, G. Y. Woodward presided over a moderate attendance. Mr W. S. Stewart was .elected vicar’s warden and Mr A. S. Easton people’s warden. The following vestry was elected : Messrs Betty, Baillie, Collins juur., Woods, Morgan and W. E. Barnard. Mr Baillie was reelected treasurer and Mr Barnard secretary. The Vicar’s annual report stated that the Sunday school under the superintendence of Mr W. S. Stewart had passed through a successful year; the choir, under Mr Betty has done good work, flattering reference was made to Miss Jenks the organist; the Ladies Guild had considerably helped the financial position of the church ; gas had been installed in the church during the year and a tribute in this connection was paid to Mr Woods; keen appreciation of the good work done by the wardens was placed on record ; also appreciative references were made to the Manawatu Heraed. A new feature of the service is the reading of the lessons by Mr Barnard, which has been a great help to the vicar. The vicar suggested the erection of a small church at the beach in order that visitors may attend Divine services at least once on a Sunday and he asked for financial assistance for this work. The Harbour Board had been approached for a site for this purpose. Mention was made and the growing practice strongly condemned of marriages being performed in the house instead of the church. During the past year members of the church have employed pastors of other folds to marry them. The report stated that the Church of England definitely forbids the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony being administered outside the walls of the church, excepting in cases where it is too far to come in and in these special cases permission must be obtained from the Bishop. The vicar expressed surprise that any real church people should be guilty of such an action. The report also touched on the question of church re-union. This subject came before the Lambeth Conference and it was found and rightly too, that unless the other religious bodies accept the doctrine of the Apostolic Succession the church could do nothing. The vicar prayed that this vital doctrine may yet be the means of re-union and one church working in the world. Reference was made to Confirmation which would probably take place in the early spring, and classes of preparation will begin about August, The report dealt fully with the financial aspect of the church. Parishioners were reminded that they must be honest with themselves and more so to God and whatever promises of financial assistance had been made should be fulfilled. Money was required for alms-giving, beautifying the house of God, helping missions, etc. Parishioners were reminded to send their contributions to the church warden regularly, without waiting to be asked for them. The vicar did not think that many can say “ I give too much to the church” —the boot is on the other foot. “I give too little.” If every family gave one shilling a week in the parish it would retufh an annual income of ample to supply all needs and to provide a reserve fund. If parishioners all did., their duty we should be able to go on without the humiliating resources of concerts, bazaars and such like. Reference was made to the great mission in the Dominion next year. Any help towards this mission may be sent to the Rev. C. C. Harper, vicar of Palmerstoa North. The vicar stated that he was seriously thinking of holding a mission in the parish to last for a week, when all questions of religion would be dealt with, if he was successful in obtaining the help of several priests and he hoped parishioners would attend the services and would do all they could to help the infusion of a greater spiritual life in the church. The statistics for the year showed that 621 communions had been made, 26 infants received the Sacrament of Regeneration and five couples had been united in the bonds of Holy Matrimony. Death had called a few well-known forms from our midst, and amongst them a faithful worker in the person of the late Mrs Whyte. The report concluded by thanking those who had rendered assistance especially those who by their attendance at church and the altar have helped the spiritual life of our community, and he urged them to take up their stand round the banner of the Cross and help him in the great work they had to do, and he asked for their prayers that he may be made more worthy to handle holy things, that God would give him, His weak and erring servant, the spirit of holiness and true sympathy in dealing with the souls committed to his care.