PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 494, 14 October 1909, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of the Foxton Presbyterian congregation was held in the Church on Tuesday evening. There was a large and representative gathering of mem-, bers and adherents of the congregation. The devotional part ot the meeting was conducted by the Rev. G. K. Aitken. In opening the business part of the meeting Mr Aitken congratulated those present on the keen interest evidently taken in church affairs from the large gathering that had come together on such a boisterous night. He had also to congratulate them on the good progress the church had made during the past year, as would be shown from the several reports which would be read and concluded by asking every individual member and adherent of the congregation to take an active interest in its affairs, as it was only by everyone determining to do the best within his or her reach, that the prosperity they all wished to see would be secured. The session’s report was then read, in which attention was drawn to the formation of a session in May last by the ordination and induction of six members of the church as elders. The ordinance of the Ford’s Supper had been dispensed at Foxton, Glen Oroua andTiakitahuna, and it had been decided that a quarterly communion service should be held in each of the congregations in the district. Sixteen additions had been made to membership of the local congregation during the year, while three had left the district. The local church membership now stood at 45, and the country members at 21 making a total for the district of 66 communicants, of whom over 40 attended the last communion services held. Thirteen baptisms had, taken place during the year. The regular church services throughout the district have been generally well attended, but there is room for much improvement in this respect. The other organisations of the church, viz., Bible class for young men and women at Tiakitahuna, and Sabbath schools at Foxton, Glen Oroua, Oroua Bridge and Tiakitahuna are in satisfactory working order, and with God’s blessing upon the efforts of the teachers it is hoped that much instruction of a useful character will be afforded our young people. A weekly prayer meetiug has been established at Foxton. —The session recommends to the members and others of the Foxton congregation to avail themselves of this important means of spiritual growth. “At a meeting of session held on 31st May last, a petition was received from the members and adherents throughout the charge, , praying that the charge might be

raised to the full status, and Mr Aitken appointed minister. The session forwarded the petition to the Wanganui Presbytery, and appointed Mr Hornblow to attend the meeting of Presbytery and support same. The Presbytery received and approved of the petition and ordered the Clerk to forward it to the General Assembly with the Presbytery’s strongest recommendation.

“We have to express our thankfulness to Almighty God for the measure of success that has accompanied the ministration of the Word, and we look forward, now that the organisation of the church is satisfactorily established, with considerable hopefulness, and we pray that the richest blessing of the great Head of the church may descend upon our congregations to the building up and the extension of His Kingdom.” The financial position of the congregation as disclosed by the Treasurer was highly satisfactory. The income for the year amounted to ,£265 ss, and the expenditure left a few pounds to credit for the coming year.

The report of the committee of management dealt with proposed additions to the church and manse, at an estimated cost ot about ,£165. Tne committees report was adopted and the proposed additions to the church and manse heartily approved. The Sabbath school . report showed that a satisfactory work was being done among the children. The average attendance was good, and the work done by the six scholars who sat for the annual examinations was creditable.

The following were appointed a Committee of Management for the ensuing year ; —Messrs Movvatt, Henderson, Gibbs, Claris, McCall and Parkes. Votes of thanks were passed to the choir, collectors and the ladies who had rendered special services, to Mr and Mrs Wrigley for their efforts in liquidating the organ debt, and to the Sabbath school teachers.

A motion of appreciation of the work of the Rev G. K. Aitken was proposed and carried with acclamation.

After the benediction had been pronounced, refreshments iu the form of tea, coffee and cake were handed round and a pleasant social hour spent.