ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 832, 28 April 1910, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARISHIONERS.

The annual meeting of parishioners of lire above was held in the school on Tuesday evening. There was a very good attendance. The vicar’s report was read and adopted. The vicar referred to the satisfactory financial position. It was a bad example for a church to be in debt. There was plenty of work for the parishioners to engage in for the Glory of God and the spread of His Divine Kingdom. During the year the Bishop had confirmed 28 candidates. A visit had also been made by Archdeacon Harper. As a parish they could congratulate themselves that they were in his Archdeaconry. The visit of the Rev A. O. Williams, ot the Maori Mission, and others was also referred to. The Sunday School, under the able superintendence of Mrs Stewart and a staff of teachers, had passed through a most successful year. There are about too on the roll and the average attendance had been very fair. To omit Christian and religious instruction is to take the most important element out of a child’s life. The report referred to the week day religious instruction class which is now conducted at the State school every Friday morning, and urged parents to see that their children took advantage of the opportunities for religious education thus afforded. Referring to the Guild mention was made of the successful garden party held in February, and the recent move to increase the membership of the Guild and thereby extend its scope of usefulness. The formation of a girls’ Guild was also suggested. In re spect to the choir special praise was bestowed on the good work done in this connection by Mr Betty. With regard to churchgoing, although there was a slight improvement at the 8 o’clock celebrations there was room for vast improvement in church attendance. Parents should set their children a good example in this respect. If the Church of England people in Foxton attended the services double accommodation would be required. Members were urged to subscribe to the “ Church Chronicle”—the official gazette of the Diocese, aud special mention was made of Mrs Chalmers, the local secretary. Reference was made to the General Mission to New Zealand in October next. The mission would visit Foxton, and members were urged to pray for its success. Already small sums of money had been received in aid of the mission. During the year the number of communions made were 628 ; baptised, 48; weddings celebrated in the Church, 7 ; burials, 12, The report spoke in eulogistic terms of the faithful services of Messrs Stewart and Easton, vicar and people's churchwardens. The vicar stated that he had been in many parishes, but he had never met with churchwardens who are so zealous for the needs of the church. In respect to the vestry, this important body has done its work well. I regret that we have lost two of its members, Mr Baillie and Mr Barnard. In Mr Baillie we have lost one who was an example of that rare virtue, humility. His gentlemanly and unassuming manner won him to all. One of his latest acts of kindness was to send his yearly subscription to the church, aud this after he had left Foxton for some mouths. Mr Witchell had succeeded Mr Baillie in office. Mr Barnard was secretary to the vestry aud was enthusiastic aud zealous in his work. Here again we have been most successful in obtaining the services of Mr Woods. In Mr Woods we have an efficient and capable secretary, and it was mainly due to his energy that gas was installed into the church, aud also the management of the garden party in February last. The balance-sheet, presented by the treasurer, Mr Witchell, disclosed a credit balance tor the year of £ls. The report was favourably commented upon and adopted

Mr W. S. Stewart was unanimously re-elected people’s warden, and Mr A. S. Easton vicar’s warden. It may be pointed out that these gentlemen have occupied the respective positions mentioned for upwards of a quarter of a century. The following vestry was elected Messrs Nye, Woods, Witchell, Phillips, Betty, Boyes, and A. Jenks. Mr Witchell was elected treasurer, and Mr F. Woods secretary.

The vicar’s thanks were also expressed to all workers and sympathisers.