ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1037, 30 April 1912, Page 3

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH.

PARISHIONERS’ AN TAX, MEETING.

The a ’ r in ' Yll S' hu v .s held in the ' u..uay acfi-v bast r’gK Tbs Rev. G,- Y. W xhvavcl oc-

copied the chair, and there was a good attendance of clurch members.

The vicar’s report was road. It staled that the past year was the best in the history of the parish. From a financial point of view the past year was not a great deal more successful than other years, except that the collections were higher and the contributions to missions very much belter. From a spiritual stand point however, there had been a great improvement as the following figures show in the number of Communions made in the past five years, each ending March 31st: —1908,664; 1909, 621 ; 1910, 682 ; 191 1, 914 ; 1912, 1149. A pleasing note in the Church life was the loyalty of parishioners. There was nothing narrow or little in the man who pinned his faith on that Church into which it had pleased God to call him, it simply showed convictions and trust iu her doctrines and ‘Sacraments.

Our dear Mother Church ot England lays down in the Prayer Book her vital dogmas ; and the one which she guards with the greatest care is the Apostolical Succession. Episcopacy is not only of the “bene esse ” ot the Church, but of the “ esse ” ot the Church: and the centuries that have passed show that the Apostolical Succession is not a theory but a fact. In the eyes of all true and loyal members of the Church of England the Episcopate is a golden chain, stretching link by link between our modern Bishops and the Apostles of Jesus Christ, and a cord so vital that if once broken we should cease to be a part of the great Church Catholic. During the past year it was thought that the church should be enlarged and preparations were made to carry this into effect, but it was afterwards considered that such an expense was unnecessary. It was better that a small church should be well filled than that a larger one be only half filled. However, there were more church people than the building would hold, and when they realised the duty of public worship the authorities would be more than happy to undertake the enlargement of the building. The report gave a briel resume of the work of the different organisations of the parish. The ladies Guild : This guild has done excellent work and has raised a sum of something like which sum has been spent on improvements. The guild was a real power iu the parish aud relieved the church wardens and vestry of much financial worry. The Sunday School; Under the superiutendance of Mr Stewart and his excellent staff of teachers, this most important work was in a very healthy condition- The Choir i Again the gratitude of parishioners was due to Mr Betty, the choir master, who had manfully stuck to his post and supplied the congregation with excellent singing. The choir was now a really good one, and the organist, Miss Jenks, was also doing her work splendidly. The report also referred to the good work of the church wardens, Messrs Stewart aud Easton, the vestry, the treasurer, Mr Witchell, aud Mr Woods the secretary. The thanks ot the parishioners were also due to the Editor of the Manawatu Hekapd \\ho had done all he could to meet them in every way iu the priming tor the various entertainments, aud who had published at his own cost many locals aud the Sunday aud other services. In conclusion the vicar expresssed his thankfulness with the good year just passed aud hoped the parishioners would all do their best to make the present year even more successful.

The balance-sheet presented showed a credit balance to commence the year with of 33 rod. The following officers were elected lor the ensuing year : Churchwardens, Messrs W. S. Stewart and S, Fasten ; vestry, Messrs Betty, Boyes, Kellow, Fraukland, Crowe, Collins, Woods, Hollingtou, and Nickells ; treasurer, Mr Vvitchei). Durmg the evening, songs were contributed by Mrs Boyes and Miss iSaibcr, ana Messrs Collins, Tongwoclh and Jeuks. The accompaniments were played by Misses Jenks and Collins. Rerreshmeuts were provided by the ladies, after which the benediction was pronounced.