PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1596, 10 August 1916, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The following is the session report presented at last night’s annual meeting of the Foxton Presbyterian Church:— “In presenting the annual report, the Session expresses thankfulness to God for the guidance of His Holy Spirit and continued blessing upon the charge. Since the presentation ot the last annual session report, changes of a vital nature have taken place. In July, 1915, the minister, Rev. J. M. Thomson, M.A., resigned, after a period of three years and three months oversight and ministration of the charge. The reason for resignation was that the charge, as then constituted, was too large to be satisfactorily worked by one minister. The resignation afforded the charge a free hand to re-arrange the boundaries. The minister’s resignation was received and accepted with regret throughout the charge he had so faithfully served, and recognition of his devoted ministrations were passer! at congregational meetings and engrossed in (he chruch records. The Presbytery, after the minister’s resignation, appointed a commission to visit the charge and take evidence and report as to the advisability of altering the boundaries. Suggestions were made; (1) to divide the charge into two Horae Mission districts, and (2) that the charge remain fully sanctioned with the elimination of Tiakitahuna. The Commission’s finding to Presbytery was that the charge remain as then constituted. The Session was next faced with the difficulty of finding a suitable minister to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the Rev. J. M. Thomson, M.A. Owing to the number of charges then vacant throughout the Church in the Dominion, it was feared that the services of a Home Missionary would have to be temporarily secured to fill the vacancy until a suitable minister could be obtained. At the time of the vacancy the Rev. James Henry Bredin, a highly accredited minister from the Irish Presbyterian Church, and a recent arrival in the Dominion, was temporarily supplying Shannon, during (he absence of the Rev. J. McKenzie. It was suggested 1 hat an attempt should be made to secure his services before a. call was sent to him from other centres. With this object in view, members of Session and managers (unknown to the minister) visited Shannon and heard his pulpit ministrations, and were all deeply impressed by bis spirituality and earnestness. The details of the call, its accpetance, and the induction of the Rev. J. H. Bredin, need no recapitulation. That a wise choice was made has since been abundantly evidenced. His pulpit ministrations under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, have been and are a source of blessing and a comfort to congregations throughout the charge, while his pastoral visitations are faithfully and cheerfully carried out. The Session is pleased to report increased altcmlances at all services throughout the charge —this is particularly marked at Rangiotu and Glen Orona, while at Foxton the average attendances have never been better. At a meeting of Session held at Rangiotu on September 261 b, 1915, it was resolved that only one service per month be held at Tiakitahuna by the minister, instead of fortnightly as previously, owing to the distance and the diflieulty of providing supply for Foxton, and the desire to concentrate more in the Foxton centre, in accordance with the expressed suggestion of Presbytery. The alteration, although regrettable, was deemed necessary in the interest of the charge as a whole. This consequently led to the disjunction of the Tiakitaluuia congregation from the Foxton charge, and (heir linking-up with St. Andrews’, Palmerston North. The Session desires to place on record the faithful services of the Tiakitahuna congregation in all matters concerning the spiritual and financial welfare of the charge, and to the otiieehearers for faithful services rendered. On March 12th, 1916, at the Rangiotu Church, Messrs William Renton (Foxton), and William Farmer (Glen Orona), were inducted to the eldership by the minister, Rev. J. H. Bredin, in the presence of Ihc congregation. The elders of the charge now are: Messrs Hornhlow, Alex. Speirs and W. Renton (Foxton), H. Wilton (Rangiotu), and J. Costall and IV. Farmer (Glen Oroua). The Session awaits the election of another elder hy the Rangiotu congregation. The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper Ims been observed quarterly throughout the charge, and the attendances at this the most vital privilege ot our church and spiritual life, has been very satisfactory. The Sacrament has also been administered privately to one of our devoted and painstricken members. The Communion roll, after being carefully purged, shows a total of 95. Eight new communicants have been admitted at Foxton, three at Rangiotu, and three at Glen Orona, while seven have been removed, having left the district. The Session prayerfully urges upon members the vital spiritual importance and divine privilege of attendance at this great Love Feast, and no ordinary personal sacrifice should be considered too great in its observance. The communicants’ roll is made up as follows: Foxton 60, Rangiotu 20, Glen Orona 15. The Session is pleased to report attendances at divine worship each Sabbath show a steady increase, but is of opinion that there is room for further improvement in this connection. The ; proof of spiritual vitality of a , people can in a measure be guaged by attendance at public worship.

By our attendance at worship we uphold the hands and inspire our servant in Jesus Christ. The service of praise is a helpful adjunct to public worship, and in this connection the Session expresses its sincere’ thanks to organists, choirmaster and choir members. The Session is gratified to learu that the Sabbath schools at Foxton, Rangiotu and Glen Orona. are doing faithful work among the children, and that attendances are well maintained and keen interest is evidenced by the scholars in Scripture study and lessons. The Session desires to cxpi’css its thanks to superintendent and teachers and others who in any way are assisting to mould the lives of the young according to Christ’s standard. The Session is also pleased to report that a, week-night Bible class is held at Foxton hy the minister, and would urge the young people who have left the Sunday school to join the class in order that the work already begun in them bo nurtured to greater fulness. During the year I lie minister has conducted two funeral services, administered the rite of Baptism to six infants, and officiated at one marriage. In conclusion, the Session desires to place on record its high appreciation of the pulpit ministrations and faithful discharge of pastoral duties hy the minister, and at the same time urges upon members and adherents a continuance of that loyalty and sympathy to him which should at all times characterise the brethren in Christ, and finally prays that God’s richest blessing may continue upon the work of all in this corner of His vineyard.”