PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1864, 15 August 1918, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING. The annual congregational meeting of the Foxton charge of'the Presbyterian Church was held in the schoolroom last evening. The Rev. J. H. Bredin presided. In his opening address the minister said the congregation had much to thank God for, and to make their hearts glad. The Father of’all Mercies has been good to them,' bestowing upon them innumerable temporal and spiritual blessings.- As a congregation they had held well together, and in many directions had advanced. New agencies had sprung up, and under God’s blessing are deepening the spiritual life of some, and they had evidence of the presence of the Great Head of the Church in our midst. But there is mujjh also that is not calculated to hearten us or to give us cause to believe that as a church of Christ in this place they were carrying out the Saviour s commission as they should or might. There is the undeveloped religious sense, the want of interest in the cause of Christ, the neglect of the means of grace, and the not aiming at that perfection in service and holiness which characterises the true follower of Christ. These things militated against their progress as believers, and against the progress of Christ’s Kingdom in this district. They want a more lively faith, a closer union with the Master, a fuller appreciation of their blessings and privileges, a deeper sense of their responsibility, increased Christian energy. Were they as keenly alive to the benefits that accrue from active Christian service as they are 4o the gains that follow close attention to worldly business, and were a fraction of the effort they put forth to gain earthly advancement employed in the interests of their church and religion, what a power for Christ they would ho, what a blessing to the community.* Perhaps what they notice most in congregational life is the unsatisfactory attendances at divine worship. There is something wrong when the professed follower of Christ ignores or only occasionally, or very irregularly waits on God in His house. There is something wrong at the foundation; wood, hay, stubble have boon too largely used, and these things are not productive of spiritual fruit. The Christian’s place on the Lord’s Day is in the Lord's house, and by absenting himself lie is not only dishonouring his Master and robbing himself of his heritage, hut keeping others out of the Kingdom. This, perhaps, is not an as peet of the question they had studied much. Let them think of it, and let them remember that by deserting the House of God they were endangering the welfare of those they love ami hindering the salvation of their fellowmen. Let them he more assiduous in observing this moans of grace. Let them come to the preaching of the Word with a cultivated spiritual taste, and putting forth a thorough determination to realise from day to day the truths they hear on I lie Sahhalh, they will attend church with growing advantage and delight. Then when they considered I he a I tendance at the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, here again they find cause for dissatisfaction. During the last year they had received a larger number of young people than usual into Communion, and also some by certificate, hut the attendance at the Lord’s Table lias not increased. Let, them give more heed to their Saviour’s dying command and prove their attachment to Him by confessing Him before men at His Table. One of the brightest spots in their congregational life is the Sunday school, both in Foxton and in the country districts. In the country the work is being faithfully carried on by devoted teachers, and the young people are ressponding to these efforts. In Foxton the Sunday school has never been so large. New children are coming in almost every Sunday, and the matter of accommodation is becoming a serious •me. The congregation owes it deep debt of gratitude to the teachers, who give their time and strength to this important work, and should encourage them and render them all possible assistance. Let the parents realise their duty. They need to he particularly alert to see that the prescribed lessons are properly prepared, and that the attendance of the children is regular and punctual. The lack of interest which many adults take in Divine things and their loose attachment to the church can generally he traced to (he character of the early training.which they received at the hands of their parents. Let parents see to it that "they place no such brand-mark upon their successors. These are some of the points the minister wished to refer to, and although there is much room for improvement in their church life and work, he did not wish the congregation to infer that a great deal has not been done to further the work God had put into their hands. They had done much, much which they hoped would bring an eternal reward. They had much to encourage and nothing to discourage them, and as they have entered on another year’s work, let them do so trustfully. hopefully, buoyantly, determined to put forth every effort in the great cause of Christ. Above all, lei them pray, let them besiege the Throne of Grace add blessing wilj surely follow. By, cultivation' a spirit of prayer, a familiarity with (he Scriptures, and by doing the will of God with singleness of aim, let

them seek continually to build up the Kingdom of God. The session report, balancesheet, and secretary’s report were read and adopted, sis also were reports from the Sabbath school, Ladies’ Social Guild, and P.W.M.U. It was resolved that -steps should he taken to increase the accommodation at the Sabbath school.

A committee was appointed to look after non-church-goers, and endeavour to bring them into church connection.

The ladies of the congregation undertook to raise additional

funds. L The following managers were elected: —Messrs Claris, Cronquest, Geo. Henderson, Thos. Henderson, McMurray, Parkes, John Ross and Jas. Ross.

After the meeting those present were entertained at supper by lady members of the congregation.