PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2172, 4 September 1920, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEE*i.MX(;-.

The annual congregational meeting of the above was held in the church last evening. There was a good attendance of members, and) the Rev. Halliday presided. The following reports were rend and adopted: — Poston Kirk Session Report. —It was with general regret that we said farewell to our minister, Rev. Brcdin, about the cud of July, 1010. Fortunately for the Church, the vacancy was a short one. The Rev. Tims. Halliday, Lansdowne, Mastort on, accepted an unanimous call, and in September was duly inducted to the parish. We have held four .quarterly Communion services, with record attendances —an average of (15 members silling down to the Lord's Table. During (he year Mr ,1. K. Hornblow, session clerk, found it necessary to resign from his olhees in church, and the Session desires to minute its appreciation of his past services. .Messrs Hancox and Johnstone, and Mr Cimbletl, wore duly elected and ordained to the office of elder. We also 'welcome Mr Stevenson, an elder from Pahiatua charge. The General Committee recommend the desirability of dispensing with £25 per annum grant which we have received from the Union for many years. This shows the sound liiumeial position that we are in, also the exceedingly generous giving of the people. Sunday Schools: —Wo wish to express our gratitude to Airs Halliday, who is Acting-Superintendent of Poxton Sunday School until a suitable gentleman can be found. Also the teachers, the Misses Claris, Henderson, McAllister (2). Air 11. AVilton continues to do good work in the Sunday School at Rangiotu. and has the help of two or three teachers, Miss Wilton organist. Mrs Lancaster found it necessary to give up the work in the Sunday School at Glen Oroiui, and the Session desires to return its wannest thanks foi; past help. Aliss Annie Farmer and Miss Hobbs now act as teachers. Aliss A. Farmer, organist. A Rand of Hope ha> been started at Foxlon, conducted by the Minister, with an attendance of over thirty. The I niled Prayer .Meeting held every Tuesday continues to attract splendid attendances, ami this is a very encouraging sign spiritually The Session desires to express their gratitude to the choir, coupled with the name of Mrs ('laris, organist, and the 1’.W.A1.r.: and i.allies’ Social Build, and all who in any way helped on the work of the congregation daring the year. .Minister's Report : —Aly lirst word is thanks So the Kirk Session and Managers for kind co-operation. The reports of the nl'lice-bcavers -peak for themselves, anil we have good cause to say ‘‘Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.”- Poxton church has had a splendid record. We are pleased (hat Miss Duncan is still wilii us, reminding us in a special way of the founder of the work in this district, namely, the Rev. .las. Duncan, The oilier three ministers, the Revs. ‘ Aitkcu, Thompson and Ilrcdin, have laboured faithfully in this vineyard, and (hey have left' their mark upon the community as a whole. In a week or two the present minister will complete his first year. All hough conscious of my own weakness, I have tried, in my own way, to do (he work of the Master to the best of my ability. Might 1 ask, as we go forward to a new year, that members and adherents take a lively interest in nil (he affairs of (lie church. The line spirit of brotherhood existing should tell very materially in the diffieull work that: lies before Hie Christian Church in the near future. In these days of social and political unrest, surely the church, has a mission. The Premiers of the British Empire have reminded us that the “sure basis of world peace does not lie in materia! things,’' that the hope of a “brotherhood of humanity” rests on the deeper spiritual fact of the “Fatherhood of God.” , We are constantly challenged as to our loyalty to Christ. Let us do our best by precept and example to commend the religion of Jesus Christ. The test of loyally is the fact of service. Whether my ministry he long or short in Poxton, it will be my endeavour to serve the highest good, both in preaching and visitation. Encouraging reports were also read-from the P.W.M.U. (Foxlon and Rangiotu), Ladies' Social Guild, and the Bible Class, The general balance-sheet disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs. The whole of last year's committee Wiis re-elected. At the conclusion of the business a social was held, when songs werj contributed by Airs Bullard, Air Ban', and Mrs Healey, and quartettes by Mesdamcs Bullard and Healey, and Messrs Head and Barr. Mr Claris also gave a recitation, and addresses were delivered by the Revs. Walton, Bredin, Harding and Halliday,

During the evening a presentation of a cheque from the congregation was made to Mrs Claris as a mark oi. appreciation of her efforts as organist,