BAPTIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 119, 22 April 1925, Page 2

BAPTIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of members of the Baptist Church was held last night, there being a record attendance. The report of the secretary, Mr VV. Whitehead, recorded a year of rich spiritual blessing. There had been , many decisions for Christ and many baptisms. Twenty-one had joined the church during the year, and the membership now stood at 125. The work among the young people of the church was in a healthy state. While for the moment almost all the young people’s work was at a standstill due to the health restrictions, normally each department showed progress the year’s working, particularly the "Voung Women’s Bible Class, under the leadership of Mr D. T. Allan, and the Young Men’s Cluss, with Mr G. W. Spencer as leader. The Children’s Worshipping League, too, had steadily grown, and had a membership df 54, with an average attendance at the morning services of 42. Two young men had ottered for the mission field during the year and one hnd been provisionally accepted. Cottage meetings, which bad been commenced in August last, bringing the means of grace into the homes of tho people, had met With extraordinary success, the accommodation of tho various homes being severely taxed to accommodate tho numbers. The prayer life of the church had never been stronger than at present. A new organ had been installed free of debt, and the thanks of the church were due to Miss K. Englefield and Mr F. Grover, junr., for their services as joint organists. ‘‘ln conclusion,” stated the report, “we want to thank our pastor, at the close of six years’ service rendered unto God in Palmerston North, for his faithful ministry with us. Many of us have found the Saviour under his preaching; many of us know of the hard toil and tho uphill fight our pastor had in the early days of his ministry here, but during tho last two or three years we have been very richly blessed. To-night, with him, we give thanks unto God for the way in which he has been blessed in his labours, and pray that he may go on from strength unto strength and victory unto victory.” / The report of the treasurer, Mr W. Gray, revealed' that the total income from all sources for the year had been £770, of which amount £l3O 6s lOd had been contributed for missions, £27 7s 6d for the Manurewa Children’s Home, and £124 12s Id had been added to the building fund. The latter fund, on the closing of the books for the year, stood at £944 Os 7d. Since that date, a friend of the church had offered £1 for £1 up to £250 as from March 21, and already an additional £B6 had been raised and the £1 for £1 subsidy received. This was very encouraging in view of the decision of the church immediately to proceed with the first part of tho building scheme, which involved the putting of tlie present church building to the hack of the section, adding thereto two rooms for the senior Bible class, newclass rooms for intermediate classes and a new primary department, vitally necessary because of the present cramped conditions. This work would clear the way for the new church building, to he erected in brick on the front of the section.

Eulogistic reference to the services rendered the church by tho retiring officers was made by Messrs G. H. Elliott and F. Grover, senr., and a hearty vote of appreciation was passed. Mr Elliott also spoke in tho highest possible terms of the work of the pastor, tho Kov. C. W. Duneumb, who, he stated, was held in higher esteem in his seventh year here than in any previously. Other speakers added their tributes, and a resolution embodying the sentiments expressed was carried unanimously. The following officers were elected:— Deacons, Messrs W. P. Anderson, J. R. Carr, C. Perry, G. W. Spencer, F. Grover, junr., and D. T. Allan; secretary, Mr W. Whitehead; treasurer, Mr W. Gray; treasurer of the building fund, Mr G. H. Elliott; superintendent of the Sunday school, Mr W. L. Lambert; organists, Miss K. Englefield and Mr F. Grover, junr; choirmaster, Mr W, Lambert • reporter to Bapust, Mr I«. Poddy; « hah gniogJi.-'

agent for Baptist, Mr J. R. Carr; auditor, Mr W. P. Anderson; missionary collector, Mr G. H. Elliott; representatives to Council of Christian Congregations, Messrs W. P. Anderson and W. Gray; union collector, Mr F. Grover, junr.jManurewa Home collector, Mrs Carr; deaconesses, Mesdamos Wilby, Holbrook, Duncumb, Carr and Grover; Communion steward, Mr A. A. Crabbe. Mr E. W. Holbrook was made a permanent elder of the church. At the conclusion of the election of officers, a vote was taken unanimously empowering the building oommittee to proceed at once with tho building scheme. Tlie meeting terminated with the singing of the Doxology.