CHURCH MEETING

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 124, 29 April 1925, Page 6

CHURCH MEETING

CONGREGATIONAL FAITH. The. annual meeting of members of tile Congregational Church wus held Inst, night, Rev. J. M. Stewart presiding. The meeting opened with a hymn following which Rev. C. W. Duncumb led the assembly in prayer. Throughout the evening musical items were contributed by a number of those present whoso efforts were received with hearty applause. Mr Stewart, in addressing the gathering, -luted that since he hud come to Palmerston North lie had gained many sincere triends among whom he numbered his brother minister, lie mentioned the good spirit prevailing between the various churches and seated that, in this town, all the ministers were to be found working together in the interests of God and exhibiting true Christian spirit. The secretary (Mr YV. Mundy) then read the annual report which was discussed und adopted. The report stated inter alia: “Our Sunday services have been maintained, especially the evening services which are showing ail increase Sunday by Sunday, but there is room for considerable improvement in the morning services. We think thai. our members could show a little more interest by attending church twice instead o! once on a Sunday. During the year 23 new members have been received into our fellowship. The Deaconate has for the first time for many years been brought up to full strength by Hie ordination of a number of now deacons. These officers are men who have the work ot the Church and the extension of the Kingdom of God at heurt. Our ladies’ guild lias during the year rendered invaluable service iu many ways, for which it deserved our warmest thunks. Our lady friends have Ibis year donuted £BO to the Church, £4O for the installation of electric light in the schoolroom und church, and £4O to the general Church fund. They have our best thanks and with them we include the ladies who kindly plucc flowers in the sanctuary each Sunday. Tho choir has rendered valuable assistance in the Church praise, and particularly do we mention Miss E. M. Rawlins and Mr Leet, senr. for their leadership and experience, and Mr Newman Leet for the splendid services he is rendering as organist. But the great need of oiir choir is for more voices, particularly in the contraltos and tenors: also for assistance in all parts; and if those who have voice and musical knowledge will come to our aid, a great improvement may bo effected. One of the most important branches of our work is the Sunday school and Bible classes, which have shown a considerable increase in numbers. The work of this department lias been handicapped this year through the epidemic of infantile paralysis among the children, but we hope to commence tho work next Sunday with services of thanksgiving for the way our children have been protected from this dreadful diseuse. The Young Congregalionalists’ Society has had a very successful year, having a membership of over 40. .Monthly lectures were given, ivhicli were of a very high intellectual nature and proved most- interesting and instructive to our members. A few of the members gave a most interesting and entertaining production in costume of the “Trial Scene from the Merchant of Venice” •' as a result our schoolroom was completely furnished and fitted out for the holding of future entertainments. The thanks of the Church are especially due to the energetic help of the secretary (Miss Edwards) who by her untiring zeal has made this brunch of the work one of the most live and successful young people’s societies in the Congregational Churches of this Dominion. 'This report would be incomplete without reference to the noble work which our minister bus accomplished during his two years amongst us. We all realised the difficult propositions that lay before him when be came to take over the pastorate of our Church, and although .suffering to a large extent from the effects of his war injuries, he has by the help of God been able to surmount all difficulties, and to place the Church and its various organisations ou a sound basis, llis preaching has been of a very high standard, his deep intellectual and evangelical addresses having Been the means of bringing comfort und joy to many a heart und also nourishment to hungry souls. IV# all feel greatly blessed and enriched through the ministrations of our pastor and trust that we shall be long privileged to enjoy his administrations. Jit conclusion, the minister and deacons entertain the prayerful hope that our semijubilee year will be a year of great spiritual blessing,. always remembering that a Church s power and influence are to be measured not by its buildings or its riches, but by the living men and women worshipping within ite walls, and who are bent unexaltng Christ and winning others to 1 fis service. The treasurer (Mr D. Anderson) stated that the finances were in a satisfactory state; due to the generosity of the people the offertories were gradually increasing and it was expected that the coming year would be a record one. GENERAL. In moving a vote of thanks to the secretary, Mr Stewurt staled that the latter’s was a tiresome duty, and he considered that the Church was extremely fortunate in having such an energetic official. On being put to the meeting the motion was curried unanimously.

Rev. 11. T. Peat briefly addressed the gathering arid conveyed the greetings of the Cuba Street Alethodht (Lurch which, lie stated, was a brunch of God’s great t.'llurcli. He explained that the churches were in no way iu opposition, blit were all engaged in God’s work, and that was as it, should be. Although he was not altogether in favour of union, he was sure that Air Stewart would be welcomed in the Cuba Street Church pulpit as a ('ongregutionul minister, while he thought that lie himself would be welcomed in the Congregational Church. He wished the Church all prosperity

The chairman returned thanks anil assured Mr Peat that he would be cordially welcomed in the pulpit oi tlie Church.

Air G. ll.’ Bennett, on behalf of the Council of Christian Congregations, ad dressed the meeting anil referred feelingly lo tho Christian spirit evident in tfie Churches today There was no room for the spirit of jealousy or competition among the various Churches, but tiicre was room lor the spirit which was evident in Palmerston North, where all were working with the object of extending the Kingdom of God on earth He wished (base present a happy and prosperous year and hoped that the work would go on uninterrupted.

In briefly addressing tbe gathering, Rev. t \ N. Duricumb expressed the pleasure he felt at being asked to be present at the meeting. He looked upon .Mr Stewart as a brother ir. Jesus Christ and hoped that the happy relations now enjoyed would continue. He paid a tribute to .Mr Stewart’s excellent work among his congregation and congratulated the Church members on being blessed with such a pastor. He was gratified to see signs of team work in the Church and said that this augured well for the future. Fur from being “on its last legs” the Church was to-day growing stronger each year. Education was spread by the Church throughout the ages and it was due to it that civilisation was where it wr.s to-day. He hoped that the Congregational Church would go on from victory to victory and from glory to glory. Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt congratulated the meeting on the successful year enjoyed, and stated that fortunately this had been the experience of all the Churches in Palmerston North. It was untrue to say that the Church wus fossilised, its glory was all in front of it. By preaching the Gospel men and women would be uplifted, and until people were better society would not attain the perfection desired by all. What was needed to-day was the power of vision—peoplo failed to seo the work being done and were apt to hurl abuse at the Church which wa« certainly spreading the light of knowledge in the world. He congratulated all present on the success attained during the year and wishod them prosperity m the future. Musical items were contributed by Misses N. Kdlick and D. Stairs and Mr C. i:. Taylor, while Mrs F. Gatley gave a recitation. During the evening a vote of thanks was accorded Mr 11. J. Simmons, chairman of the finance committee, for his assistance during the year. . A dainty supper provided by the ladies brought the evening to a conclusion.