CHURCH MEETING AT RICHMOND.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, 1 December 1855, Page 2

CHURCH MEETING AT RICHMOND.

In accordance with a public advertisement to that effect, a meeting of members of the Church of England was held at Richmond, on Monday last, "to consider the proposed plan of organization," and "to elect churchwardens" for the congregation, if so determined.

Captain Blundell was called to the chair. After prayer, Mr. Saxton stated that Mr. Barnicoat, Mr. C. Palmer, Mr. G. Holland, and himself had been requested, at a former meeting (when the Bishop was present), to ascertain the amount of contributions which might be obtained from members of the church in the district, towards the maintenance of a clergyman. Their efforts, although not yet concluded, had been so far successful that promises of annual subscriptions to the extent, of upwards of a6IOO had been received, and that additional subscriptions were promised, if a resident minister were appointed. The Rev. H. F. Butt afterwards, at the request of the Chairman, described the present unsatisfactory state of the church in this province, and showed the advantages to the clergy henceforward, if relieved by lay assistance from many of those responsibilities which had hitherto pressed upon them so heavily and unfairly.

The Rev. J. C. Bagsiiaw then stated to the meeting the course to be followed in forming congregations or parishes, and explained the duties of the churchwardens.

Mr. Saxton then proposed, and Mr. Barnicoat seconded, the following form for organizing the new parish or congregation, which had been prepared from forms used in the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States, and by the church in South Australia and other places, on like occasions, which was adopted by the meeting : —

Wo, the undersigned, members of tho United Church of England and Ireland, desiring to unite in tho public worship of Almighty God, and to promote the holy influence of religion in the hearts and live 9 of ourselves, our families, and our neighbours, do hereby associate ourselves together as a congregation of tho said church, by the name of tho " Parish of Trinity Church," Richmond, in tho Provinco of Nelson ; and, as such, in consideration of our being recognised as a parisli in tho diocese of New Zealand, wo do hereby agrco to adopt, and to bo governed by, the Regulations of the Dioceso lawfully enacted by the Bishop, clergy, and laity thereof. Dated at Richmond, tho 2Gth day of November, in tho year of our Lord 1853.

The meeting next proceeded to the appointment of churchwardens, and, agreeably to the usages of the Church of England, the officiating minister was requested first to nominate a warden on his own behalf. The Rev. J. C. Bagsiiaw then named Mr. Saxton as minister's warden ; and Mr. Barnicoat was proposed as warden for the parish. Both these gentlemen were appointed and accepted office until Easter, 1856, the usual time for the annual election of churchwardens.

At the suggestion of Mr. Barxicoat and Mr. Saxton, the meeting resolved that Mr. Palmer and Mr. Holland should be requested to continue their assistance ; they were therefore appointed assistant wardens, or vestrymen.

It was then announced that Divine Service would be celebrated every Sunday morning at Richmond; and that the clergyman would arrange to attend on one Sunday in the month, in the afternoon, at Waimea West, Spring Grove, Wakefield, and Stoke, respectively, for Divine Service and the administration of the sacraments, as may be necessary, until the appointment of another clergyman. Mr. Saxton having been requested to act as treasurer, after a vote of thanks to the Chairman and prayer, the meeting separated.

It is understood that an application will be made by the wardens and vestrymen, on behalf of the congregation, to the Bishop and Endowment Board, for recognition as a parish in the diocese. The conditions proposed and agreed upon at the Bishop's recent visit being complied with, the parish becomes entitled to a certain endowment from the general funds of the church, and has also the right of electing one member of the Nelson Church Endowment Board. As January is drawing near, we hope that other congregations will lose no time in following the example of Trinity Parish, Richmond.