ST. JOHN’S CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4965, 20 February 1877, Page 3

ST. JOHN’S CHURCH CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.

The annual congregational meeting of St. John's Presbyterian Church was held in the church, Willis-street, last evening. There was a fair attendance, the Rev. James Paterson presiding. REPORT. After praise and prayer the following report was read by the Chairman:— “ From the report which the managers have now to submit it will be seen that during the year there has been a considerable increase both iu the numbers and the resources of the congregation. The increase commenced with the opening of the new church. Enlarged accommodation has led to a larger congregation, and has justified our new church undertaking. Nearly all the sittings in the body of the church are let, and a considerable number iu the gallery. The committee have applications for pews which they are not able at present to meet

“ The revenue shows a large increase. Last year the ordinary revenue from all sources amounted to £724 18s. 4d.; this year it amounts to £1127 16s. Id., showing an increase of £-102 17s. 9d. The main sources of revenue are the seat rents and church collections. Last year the seat rents amounted to £271 55.; this year they amount to £437 155.; increase, £166 10s. Last year the church collections amounted to £351 9s 4d.; this year to £SOB 13s. 6d.; increase, £157 3-, lOd. Total increase on seat rents and collections, £323 13s. lOd. This increase in the revenue enabled the managers to raise the minister’s stipend to £6OO ; to meet all other liabilities, and to have a balance in hand of £l9 14s. Id. “ The building fund is distinct from the ordinary revenue fund. From the statement submitted it will be seen that the managers have been able to pay all that was due to the contractors, to the architect, and others ; and they have sufficient in hand to meet the advance from the bank when it comes due. There will then remain a debt of £2OOO, >viz., a mortgage of £ISOO at 8 per cent., and £SOO debentures at the same rate of interest. This debt is larger than we anticipated it would be ; but it is hoped that ere long it will be considerably reduced. Theinterest is a heavy drain on the revenue, but happily the increase in the revenue nearly meets that drain upon it. It is gratifying to find that our new church scheme has proved a success. We have now a church with enlarged accommodation, with every comfort and convenience, and worthy of our position as a congregation. The increase iu our church members is not in proportion to the increase in our seatholders. This surely is matter for regret. It is not a healthy sign of the real spiritual life amongst us. And what is increase in numbers and finances if there be not a growth and extension of Christian life ? The membership on the communion-roll last year was 181 ; this year.it is 186. The communion was celebrated in the beginning of each quarter, when over 100 members sat down together at the table of the Lord. “ The attendance at the weekly prayer meeting has been about the same as last year. It might be, it ought to be, larger out of so large a congregation. May it be hoped that it will be larger in time to come, that greater numbers will repair to the weekly prayer meeting as to a quiet resting-place where they may find spiritual refreshment and strengthening amid the care and toil of the week. “ The choir has increased both in numbers and efficiency under the able leadership of Mr. Raymond. The practice on Wednesday evenings has been on the whole well attended, and has been kept up with much spirit. A series of musical and literary entertainments was given by the choir, which were a decided success. On each occasion the large schoolroom was crowded. These entertainments afford a pleasant evening’s enjoyment, and they tend to foster a taste for music and literature, and in some cases they may prove a wholesome counteractive to the craving for more questionable amusements. The proceeds of these entertainments have been devoted by the choir to the purchase of a new cabinet organ. Instructions were given to Mr. Walter Turnbull, who is always ready to render any service to the church, to purchase one in London. He did so, and we may expect to receive it in a week or two. The cost has been over £IOO, but the choir have generously undertaken to defray the whole amount. It,is said to be a very fine toned instrument, and no doubt it will prove a valuable aid in improving the psalmody. “The Young Men’s Literary Society, 'although not exclusively connected with this congregation, may yet be taken notice of here as a valuable institution, exerting a,beneficial influence on our young men who attend it. The work of the society is varied—one evening a debate, another a series of essays are read and criticised, another .evening is devoted to elocution, another to the reading and study of Shakspere. A library has been formed for the use of the members, which already contains a considerable number of .standard works in science and literature. “Of the Sabbath-schools we need not here speak, as a full report will be read of each school, and a balance-sheet of the Sundayschool Fund submitted. We need only say that the schools continue in a healthy and flourishing condition. The contributions from the congregation toward the Assembly schemes are about the same as last year—they amount in all to £B3 13s. 4d. With the increase in our numbers and resources, there ought to be a corresponding increase in our givings to those important objects, such as the New Hebrides Mission and Church extension, which are commended by the General Assembly. But we have had heavy calls upon us during the year in connection with our new church building, and this has ho doubt interfered to some extent with our liberality towards outside objects. “We conclude this report with a devout expression of thankfulness to Almighty God for all his goodness to us. Our undertakings have prospered through His good hand upon us. We have had peace and harmony in our midst. We have enjoyed many privileges. Surely we have much to be thankful for. Are we so thankful as we ought to be ? And do we improve our privileges as we ought to do ? May God give us grace to be more humble and thankful, more earnest and faithful in every good work. ‘ And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us ; and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands establish Thou it.’ ’’ The annual balance-sheet was read by Mr. J. Taylor. The total receipts from all sources were shown to amount to £1127 16s. Id., and expenditure £llOB 25., leaving a balance to credit of £l9 14s. Id. The balance-sheet of the building fund.was as follows; —Receipts; Balance in hand, Ist January, 1876, £34 6s. 10s. ; proceeds of

mortgage, £1480; proceeds of debentures, £SOO ; ( proceeds of bills under discount, £160; subscriptions in aid of building fund, £531 19s. lOd. ; subscriptions from London, per W. Turnbull, £4O 155.; subscriptions from London, per 8. Smith, £3O 155.; contributions from ladies’ sewing class, £l4 Bs, 6d. Total, £2792 ss. 2d.' Expenditure: Contractor’s balance of account, £899 10s. lOd ; do, extra work, £32 25.; architect’s fees, £ll6 12s. 5d.; Banks’ account for lamps, £4B; Win. Nicholson’s account, sundries, £2B 18s.; promissory notes retired, £ISOO. Making a total of £2625 3s. 3d. Balance brought down, £lO7 Is. lid. The report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. MANAGING COMMITTEE. The following gentlemen were elected a committee of management :—Messrs. W, W. Taylor, W. Smith, Thomas McKenzie, Robert Greenfield, James Sloan, Thomas Whitehouse, W. Kirkcaldie, George Macdonald, David Kainie, A. Muir, W. Waddell, W. S. Reid, W. Turnbull, D, Gray, John. Taylor, T. K. Macdonald. THE SABBATH SCHOOLS. The annual reports in connection with St. J ohn’sPresbyterian Sabbath schoolandtheTorystreet branch were read by Mr. McKenzie. They showed that the work done during the year was such as to calltor congratulation, and thebalancesheet showed a credit balance of £6 19s. 2£d., that is on the general account, from which it appears that during the past year no less than £IOO was collected and paid away by this small school. Then there is a library account,

showing £33 10s. 6d. received, and £22 6s. lOd. expended, leaving a credit balance of £ll 3s. Bd. These reports were adopted. The meeting then dispersed, after votes of thanks had been given to the secretary and treasurer, and the Benediction having been pronounced. .