ST. JOHN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5270, 13 February 1878, Page 2

ST. JOHN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. John's Church was held last evening, the Rev. James Paterson, the pastor, presiding. The Chairman stated that formerly it was customary to have the yearly reports read after a soiree or tea meeting, at which there was always a full attendance of the congregation and friends. Some, however, thought it would be better to depart from that custom, and hold a meeting more of a» business character, at which the reports might be considered, an opinion being expressed that members would feel more willing to express their views on the affairs of the church. That desire was yielded to, and it was resolved to have the soiree at the anniversary of the opening of the church. One of the most encouraging features in the report was that which alluded to the increase of Church members, and he hoped there might be a corresponding increase next year. He (the Rev. Mr. Paterson) also stated that a telegram had been received from the Rev. Dr. Somerville, who intended leaving Taranaki on the following day, and would commence a series of evangelistic services on Monday next. He also referred to the excellent staff of teachers in both schools, calling especial attention to the desirability of sustaining the two senior classes from which the teachers were drafted. With regard to the debt of £2OOO on the church, he believed if an effort were made that might be cleared off. Subscriptions to a liberal amount were already promised. He then read the following REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. Tho position of the congregation this year is shout tire same as when reported on last year. The attendance at church is about the same, and tho revenue is about the same. There is indeed n considerable lucre iso n; the membership, and this is the most encouraging feature in our Church life. Last year tho number on the communion roll was 180. There joined during the year no new members, of whom 22 came to the communion for the lirst time ; 20 names were withdrawn from the roll; the number at present on tho roll is 220, showing an increase over last year of 34 members. The communion was celebrated quarterly : and at each of our last two communions about 150 members sat down together at the Lord’s table. There is uo surer sign of tho spiritual healthiness of a congregation than tho numbers who join earnestly and devoutly in commemorating tho death of our blessed Lord, and in pledging their faith and loyalty to Him at bis own table. It would be a cause for thankfulness and rejoicing did more of the congregation feel tho desire and the obligation to enter into the el'iser fellowship of tho Church, and to join In tho observance of the holy ordinance of the communion. The elders visit their districts once a quarter, distributing tho communion cards before each communion. It is felt that tho present staff of elders, only six, is quite too small for tho efficient oversight of a congregation so largo and so widely scattered. An addition to tho eldership is much needed, and an early opportunity will be given to the congregation to make this addition. Tho attendance at the weekly service on Wednesday evenings has been about the same as in former years. It would bo encouraging to see more of the congregation availing themselves of this opportunity of meeting together for Christian worship and fellowship.

In addition to the regular congregational service : there has been held during the past feiv months, in the various churches, a series of united prayer meet* ings, which have been well attended. These meetings originated in connection with the anticipated visit of the Rev. Dr. Somerville, an eminent minister of the Free Church of Scotland, who has specially devoted himself to evangelistic work. It is hoped that his visit to Wellington, and his earnest labors amongst us. may, by the Divine blessing, tend to the growth of the Christian life, and to the increase of Christian activity in all our churches. We are pleased to be able to report that the two Sunday-schools in connection with the church are in a very healthy and prosperous condition. Thor© is a considerable increase in the attendance at both schools. The average attendance at the two schools is about 300 ; and these are taught by a very efficient staff of about 40 teachers. The classes are well organized and are well taught. The teachers show a deep interest in their work. In the end of the year an examination was held in each school on the Shorter Catechism, and on the course of lessons Cor the previous six months, and prizes were awarded to successful competitors. The results of the examination were very satisfactory. These examinations are to be continued ; it is felt that they have a stimulating effect both on the teachers and the scholars, and cannot fail to exert a beneficial influence on the work of the Sun-day-school. The young men’s Bible class is still taught by Mr. McKenzie with unabated interest and efficiency. It meets in the manager’s rooms at half-past 2 o’clock on Sunday afternoons—young men are cordially invited to join this class, they will get great good from it, and they will find a true friend to instruct and counsel them in the earnest and genial teacher. During part of the year a senior girls’ class was taught by the ministers ; but for a time it has been discontinued. This has enabled him to attend more to the general interests of the two schools. Another advanced girls’class is being formed, under, the care of an exp.-rienced lady teacher. This will supply a felt want in the school. The Young Men’s Literary Society, which meets in the manager’s room on Tuesday evenings at half-past seven o'clock, still maintains a vigorous existence. It . has had a three months’vacation, but resumes its meetings in the beginningof March. Theworkofthesociety is carried on with much spirit, in essays and debates, and in cultivating the art of elocution. There is a good library, containing some excellent works, suited to the various tastes of readers. The beneficial influence of such a society, in developing and improving the mind, and in helping to form a taste for literary pursuits, can hardly be over-estimated. , The choir continues under the efficient leadership of Mr. Raymond, and renders great service in maintaining an excellent psalmody in the congregation. The new organ, purchased by Mr, Walter Turnbull in London, lias proved an acquisition. Its cost has been already nearly defrayed by the choir, from the proceeds of a series of literary and musical entertainments, which were a great success. The financial statement shows the revenue of the church to be about the same as last year, except in the item of seat rents, which, owing to outstanding arrears, shows a decrease. The seat-rent book was recently revised, when it was found there were 427 sittings let, and 170 unlet. There u still a debt of £2OOO upon the church, the interest of which forms a heavy drain on the resources of the congregation. It is Indeed a burden which hampers the church in many ways, and which we ought to try to get rid of. Practically nothing was done during the past year to reduce it. It was thought that it would be better to rest for a year, and gather up our energies for a great and united effort this year. We . should resolve to clear off £IOOO of the debt, and if *we set about it in an earnest and a liberal spirit it will be done. Already a considerable sum is promised, and no doubt ere the end of the year the amount aimed at will be obtained, and this will be a great relief to the finances of the church; The managers weuld heartily commend this object to the generous consideration of the congregation, And may the Divine blessing attend all our efforts ; and may all that we do and give be offered as a willing service to Him who, in his great love, gave himself a willing sacrifice for us. Mr. W. S. Reid, in the absence of Mr. Waring Taylor, read the treasurer’s statement, which showed the income of the year to have been £1037 18s. 3d., being made up of door collections, £502 9s. 9d.; seat rents, £364 ss. ; organ fund, £53 14s. 6d. ; and sundry contributions, £97 14s. lid. The expenditure for the same period amounted to £1063 6a. 9d., leaving a debit balance of £25 Bs. 6d. The building fund income amounted to £302 Bs. 6d., and the expenditure to £326 7s, Bd., leaving a debit balance of £23 18s. 9d. It was agreed to have the report, which was adopted, printed and circulated among the Church members. BUNDXT-BCHOOL REPORT. Mr. Thomas McKenzie read the report of the Willis-street and Tory-street Sundayschools. It was of a highly satisfactory nature, and showed both schools to be in a healthy and prosperous condition. The total number of scholars on the Willisstreet roll is 251, made up of 121 girls and 130 boys, the average attendance each Sabbath being 157. The largest number that assembled on one day was 198. At the Tory-street school there are 166 on the books—97 girls and 69 boys—with an average attendance of about 120. As many as 137 have been present on one Sabbath. The staff of teachers in Willis-street consists of fourteen ladies and twelve gentlemen, while in Torystreet there are eight lady and seven gentleman teachers. The Willis-street library cou--1 tains 450 volumes, and the Tory-street library 2SO books—both libraries being well patronised by the scholars. The total receipts for the two schools during the year amounted to £77 2s. 2sd., leaving a credit balance of £ls Is. 6d. "in conclusion, Mr. McKenzie stated that the teachers devoted a great deal of time and attention to the work. The report was adopted, on the motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. McMurraN. ' j COMMITTEE OP MANAGEMENT. On the motion of Mr. XiANG, seconded by Mr. McMuruan, the following were elected a committee of management for the ensiling year :—Mr. W. W. Taylor, treasurer ; Mr. W. Smith, secretary; Messrs. T. McKenzie, R. Greenfield, J. Sloan, T. Whitehouse, J. Kirkcaldie, G-. Macdonald, I). Raiuie, A. Muir, W. Waddell. W. S. Reid, R. Gardner, D. Gray, J. Taylor, W. Hopkirk, and J. ,Youug. 1 A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring committee. A discussion took place among those present regarding the feasibility of clearing off the church debt, and the proceedings were brought to a close with a hymn and prayer.