CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5311, 3 April 1878, Page 3

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The anniversary services connected with the above church were brought to a close last evening by a (tea meeting, which was well attended. At the close of the tea meeting, a public meeting was held, when Mr. Knowles read the following report:—“ In presenting a report of our work, we make an acknowledgment first of all to the Church’s Divine Head for the mercies of the past year and for the grace through which we continue as a household of faith till the present time. Though we have to record but slight measure of success in the shape of additions to our fellowship, yet unity, peace, and generous liberality have characterised our Church life. We have neither had the great showers that water the earth and make the barren land bring forth, nor the strong winds rending the mountains and causing divisions ; but we trust there has been a quiet and gradual growth in divine, things. The attendance upon the Lord’s Day ministrations has been somewhat diminished of late, partly owing to removals, and partly owing to the establishment of another church of our faith and order in this city. We are in good hope that our losses in this respect are but temporary, and that they will ere long be made up. Three members have been added to our fellowship during the year, three have been removed by death, and twelve have received letters of transfer with a view of forming a church at Courtenay-place. The total number on the roll is 79. Since our last annual meeting a church has been formed at Courtenay-place, of which the Rev. F. Trivett has accepted the pastorate. Wo heartily congratulate our brethren there on the present state of their affairs. There is much to stimulate and encourage, and our prayer is that God’s blessing may rest upon them. Our total receipts for the year amount to £622 18s. 55.; total expenditure, £635 145.; leaving a balance due to the treasurer of £l2 15s. 7d. The receipts and expenditure include the sum of £155, which the church undertook to contribute towards the first year’s stipend of the pastor of the Courtenay-place church, and with the view of assisting the cause there this year we have pledged ourselves to render help to the extent of £SO. We have still an old debt of £35 connected with furnishing Cour-tenay-placo school, with which wo did not think it right to burden the infant church, and which will be cleared off when necessity arises. Our Sabbath-school work has much in it to cheer us, though the results are not such as give us satisfaction. There are 106 scholars on the roll. The highest number attending is 87; the highest monthly average, 70; thelowest monthly average, 49, mainly due to wet days. The number of teachers in regular attendance is 10. The school library is in its usually efficient state. It has occurred to some of us that the time has come for establishing a Sunday-school at the upper end of Tinakori-road. We have .long been impressed with the need that exists in that part of Thomdon, but the difficulty of getting a suitable building has hitherto prevented our taking any steps. We rejoice that through the liberality of Mr, Burne, to whom we are indebted for Oourtenay-plaoe land and building, we are in the fair way of getting our wishes realised. He has offered this church a piece of land, but the, situation, although it has many advantages, has one or two drawbacks connected with it, and we are at present deliberating as to whether wo shall accept the ! land offered or the alternative which Mr. Burne has given us of a donation of £250 towards securing a more suitable site. j We feel it to be incumbent upon us as a Christian Church,® now that religious instruction is not afforded in the State day-schools, the State ■ leaving that work to parents and the churches, to do what wo can to meet an existing want, in humble dependence upon God for guidance and ihelp. Thepastor’s Sundayaftemoonßible-olaas for adults of both sexes has been fairly attended. iA series of subjects has engaged our atten-

'tibh, l ’sucli as" prisons of/ihe,feble, much profit, and we believe! growing interest. The •attendance upon the Tuesday evening Bibleclass has been small. ’ It' was specially intended by this means to ■ assist the Sunday-school i teachers, by going over with them . the lessons, for the subsequent Sundays, but the encourage-1 ment met with has not been s such as td lead to the continuance of these subjects. It is now, intended to commence a series of brief lectures: on the history, of the canon of the New Testa- j ment, taking as a textbook a work by the i Rev. J. Martin, of Melbourne. ' We hope that; such a subject .will, prove instructive, and secure for us a good attendance. The Ladies’; Benevolent Society has been doing its work of mercy quietly and' steadily. Monthly meetings have been held, and a number of articles, of clothing made by members of the : society have been given away during the year. A course of six popular lectures was delivered in the church during the last session of Parliament. They involved considerable labor and anxiety,' but the result, both as a means of information and pecuniary profit, was a decided success. We cannot close our report without referring to the spiritual benefits derived by many amongst us from the united prayer meetings and from the visit of Dr. Somerville. We believe that his mission has had the effect of quickening aud deepening the religious life in many cases, and has been the means, we rejoice to Bay, of leading some of the young people of the congregation to religious decision. We earnestly pray that God may bless and make permanent all that has been done,” Excellent speeches were delivered by the Revs. Paterson, Dumbell, and Moir, and Messrs. J. G. Holdsworth and W. Hutchison.