CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5329, 26 April 1878, Page 3

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

The anniversary services connected with the above church were brought to a close on April 2nd by a tea meeting, which was well attended. At tho close of the tea meeting, a public meeting was held, when Mr. Knowles read the following report;—“ln presenting a report of our work, we make an acknowledg-ment-first of all to the Church’s Divine Head fur 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 iu 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 ; bur we trust there has been a quiet and gradual growth iu divine things. Tlie 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 aud 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-plaoe. The total number on the roll is 79. Since our last annual meeting a church has been formed at Courtenay-plaoe, of which the Rev. F. Trivett has accepted the pastorate. We heartily congratulate our brethren - there ou 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 tho church undertook to contribute towards the first year’s stipend of the pastor of the Courtenay-plaoe church, aud with the view of assisting the cause there this year wc have pledged ourselves to render help to the extent of £SO. We have still an old debt of £35 connected with furnishing Cour-tonay-place school, with which we did not think it right to burden tho infant church, aud which will be cleared off when necessity arises. Our Sabbath-school work has much iu it to cheer us, though the results are not such as give us satisfaction. There are 106 scholars' on the roll. Tho highest number attending is 87; the highest monthly average, 70; thelowest monthly average, 40, mainly due to wet days, Tho number of teachers iu regular attendance is 10. Tho school library is iu its usually efficient state. It has occurred to some of us that the time lias 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 Thorndon, but the difficulty of getting a suitable building lias hitherto prevented our taking any steps. We rejoice that through the liberality of Mr. Buruo, to whom we are indebted for Courtenay-place 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 mauy advantages, has one or two drawbacks connected with it, and we are at present deliberating as to whether we shall accept the land offered or the alternative which Mr. Borne has given us of a donation of £250 towards securing a more suitable site. We feel it to be incumbent upon us as a Christian Church, now that religions instruction is not afforded in tho State day-schools, the State leaving that work to parents aud the churches, to do what wo can to meet an existing want, in humble dependence upon God for guidance and help. Tbepastor’s Sunday afternoon Bible-class foradultsof both sexes has been fairlyattended. A series of subjects has engaged our attention,' such ns prisons of the Bible, the male aud female characters of Scripture, with much profit, and wo believe growing interest.-' The ' attendance upon the Tuesday evening Bibleclass has been small. It was specially intended by this menus to assist the Sunday-school teachers, by going over with them the lessons tor tho subsequent Sundays, but the encouragement met with has not been such as to lead to tho continuance of these subjects. It is now intended to commence a series of brief lectures on the history of tho canon of the Now Testament, taking as. a textbook a work by the Rev. J. Martin, of Melbourne. Wo 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 1 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 and deepening the religious life iu many eases, and has been the means, we rejoice to say, of leading some of the young people of the congregation to religious decision. We earnestly pray that Gfod 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.