ROSLYN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17691, 31 July 1919, Page 7

ROSLYN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

— -ng. ANNUAL MEETING. SOME UNVARNISHED CRITICISMS. Tho anpual mooting of the Roslyn Ptesbyterian OhurcJi was hold in tho Sunday (school Irali last- night Tho Rev. W. Gray bixon presided. The proceedings opened with tho singing of tha Hundireith Jfsahn and iioripturo reading- and prayer. Tho adoption of tho statement of tho session ana tho annual reports was moved by Mr Tiirnbull

Mr G. Mot expressed tho pleasure of the congregation at Having their pastor and his wife back with them again. Tho various organisations of the church were in a very prosperous and flourishing condition. Ho niado special reference to tho success of the Sunday school and of the choir. There was, however, room for improvement in tho matter of church attendance. It was gratifying to find from the treasurer's report t-iiafc tho envelope system had mado a distinct improvement in the church finances. Mr R. S. Black throw out several suggestions as to how the attendance at the church might be increased, and criticised tho church for bain-g too complacent. He hoped they would learn many useful lessons from the great war. Ho advocated tho erection of a memorial to tho lato Rev. James Chisholm.

Mr Hamcr approved of Mr Black's criticism of the smug self-complacency of tho congregation, and took strong exception to the Moderator of the General Assembly being referred to as " right revarend." That was not democratic, he said. Ho advised tho Moderator (tho Rev. W. Gray Dixon, who was presiding) to read the life of Christ. Tho church did not think anything of tho poor. Tho Salvation Army -was the only one that thought of them. Why did , not the rank and file go to church? They were wasting their energies on church union, which he proceeded to denounce. Tho Chairman: This is not just the subject under discussion.

Mr Hamcr (with vigour): No, but I -want to wake you up .'—(Laughter.) You are wasting your energies on private colleges. Why don't you do what Christ did, and iialp tho poor? Mr Ellis (church treasurer) stated that over 80 people were subscribing to the iicances through tho envelope system, but ho thought that number should be increased to over 100. Ho believed if that were faithiully done they would in six years pay off tho debt on the church. The envelope system had been a great success. Mr Smaill also spoke in approval of -tie envelope system. The Chairman in replying, gave instances to show that tho common people hoard Christian ministers gladly. "Although we look so painfully respectable outwardly" ho said " wo have human hearts." Hβ referred to tho dignity of tho position ho had the honour to occupy as the Moderator o, thehistoric, Presbyterian Church. He refused to belittle that position, but on tho other hand, he was .willing to lhe 'in a wharo ,f need te, or to milch ™th the big drum and hold the torch in a Salvation sistent, and ho was just as enthusiastic for the one as for the other-each in its own time and place. Many of the ladies ofX congregation had oven risked their lives in

caring for the poor daring the time of the epidemic. Ho also referred to the discouragement caused by the paucity of attendance at the evening service. The motion -was passed. Tho latter part of the evening was taken up with an enjoyable musical programme, contributed by Mr R. George (clarionet solo), Mr Kelly (song), Miss G. Black (recitation), Messrs R.. and S. Black (clarionet duet), and the choir.

Tlio Chairman annoanced that ho -would ffiv3 a series of addresses on the great fundamental facts of the Christian faith loading up to the mission of rededication, which tho Assembly's Life and Work Coromrttco proposed should bo held throughout the dominion from August 31 to September At the close of the meeting supper was handed round by tho ladies, and was enjoyed by all present.