PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STRATFORD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 74, 1 August 1913, Page 7

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, STRATFORD.

AXXUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the St. An-! draw’s Presbyterian Church, Stratford, was held in the school hall on Wednesday evening. There was a good attendance.

The yearly reports .of the various departments of the congregation were presented. There was a very optimistic tone pervading the reports, and also manifest in the meeting. SESSION REPORT. Mr A. Spence, on behalf of the Session, said: “In reviewing the work of the Church for the year just closed, we have, as a Church, at the outset, to acknowledge with gratitude the guidance of the Divine Hand in all our activities. During the vacancy of the Church the congregations languished somewhat, notwithstanding tho excellent pulpit supply provided. Happily this state of affairs was brought to an end with the induction of the Rev. J. Pattison to the pastorate of the charge in December last. Since his coming amongst us as our minister, tire congregations have greatly increased, and a deeper interest is being manifested by the memberso in the various branchs of Church work . under his able and faithful ministry. The

special mission, held in the .month, of May, and conducted by the pastor, was a season of much spiritual refreshing. The meetings were well attended, and thp results, very gratifying. As an outcome, a mid-week service was commenced with an encouraging attendance. The non-observance of the tf-ftmmunion during the vacancy was falt to be. a .distinct, loss. A* customary this ordinance is now being celebrated quarterly, and the Session was much gratified with the large number of members who took part on the last two occasions, both being records in attendance. The .roll of members stands .at 141. The ad d it-ions and disjunctions are precisely the same, numbering 25 in each case. The services in the outfields— Toko, Ngaire, and Stanley Road, have been well maintained. That these kg;vices are highly valued, not only by' our own people but also by mom be a of other churches is evidenced by their presence and the guppori which they give. In June last, a notable event was the formation ol th i P.W.M.U., with a. good member ship. This was largely the r,es,ult -pi a visit from Sister Margaret.'' "A vi-jt fronr Dr; Kifk recently {give tht no. voment »neh 'stimulus tliat it bar bo; orne a very!?abti>ve organisation oi our Church. 'Grateful mention 'lEusl be made of til# - l hblp bj Messrs. Lilleyd'Robinson; anil 'pownoy, in conducting'’ I .services ih Toko and l other centres during rbcont months', thus : Hefting to 'fitl’bh© vacancy in Toko and enabling the minister to conduct services in Acland Road. ■ The ; thanks of the Session and congregation are due to the choir for fh» valuable service' they hay* rendered l duringHh* splendid help given 'bj?/-Mr Patrick bbfor- 1 and, since his.j-eceiji appointment a.‘ organist deserves special mention Recognition must he(inade of’the good wo'"k being done in,Ahe Sunday Solioo' by the Superintendent (Mr R. McK. Munson) and the teacher* and officer! who are so nobly helping in the training of the young. Af most importin' event took place just recently, when the congregation by, a large and representative vote elected Messrs Dr. Steven, Percy Thompson, J. B.

Campboll and Lilloy •. as elders. The addition of these brethren to the Session will, ive are sure, add greatly to the spiritual efficiency of the work of the Church. In concluding this brief report, wa cannot, ns a Session, allow the opportunity to pass withoul expressing to our minister, our sense of the great blessing received under his .ministry, and of the brotherly spirit shown by him in the conduct o all our meetings. It is pleasing to add that the outlook for the year is full of promise. We would, as a Ses sion exhort all our members to look to the Great Head of the Church Jesus Christ, for the guidance alio inspiration needed in their work.” MANAGER’S REPORT. Mr J, B. Campbell gave his report as secretary, as follows:—”in presenting the ,report for the year end ing June 30th, we n’onld place on record our gratitude to Almighty God for His continued goodness unto us as a congregaton. Although without a settled minister for about half ni the year, wo have not only held our ground, hut made considerable ad vance. In accordance with the recommendation of the Presbytery, the congregation took energetic measures to secure a suitable residence for the minister. Soon after the settlement of a minister amongst ns. they agreed on the recommendation iof the Committee to purchase Mr Wakes’ house and grounds in Regan Street at a cent of £llOO. This transaction was completed, and has given great satisfaction, the minister, congregation, and Presbytery alike being pleased with the bargain. The thanks of the congregation are due to the - Ladies’ Guild for valuable assistance during the year. They raised, and handed to the treasurer, over’£6o.” FINANCE. Mr P. Thompson presented, his report as treasurer of the congregation. Tho. chief items under the heading

•llooeipts were : Stratford—Sunday /collections £l7l 8s Cd, genera] subj sc: Options £7O 14s (kl. Ngaere: Collections £lO 18s 6d, Ladies’ Guild £6l 11; .‘id. Tlie rotal receipts .for the Ijt r, from all sources, ware £3Bl 9 s Bd. The main elements of expenditu.a ware: Pulpit supply £o9‘T7s lid,

ministers’ stipend £133 4s 6d. Missions and other general schemes of the Church £lB 13s 2d. Old Manse renovation and improvement to Sunday school hall £76 2s 6d. The total expenditure for the year was £376 17» Bd, leaving a credit balance in hand of £4 12s. THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. The report was presented by Mr R. McK. Morison, the superintendent. Mr Morison spoke of the good work done by his predecessor, Mr Spence, who was constrained to resign his position in the Sunday school owing to the state of his health. Referencg was made to the loss sustained in the resignation of Mr Stewart, Miss E. Brayshaw and Miss I. Butcher from th© teaching staff fir, The teachers who remained were doing good work and ably assisting him in his position. The Sunday school was in a healthy condition, but they were needing teachers, and he would earnestly appeal to any in the congregation who could help in• this direction, to com© forward and take up tb© good work.. Besides the?©, brief reports were received from the,Ladies’ Guild oovaring their activities during, the year, and from th© choir dealing with their work. : •; ;> : .-n : !■'

ELECTION OF NEW MANAGERS

After th© various Church reports wer© received and adopted by th© congregation, there was an election of managers to fill th© vacancies on th© Committe© caused by th© election of throe of it© members to the eldership, and th© resignation of others 'Who had left the district. 'Th© nstniss of th© following geiitlemen w©r© nominated for th© managership, and thereafter unanimously elected to the position: Messrs Lawrence, Douglas, R. McK. Morfson, T. Smith, C. Jackson, IV. Brocklebank, C. E. .Downey,, and Patrick. GENERAL. At this stag© the mooting was thrown open to all who wished to talco part, when vote's of confidence and appreciation to the minister, clerk of Session, secretary, treasurer, Ladies’ Guild, and choir wer© heartily and unanimously passed. A motion of appreciation of the services of Mr and Mrs Mackay and family in time past to the Church and an an expression of regret at th© pi Aspect of their early departure from the district was adopted by th® congregation. WORDS BY THE MINISTER. The Rev. J. Pattison expressed his pleasure that so many were present at the meeting. Ho cordially reciprocated the kind things they-had been pleased to say of himself and his work. Ho trusted he would bo worthy of their esteem and cordial support. Since coming to their midst, ho had been, received by all in a kindly spirit, ami ho had found many willing to come forward and help in the work. He would like to specially mention the worthy Session clerk, whoso services during the vacancy in the Church, and since his coming, had simply been invaluable. The congregation, he thought, wore specially obligated to Mr P. Thompson for the amount nl time and energy he was putting into his work as treasurer. During a time of crisis and important transactions he had put his legal services freely and ungrudgingly into the work. There were others whose work in their placa was equally valuable and necessary. He agreed with a previous resolution that the congregation was exceedingly indebted to the Ladies’ Guild for the ‘very great financial assistance they had given during the year. He trusted that their numbers would increase and their usefulness in future bo greater than ever. The work of tile Sunday school too was deserving of his commendation. In importance the service in this direction rendered by the superintendent and teachers was scarcely second to that of the minister. He appreciated very highly the aid given by the choir in the service of praise during the year. It was pleasing to note that a branch of the Presbyterian Women’s Missionary Union was recently formed, and he looked to this organisation to help in promoting interest in missions in the congregation. He was particularly pleased at the recent increase of the Session by the addition of four „mem-

hors, and gratified at the large addition to the Committee of Management made that evening. AVitJi - the assistance of the brethren and the co-opera-tion of the congregation, P© thought they might look forward with hope and confidence to the future. He reminded them of the large district he was expected to visit, including not only the town itself, which it took some time to cover, hut Ngaire, Acland Road and Toko. Some time too was required in keeping the Manse grounds in order, and this with sermon preparation and special calls of various kinds made large demands upon his time and energy. But he had come amongst them to do his best, and he was sure that if they were united and faithful the work would succeed

even beyond their expectation.

Refreshments were handed round by the ladies, and the meeting closed with the pronouncement of the Benediction.