ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 80, 3 August 1915, Page 6

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

1 The annual meeting of the St. Andrew V Church was held last Friday evening in the St. A.Odrow's schoolroom. The Rev. J. Pattison presided, and theve'-was: ft good attendance of members and *

'. ' The reports of the various branches of the steady. progress!. One of the older members, who has bean identified V3*b xe church since i&s in Stratford, said: ''Tfcat is the he** report . tve have had 'dxwing the last 23 years." . . SESSION REPORT. In presentiaig' the report-' of the Session. Dr. D. Steven, session clerk, said: "The various organisations of • the ehuivnhave done good work during the year. The attendances at Divine services; have been good. During till year "thirty-!** new menflbers joined" the church, twenty-nine by ''certificate, and seven "on profession of faith. Five disjunctioM' • certificates were given to members leayhig the

district; The average attendance at .the last four cwxini union services was seventy-three.'' 'Tbe report expressed appreciation of the rendered by the choir iu this. church services; the valuable work being done by Mr • R. H. Robinson (superintendent), v and the teaehei-s of the, Sunday School, add concluded .fey recording*' their sense of the great blessing received under the ministry'''.el 'the Revi J. Patrtison. the kftkxeui; report.

The finahqiapfregort was presented by Mr P. Thomson, the church treasurer. It showed total aeceipfcs. for the year £477 7s 3d, exclusive of a large sum raised for the reduction of the debt on' the church property. The position was considered eminently satisfactory; and the outlook was bright. It was matter for thankfulness thajt the congregation during the year had not only held ijts own, but njjade financial progress. Mr H. E. Lawrence, the secretary of the coinmittee, gave • THE MANAGERS' REPORT.

Amongst: other things the report dealt with the debt reduction move-

ment. It was stated that the sum of

£2OO had been raised for this purpose the ye'ar. Reference was made to the garden fete held in the Manse grounds- early in the year, in aid of the Belgian Relief Funds. The report concluded: "Your committee are of opiniou that it is a matter for deep tharik fulness that there are so many signs of prosperity and progress, many of which cannot be recorded in a report. We desire to record our gratitude for the progress made, and would pray for the continued goodness and guidauce of .our Heavenly Father during the coming year." THE SUXDAY SCHOOL REPORT was given by the Superintended (Mr R. H. Hobmson). It showed that the number, of scholars on, the roll ft the beginning of the year was 10.0. Since

then, 20 rteu- names had been added, briitgijlg the nuh*be,r on the roll at present ii i* to 130. There had been until recently nrgent*need of more teacher*, bnfr the 'addition of Mr and Mrs .Stewart to the staff had helped to -supply th,e need, and their help was greatly appreciated: The record of the school during tlie year was one of pro- \ gress. It was hoped to see further

additions to the teaching staff and still greater efficiency in the work of the school.

THE LADIES' GUILD REPORT

was given by the secretary( -Mrs Stewart).' The.'number on the roll was 33, and there w.cle prospects of still further increase. The report showed that a good deal of excellent work was done by the Guild during the year. A cake and apron fair held in December had realised over £4O. The Manse Garden Fete i» aid of Belgian Relief had brought in upwards of £2O. A piano for the Sunday School had been purchased, and other useful work accomplished. The report concluded: "■We »lose our year looking forward to increased usefulness, and pray that God will bless our minister in his work and make the church a power forgood "in the district."

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN'S MISSfcONAUY PXION REPORT

j The report was presented by Mrs P. I Thomson. The membership had m-, creased from 17 to 28 during the.year.' And a good deal- had been done to awaken missionary interest and secure funds for mission work. Suitable clothing and medicines had been sent to assist our mission to the Maoris in Nuhaka. A valuable cdllection of necessaries had been sent to the Turakina Girls' School. The Union had undertaken to collect J for the Home Missions this year, tlu?ir efforts, resulting in a goodly syth being secured. Much credit, was. flue to Miss Stanton for her services in connection with the "Maori Mission Birthday League," over £8 7ie(ng raised during the year. "It is with thankful hearts," concluded the report, "that we review our year's work, see the wnj in which our Heavenly l<«itho,r has blessed our efforts, aiid we pray for His.continued guidance in the furthering of His kingdom." Y.W.B.C. report of the Young Women's Bible Class was given by Miss J. Stanton. Under the leadership of -Mrs H. ffc Lawrence, the clajss continued to do good vwork. There were 14 names on the roll. Jtfi Mckenzie's recent visit had stimulated interest in the work, led to a number of decisions for Clu-ist, and the formation of a prayer circle amongst the members.

THE YOUNG MEN'S CLASS, report was prepared by the secretary (Mr Moody),sand read in his absence by Dr. Steven. There were ten members on the roll. The class met on Sunday mornings and took the study .scriptural topics. THE CHOIR REPORT was made 'orally by Mr Patrick, supplemented by Mr P. Thomson, and in'drc&fced' that valuable aid was b«iug given towards the service of praise. During the meeting appreciative references were made to the valuable services rendered by Mr and -Mrs W. Brocklebauk in paintiug ami• renovating the Sunday School; to the work of Miss N. Lawrence in decorating the church with flowers; to aid given by Ml" G. Smart in-providing conveyance for those taking services outfields; to Mrs Petrie and Mis Smart f<W their invaluable aid in icqllectiug the sltstentation funds. A motion was adopted expressing appreciation of the minister's work, and his contribution towards the harmony obtaining in the church; ELECTION OF MANAGERS.

The business of receiving the reports beiug finished, the meeting proceeded to the election of managers for the ensuing year. The following were unanimously elected: Messrs G. Stanton, \\. B cockle-bunk, A. Patrick,G. Smart, H. E. Lawrence, R. McK. Morison. <T. W. Smith,, H. Arthur, P, Stewart, W. G. Lopdcll, and H. G. Reeves.

The Key. J. Pattison spoke briefly of the *uite. of • the church, and the outlook for the future.

BRIEF MESSAGE BY THE >ML\- ■ I&TKR. ' He was fortunate in having the cordial support of a loyal body of office-bearers. Amidst his many professional duties Dr. Steven found time to devote to-his efficient work as manager and clerk of the'session. To the diligence and /.eal of the treasurer (Mr P. Thomson), the financial success of the cause was due in large measure. The quiet. unassuming work done by Mr Lawrence (the secretary) was of the utmost value. The selfdenying work of the good ladies who had charge of the sustentation fund nas beyond all praise. The work of the Ladies' Guild .and Women's Mis-sionary-Organisation were eulogistic-al-ly referred to. IL> rejoiced in the

good attendances at the Sabbath services, <iie financial prosperity of the church, and the harmony existing in the congregation. They should'a 11 unite in praise to God for His great goodness tc the church, and pray for His continued favour in the coining year.