ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 441, 29 January 1890, Page 6

ANNUAL CHURCH MEETING

ST. STEPHEN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Auckland, January 23. The annual meeting of, St. Stephen’s Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby, was held last evening. There was a rather thm attendance.

The Rev. T. F. Robertson opened the meeting with prayer, and after Mr H. Field had read the minutes of last meeting Mr Robertson apologised for the absence of Mr W. J. Rees, the Secretary, who was indisposed. Report. —The annual report was then read as follows : Your Committee feel gratified for much divine kindness d uring the pastyear, especially for the mutual feelings of Christian sympathy between the minister who retired and his congregation, and for the entirely harmonious spirit in which his successor was appointed. The backward tendency of the congregation has ceased, and some progress may be noted. The attendance at public worship has increased, and the number of seat holders and communicants has considerably improved. The revenue from collections and pew rents has been added to, but is not yet sufficient to meet the ordinary liability. The income for the year has been £4i2 10s 7d, and expenditure £406 4s 4d. Tne attendance at prayermeetings has been encouraging, but should be increased. The Sunday-school has improved in numbers and tone, and much desire exists in the Superintendent, Mr Henderson, and teachers to make it an agency for the spiritual good of the young. Funds are in hand to increase the library. The Band of H >pe is flourishing, and has become a means of improvement for the young in mnsic as well as in Gospel Temperance. The choir, under its able leader, has done excellent service. It should be increased, and greater encouragement given Mr Philpot to improve the psalmody. The various social gatherings during the year have been much.appreciated. The Committee cordial 1 y thank the ladies for their successful efforts in connection with themand forthe presentation of a pulpit gown to the minister. They also return thanks for the presentation of a pulpit Bible and baptismal font. In submitting this brief report your Committee with the minister and elders sincerely desire that the members and adherents and all the fri nds of St. Stephen’s congregation should thank God for many past mercies, and should take courage for the future, looking up to Him for blessing. Mr Peacock, M.H.R., moved the adoption of the report. He expressed his gratification at the increase of the congregation and revenue of the church during the year. He wished to draw the attention of the people to the fact that the pew rents and collections did not supply sufficient revenues for the church. In former years these sources of revenue had been supplemented by collections made by ladies, but these had been discontinued, and the congregation would have to make up for the discontinuance. While regret was expressed last year that the arrears of minister’s stipend were in arrear, they were still somewhat in the same position. He thought that these arrears should be wiped off, so that the congregation could go on their way with buoyancy and hope. Mr J. Allen seconded the adoption of the report, and it was carried unanimously. Balance-sheet. —Mr Hurndell, the Treasurer, then read the following statement of accounts Receipts : Balance last year, 19s 3d ; collections, £193 13s 4d ; seat rents, £97 4s 9d ; Ladies' Association, £l6 Is 6d ; Easter tree, £l3 11s 6d ; subscription to arrears of stipend, £32 12s 6d ; loan for stipend, £SO ; commission on insurance, 5s 9d ; concert, £8 2s: Total, £412 10s 7d. Expenditure : Arrears of stipend (1888), £94 19s ; stipend (Ist January to May, 1889), £95 3s lOd; supplies during vacancy, £24 18s ; stipend to Mr Robertson. £IOO ; gas account, £ll 17s ; choirmaster, £2O ; interest, £27 ; printing, £4 3s 7d ; Sunday-school, £1 5s ; cleaning church, 15 12s ; advertising, £1 8s ; Presbytery expenses, £7 ; hymn-books, £2 ; insurance, £5 18s 9d ; sundries, £4 19s 2d ; balance, £6 6s 3d : Total, £412 10s 7d. Mr Field said, in moving the adoption of this balance-sheet, that the income for last \ear appeared large, but it included £SO borrowed to pay the arrears of the late minister’s stipend, and £32 12s 6d specially collected for the same purpose, and £l6 Is 6d collected by a number of ladies. The ordinary income was only about £3OO, and expenses being £330, it left a debit balance of £3O, and the congregation should do all they could to make the revenue meet the expenditure. Mr Grey seconded the resolution.. Mr Hasletfc asked if the Committee intended to print and circulate the report, as such a course was desirable. It was explained that in the present state of the finances it Was undesirable to go to the expense of printing. Committee. —Mr Henderson proposed John Ross, T. Hall, and James Haslett to fid the vacancies in the Committee.—MrF. J. Bennett seconded the motion, and it was carried. Mr Robertson said the improvement lasb year was very satisfactory, and if they earnestly made up their minds to work heartily and reverently he was sure that next year would show even better results. He was extremely comfortable with Committee, elders, and congregation. He liked them all, and wouH do his best to work well with them. Everything depended on the earnestness and good spirit of the congregation, and then the necessary money would come