ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8177, 9 August 1906, Page 2

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH.

There was a fair attendance of members and adherents of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Wednesday night at the annual meeting.. Rey. S. \ Osborne presided, and the meeting opened with hymn and prayer. Tho chairman presented the annual report of the session, referring first lo the lost to the church sustained by tho death of the late Mr Blackwood. The law of change still affected the congregation considerably, a goodly number of members having been written off tho roll during the year. During the past five years the church had lost 90 membors, and the gains had not made up for the losses No congregation in New Zealand had suffered nearly so much in this respect, and it had made the working of the church exceedingly difficult; nevertheless, the congregation had remained good, and attendances were very encouraging. There had been 15 baptisms, 6 marriages, and 8 funerals conducted in the year. The report acknowledged with thanks the services rendered by Mrs MacDiarmid, Mrs Harlo and Messrs Bauchope and Sinclair for assistance in the musical portion of tho services. Very fayorable reports had been received of the work in the Inglewood district. Mr A. Smart presented tho report of the management committee, showing the year commenced with a debit of £2B 10s Bd, and ended with a debit of £7l 18s. The Sabbath collections had been less than in any other year since 1898. The Manse fund was progres- , sing well, £6OO 19s 7d having been paid off since the fund was opened. The statement of assets and liabilities showed a balance to assets of 1 £3396 18s 7d. This surplus has been an increasing quantity for some years. Rev. Osborne showed the decrease in ; offerings from £225 in 1903 to £220 in ! 1904; £2OO in 1905, £lB5 m 1900, re--1 marking that the congregation seemed to be drawing its purse-strings tighter. He was of opinion, however, that there was not a congregation in New Zealand that could approaeh this for liberality in financial matters.

Tho Sabbath School report denoted most satisfactory work. Out of 145 scholars there was an aver-ago-attendance of 100, and of 20 teachers an average of 10. Tlie school collections totalled £2O 10s, and there was a credit balance of £ls 13s 7sd, The reports were adopted. Messrs Ewing, Campbell, and Bauchope were elected to the committee; Mr Haslam, auditor j Messrs A. J. Way and A. J. W. Johnston as representatives on the Council of. the Churches; Mrs C. White and Mr N. It. MacDiarmid, on tho British and Foreign Bible Society. Votes of thanks were passed to the choir, conductor, organist, committee of management and church officials, Sabbath Sjlkol tjachers and workers, lady collectors, to the auditor, and to Mr Way and Mr Scott for services gratuitously rendered.