ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 177, 19 August 1909, Page 3

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of St. Andrew's congregation was held last night. There was a larger attendance of members than usual, the Rev. fc. iS. Osborne presiding.

The meeting opened with the usual devotional exercises, after which the annual reports anil balance-sheets, as printed and circulated among members, were taken into consideration. ANNUAL REPORTS.

The report of the Session stated that the Sabbath services had been regularly maintained, and the minister would express gratitude to God for the health and strength accorded him. They had i had to contend greatly with bad weather, more than a a average number of Sabbaths being inclement, which nad affected church attendance. The church had lost by death and removal to other districts sonic valued members of the congregation. Miss Ewing, Mrs. Raymond and Mr. John Lawson, after serving their generation, had gone hence, and were now at rest, after life's fitful fever. Amongst those who had lett tne district, they missed much Mr. and Mrs. A. J. \V. Johnston, Mr. and Mrs. Weir, and Mrs. Cooke (nee Miss Essie Beal). The week night meeting did not improve in the matter of attendance, which was much to be deplored. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper had been observed quarterly, as was their custom. At the last observance there was the largest attendance since January, 1905. The Session was very pleased at this improvement, and hoped it might continue and go on from anore to more. During the year seventeen persons joined the fellowship—four on profession of faith, and thirteen by certificate. They had lost sixteen—eight by removal to other districts, and eight by death or otherwise. As usual the roll had been purged, and there were now one hundred and three members in good standing. The Sacrament of Baptism had been administered to nineteen children. Ten marriages had been solemnised, and eight funerals conducted. The choir had given another year's faithful service, and the committee gladly accorded the members their thanks for help in the congregational praise. During the summer recess Mr. Donald MacDiarmid visited the Presbyterian families living in the districts of Oakura, Okato, Puniho, etc. The committee hoped to organise a home mission charge to embrace these districts. In the meantime they were keeping a monthly ndrvice going at Oakura, with an attendance of from twenty-six to fifty persons, according as the weather was favorable or the reverse.

Mr, J. W. Taunt, lion, secretary, submitted the report of the committee of management. They commenced the year with an overdraft of £4B 15s Dd, and a contract for painting in hand of £32 10s, a total debit of £Bl os !)d, and closed the year with an overdraft or debit of £IOO lfis fld. The position of the Mause Fund was a -parfcteukrl'y happy one, leaving a balance of £2O 5s Id to be collected in order to extinguisli Century Fund loan. Very hearty thanks were due to the treasurer of the Manse Fund, Mr. Ewing, for his enthusiastic and successful work in connection with this fund. Sincc-e thanks were also due to those ladies who collected subscriptions, amounting to £57 15s, to provide for the unexpected but necessary repairs to the church prior to painting. From the annual report of the Sabbath School (presented by Mr. N. R. Mclsaac, secretary). it was seen that the number of scholars on the roll was 137, and the average attendance 08. The teachers numbered 17, and their average attendance was 14. The total receipts from all sources were £45 7s Sd, and the expenditure was £37 l'2s 2d, giving a balance, with that brought forward from last year, to the credit of the school of £7 15s fld. For the General Assembly's examinations 23, candidates sat for the shorter catechism and 4 for. Scripture knowledge. Eighteen scholars repeated Scripture, and 5 sat for the Auckland Sunday School Union's examination. During the latter part of the year Mr. Motcalfe had been holding a class for the training of scholars in singing. The class was fairly well attended, and was of great assistance to the school. In discussion on the finance of the churcli, it was shown that last year the ordinary expenditure of the church exceeded the ordinary revenue by £25 5s 4d. The second mortgage of £3OO on the manse had now been extinguished, as the result of six years' work on the part of tlje trustees and the liberality of the congregation. Mr. Ewing explained that £179 raised was that would not otherwise have found its way to any of the church funds. The reports and balance-sheets were adopted. , Messrs. Simcock and Mcllroy (retired) were re-elected to tlie committee of management. Vacancies were caused by the resignation of Messrs. Ewing and Campbell. -Mr. R. Evans was elected, and the committee was given power to fill the remaining vacancy. Mr. Anderson was elected auditor, and Messrs. White and MacDiarmid were appointed 1 to represent the congregation on the British and Foreign Bible Society. I Votes of thanks to all workers in connection with church and Sunday school were accorded. The committee brought down a pro posal to hold a sale of work for the , purpose of reducing or extinguishing the ! bank overdraft,