CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN'S SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 203, 7 May 1912, Page 5

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN'S SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. .; There was an attendance of twenty* '. fire members at the annual meeting of : the New Plymouth branch of the Church of England Men's Society, which was held in St. Mary's Hall last evening. After the meeting had been opened'/ with prayer by the chairman (the Iter. A. H. Colvile), Mr. W. H, Haddrell gave ' a very interesting account of his visit '*•, to the society's headquarters at London, v and of the gathering of C.E.M.S. oversea ' visitors in England, which was held just prior to the Coronation. Mr. Haddrell, , who attended the conference, Baid that before the delegates dispersed, the Arch* ■ bishop of York had charged them all to convey individually and collectively to the members of their respective societies his kindly greetings, and his hope that they would continue in the good work that they were carrying out. ANNUAL REPORT. In presenting his third annual report, the secretary (Mr. H. C. Baker) said that it dealt only with eight months, as in October, 1011, at was decided to change the end of the financial year from July 31 to March 31. The ensuing year would begin with 40 members and two associate members. Of these two mem- - bers and one associate were living away * from the parish, leaving 38 members and one associate in the parish, who should ■■ be in active service. It was to be re- ~ gretted, however, that a few of these came under the head of "slack" members, but it was hoped during the year that these "slackers" would either realise their responsibilities or resign from the society. The branch held a corporate communion service on Sunday, November 2fi, at which there was*an attendance of nineteen members. Tn November last, Messrs. Kemptlrorne find Bannister were filed oil to the ofiiinnittee, and in February last the Rev. A. 11. Colvile assumed the presidency of the branch. The Rev. J. Wilkinson was then elected a vicepresident. The secretary also noted that during the period the church gardening committee had lapsed. THE BOY SCOUT TROOP. . The report of the committee appointed to initiate the Scout movement in connection with St. Mary's Church was submitted by the Rev. G. F. Robson. Since its formation lie had chronicled its doings in the Church Magazine. The roll number of the troop was about forty. All, with the exception of four, had passed their tenderfoot examinations. One Scout had passed his secondclass test, and several others were completing the same examination. In de-. scribing the work of the hoys, Mr. Robson said that during the winter months it was hoped to establish a gymnasium club, to meet every other Friday evening. The St. Mary's troop had joined the Auckland Diocesan Brigade of Boy Scouts. The secretary reminded the meeting of the different ways of helping the movement, some of which were as follows:—(1) Buy books to give to <ttie boys; (2) to attend scout meetings and field days; (3) to encourage hoys to join. The object of the brigade was, concluded Mr. Robson, the strengthening and fostering of Church life amongst boys, and the bringing of hoys into full membership, through, the rite of confirmation, i LAY READERS' REPORT. Reporting on the operations of the lay readers in the parish, the president (Mr. , H. E. Fookes) remarked that the at- , tendance at some of the churches wai not what it should he. It was rather dis« ( heartening to readers when, after they 4 had prepared for the service and made a -, fairly long journey, often in bad- wea- ' ■ ther, they found the congregation com- • * posed of only three or four people. This was probably owing to the fact that ■ many of the people, did not realise that! -1 the chief reason for their attending ser-' [ vices wns for prayer, praise and thanks- ; giving, and not merely to hear sermons ' preached or read. VISIT OF MR. WATTS DITCHFIELD. ,': A circular letter was read from the. » Archbishop of York. In it His Lordship ."; stated: "A« one of the presidents of the C.E.M.S., and as chairman of the, ; ' council. T am deeply interested in the „ visit which Mr. Watte Dijritfield is ..; about to pay in connection with our so- ,-t ciety to Australia, Tasmania and New ■' Zealand. His personal gifts,, his loyal ',i churchmanship, and his very special ex- l perience in the work of the church . among men will, I know, assure foT him \ a welcome from all members of our so- , ciety and all sections of our church ', across the seas." Another circular letter was received \ from Mr. Ditchfield himself, who was to ;v leave England for New Zealand on, w i March 27 last. He trusted that his "• visit might be of the greatest possible :", service. ,* The meeting decided to make arrange- j ments to welcome Mr. Ditchfield when »"«] visited New Plymouth. . OFFICERS ELECTED. \,J Officers for the ensuing year were $ elected as follows:—-Vice-presidents, Rev. V J. Wilkinson and Mr. L. S. Weller; see*i & retary, Mr. H. O. Baker (re-elected) j \. treasurer, Mr. J. W. Harvey (re-elect- i ed); committee, Rev. J. A. Kempthorne, and Messrs. G. Moverley, W. H. Butler, ;• H. M. Bannister, and R. N. Renaud.