PARISH MEETING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 377, 21 April 1881, Page 2

PARISH MEETING.

The annual Easter meeting of the parishioners of St. Saviour's was held in the Church on Tuesday evening last. PRESENT. The following gentlemen were present:. Rev. J. Chaffers-Welsh (in the chair), Messrs A, Cox, .Si D. Barker, Lee, Franks, Creemer, Wills, Harrop, Pinckney, Diddams, Rutland, Radford, O'flallcran, Pilbrow and Tavender.

MINUTES. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

REPORT AND, BALANCE SHEET. . Mr Tavender read the balance sheet and report as follows : REPORT. v"The churchwardens, in reviewing the affairs of our Church during the past year, note considerable changes in this parish. Iu the month of May last, the Rev. G. Fynes-Clinton resigned the cure, and in consequence of no favorable opportunity Occurring for filling up the vacancy;, a period of eight months elapsed. During this time the servibes throughout the parish had to be conducted by laymen. Fortunately, these offices were filled by men of sterling worth, whose Zealand perseverence kept the Church together* At the beginning of the new' year thes>. gentlemen were relieved from tlfrir arduous duties by the arrival amongst us of the Rev. Chaffers-Welsh, whose induction took place almost at once in the presence of a large congregation. The rev. gentleman immediately commenced the work of the parish in real earnest, and his inestimable worth is already felt here. We take this opportunity for congratulating the parish upon having so good a neighbor to dwell among "us. During the year his Lordship the Bishop has iriade periodical visits, but, unfortunately, the weather was most unprop-itious, and the congregation very meagre. " With regard to the finances of the Church, I think we may fairly congratulate ourselves on our present position, considering the ' disjiculties we have had to face during r.he past year, on the balancesheet placed before you. Sou will see our receipts a mono ted to £WI lGs 8d r and our expenditure to £202 Gs, lid, which leaves a small debit balance of £lO lUs 3d, and -wniu'u > V o . no^. v «-t_-£sjjbjj .*.. few extra expenses lately incurred other than usual. In reference to the outstanding debt; to the Bank, on account of the parsonage, we suggest the parish should devise some means at once to pay this debt oft considering it is now over two years standing. The debt is £139-Is Bd.

‘ 6 With regard to the choir there also has been some' notable changes varying its members very considerably, we must say we are glad to see our old choirmaster resuming his former place, and also take this opportunity of thanking the present find past choir for their good services. “ Passing on from the choir we feel we must express our deep regret at the loss of one in our midst who did so much in furthering the work of this church by her invaluable assistance in the choir and Sunday school, we allude to the late Mrs Gumming, “ The Sunday School is showing satisfactory signs of a steady improvement though the numbers in attendance are much smaller than might be expected. The highest attendance registered is, 65 the present staff of teachers are working diligently undef their Superintendent— Mr Diddaras— and if the school meets with the encouragement it deserves, next year will pirobably show a considerable increase of scholars.” The rev. Chairman said the deficiency, ail things considered, was really nothing to speak of, lie, however, hoped that the next report feoul i show a balance to the credit side. Mr Creemer moved—“ That the balance sheet, and report ns read be adopted. Seconded by Mr Harrop and carried. ELECTION OP OPPICEIiS. The Chairman said before the election of officers took place, he would like to point out, (hat according to the established rules of the church none but communicants could be elected, either for churchwardens or vestrymen* he had some diffidence in bringing the matter forward, as some of the most useful members of the church were non-communicants, but he hoped the members would see the reasonableness of this. The law being clearly laid down compelled him to adopt this course. Mr S. IVjJavkei was then chosen as minister's for the ensuing term; Mr Rutland proposed —“ That Mr A. Cox, senr, be elected the parishioners’ churchwarden. Seconded by Mr Pilbrow and carried. The Chairman then read over the of - persons eligiblte for olactionas^^^B

Inwood, t Hooper, Franks, Gladstone, and Benbow.

MISCELLANEOUS. Mr Franks proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Cox for his kindness in coloring the walls and otherwise b'' uti- s " fying the church. Seconded by Mr and carried. v '

Mr Wills moved -"That the best thanks of the meeting be given to the retiring Churchwardens and Vestry." The motion was seconded by Mr Lee^ J and carried unanimously.. Mr Tavender briefly replied.. Mr .Wills also moved that a. nenrty vote of thanks be accorded to the choirmaster """ (Mr Rutland) for his indefatigable exertions in bringing the choir to its presentstate ; to Miss Rowe, for her- gratuitous services as organist; and the choir, £ortheir efficient services.

Seconded by Mr S. D. Barker, and car-"-ried unanimously. Mr Diddams -was- also> accorded, a voteof thanks for- his" services- as superinten,dent of the Sunday school.

PRESENTATION. The Rev; Mr Welsh said he had had? placed in his handa-the draft of,an.addcesst to be presented to Mr Cox by a fewmembers of the congregation as- a siiialfe token of the high esteem i which he was.* held by them. He- was sorry that theaddress itself was not finished. It had; been sent up to Christchurch, but theperson having the charge offit had beer£ ill], and from other unforseen circum--stances, it had been found impossible to, have the same ready by the time stated.. He would read the address.:— " To Alfred Cox, Esq., Riverslea. "Dear Sir, —We desire, on behalf of the congregation of St. Saviour's Church,, Temuka, to. express our heartfelt gratitude for theable and zealous manner irt> which you have-for a long tini'> officiated: amongst us as lay-reader, and; more especially for a period of nine months, when we were without the services of a minister;. We fully appreciate the untiring devotion, and self-denial which you have exercisedin order that the congregation might havethe benefit of legular service twice each Sunday, and also the readiness you hare-. shown at all times to administer the rites of the Church to any who have needed them.

" We iiave also the pleasure of presenting you with a surplice on behalf of someof our number, who feel more particularly' indebted to you for your kiud offices. " In conclusion, we sincerely hope that you will be long spared to give our Chuivfo: your support, and to continue the interest you htive sliewu irt the welfare of this.neighborhood generally." [Signed by the retiring Vestry. J A beautiful surplice had previously be<lit He might say that though he had only" been located here abmir three months yet he could testify to the exlraordinary ability of Mr Cox in the work of the: Ministry, and he hoped that God would; long spnre him, to continue in the good. work and he begged Mr Cox in the name of the congregation to accept the address..

j Mr Lee siid he hid had a little to do I with the collecting of subscriptions for thetestimonial but through Mr Cox becomingacquainted with thj object in view and that geutlemr n being opposed to it, he had been reluctantly compelled to- desist otherwise the testimonial would have took the shape of something more suitable. Mr Cox had certainly been the most energetic member the Church in Temuka had> ever seen. When the congregation" wasv without a minister, Mr Cox had always been ready and willing to undertake th.e duites of that office and that too in- allkinds of weather. Mr Creemer was thefirst man to take t'e master up, and not one who had beeu asked had refused to contribute. He had felt sorry that Mr Cox would not consent to a canvas for. subscriptions and on this account hehoped no one would feel slighted that they had not been asked to contribute,, and liesincerely hoped that God would bless Mr Cox. and continue in making him a blessing to others. Mr Creemer also followed, stating that hot one had refused to contribute and hewas extremely sorry that Mr Cox had seen fit to discourage the canvass for subscri p tio ns. _.,,.- ___

Mr Cox, in thanking thosc^~prooe»fc—£oe-_ the presentation,- replied as follows : Mr Welsh, Gentlemen of the Vestry,, and you, friends, whom I may regard and address as representing others besides yourselves, outside of the vestry X thank you heartily for this your testimonial, for your kind good wishes, and for your more full* recognition and appreciation of wh'aVyou say. It have done since I. had the j’fpnor to be employed as a layreader with the Parish of Terauka. 18 dare not, indeed, think of myself as worthy of all that you, in your friendship, have felt moved to say but I would like you to believe tfot I. have striven faithfully to perform the task that I voluntarily undertook. When, ten months ago, I undertook to the Bishop that the Church, at Temuka ; should be kept open for service on Sundays, morning and evening, until the nomination and appointment of a clergyman to the parish, I hardly expected that BjjjL work would extend over so long a

■work in the Church, regnlnr'.y. p-rfonuod by a clergyman, is by no means lit-lit. I can-well understand that 'he pr-paration for such work during the week involves Study, and takes up a large share of a man's time. I have learnt, also, that n -s£m mto eloser coDtact with ones neighbors opens one's heart towards them, causes one to realise in a true sense—and gives one opportunities of putting into practice—the injunction to 'Mourn with those* that mourn ' and to ' Rejoice with those that rejoice.' If,- friends, during the time that I have had the honor to be employed lo the service of the Church, it can be" truly said of me that 1 have once been "*in any sense or degree th? means of influencing for good the life, of strengthening the faith, or lightening the load that has oppressed the heart of a single man, woman, or child amongst you, then I have my reward—l am more than repaid, I . thank God for it. How, at the present time, sufficiently to thank you, who out of regard for me have thought fit to present me with this testimonial, I know not. •Tell those, however, who have contributed towards them, and vrho may not be present on this occasion, that ahhough I have few words in which to thank you and them, that 1 feel deeply the great honor done me—that I«m very proud of the respect of my fellows, grateful for their sympathy and goodwill, and more than satisfied with their acknowledgment of what I have been able to do. The fact of a resident clergyman being now amongst us will not wholly release me from the .duties that I have performed during the past year. The parish of Temnka, as you know, is a large one, and we must not forget that the presence of a clergyman is required elsewhere, as well „«s here, ami thac no one man, whatever his ability, mental energy, bodily strength, devotedness and experience may be, is equal to the work unassisted Tims lay-preachers in all the centres of popu. lation are still needed, though not to the same .extent as heretofore. While I have health and strength sufficient for such work, my services are required, I intend to serve, lour uppreciation, your friendly recognition of my efforts in the past, will help to sustain and strengthen me in the future, making me more and more desirous, doubly anxious indeed to do fully what I may undertake. Friends, the God whom we worship, the Master whom we have jndei taken to serve, has chosen to employ human instruments to carry on Htt&woik the most insignificant amongst '* us? and from time to time help on that work. Let usunile in forwarding it. and in looking upward ft r the necessary strength we shall not fail to accomplish some good. Friends, again I thank you for kind liberality—for your appreciation of my efforts to do. my duty, and for your recognition of the interest that I may have shewn in the welfare of the people amongst whom I live. A vote of thanks to the Rev. Chairman terminated the proceeding^.