PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1290, 15 January 1885, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

The annual congregational meeting of the above Church was held last Tuesday evening. Notwithstanding that the evening was very vret there was a large attendance. The Rev, Mr Gillies, of Timaru, presided, and after the usual devotional exercises said he was glad so many were present notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. They had met to transact business in connection with the annual congregational meeting. He could congratulate them on the reports which were to be presented to them, and on the way they had stuck together notwithstanding that they had no pastor for a part of the time. The result was extremely creditable to them. Mr Rout, the Secretary, then read the minutes of the lust annual meeting, which wore confirmed. He next read the sessional report. The sessions report stated that it was inadvisable to go fully into particulars, taking into consideration the unsettled state of the church owing to the absence of the usual supervision of a pastor permanently settled among them. During the past year they had had their trials but they werenotheavier than they could bear. Since the vacation of the pulpit by the Rev. Mr Gordon at the end of September a number of candidates had preached before them, and the candidature having now nearly expired it remained with the congregation to make a settlement as soon as they felt justified in so doing. The report impressed on each member the necessity of special prayer that the right man might be chosen as their leader. During the year the prayer meetings were held regularly in the church with the exception of one night in the month which was devoted to Gospel Temperance Mission work. The Gospel Temperance Mission in connection with the church had done good work and the interest in it had not abated. Most of the juvenile congregation were total abstainers. They were pleased to say that the Communion roll had largely increased. In the conclusion of the report all were asked to work together in the bonds of unity ,for the common cans®, and the wish was expressed that the coming year may be a year of blessing to church and people. Mr Wood, Elder and Clerk of the session, had resigned owing to leaving the district, and Mr Peter Sinclair, another member, had also left the district during the year. Mr Morton proposed and Mr Blyth seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried without any discussion. The Sabbath School report was next read, in the course of which regret was expressed at the departure of Mr and Mrs Wood. The Waitohi and Milford schools were doing well and the Band of Hope was also well attended to.

Mr Gray, in moving the adoption of the report, also wished to add to it a vote of thanks to the teachers for the excellent work they had done, and the zealous manner in which they had done it. Mr Stewart seconded the motion. In doing so he bore testimony to the exexcellent work done in the Sabbath School and hoped the next teachers would continue the work with equal earnestness and zeal. The motion was carried unanimously. The Committee’s report oo the Church and Manse was read. In regard to the Manse, it showed that at the commencement of 1884 the debt on it amounted to £515 16s lOd. This had been reduced during the year to £298 3s 4d. The property consisted of acres of land and commodious building, the whole being valued at £IOOO. There is £B6 still due to the fund for land sold and interest. The report on the Church congratulated the members on the work accomplished during the year, whi'e regretting that more had not been done. At the commencement of 1884 there was a debit balance of £43 Os Id, and at the close £37 This might be considered satisfactory, but the Committee desired all to contribute during 1885 to the best of their ability, so that at the termination of the year a balance might be presented on the right side. The Committee expressed their sense of the loss sustained by the Church in the departure of the Rev. Mr Gordon for Invercargill, and urged upon the congregation the necessity of unanimity in the selection of his successor, and trusted that a Minister would soon be appointed who would infuse new life into Church work. Mr Edmonds, the late precentor, had left for the North Island two months ago, and since then Mrs E Imonds had efficiently conducted the choir. The warmest thanks of the congregation were due to Miss Ely th, through whose ability and energy the musical portions of the services had been greatly assisted. In conclusion, the Committee desired all to assist in the work, of the Church in Christian love and unity. The balance-sheet showed the receipts from all sources to have amounted to £460 19s 9d. Mr A. Russell moved and Mr 1. Smith seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried unanimously without discussion. Mr Rout proposed— “That the report? be printed. ’ Mr W. Storey seconded the motion, and it was carried. The Rev, Mr Gillies in putting the motion said they had adopted the same plan in Timam after having seen it proved a success in Temuka. They had adopted it on the suggestion of Mr D. M. Mackay, who was always most energetic in church work. On the motion of Mr Cain a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Choir for their services. Mr Rout proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Miss Blyth for the efficient manner in which she had presided over the harmonium, which was carried after having been duly seconded. Mr K. F. Gray acknowledged the com pliment paid to the Choir. The Choir would appreciate the vote of thanks, and ha had no doubt but it would act as an incentive to further exertion on their part, Mr A. Busaell proposed a vote of thanks to Mrs Edmonds, who had acted as precenter since her husband left. Mr Morton seconded this and it was carried, Mr Andoraou pronnuod » * * to +l '' " ... vine oi thanks ...o committee and Auditors for the past year. The motion having been seconded it was carried unanimously. Mr Gray returned thanks on behalf of the Committee, and referred to the cordiality which existed amongst the members of.the Committee during the , last year, He referred to the Secretary,

who was a most energetic worker, it was through Ids exertions they were iu such a good financial position. The motion was carried amidst some enthusiasm, and Mr Rout acknowledged the compliment suitably. Mr Yelvin proposed a vote of thanks to the Treasurer, Mr Gray. This having been carried, Mr Gray said his position had been a pleasant one during the year. He hoped they would make it equally pleasant next year by contributing liberally. On the motion of Mr S. Cain, seconded by Mr F. Storey, the following Committee were elected ;—Messrs James Austin, James Blyth, John Brown, R. R. Brown, Janies Cain, John Cooper, E. H. Brewer, R. Darroch K. F. Gray, John Hay, John Maze, John Morton, 0. P. McGallum, P. McCaskill, H. A. Rout, Daniel Seaton, William Storey, George Smith, E C. Smith, David Taylor, Jas. Guild, J. W. Velvin and Edwin Waddell. On the motion of Mr Cain, seconded by Mr Brewer, Messrs Gray and Root were re-elected Treasurer and Secretary respectively. The Rev. Chairman said they had finished the annual meeting, and they would now proceed to select a pastor for the church. It was open to them to select one from those whom they had heard, or they could defer the matter until some future occasion. Mr Morton said he thought they ought not to consider the question until they had heard all the candidates. There was also coming out from Home a gifted young man, a native of the colony, and he thought it would be bettor to wait a short time longer. He moved a resolution to that effect. Mr Stewart quite agreed with this. The Rev. Chairman said Mr Macintosh was not a native of the colony. He was a son of Dr Macintosh, of Tay. Ho had been a long time in the colony and had gone Home to study. He was an excellent young man. Mr Rout did not think it was desirable to wait any longer or keep the candidates in suspense. After some further consideration, Mr Gray said the real question was, Were they ready I He thought they had suffered in waiting so long. They had heard excellent men, and he believed it would be to their interest to make a selection as soon as they could. He moved as an amendment—“ That they proceed to the selection at once." Mr Cain seconded this. Mr Russell did not think the meeting was a representative one owing to the inclemency of the weather, and it was not right that they should select a minister now. Mr Anderson said that if it were postponed they would be in the middle of of harvest and they would have a smaller meeting. After some further discussion, Mr W. Storey moved as a further amendment — t! That this meeting adjourn for a fortnight.” Mr E. Smith seconded the amendment. After some further discussion the two amendments were put against each other, when there were 12 for Mr Storey’s and 17 for Mr Gray’s amendment, which was declared carried. Mr Gray’s amendment, as against Mr Morton’s motion was then put, when there were for the amendment 22 and for Mr Morton’s motion to delay the proceedings 17. Mr Gray’s amendment was declared carried. Mr Gray said as they were so evenly balanced he was willing to give way. He was afraid if they were not more unanimous they would be unfortunate in their choice. After a good deal of discussion, Mr Rout moved—“ That the meeting adjourn for a month,” Mr Brewer seconded this. Mr Morton proposed that the meeting adjourn without fixing a date for the next meeting, and this was carried. On the motion of Mr Thomson, seconded by Mr Gray, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Philips.—Carried. On the motion of Mr Rout, seconded by Mr Stewart, a vote of thanks was accorded to the Rev. Mr Gillies for the assistance he had given the church. The Rev. Mr Gillies said he was a Presbyterian and was always ready to assist any Presbyterian Church. The meeting closed with the Benediction.