ST. JAMES’ CONGREGATION.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 111, 16 February 1872, Page 3

ST. JAMES’ CONGREGATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of St. James’ Presbyterian Congregation was held at the Church, Pollen-street, last evening, the Rev. J. Hill presiding. The proceedings iverc opened with prayer by the Rev. J. Hill, who, at the conclusion, called upon Air Alclvee to read the annual report, which was as follows : THIRD ANNUAL REPORT OF TIIE ST. JAMES’ CHURCH. In presenting the third annual report, the Committee desire to express their sincere gratitude to God for his goodness to the Congregation during the past year. The work accomplished and the present position of the Congregation will be presented under the following heads. New Church. —The new Church was opened at the commencement of the year, arid, as was expected, it has been found to be much more convenient and suitable than the building formerly occupied. The cost was nearly £7OO, and this has been wholly cleared off. There is still something to be dona in levelling and planting the ground, andwie Committee hope that this will soon be accomplished. Sittings. —The sittings in the Church arc nearly all let, and the Committee anticipate, that from this source this year, a sum double that of last year will be obtained.

Attendance. —The attendance at divine service, both, forenoon aud evening, has been satisfactory. Still the Committee are certain that there aic many Presbyterians in the district who seldom or never attend church. This is to be greatly lamented, not only for their own sake, but for the cause of religion in general; and the Committee hope, that all connected with the Congregation will use their influence to bring those who are non-church going, to see it to be their duty and interest to meet with others for the worship of God. Alembers. —There lias been a large addition to the membership during the year, yet it lias not been such as to satisfy the minister and the office-bearers. There are many in the Congregation who, it is sincerely hoped, will soon realise their responsibility in regard to this matter, and who will gladly avail themselves of all the privileges which the ordinances of the Gospel bring near to them. Session. —Previous to last year, the affairs of the Congregation were conducted by the Committee alone ; but, a few months ago it was thought advisable to appoint a session to take the oversight of the spiritual interests of the Congregation. Tin's was done ; and to the members appointed, there lias been committed the care and oversight of the residents of the districts into which Shorthand and Grahamstown have been divided. This essential element of Presbyterianism will no doubt prove a valuable help to the minister and a great advantage to the Congregation.

Collections —The average collection during the year lias been £G 11s fid. AYhilo it is hoped that this source of income will not only be maintained but increased, the Committc have to state the fact, that on account of its own work in commencing our cause here, the Congregation lias not attended to the collections annually required by the Presbytery and General Assembly. These collections for the advancement of the cause in New Zealand, it is intended shall be regularly made in future, and it is confidently expected they will receive liberal support.

Funds.- —ln the account at the end of 1870 there was a balance of £2O due the treasurer. This lias been paid off during last year, but at the end of December there were unpaid accounts to the amount of £25, thus making the income and expenditure of the year about equal. In this expenditure, however, as will be seen from the accounts, there is a considerable sum for alterations and lighting—expenses which will not occur again—so that with the prospect of increased income for the year now commencing, the funds may bo considered to be in a very satisfactory condition.

Sabbath Schools. There are two Sabbath-Schools in connection with the Congregation—one held in the schoolroom, Shortlaml, with Air James Alclvee as superintendent ; the other held in the Thames School, Grahamstown (kindly granted by Air Robertson), with Air Alex. Lfnlhank as superintendent. The Committee are glad to lie able to state that both schools have been in a flourishing condition during the year. In Shortlaml there arc 110 scholars and eight teachers ; in Grahamstown, 155 scholars and fifteen teachers. In addition to £25 for the annual feast, the children have collected about £lB for the mission ship, the “ Day Spring.” The Committee hope that .this most important part of the work of the Congregation, will receive greater attention and support from the office-bearers and members, than it has done in the past. Large as is the number of children attending, it could doubtless be greatly increased.

Day School. —The school held in the building in Shortland is still conducted by Air James Alclvee. From the testimony of the Inspector of Schools, the committee are glad to think that by this school the elements of a sound education are placed within the reach of the children of that district. Church Property. Some time ago it was proposed that a new manse should bo built on the site of tho old church; and the Committee now sec their way to cany out the proposal. For this purpose the old church lias been removed to the hack of the allotment ; thus making as large a portion of the property available as possible. The Committee are glad to say that the deeds of all the sites possessed hv the Congregation have been secured; hut they regret that the dispute about the right-of-way to the old manse has not yet been settled. Notwithstanding the patience and forbearance manifested by the Committee, and the request made by the Congregation, Air Wilson has refused to submit the case to arbitration. The Committee have again to submit the matter to the Congregation for advice.

New Churches. —The committc are glad to say that the building at Tararu lias been completed, and that there is also a prospect of a church being erected at Coromandel. The opening up of these new spheres, and the increasing work at Shorthand and Grahamstown will require additional ministerial help on the gold-lic-ld, and this, it is expected will soon be secured.

In concluding, the committee confidently express the hope that the year ou which we have entered will be a prosperous one to ihe congregation, and they earnestly trust that more and more the church limy- he a centre from which cm the surrounding district there may go forth an influence for the highest spiritual good, and that this may ever he accom-

panied by au effectual blessing from above.

The following statement of accounts was read by the treasurer, Mr Philp RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOR 1871.

Receipts. Ordinary collections (51), £309 Is 4d, (average, £6 Is 2d) ; Sabbath School, half collection, £5 8s 6d ; special collections, church building, £2O Is Id ; anniversary, £l3 5s 5d ; seat rents, £120; school rent, £lO. Total, £477 lGs 4d.

Expenditure. —Minister’s stipend,£3oo; organist, £42 7s 6d ; church officer and cleaning, £l7 5s lOd; lighting church, £5 ; insurance church, £5 5s ; sundries, £9 15 2d. Church property Manse taxes, repairs, &e., £25 10s 4d ; purchase of land advance, £25 ; special collection church building, £2O Is Id ; sabbath schools, £5 8s Gd ; balance due to treasurer at last balance, £2O 5s 9d ; balance due by treasurer, £1 17s 2d; total, £477 lGs 4d. —E & O.E.—D. Philp, treasurer.—Examined with vouchers, and found correct. — J. M. McKenzie, Jas. J. Holland, auditors.

A supplementary account, showing a balance from the soiree account of £35, was also submitted by the treasurer. Mr Porter moved the adoption of the report. He observed that the Sabbath schools wanted more support, and that £lO was required for books. Mr Prater seconded the adoption of the report. The Chairman said it was the intention of the committee to give additional support to the Sabbath schools, and to deal as liberally as possible with them. The motion that the report be received ajul adopted was then put and carried. The Rev. Chairman said the next business before the meeting was to elect a committee. Formerly they had 13, but now it would be suggested to the meeting that eight members of session should be *x officio members of the committee, and that eight be elected from the congregation.

This suggestion was adopted, and the following eight gentlemen were elected by show of hands :—Messrs Robt. Skene,John Thomson, Hugh Murdoch, John Prater, John McNab, John Britton, Alex. Mill, James G. Holland.

It was resolved to refer a dispute as to right of way to the Manse to the Presbytery, and to defer a motion for raising the Minister’s salary from £3OO to £350 for six months.

The proceedings terminated as they had begun, with prayer.