St. James' Presbyterian Church.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2501, 11 January 1877, Page 2

St. James' Presbyterian Church.

annual Meeting.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. James' Presbyterian Church was held at the church, last evening. There were about 70 members of the church present, and the Bey. J. Hill occupied the chair.

The proceedings were commenced by those present singing part of 103 rd Psalm, after which the Chairman engaged in prayer.

The secretary, Mr Weir, then read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed without comment. Mr Weir then read the annual report as follows:—

" In presenting a report and balance sheet for 1876 your Committee have great pleasure in congratulating the congregation on the prosperity—financially and otherwise—with which we hare been blessed during the year. We are happy to say that the fears entertained by many on account of the gloomy prospects at the commencement of the year, that our numbers would rapidly decrease, and as a consequence the ordinary revenue falfcoff, have not been realised. Several useful members and adherents have left the district, but their places have been filled by others, and at present there is a greater number on the roll than there was twelve months ago. In monetary matters we never were in such a prosperous condition. At the beginning of the year we had a credit balance of £11 7s 9d, while at the end of the year we have the sum of £60. In addition to this the debt on the manse has been reduced £25. A great improvement has I recently been effected in the ventilation of the church at a cost of £8 10. The church allotment, which was so unsightly for many years, has been fenced, filled, levelled, and to some extent planted with ornamental trees at a cost of about £45. Strictly^ speaking, it would be unfair to make this a charge upon the ordinary funds. The Committee therefore think that the amount should be raised by a special effort, and having this view they felt it to be their duty to commence it at once. A number of gentlemen ; connected with the congregation have | subscribed one pound each, amounting to £26. There will still be a further sum of I £19 required, which we recommend to be raised by thirty eight additional subscribers of 10s each, the amount being payable to the Treasurer in three months,. It is a usual thing with congregations to give their minister an annual 1 holiday of about four weeks, and in some instances, a sum of money is given to cover his expenses. It is quite unnecessary to say that a rest once a year is in all cases most desirable and advantageous both to minister and people. This our minister has never had, though he has been here over eight years; and considering the manner in which he has wrought, especially during the past few months, he is justly entitled to a rest of this kind. Your Committee, therefore, recommend that Mr Hill have four weeks' leave of absence, and also that £25 be voted for his expenses. This would leave- a balance of £35 with which to begin the year. Your committee are happy to state that the subscription commenced by the eongregagation towards the erection of a monument to the late Mrs Hill, has been so successful as to realise the sum of £76 7s 6d. In retiring from office your Committee desire to thank the congregation for the liberal respone given to all appeals made on behalf of '■'the < church, and earnestly wish that a yet greater amount of prosperity shall be enjoyed by their suc.cessors during the year upon which we I have entered. v ; , The Treasurer, Mr Frater, read the annual balance-sheet. | " [Receipts and expenditure of the j Thames Presbyterian Church for 1876 :— Dr. To balance from 1875, £11-7s 9d. ! Collections—Ordinary, £273 14s 7d; do. Thames Hospital, £10 17s ; do. Assembly and Missions, £6; Pew rents, £157 6s 6d; Subscriptions, £8 2s; Proceeds of soiree, £13 19s6d; Rent of school, £40—£521 7s 4id.—Cr.isy Minister's stipend, £300; Organist's salary, £25; Church officer's do., £20; Insurance, £13 14s 3d; InI terest on Mortgage and Loan, £24 8s 6d; Gas, £13 14s 3d ; Thames Hospital, £10 17s ; Church and ventilation, £8 10s; Retiring Promissory Note, £25 ; Advertising; £4 4s 6d; Hymn Books, £2 14s 2d; Highway Rates, £3; Sundries, £1 8s 6d; Sacramental expenses, £1 9s 2d ; Bepairs and glazing, £1 7s; Assembly an# Missions, £6; Balance in Bank, £60 —£521 7s 4d. Examined and found correct.—Samuel Tubtle and Thomas, GILMOUE." ;

Mr Frater commented on the different items in the report, showing the position in which the Church now was.

Mr McGowan, in moving the adoption of the report, said he was sure he was expressing the wish of the congregation when be said he was glad that Mr Hill should get a holiday. They could not present him with a purse of sovereigns, but thisthey could do, and he was sure they did it with a feeling of gratitude. In giving the holiday there was a question that they might be doing it from selfish motives, as they themselves would be the gainers, as Mr Hill would come back with new illustrations and new examples —not with a new Gospel—bu^ with material to clothe the old Gospel anew.

Mr Fisher had much pleasure in seconding the adoption of the report. Mr Aitken supported the adoption of the report. He expressed his gratification at the satisfactory financial position of the Church, and said he concurred with the report in the voting of the minister's holiday. The adoption of the report was then carried by show of hands. The Chairman said he was grateful to them for the manner they had adopted the report, and especially was he thankful for their granting the holiday.; It was liberal of the committee to propose it, and it was liberal of them to grant it It was an instance of their sympathy for him, and it would not be lost. By such a vote as that be knew he had their esteem and respect and he believed their love; and this enabled him to preach to j them and do his work in a manner j different-from what he could do if he-had any snspicon or doubt in regard to such j matters in his mind. He hoped he would return from his holiday better able to perform his duties. The election of the committee v for the

present year then took place, which was the following:—Messrs Frater, Thompson, Macnab, McGowan, Muir, Ferguson, Miller, and Aitken.

"Votes of thanks to the choir and the out-going committee, and to Mr Fuljamei, were passed, and the meeting terminated after the Chairman had pronounced the benediction.