KNOX CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8553, 11 October 1907, Page 5

KNOX CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL a MEETING. t The annual congregational meet- ; ing of Knox Church was held in the . Sunday School-room, last evening, i and was largely attended. The Rev. . A. T. Thompson occupied the chair. ! The annual report of the Kirk Sess sion was as follows:—"The services , of the Church have been well main i tained, the attendance at morning and evening diets of worship being very satisfactory indeed,. There is, however, a noticeable tendency on : the part of some of our members to worship at only one of the services on Sabbath. The Session would like to see as many as possible attend both diets of worship. The number of communicants on the roll at the beginning of the year was 191. It now stands at 209, after having been purged during the year. Forty-four new members were received, 29 by examination and 15 by certificate. In all, 26 names were removed, leaving us with a net increase of 18 members. The Angel of Death has visited some of our homes and carried off loved ones. The Kirk Session, on behalf of the congregation, would extend Christian sympathy and condolence to all sorrowing ones. Amongst the departed were two very old and esteemed members of the Church —-the late Mrs Edwin Feist, of Kuripuni, and Mrs Janet Mclnnes, of Masterton. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered quarterly, the attendance at each dispensalion being 32), 137, 114, and 131, respectively, making an average attendance of 125.5 members for the year. During the year 39 children were baptised by the Minister and 17 mairiages solemnised. Visiting has been carried on throughout the charge by the Minister, followed up by a new visiting scheme inaugurated by the Session and effected by several ladie3 who kindly volunteered their services for the work. The Session is pleased with the work carried out amongst the young people of the Church in the various organisations on foot for the purpose, viz, Sabbath "School, Bible Classes, Young People's Association, and Communicants' Classes. It would like, ho we vex', to see a greater interest shown in the weeknight service. The work in the outfields has been carried on with success and acceptance, and we are very pleased to note that during the present year more will be done than formerly in this very needy part of the charge. The thanks of the Minister and Session are due to the loyal body of laymen who assist in providing the ordinances for our outfields. The finances of *,he Church are in an exceedingly healthy and buoyant condition, and we thank God for the Christian grace of liberality shown by our people." The Managers submitted the following report:— "We commenced our financial year with a credit balance of £45 13s lOd, and at the close of the year the credit balance shows the sum of £l3l 9s lOd, notwithstanding several heavy payments were made for repairs to the Manse and on other objects of necessary expenditure. Our income from SabDath offerings last year from Master- . ton was £251 19s Bd, and this year it is £369 lis sd, an increase of £ll7 ' lis 9d. The income from seat rents this year is £165 15s. an increase over last year of £33 10s. The offerings from the three outfields of ' Wangaehu, Dreyerton, and Miki • Mild also show a satisfactory in- ' crease of £2l 4s lOd. The Bui] -\mg J Fund Account, which at the beginn- y ing of the year was £BO3, has now been reduced to £6OO 9s 9d, a reduc- ''. tion of £202 10s 3d. The Home and j Foreign"Missionary Association Accounts also appear very satisfactory. ' The income last year was £62 9s 2d, * and the expenditure £SO 13s 2d, ' leaving a balance in hand of £ll 16s. * This year's income, inclusive of the , balance in hand, is £B7 14s, all of ' which has been expended on the vari- { ous schemes of the Church. The Board of Managers tender their ! thanks to all members, adherents : and friends for their generous support in giving so liberally towards the funds of the Church, and would ' in confidence solicit their continued interest in the work of the Church." * The reports were adopted. The balance-sheets, which were adopted, showed that the receipts * had been £644 7s 6d and the expenditure £512 17s Sd, leaving a'credit € balance of £l3l 9s lOd. The Home and Foreign Mission Fund Account showed thac the receipts, including a balance of £ll 16s brought forward from last year, had been £SI 14s The same amount had been paid out to various missions. The Uuilding / Fund Account showed that the overdraft during the year had been reduced from £BO3 to £6OO 9s 9d. The annual report in connection with the Sunday School showed that there were 155 pupils on the roll, t with an average attendance of 110. I The infant class, in charge of Miss c McGregor, showed a [membership of s 60, with an average attendance of r 39. The ordinary balance-sheet c showed a cr. balance of £6 8s 9d, the j Mission Fund a cr. balance of £2 3s 1 Bd, and the Anniversary Social Ac- t count a cr. balance of £2 lis Id. c The collection box returns showed an c increase of £1 12s 13 on last year, c and the Anniversary Sunday offer- v ings were larger by £1 7s 7d, but 1 the cr. balance from the Annuals Social was less by £2 6s 3d. Reports were also received from the Bible Class and the Young People's Association, showing both ', to be in a flourishing condition. r The Chairman congratulated the c congregation on the buoyant con- j ditionofthe funds. He stated that the receipts from all sources during I the year, exclusive of the Sunday j School, Bible Class and Young People's Association, had been £973 f 9s 2d, thu3 placing the Church fifth j among the Presbyterian Churches of i New Zealand. < ' Mr A. G. Crawfrod, the Minister's « Assistant, was introduced to the con- ] gregation by the Chairman, who ex- • tended a welcome to the new assist- | ant. j Mr Crawford delivered a short i address, acknowledging the welcome ; extended to him. An enthusiastic discussion took ! place with reference to securing a new pipe organ for the Church, and finally the matter was left in the hands of a committee consisting of Messrs A. Henderson, G. Heron and ; J. C. Scott to go into ways and ; means. i

During the evening Misses Cameron, Bennington and Messrs W. S. Jago and R. J. Young and the choir contributed musical items. Refreshments were provided by the ladies, and were greatly appreciated. At the conclusion of the proceedings votes of thanks were accorded to the ladies for supplying refreshments, and to those who contributed musicah items.