KNOX CHURCH.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9166, 14 August 1908, Page 5

KNOX CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of Knox Church was held in Knox Hail last evening. The Rev. A. T. Thompson occuDied the chair. There was a large attendance. An apology for absence was received from the Rev. H. Watson. The report of the Kirk session for the year ending June 30th stated inter alia:—The session is gratified to report that the services of the Church have been well maintained during the year, and that a noted increase in attendances at public worship is to be recorded. Especially is it gratifying to see that in many cases our people are attending both diets of worship. The services of an assihtant whose time should be devoted entirely to the outfields was secured, and Mr A. G. Crawford commenced duties as from October Ist. Fresh fields have been opened at Kaituna, and Wangaehu Valley, Bideford has been re-opened, and a weekly service has been supplied at Miki Miki. New Sabbath Schools and Bible Clashes have been formed also under Mr Crawford. At the close of last year our roll of communicants after purging stood at 209. Now, afcer additions and removals for the year stands at 254 There were 63 additions—32 by examination, 29 by certificate,, and two by re-enrolment. There were 12 removals, two by death and 10 otherwise. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered on three occasions durii g the year, and the following attendance recorded 163, 136, 159, respectivdy. Thirty-eight marriages were celebrated and 41 baptisms. During the month of May the congregation met to ronsider a scheme to enlarge the Church and procure a pipe organ. The matter has been taken up most heartily by the congregation and soon we hope to see the proposed work completed. At last Summer School in Invercargill our Church and town were chosen as the centre at which the next Summer School is to be held. We are pleased to record that our Bible Classes (now seven in number) and Young People's organisations are doing good work, ami that our Sunday Schools (now five in number) are in a healthy condition. During the year Mr J. McGregor, Senr., took up the duties of Superintendent, and is with his loyal staff of teachers carrying on a most hopeful work amongst the young of our Church. Our financial position has imnroved even upon the splendid recoi 1 of last year. J he annual report of the Choir stated, inter alia:—lt is satisfactory to be able to report an increase in membership. Our roll number now stands at 30, with an average attendance of 16 at Church services, and 15 at practices. Steady work hns been done at practising hymns and anthems for use in the Church cervices. As this is the main part of the Choir's work, we have endeavonr-d to help in the scheme for obtaii.'ng a pipe organ to make that work more efficient. To this end the rrato.io, "Christ and His Soldiers" waj put into practice at the beginning of March, and was rendered very successfully on May 13th. So well was it received, that it was decided to repeat it, which was accordingly done on June 11th. We would gratefully acknowledge the assistance rendered by many of the leading local singers who do not belong to our Choir, hut who sympathised with us in this effort. From the two conceits we have a credit balance of £ls, which has been added to the £l3 previously obtained by the Choir f< r the Pipe Organ Fund. We hone in the near future, to make other efforts to augment our fund. As the Church building is soon to be enlarged, and a pipe organ installed, we shall need a lareer Choir, and a cordial welcome awaits any who are willing to join our ranks, and so.help in making the service of praise as hearty and bright as possible. ' The report of Knox Young Women's Bible Class stated that the work of the Class had gone on steadily throughout the past year. There were 45 members on the roll, with an average attendance of 20. The annual report of the Knox Young Men's Bible Class states that the class is now in a sound and healthy condition. The membership stands at 30, with an average attendance'of 15. Four members of the class joined the Church during the year. The membership of Knox Church Young People's Association shows a slight increase on the previous year. The meetings have been well attended, and the subjects have provided very interesting and profitable evenings. The Board of Managers' report for the year ended June 30th stated, inter alia:-In addition to the very considerable increase of expenditure, a sum of £l5O has been paid out of the ordinary fund towards the Building Fund Account, and whilst we commenced the-year with a credit balance of £l3l 9s lOd, wo stil! show at the end of the year a credit balance of £lB 6s 2d. The Sabbath offerings at Masterton have been £412 14s 4d, a still further increase from last year of £43 2s lid. These seat rnits also show an increase over last year of £22 10s. The Sabbath offerings from the six outfields supplied amount to £57 19s 9d. The Building Fund Account, which, at the beginning of the year stood at £6OO 19s 9d, has been reduced to £243 8s Bd. Several of the amounts credited in this year's statement are given towards the New Organ and Church Extension Fund. The contributions to the Home and Foreign Missionary Fund amount to £6l 8s 6d, In this connection the managers are of opinion that when the claims of this fund are more generally known amongst the members and adherents of the congregation that a still further increase may be anticipated. The managers desire gratefully to acknowledge the very generous and liberal support given by all who are interested in the work of the Church, and to solicit a continuance of thei.* support and interest in so good a work. The report of the Knox Church Sunday School stated that the staff numbered 15, with an average attendance of 12. Children on roll: Infant Class 71, average attendance 48. Other classes, exclusive of two Bible Classes:—Girls 50, boys 20, a | total of HI for the School, with an average attendance of about 68 [ per cent. The balance sheet is very 1 satisfactory, a balance of £7 5s lid

being carried forward after considerable expenditure. About 60 new books were added to the Library. During the evening short addresses were given by Mr Haye, Mr D. '"ocker, of Pongaroa. Rev. Chambers Mill, of Pahiatua, Rev. L. Thompson, of Carterton, Rev. A. i. Thompson, and Rev. J. N. Buttle. The following musical programme was submitted:—Pianoforte solo by Mr A. Haye; quartette, by Messrs W. S. Jago, R. Young, J. Gray and A. Haye; solo, "Nearer My God to Thee," Miss J. McGregor. A vote was accorded to the Treasurer, Mr H. T. Wood, for past services. After the meeting closed, refreshments were provided by the lady members of the congregation.