Knox Church.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 121, 9 March 1901, Page 3

Knox Church.

The adjourned annual congregational meeting of Knox Church waa held in the Sunday School Hall on Thursday evening. There was an attendance of about thirty, the Rev. A. S. Morrison presiding.

After the usual devotional exercise, Mr Mcrison briefly reviewed the pastoral work of the year. He said the year had been a quiet one, but nevertheless one, he believed, of solid work. The evangelistic services conducted by the Rev. Mr Grant, of Leeston, had been productive of much spiritual blessing. An attempt had been made to hold services every Sunday afternoon at Waihao Downs. With the help of the Rev. Geo. Barclay and several laymen, this was done for some time. It had, however, been found difficult at times to obtain supplies, and a return to fortnightly services had been made. The Anglican Church, the speaker was pleased to know, was now holding services on alternate Sundays. The work of the Christian Endeavour Society and Bible class had been carried on with a fair measure of success, The work among the young men and women being one of the most important engaged in by the Church, it was desirable that much more interest should be taken in it. Several meetings of Bible classes had been held at Hook and Waihao Downs. The effort to raise a fund to renovate the church building and pay off the debt of £SO remaining on the Sunday school hall had been a gratifying success. Without any pressure or special effort the congregation, by straight-out giving, had already contributed £l5O out of the £2OO aimed at. Mr Morrison concluded by thanking the congregation for the sympathy and Help he had received during tae past year, and urged all to aim at a high ideal for church work and life in the year on which they had entered. Mr Smith, Clerk of Sessions, read the kirk session report. This said that alter dance at church services and communion had been well maintained, as also were the services at Hook and Waihao Downs. The work of the Sunday school had been carried on as usual, and special thanks were due to Mr Shackleton for his work in conducting the school at Hannaton- The church had, in all, given £4O to missions last year. The attempt to obtain two additional elders had not been a success. Only a very few members of the church took the trouble to vote on the subject, and the session did not feel justified in proceeding further in the matter. Mr Smith moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr Miller and carried.

Mr P. Grant, Secretary to the Board of Management, read the Board’s report. Ten meetings had been held. The income exceeded that of 1899 by £4O. and after paying all liabilities to December 31st, 1900, there was a credit balance of £l7. Mr W. Coltman, Church Treasurer, read the statement of receipts and expenditure. This showed that the income had been £4Ol 17s Id and the expenditure £384 8s 9d. On the motion of Mes°rs Coltman and Grant, the report and statement were adopted. Miss Strong, Sunday School Secretary, read the report of the Sunday school work. This showed that at the end of 1900 there wore nine female and four mala teachers on the staff. The library was in charge of Mr Hazleto i, assisted by Mr George Nicol. Mr W. Allan, Sunday School Treasurer, read the balance sheet, expohcuture *"3o” i s p i3J. Q - l> '' n>irl the On the motion of Messrs Allan and R. E. Boyd, the report and balancesheet were adopted. A hymn was then sung, after which Messrs W. L. Scott, G. J. Shackleton, \V. Coltman, R. Inkster, and P. Grant were re-elected members of the Board of Management. The secretary mentioned that expert advice was being obtained as to how best to deal with the renovation of the Chuich building. The report would be submitted to the next meeting of the committee.

Mrs Griffin called attention to the present need of additions to the Sunday School teaching staff in consequence of several recent removals from the district.

A vote of thanks was passed to the superintendent and teachers of the Sunday School. On the motion of Mr Smith the Minister was thanked for bis labours, and acknowledgement made of the good done by his pulpit and pastoral ministiations.

This was seconded by Mr Shackleton, who briefly supported and endorsed the sentiments expressed. The resolution was carried by acclamation.

The meeting throughout was most harmonious, all the reports and financial statements being adopted unanimously, and without discussion. The Benediction brought the proceedings to a close.