PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2527, 17 February 1887, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANNIVERSARY.

The Anniversary meeting/of the Masterton Presbyterian' Church'' was held in the Church, last evening and was one of the most successful gatherings yet held in connection with the Masterton Presbyterian Church, This was no doubt owing in a great measure to the fact that several of the ministers attending the Presbyterian. Assembly in Wellington had promised to take part in the proceedings, A lea-meot-iug was held at 5.30, at which there was a large attendance. Among the ladies who presided over the tables were Mesdaines King .and Alexander and tho Misses Graham, Feist,'and Sage, At the public meeting held subsequently, the Rev. D. Fulton presided,' and opened the proceedings with prayer, which was followed by a musical selection by the Choir. The Chairman in his opening address referred to the Presbyterian Assembly held in Wellington, and said that he would refer to it at the usual Wednesday evening meeting next week.' He then called upon Mr E, Feist to read the report of the Committee for. the past year. Mr Feist then read tho followihg report : Report. Your Committee acknowledge, with gratitude the amount of- support which' has boon given to the Church during the past year, at the Bame time they havo to express rogret that the contributions received have not been sufficient to meet the expenditure. The total amount

raised during the year for all purposes being about £339. Of this amount £55

goes tiwards tho building fund, which 1 loaves about £283 to meet an expenditure of £322 16b lid. If we add to this tho [ Dr. balance of 1885, viz, £l2B 12s 3d, it Bhows a dobtor balance to the general fund of £l6B 6s. This is partly explained from the fact that the contributions from one or two of the districts have not been received in time to appear in the balance sheet. As we reported last year, the Sabbath offerings have increased to a considerable extent, the amount for the year 1883 being £lOl, whilst for last year it wa» £lsl. It will be seen from this

that the congregation has beon growing in numbers, and if wo may bo allowed hero to m ake a suggestion, it ia that all who attend the Sabbath cervices should assist in raising funds for the support of ordiuancoß in thoir midst. Wo are aineularly favored with an able, efficient, and painstaking pastor, who labors in this large and growing district almost night and day for the spiritual welfare of those who have been committed to his care, and your Committee desire as far as possible to remove all caro of pecuniary affairs from one who so faithfully attends to that which belongs to the higher interests of the Church. Your Committed desire to point out to that, in order te meet their engagements as they become duo they have arranged for a Bank overdraft) for the amount of which the Managers are severally responsible. It haß been suggestod that a small sum should be raised as a permanent debt, but the Managers.felt that, with an increased congregation, it would be far better if some'special effort were made for the payment'fof.this amount, One of the permanent improvements which have beenroade in the Church and Manse is, thatthey haveboth been suitably fitted up for the supply of gas. The charge for this, however, will appear in this year's accounts. The congregation will be askei

shortly to elect a new Committoo of Manners, Mr Feiflt tbon .moved tho adoption of the report, which was seconded by Mr Holdaway, and carried unanimously,

Interesting addresses were then delivered by the Rev. Gow, of Reefcon, Grant, of Waipukurau, and R, McGregor, of Kaiapoi, which were of a general nature, more than on special topics. Slight references were made to the assembly, «nd' : the great gadd. that was likely to eventuate through' such a gathering. The Rev. J. N.. Buttle, in the course of an address, referred .to the action of the Borough Council in getting Mr I R. Gearge, C. E.,to inspeot the gas works on a Sunday, and said they should endeavor to elect men to the Counoil who would revore the Sabbath day. The choir rendorod several selections during the evening, and the meeting was brought toa olosewith tho benediction. -