S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3046, 23 January 1892, Page 3

S. ANDREW'S CHURCH, CAMBRIDGE.

Tin; following iM the report and balance shout»f tho vestry of tlie a>>ovu Chm-jli fur the year ending December Hist, 18!)1, uni which will bo presented at, the niinuiil meeting i>l tho pnri.-Oiionf-r.s on Monday evening : KurOllT OKTHK VkmTkY OF S. ANDKKW'h Ciit.'ucH, Camuiuih;k, koh thk Ykak Kndixo Dkukmukk 81st, IK'.ll.— The yenr which has just closed, has been a most encouraging (inn in many respects, to those working in and fur the Church in the district. A larger material work was accomplished during thin period in thu additions and repairs to the parsonage than lias been attempted Bineo the building of the Church in 1881. And not only is this special wurk wholly paid for, but also the guneral financial conditions of the Church was never before so good. We Imve ;'t least made guml prnffro.as in temporal matters and that is something to say after several years of standing still, not to say of goini; backward This is doubtless largely due to the return of prosperity to tho colony and to thu district in which wo live and wo are thankful to know that others are fnrling the benefit as well as ourselves. It is difficult to gnugo spiritual program. Let us hope and pray and strive that our Church may be not sitnplv a successful business venture, but also and ahovo all, :<, powrr for Rood.

Chuiich Skhvioks.— The lvgulm- sei vices of worship have been maintained as heretofore throughout the district. The Mini-ter was assisted at S. Andrew's by the Rev. Dr. Hooper during the most part of tho year. This help enabled him more often to take part in the services at Tamahere during Dr. Hoc.per'n stay. By reque-t of the people of Tiiiitiinroa, Mr Seddon now visits their district alternately with the Minister, and the opportunities for public worship are thereby increased. OHADI'O. — The enlargement of tho Church at Ohaupo has been successfully carried out. The Church is now spacious and woll-vontillated. The people have contributed liberally and as heretofore the operations have been carried out without incurring debt. The ordinary revenue has bean also well maintained, and the offertories for the Home and Me'.anesian Missions and the Pension Fund have been specially food. Tamahkrb —The new cemetery at livmahere has been substantially fenced and laid out and planted, and both Church and cemetery were consecrated by the Bishop on the 20th of April. Sunday Schools.—The Sunday Schools of tho district are .still carried on well, though under difficulties, mainly the want of suitably teachers and particularly male teachers. At S. Andrew's, Miss Ew°n haa had to add the duties of superintendent to her other labours for tho Sunday School and the Church, and has performed them in her usual whole-hearted way. At Cambridge Weat Dr. Hooper carried on the school during his stay and since he left the work has been done by Mrs W. O. Garland. Choir.—The choir is not what it ought to be. The office of conductor has been vacant during most part of the year, mainly owing to the non-attendance of members trom one cause or another at the services and the practices. The constancy of the few who do attend regularly is deserving of all praise. We would express a hope that in the new year all those in the congregation who havo voices will rally to the work, and devote themselves to leading the people in the praises of God to His glory and their own benefit. Ringeks.—A few regular helpers still support each other in the ringing of the bells. The work would be a greater pleasure to them and be better done if they had more assistance. We would here again appeal for helpers, and especially to the old ringers to again help in the work as formerly. CHURCH Garden.— The garden was kept in model order all through the year by Mr George Hawkins as a voluntary offering. We shall mis? this good helper, who has now left Cambridge. There are hers again room and demand for new workers.

Parish Evksimgs.-—Six parish evenings were held in IS9I, similar to those of 1800, and were equally successful. These have now become the social gatherings proper of the congregation. Statistics. —There has been a steady increase in the numbers attending divine service and receiving the Holy Communion. The baptisms in the district have been IS, the innrriaffes 3, and the burials 11. Six males and twelve females have received the rite of confirmation. FINANCE. —The financial condition of the church, as has been already intimated, is particularly encouraging. Until this year the offertories have been every year since 18S3—virtually since 1881. This year they have increased by upwards of £30, and the incrciso bus been general with the people and constant throughout the year. In other ways also tho contributions of the parishioners have been hirger th.\n for some- yenr<. There was never before more willingness displayed by people in contributing. Perhaps the best feature of all in the year's proceedings has been the direct giving on all sides fur all requirements. Our church liin this year, fur tho first time, virtually kept entirely free of any secondary means of raising revenue. The proposal to adopt this course was made by the minister at the last annual meeting. It was subsequently approved by the vestry; also by a meeting of the ladies, and it has baun endorsed by the parishioners generally giving liberally iintl willingly. PiiOl'KiU'Y and IssnuAXOß.—The parsonage ii now a commodious and comfortable residence, and is iu good order. The work which has been d"ne is probably value tor £200, some £40 worth ot labour awl material having been given, besides the monetary contributions (£l5B 18s 4d). The church and school-room should soon be painted, and the roof of the school-room should be re-coverod with shingles or iron. The insurance on tho various properties stand.', as follows :—Church and furniture. £1000; school-room, £230; parsonage, £350. Liabilities.—The only liability of the church is the balance of the building loan (£275), tho liabilities on ordinary account boing for tho first time covered by the ca*h in hand. In all past years they have varied from £40 to £140. Estimate fob 1892.—The proposed expenditure is : Minister, £175 ; organist, £10; verger, £12; parish contribution, £14 ; insurance, £18; interest, £18; lighting, £7; sundries, £8; painting church and school, and finding iron for school roof, £70 ; total, £332. The receipts hoped for are : General offertories, £140; seat rents, £58; school rent and parish evenings £10; subscriptions required tn balance, £124; total, £332. Thanks,—The thanks of the parishioners are due tn the lay reader (Mr Seddon), to Miss Ewen, and the other teachers of the Sunday-schools, to the members of the choir, to the ringers, and to the caretaker of the church grounds. CONCLUSION. —AVe conclude our report by heartily thanking God for the special encouragements of the past year. Wβ pray for pardon wherein we have failed to do oar duty, and for acceptance and future guidance and help, through Josus Christ our Lord. Wμ. N. I)e L. Willis, Chairman of Vestry. Balance-sheet for Year Ending Decumuer

31st, 1891. To cash in hand December 31st, 1890 £19 9 10 Annual subscriptions co J S Scat rents 58 6 o Offertories —General 140 17 1® „ Special 14 1 L Rent 2 15 0 Parish evenings _ • 8 18 8 Donation in lieu of social gathering ... 54 11 0 Organist fund 5 0 0 Sundries 18 4 £368 10 0 Parsonage Improvement Fund for 1890-91— Cambridge ... ...£134 10 7 Tamahere 16 17 0 0haUp ° —1— 157 18 1 Expenditure— £526 8 1 By salaries—Archdeacon I Willis £209 3 4 Verger ... ... ••• 11 13 0 0r^nist 2 o, 16 4 Parish contributions— Melanesian Mission ... 4 lb 10 Homo Mission 4 13 0 Maori Mission .. ... 1 14 jj Pension Fund 5 0 0 Country clergy 3 17 0 Synod expenses 1 " 0 21 e 1Q Insurance }/ 7 ® Interest ™ Lighting ... „ „ » Parsonage refund •}' 0 j) ® Sundries « » f Parsonage improvements -1SS Ja 4 Cash in bank and baud lb o £i.W S 1 •Stati:me.\j of Liaiuliiiks and Ab-ns Ar Decemubh 31ST. Liabilities— Archdeacon Willis Verger 3 2 6 Interest on loan . k Sundries 3 10 0 £20 15 S AssetsCash in bank 19 Cash in hand 19 3 1 £■29 10 0 Excess of assets over liabilities, lOd.