TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CH'/RUH, CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3068, 15 March 1892, Page 2

TRINITY PRESBYTERIAN CH'/RUH, CAMBRIDGE.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the members and adherents of the above place of worship was held on Thursday, the 10th instant, in the church. As has been usual of lato years, the meeting was of a social character, tea and eatables {kindly provided by the Cambridge ladies) being handed round during an interval in the proceedings, several musical items being given to vary the monotony of th<) business discussions. The Rev. W. Evans nresided, and tha meeting was opened by the singing of a hymn. The Chairman then read a portion of Scripture, after which the Rev. Mr Neil, of the Thames —formerly stationed in Cambridge —offered up prayer. After a few preliminary remarks from the chair, the minutes of the previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. Sessional Report.—Elder J. Fisher then read the sessional report for the past year as follows :—As one year is placed among the records of the past and we enter on the duties of a new date, we are naturally reminded ot the rapid flight of time, and of the approach of the hour when we shall be called upon to give an account of our stewardship. This is what we are led to contemplate to-night, and it ie our earnest desire and prayer to God'that we and all who enjoy church-fellowship with us may at last hear the words " well done, good and faithful servants." We rejoice in the fact that the longer we live, the more confirmed we become in the faith of Christ, and the more fully assured i that, in believing the gospel and reposing our confidence in the Redeemer, we have not followed any cunningly devised fable ; but rather, have been led to rest on a sure and lasting foundation. Let us then seek grace to be true to our principle and privileges. As members of the great f resbytenan body throughout the world we have much in which we night rejoice. While our church is, we believe, founded on the apostolic model, her history down through the ages is adorned with names of mighty men of God ; men who stood in the high places of the field contending for truth and liberty; many even shedding their blood in defence of their faith. While we wish God-speed to every Christian church, and love all who love Christ, we cannot but feel that our warmest affections are due to the church of our fathers ; which was never more widely extended or wielded a greater power for good than at the present hour. Cutting home to ourselves, in reviewing the past year, we have, doubtless, many shortcomings and imperfections to mourn. Many of us might have been more diligent and fruitful in holy living and doing. We have to thanlc God for the way in which He has bornn with our manners in the wilderness. Wo have reason also to be thankful

as a church for manifold favours twst'uved upon us. During the ynnr wn hnv« li>«t ono of our friends by the hand of deatli— the late Mrs Thomson, who after sevrrn suffering patiently endured, died in the confidence of faith—and vve have reason to hope that the gospel has not been without tho Divine benediction. The Word of God has been preached and gospol ordinances administered as in former years, at Cambridge. Pukerimu, and Hautapu ; and by the efficient help of Mr Brooks, a monthly service has boon conducted at Tanwharn, which appears to be much Appreciated. The minister has also supplied the ordinances of the Lord's supper and baptism to the districts of Te Awamtitti and Paterangi. The attendance at tho various services throughout the year has been, on the whole, well sustained ; whilo there has boen at Cambridge a visible improvement, The additions to the membership have been, viz., by certificate, 1; by examination, 5. The removals hava been ton. The number of baptisms during the year has been twontythree; in one instance a mother and her two children were baptised at. the R.itne time. The union prayer meeting has been encouraging, and we believe profitable. (This refers to the weekly prayer meetings now held alternately at the Presbyterian and VVesleyan churches, Ed.) As has frequently happened, our choir has suffered from removals ; but we hope to see, before leng, other helpers corning forward. In conclusion we would say : Let us consecrate ourselves anew to our Lord : let us be faithful to all the ordinances of His house ; and let us earnestly implore the Divine blessing on our efforts to advance the interests of tho Kingdom ; nnd we shall then prove that the truth of the promise— " Them that honour inn, I will honour.— I John Fisheb, Session Clerk.

Rkport of Committee of Management and Bala.vob Shekt.—Tho following is a synopsis of the above mentioned documents, the former being read by the Secretary, Mr Sargent, and the latter by Mr 'Brooks, the treasurer. The report stated that financially the year had been a more prosperous cne than several that preceeded it, and though still having to ask the Minister to accept a less sum than that originally agreed upon, tho committee were pleased to be in a position to pay £180 stipend which the Rev. W. Evans had generously accepted in full payment for the year. The thanks of the congregation wore due to the Minister for this. The total receipts had bep.n £241 Is 4d and the expenditure £240 17s 6d. The latter, in addition to the amount paid for stipend, contained items under the following headings : —Remitted to General Treasurer, £10 15s 2d ; interest, rates and insurance, £18 lls 3d ; incidental expenses, £15 10s Id ; repairs fund, £10 l=. The receipts comprised : Plate collections, £95 13s Id; stipend fund subscriptions, £02 7s; soirees, £31 14s Id; raised in various ways for the repairs fund. £16 2s. The year was commenced with a credit balance ot £3 5s 2d, and terminated with one of £3 9s. Complaints having baen made ot the defectivo lighting of the church, the committee had dune away with four chandeliers (containing 1C lamps), and had substituted four Rochester lamps, which greatly improved the lighting of thfl building. The annual soiree was held in November, and netted £26 18s ; the combined Weslevan and Presbyterian soiree was held at Hautapu in December, realis ing £9 12s 2d, the half of which (£4 16s Id) came to the Presbyterians. The repairs fund had benefitted to the extent of £7 9a by a concert given in July, and £3 15s 6d by a social gathering held in the church in September. The report continued: "Fur some time past the manse roof has been leaking very badly whenever there has been a fall of rain, and the committee have recently had it thoroughly examined, with the reeult that it is found necessary to cover the whole roof with iron, which will cost at least £30. It will be for the memj hers at this meeting, or the new committee, [ to devise means of raising that sum at once, so that the work may be done before the winter sets in." Attention was drawn to the want of a suitable building for Sunday-school purposes, and in which meetings of a social character could be held, and in view of this matter coming up for discussion circulars had been forI warded to all members and adherents of the Church notifying them of the fact, or that all might have an opportunity of expressing their opinions on the subject. It was pointed out that the Baptist Tabernacle was not being used, and the managers had discussed the advisability of making an offer for that building. Tho report concluded by calling attention to the indebtedness of the congregation to the Misses Archer, Anderson, Young and Evans, and to Mr McDermott who had in turn ably presided at the organ during the year. The Treasurer, Mr Brooks, referring to the balance sheet, said the plate collections had increased by £11 over the previous year, and the stipend fund subscriptions £5 or £0. The soirees had also realised more; the other items jemained about the same. Although they had paid a larger stipend they must not forget that arrears were left in 1890. The reports and balance sheet were then received and adopted. Thanks.—On the motion of Elder Rhodes, hearty votes of thanks were unanimously accorded the outgoing committee of management, the psalmody committee, organists, choir, secretary, treasurer, and the Wesleyans of Pukerimu and Hautapu. Officers.—The following officers were then appointed : —Managing Committee : Cambridge town, Messrs J. Anderson, W. Perkins, J. Ferguson, W. McMillan, G. Campbell and F. J. Brooks. Pukerimu, R. Fisher and J. Fisher junr. Hautapu, W. Russell and J. Dykes. Suburbs, G. Young and H. Rhodes. Treasurer, Mr F. J. Brooks. Secretnry, Mr R. W. Sargent, with Mr Colin Munroe as assistant. There was then an interval for refreshments, after which Mr Chas. Hunter pang "Eternal Rest," in a very pleasing manner, being ably accompanied upon the organ by Miss M. Archer. At a subsequent period of the meeting the Misses M. Archer and A. Evans rendered the vocal duet " Tired " very nicely. Another Building Wanted. —Mr Brooks spoke of the great want of a building for Sunday-schiol purposes, and in which lectures, soirees, social gatherings etc. might be held. H* referred to tiic amount of money that had been saved by tho Anglicans and Wesluyans of late while the Presbyterians had done but little. He thought it well to hayo some special work in hand ; they had still a mortgage of £150 upon the manse, nnd they should endeavom to pay that off, or go in for another building for the purposes he had named. He di<i not know that the Baptists wished to pur , with the Tabernacle; but if they did, and the Presbyterians bought it. it could, he was informed, be moved for about £50.—Elder Fisher stronely opposed the proposals made by Mr Brooks ; he did not think another building was re quired at present. If they bought the Tabernacle there would not be room upon their section for it, therefore there would be more expenditure in purchasing land.— This matter was discussed at considerably length, the scheme having about an equal number of champions and opponent", but it was eventually resolved not to go into deht for tho purpose of obtaining another building and a subscription list will be opened to find out what mpasuro of monetary support the project will receive before further steps are taken. Thr Manse.—The roof of the manse is in a very delapidated condition, and not by any means waterproof.—ElderFisher moved that £30 be expended in re-roofing it with iron.—Mr Brooks seconded the motion, but asked where the money was coming from. If the stipend fund suffered for it, that would be making the Minister pay for the roof.—Mr Campbell moved, and Mr Scott seconded. "That a subscription list be taken round the room at once.—This was agreed to and £115s was quickly subscribed, of which the Rev. W. Evans gave £5. This ended the business, and the meeting was closed by the Minister pronouncing the Benediction i>t 10.45 p.m.