ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 334, 6 February 1902, Page 3

ST. ANDREW’S CHURCH.

ANNUAL MEETING,

FUND FORMED FOR NEW

CHURCH.

The annual meeting of the congregation of St. Andrew’s Church was held last evening. The Rev. J. G. Paterson presided, and explained that in future the annual meetings of the Church would be held in June.

The report of the Kirk Session was read by Mr A. Graham. The report was as follows : “ At the close of another year the Session would ask the congregation to join with them in expressing gratitude to God, and to the great Head of the Church for many blessings, Spiritual and temporal. The year has slipped quietly past, without any great changes or any strongly marked periods, either of excitement or depression. So far, however, as the Session can judge from outward and visible signs, it has been one of steady progress, and good work in tho extension of Christ's causo and Kingdom. Large and attentive audi* onccs have listened to the preaching of the Word ; a most liberal spirit of giving pervades tho people, and under tho faithful and zealous ministration of the Pastor, all the organizations of the Church are working smoothly, and pervaded by a bealthly Spiritual atmosphere. The Session regrot to have to record the removal by death during tho year of four members of the Church, viz., Mr Johann Von Pein, a much-esteemed member of tho Session ; Mrs John Wallace, widow of tho late Mr John Wallace, also a member of the Session ; Mrs Jamieson, a dear Saint of God, taken away at a ripe old age, after a life-time spent in faithful witness and service for Christ ; and Mrs Alex. Tod, of Waimata. With all bereaved families, also for all in anxiety for sick ones, the Session would, on behalf of themselves and the congregation, tender their sincerest sympathy. The Communion roll now shows a membership of 236. During the year 33 names were added to the roll ; 22 being new members admitted by examination, and 11 by certificate from other churches. The disjunctions have been 14 ; four by death, as

above mentioned, the others by removal from the district. The Sacrament of the

Lord’s Supper has been administered quarterly, alternately after forenoon and evening services. The average attendance at communion has been about 100. Evangelistic services were held in May by the llev. Mr McDonald, from Vv'aipukurau. Considerable interest was taken, and several decisions for Christ come to among the young. Our pastor had a well-earned rest and a trip South in December, from which he returned rested and recruited in health and strength.

During his absence the services were conducted with very much acceptance to the congregation by the Rev. Wm. Day, of Mount Eden Congregational Church, Auckland. The choir is still under the conductorship of Mr Massey. It has been strengthened by the acquisition of several more members, and is now in a very efficient state. The Session would tender its thanks to all those who have assisted in this important part of public worship. The weekly prayer meeting continues to be held every Wednesday evening at 7.80 While the attendance is in a measure satisfactory, the Session would gladly see

these weekly times for Christian fellowship and prayer more largely taken advantage of. Separate reports from the Superintendent of Sunday-school and Secretary of the Christian Endeavor Society are appended. The Session would ask your careful attention to these, and interest in such helpful and necessary adjuncts to the church's work. The Union of the Northern and Southern Presbyterian Churches of New Zealand I was finally consummated at Dunedin, on the 31st of October last, amidst great rejoicings, and high hopes for an enlarged career of usefulness and service to that branch of the visible church to which we belong. Although from our isolated position the change may not be very apparent to us, yet even here it should prove an inspiration and a help that we belong to a strong and united church, upon which a heavy share of the responsibility of up-

holding and extending Christ’s cause and Kingdom in this land has been laid. In conclusion, the Session would earnestly pray that in the support of Church organisations, and the activities of Church work, the ends for which these exist be not lost sight of. These are only means ; ■ the ends are personal salvation, building up in the faith, and a holy life, among all who can bo brought within our church influence. Let us pray, therefore, for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on pastor and people, that this year may prove neither barren nor unfruitful in the work of the Lord.”

Mr J. Warren presented the report of the Management Committee as follows : “ In presenting the twenty-ninth annual report on the affairs of the Church, your Committee desire to return thanks to God for his continued mercies towards the congregation. The collections have been fully maintained, the total amount being £464 16s 4d, the only special item being the collection for Sunday-school purposes, £l6, This is the more gratifying as without any solicitation the free-will offerings of the public suffice to carry on the ordinary work of the church. The seat rent has fallen below the average. This has in a measure arisen from the fact of the seats being free at evening service. Visitors are inclined to regard the morning services as being privileged to the same extent, and seat-holders have frequently been unable to obtain their seats. The collections for missions by young ladies total £33 17s 6d, whilo the Sundayschool children subscribed £l6 9s 3d for the saino purpose. We trust that these items will continue to increase. During the year the lighting has been improved by the use of incandescent burners, the cost being £24. This is being gradually repaid by the smaller consumption of gas, while the comfort by the increased light is well worth the extra cost. The whole property is in good repair, and there is a balance in hand of £43, together with a nood asset of £2O, representing seat-rent outstanding. Your Committee consider that the younger members of the congregation should institute the formation of a now church building fund, as the time cannot bo far distant when the present temporary and somewhat uncomfortable church must' be superseded by a better building.” mi Cl.. /if 111 A Gllll/lni?

The Superintendent of the Sunday School, Mr J. Warren, presented the following annual report of the School: “ I have great pleasure in reporting upon tho progress of the school under my charge. The attendance of scholars and teachers is satisfactory, and during the past year about thirty children have regularly learned the Shorter Catechism. I am the more pleased with this item of attention because I consider the Shorter Catechism is the only help our Church gives the children to understand the Scriptures. Some prizes were offered last year by friends for excellence in catechism lessons, and I hope to receive a similar encouragement this year. The average attendance has been 13 teachers and 120 scholars. The number of scholars on the roll has increased to 180, but the boys’ classes beep the average low. We are fortunate in having a large lawn, on which the classes can be taught during the summer, as the church is so hot during the afternoon that the whole work would be retarded if we were compelled to keep the classes in the building. I have again to thank Mr Hookey for his cheerful services in preparing the children for the anniversary services in August. The collections have provided tho periodicals and tickets, leaving the amount collected by the children, ifilfl 9s 3d, to go to the mission funds. Again I ask the parents that wo may be remembered by them in their prayers, that we may have grace and wisdom to teach the children the glorious Gospel.”

Mr Warren spoke strongly in regard to the matter of the falling away in attendance of tho bays. It was a difficult matter to keep tho boys in touch, for as soon as they reached the age of about ten years they drifted away. It was also a difficult matter to keep tho boys in cheek, a result, he thought, of a lack of discipline at the public schools. In regard to the funds, he suggested' that a nucleus of a Church building fund be started, as in the future a larger church would no doubt be wanted. Mr C. D. M. Rosie, tho treasurer, presented tho statement of accounts. It showed receipts totalling i£627 I3s 2d, and expenditure i’sß4 12s 2d, leaving a balance iu hand of 1:43 Os 9d. There were ro liabilities, and the assets stood at £6O 3s 9d. With regard to a new Church, Mr Rosie thought they should look into tho future aud provide for it. A new Church might not be wanted for ten years’ time, but if they started a fund now, when the time arrived they would have sufficient to erect a new building. He moved that a building fuud be started, and that tho Managemeut Committee voto such sum from the surplus in hand as they may consider reasonable to form a nucleus. Mr A. L. Muir seconded the motion, which was carried.

The matter of improving the ventilation of the Church tvas brought forward by Mr J. W. Witty, but no decision was come to in the matter. Miss Warren read the annual report of' the St. Andrew’s Christian Endeavor Society, which was very favorable. On the proposition of Mr J. East, seconded by Mr Witty, all the reports were adopted. The members of the Management Committee were re-elected ; Messrs Barlow, East, Innes, and Robertson were added to the Committee. The matter of the use of hymn-books at the evening service was brought up, and it was resolved that the matter be referred to the Management Committee, who were to be advised to distribute ballot-papers among the congregation, the members voting as to whether they would use Sankey’s hymns or Church

I’roise at the evening services. The Rev. J. G. Paterson, in a short speech, thanked all who had assisted him during the past year. He had been pleased to see so many young men at the services, and hoped that the Church w’ould be a power for good during the coming year. The Revs. W. Welsh and B. F. Rothwell gave short speeches, congratulating the Church on its position, and wishing it continued success in the future.

During the meeting, sacred songs were sung by Misses Heaney and Warren and Mr Barlow.

The meeting olosed with the Benedic. ion.