PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 211, 6 August 1937, Page 4

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church was held last evening, the Moderator (Rev. A. L. Dixon) presiding over a fair attendance. The meeting opened with a hymn, followed hy prnyer led hy Mr Dixon. Mr D. Martin (acting session clerk), in moving that the session report (previously published) oo received, said that among the elders were men of considerable ages, some having attained 90 years, while others were well over the- three score years and ten, and it was pleasing to note that despite the weight of years they were still activoly engaged in Christ’s service. Mr Martin referred to the service of Mr Dixon, who, he said, worked with very high ideals and that when he put his shoulder to the wheel things began to move. _ The report was received. The management committee’s report was adopted. Referring to the finan- * cial status of the church, the treasurer (Mr 0. Aldis) said that a year ago the bank overdraft was £2OO, but this year it had been reduced to £IOO. That fact showed that the church had improved and was £IOO better off. On the year’s working, however, there had been a deficiency of roughly £ls, ancT he thought there should be enough income to pay debts each vear; ho hoped that the gup would be eliminated between receipts and expenditure during the coming year. He recommended that the management committee be strengthened. Touching on mission work, Mr Aldis noted that there had been an im provement shown. The speaker made reference to the golden offering which, although it had not reached the amount aimed at (£300), had been highly satisfactory and the response to the appeal had been good. Mr Geo. Bartholomew expressed Ins satisfaction regarding the able man-

ner in which the previous speaker had explained the financial position, and paid a glowing tribute to the work of Mr Aldis as treasurer.

Mr Buist also agreed with the remarks of the treasurer regarding income and expenditure, and added that an effort should be made to stimulate the former. The balance-sheet was adopted without further discussion. The adoption of the Sunday school report was moved by the superintendent (Mr Buist), who, after touching upon various matters contained in the report, urged that parents encourage their children to attend the Sunday school. “The hoys and girls of to-day are the ones we look to for the church members of to-morrow,” he added. A tribute was paid to the work of I th* superintendent by Mr It. A. McFarland, who said that while Mr Buist might be anxious to see a better attendance each Sunday, it was gratifying to note that parents postponed their Sunday afternoon drive in their motor-enrs until after the children had been dismissed from Sunday school. It was pleasing to see that parents were keen to ensure that their children were receiving spiritual guidance. The worl? of the teachers was praised by Mr Bartholomew, who pointed out that they regularly attended to impart religious teaching to ’the children. The roport was adopted. The report of the P.W.M.U. was adopted, and the opportunity was taken by Mr T. Pagan to eulogise the work of the retiring president (Mrs Gosnell), who, he said, had been head •of that body for many years and had given valuable service. The moderator also added his sentiments, stating that he very much appreciated the wonderful work Mrs Gosnoll had achieved in connection with the Mothers’ Un/m, which had contributed largely to the success of the church. The Girls’ Auxiliary report was also adopted, a tribute being paid to the enthusiasm of members.

The moderator also acknowledged the work of the choirmaster, Mr Bartholomew.

The following management committee was elected:—Messrs J.• B. Purcell, W. L. Kendall, D. S. Pryde, Dr. W. Maclaurin, Messrs M. Buist, J. Watts, D. N. Ferguson, S. I). Leitch, A. E. Mathieson, M. It. McEwan, J. Sandbrook, A. V. Svendson, N. Peat, J. W. Stewart, and T. K. Hay.

Mr Dixon thanked the committee for accepting office aiiil said he felt that with such a strong committee managing the church all would be well and the work of the church accomplished with credit. Votes of thanks were accorded all the officers and retiring officers. Before declaring the meeting closed, the moderator traced the history and foundation of the Church. "Wo belong to the largest Protestant Church in the world,” he said, “and it is well for us to realise that we belong to an international church, even more, to the groat Universal Church. Wc, as part of that wonderful organisation, must do our full sharo and give of our best spiritually by prayer, and face the coining year with a deep sense of our sincerity to God. The salvation of the world rests with the ministers, but more particularly in the hands of the individual.” Concluding, Mr Dixon, prayed that all would bo given daily strongtli to carry out their work for Christ.* The meeting closed with the Benediction, pronounced by the moderate!. Prior to the partaking of supper, Mr Buist .addressing the moderator, said that his congregation realised very fully his wonderful work during the year, and a motion of appreciation to Mr Dixon was carried. The opportunity was also taken by Mr Buist to extend to Mr Dixon, in view of his approaching marriage, his best wishes for his future happiness.