AWAHURI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Manawatu Times, Volume V, Issue 149, 11 June 1881, Page 2

AWAHURI PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The annual congregational metting of this Church was held m the Awahuri School Room, on Tuesday evening last. The rev. A. M. Wright presided, and having engaged m devotional exercises, the Rev. gentleman proceeded to take a retrospect of the work .done during the past two. years, and as to how they stood towards one another as Pastor and r people. In accordance with the laws of the Church, the meeting then proceeded, to elect a committee of management for the ensuing year. Mr Wright said that two years ago, he had been sent by the Church Extension Committee to ascertain what could be done m bringing, the Presbyterian congregation together m Palmerston. The remit waa, that m August,. 1879, he was ordained Pastor of the Palmerston and Awahuri Districts. For over eighteen months, he held fortnightly services, the Wesleyans supplying- the alternate Sabbaths. The latter body, however, gave up the Awakuri Station. From the date of their leaving of?, up to to the beginning of the present year, there was only his fortnightly service, with the except iom of Mr Jones 1 ,, (of Fielding,) quarterly visit. At the beginning of the present year he made, arrangements to hold a weekly service, and from that time they had had public Divine Worship every Sabbath. The rev, gentleman then went an to speak' of their relative duties., as Pastor and people, counselling his hearers to avail themselves of the.'opporfunitiei they k»d of worshipping Gad together; and learning the way of Salvation. He was conscious of many shortcomings m. his duty to them, but when he came among them he had both youth and inexperience onbis part to canterid against, but ! this obstacle was decreasing every day. He feared when he was ordained their win-' ister, he had only a very inadequate sense of the responsibility he was undertaking as the ambassador of Christ to them, But they bad taken him hopefully, he believed lovingly, and he entreated them to pray that he might have wisdom and knowledge given him, that he might be enabled to work faithfully.' .'] Mn. Stbwakt thin submitted his fl»---ancial report, showmg that the congregation had contributed to the Siutentation Fand considerably more than tftgjf had promised, and he hoped they would go an increasing the amount every year. It was very cheering that the estimate which bad been formed m formed in g od times, was wore this, maintained m the bad. ".'..''''■ The meeting then proceeded to elect a committee, and the followiag gentlemen were duly elected ; — Messrs Peter Stewart, Alexander Fraser^ and John Nairn. Mr McDonald then moved, that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr Stewart for the thorough manner m: which he had looked *• the financial j affairs of the congregation. He had no ! doubt that it wan m a great sneaaurc d*e | to his energy a*d *eal, that the cong re- j 1 gation stood so well. I Ma Stewart m reply, thanked the meeting for its kindness* saying that he had only done his best, brlieving it to ke his duty, he would always do his best, little though it might be, still it would be done willingly. ■ • ■■ The C:b;airmanf mentioned the work, which was being done ia the Sunday School. About five years ago Mrs Whittle started a Uftle Sunday School m her own, house, but after a time the number* so increased that she had to adjourn to the School for room. He htlieved that during the five years, three Sabbaths wet or fine, would more than exceed the number of days she had been absent from her post. She believed a good work was being done, and the energy an.d perseverance of Mrs Whittle, and her niece Miss Crabb, was beyond all praise. . , - Mb MoDqnaxd, ia moving a vote *f thanks to the two ladies' said he believed that the work had been undertaken by them m the desire to do good, and that while they had the hearty sympathy and good wishes of the congregation* the committee be instructed to convey the feelings of the meeting to, Mrt Whittle ;in writing. This was unanimously agreed to and a vote of thank to the chairman, and prayer by tb,e Pastor terminated the meeting. " - ;