BRUSHGROVE-GRAFTON CONGREGATIONAL MEETING.
THE following is taken from The Clarence and Richmond Examiner, of Saturday, 26th September:—
By appointment of the Kirk-Session, the thirteenth annual meeting under the present pastorate was held at Brushgrove on 17th inst. There was a good representative attendance from the various centres. The Rev. W. Scott, the pastor, presided, and opened the proceedings with devotional exercises. Messrs. M’Donald (Grafton) and Shaw (Lawrence) acted as clerks. Minutes of previous ordinary and special meetings were read and confirmed. The general treasurer, Mr. A. M’Donald, then submitted the usual abstract of the year’s finances, as duly audited. The amount raised showed an increase of revenue as compared with the previous twelve months, and represented only free-will offerings after the Scriptural plan. The figures were as follows:—I. Ordinary income, including small balance from 1907, £211 3s. 4½d. II. Special Funds, viz.—(1) Foreign Mission collection, £11 11s. 4d. This had been forwarded to the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland towards their Kaffir Mission, South Africa, under Rev. J. B. Radasi. Some account of the progress of the Mission was given by the Chairman. (2) Students’ Assistance collection, £15 6s. Voluntary donations had been sent from Pitnacree and Queensland. The amount presently on hand was to be paid over to two of their number now studying in Sydney. The ordinary and special funds thus totalled £238 os. 8½d. Under expenditure, the ordinary outlay consisted of minister’s stipend, Grafton place of worship, Communion elements, etc. In addition, there had been special outlay in connection with the church and manse, Brushgrove. The exterior of the church building had been renovated, and certain minor improvements effected at the manse, at a cost of about £20. The abstract, as submitted, showed a small credit balance.
Mr. Angus M’Thee, Coldstream, moved the adoption of the treasurer’s abstract. He was glad to find the funds so satisfactory. Still, he said, they might be better. The weather, the crops, and the prices had been good. There was room for improvement. The motion, having been seconded by Mr. Stanley M’Lachlan, was unanimously agreed to. Messrs. N. M’Queen, H. Grant, L. S. M’Lachlan, and others having spoken, a cordial vote of thanks was given to the treasurer. Mr. M’Donald, having acknowledged the same, proposed that the thanks of the congregation be awarded to the district treasurers and to the precentors, the motion being cordially received by the meeting.
The Chairman reported that the bequest of the late Mr. Josiah Carter, one of their brethren, had now been handed over by the solicitor for the executry, Mr. T. Lobban. This legacy, bequeathed to the “General Fund of the Presbyterian Church of East Australia,” with interest, amounted to £110 10s. 8d. He reminded them that the money had been claimed by other parties, who had threatened the executors in the event of the small amount being paid to them, although deceased had been one of their own communicants. Hence the delay which had attended the settlement. In the circumstances, they (the congregation) were satisfied to leave the matter in Higher hands. As they all knew, their righteousness had been brought to light in the ordering of Providence, quite apart from themselves. It was a minor matter, but they felt it to have been an instance of God’s over-ruling, which, on their part, they desired thus publicly to acknowledge with thankfulness. The legacy, which had been intended for their church at Woodford Dale, was, meantime, lodged in bank. This donation had augmented the congregational income, as now reported, to nearly £350. In his closing remarks, the Pastor observed that they had occasion of recognising the goodness of God towards them throughout the year. It had been to them an eventful year in certain respects. Besides their solemn feasts, with a few accessions to their roll of communicants, they had also had an ordination of elders. Death and affliction had, indeed, cast their shadows over them: yet they had had wells in the valley of Baca. It was through much tribulation they were to enter the kingdom; and they could feel that God had been fortifying them for trial. They should remember how their solemn fast, with prayer for rain, had paved the way for a day of glad thanksgiving on the breaking up of the severe drought in November last, followed, as it had been, by an abundant season. God had been mindful of them; and would He not bless them still, in so far as, by His grace, they continued steadfast and immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord? He asked them prayerfully to hold up his hands as he continued pastorally to labour among them.
Certain other business having been dealt with, the question of Sabbath Observance was referred to, and a letter in that connection was read from the North Coast Steamboat Co., formally replying to a communication on the subject. The meeting was then closed with the benediction, after singing Psalm cxxii. 6—
Pray that Jerusalem may have
Peace and felicity;
Let them that love thee and thy peace
Have still prosperity.