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Report.

At the close of their term of office, your Committee have the honor to lay before you the following report of congregational affairs during the past year. As foremost in interest and affording general satisfaction, they are happy to record the successful establishment, in connection with this Church, of a religious service for the young. The simple forms of worship, provided by our excellent Minister under the title of "Short Religious Services for Sunday Schools and the Home Circle," received the cordial approval of your Committee on the 1st July last, and with their sanction were introduced to the use of the scholars and friends attending the afternoon Sunday School. The prayers, praises and meditations, chiefly of a responsive character, as contained in the book, are followed by an address or reading from the teacher, which equally with the first part of the Service is intentionally free from sectarian dogma, and adapted, it is believed, to cultivate the natural religiousness of younger minds.

The number of children on the roll is now about ninety, being a fair increase on the numbers of former years. It is to be regretted, however, that the attendance of one-half this number is very irregular, and also, that, of those who appear more constantly, a majority are not present more than once a day. Owing to the paucity of teachers, it would seem that too much devolves upon the Superintendent (the Rev. Mr. Pillars), and that his hands require strengthening in the work of fostering a regular attendance of scholars, and of ministering to their several capacities in convenient classes, at the morning instruction. Indeed, it may be feared, that the great importance of the Sunday School, as an auxiliary to our cause, has been somewhat overlooked. From our very midst, advancing years are continually adding to society those who, in different walks of life, should be the most effective promulgators of our principles; extending them indirectly, with greater efficiency, by example and general tone, than is possible by direct but more repellent efforts. It is unnecessary to enlarge on the value of exertion in the direction referred to, not only to increase, if possible, the number of regular scholars, but also, by commensurate attention, to preserve an interest in their minds hereafter; and your Committee would hope that, at least, the necessity of the ease will enlist in support of Mr. Pillars the self-sacrifice of a few qualified assistants.

In reference to the library attached to the Chapel, finding that the last appointment of a librarian had lapsed, your Committee nominated one of their number to perform the duty temporarily, and would suggest that a permanent officer be appointed at the General Meeting. It also appearing that a large proportion of the books contained in the Library is of a miscellaneous character and little calculated to serve page 9 the special purpose of assisting free religious inquiry, or representing Unitarian views, it has been proposed to select for sale such as could be advantageously replaced by works exhibiting the progress of modern thought. In common with other members of the congregation, your Committee remember with gratitude that the Library was originally formed mainly by the gift of friends; but the time has arrived, it is conceived, when, from the worn condition of some and the proved unsuitableness of other kinds of literature in our possession, the present collection should be remodelled. Opinions may perhaps differ as to the principle on which the improvement of the library should proceed; and it is probably better to leave this question for general consideration.

Of the many evidences of an increasing spirit of inquiry, to the demands of which our library should at least be equal, your Committee cannot overlook the institution during the past year of the Sydney Book Society, and the issue of the commencing numbers of the Australian Free Religious Press, since February last. The former originated with an especial view to the dissemination amongst its members of free theological and scientific reading, has been in active operation nearly a twelvemonth; whilst the latter, appearing monthly, and edited by our minister, if judged by its present success, promises to be of great utility in a mission parallel to our own.

The social gatherings of the year have taken place with accustomed regularity. On the 26th March (1869), Good Friday, the school children held their annual feast and proceeded by steamer to Cremorne. As the day grew clearer, the goodly company enjoyed the usual recreations, enhanced by the pleasure of fine scenery and friendly intercourse.

The Children's Tea-meeting was given in the Church in September last, when the annual prizes for fair and good attendance at Sunday School were awarded; and the Savings' Bank funds (including interest for the year) having been distributed to the depositors, the evening was pleasantly lengthened by an instructive and entertaining exhibition of Lime-light views. The fifteenth anniversary of the establishment of the Church in this city was duly celebrated at the Temperance Hall on the 16th November.^* [Notwithstanding the unfavourable weather], a large assemblage participated in the cheerfulness of the tea-table, and were subsequently gratified with the literary and musical merit of the occasion.

Having regard to the difficulties attending the adjustment of the General Account (the condition of which will be best gathered from the Treasurer's statement), your Committee have recognised the necessity of providing, by special subscription, for two requirements which, under more favourable circumstances, would have been page 10 chargeable on the regular funds. In considering the first of these, the renovation of the exterior of the building and premises, it was decided that the money would be spent to more advantage and with greater countenance from members, if, at the same time, the entrances of the porch were transferred from the side to the front, facing the street. This alteration, desired for many years past, was at length effected in conjunction with other needful repairs, by Mr. White, of Newtown, for the sum of twenty-six pounds (£26). The work was completed in January last, and, it is hoped, that all are satisfied with the creditable manner in which the contract has been executed.

Whilst this undertaking was in progress, the Church organ, which had been obviously failing of late, became quite useless. Your Committee were reliably advised that to dispose of the instrument could only result in a very serious loss to the Church, and that, under all the circumstances, the acceptance of a tender, received from Mr. C. J. Jackson, to restore it thoroughly, was the preferable course to be adopted. A liability was therefore incurred to the extent of forty-five pounds (£45), which has been principally met by a liberal donation in aid of the Church Collection for the purpose. The organ, as restored, has been in use for the last two Sundays, and your Committee trust, that its performances have amply vindicated the discretion exercised by them.

The Church was closed for Divine Service on the first Sunday in October, and again for two Sundays in January last, and also on the 13th ultimo. On the former day, as the reverend the Minister was absent in the country on leave from your Committee, it was felt best, for a single Sunday, to incur no risk of an inadequate representation of the able services of Mr. Pillars by appointing a lay reader. In January, it was found that the state of the building, during the alteration of the porch, &c., rendered the holding of the services undesirable. On the date last mentioned, your Committee regret that the circumstance arose from a temporary indisposition of the Minister.

Prior to the concluding Session of the late Parliament, Dr. Aaron was advised that, from the probably brief duration of the House, as well as the unlikelihood of any private business making progress, it was inexpedient, at that time, to proceed in the matter of the Bill to deal with the Clarcnce Street land. Events have shown that no time was really lost by its being left till the assembling of the present House before the requisite steps were taken. The measure is intituled "A Bill to enable the Trustees of certain Land, being the site for a Unitarian Church or School, on Church Hill, Sydney, to dispose of and convey the same, and to apply the proceeds of the sale in manner therein mentioned, and for other purposes" The "manner therein mentioned" is the alternative of applying the proceeds, either in the purchase of other land eligible for the site of a Chapel or School, or, in improving our present building, or, in erecting a new Chapel and other buildings on the same site. The "other purposes" of the Bill are to arrange for the custody and due application of the funds arising from the sale; and, in the event of the Trustees determining page 11 to apply them in the purchase of other land, to make better provision than is contained in the grant, for filling up the existing and any future vacancies in the office of Trustee. After the usual reference to a Select Committee, the preamble having been proved to their satisfaction, the Bill was reported to the Legislative Assembly, and has since passed through all its stages in that House. It is now in an advanced state in the Council, and may be expected to become law in a short space.

In conclusion, your Committee cannot but observe that it behoves us all to unite our energies in deserving that maximum of success which will be facilitated by the settlement of the important matter last mentioned.