THE CONGREGATIONAL DELEGATES.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 220, 18 September 1888, Page 2

THE CONGREGATIONAL DELEGATES.

A public welcome was accorded the Rev. Dr. Hannayirind Mr'lEteni^'Lee, the .delegates from the Congregational Union of Eriglarid and Wales, last evening in the Beresfordrßtreet Cohgfegational Church. ? , A preliininary gathering took place in the adjoining hall, which was attended by a lsrge number of: the deacons of the various Congregational Churches; who' had assembled for the purpose of conferririg with Mr Henry Lee on matters specially relating to the duties,and responsibilities of their office. Tea was provided at 5.30 o'clock, after which Mr Lee spoke at length . upon the exercise of church discipline, the method arid order for the election of deacons,, voluntary contributions, church finance, and' the duties of the diaconate iri connection therewith, tho advantages of • systematic giving, and the necessity of instructing the young in the principles of, Congregationalism.. The second meeting;was opened with the usual devotional exercises. The, Rev. H. J. Lewis, President of .the Congregational Union ofNew Zealand, and pastor of the Newton Church, presided. On, the plat-, form were the. Rev. D,r, Hannay, Mr Lee, the Revs. J. Chew, T., Hamer, Thomas, Millar, Laishley, Mr John Milne, and Capt. '" Daldy. . - /■_■ The Chairman, In his opening remarks, referred in eulogistic terms to the honoured guests of the evening. He said that their presence was dueto the jubilee of Victorian Congregationalism, and mentioned,; incidentally, that during the 18 months which he had been in Auckland there ■■ had been no less than three jubilees .-./ The Queen's, which brought them nothing; the jubilee of New South Wales, which nearly broughb them Dr. Dale ; and the jubilee °f Victorian, Congregationism, which had brought them Dr. Sfannayand Mr Lee. The Chairman then spoke at some length upon the civil and religious liberties which they possessed in the colony, and said that Protestant England owed much of its liberty to the grarid old Puritans, of which tbeCongregationalistswerethe descendants. Captain Daldy then came forward arid welcomed Dr. Hannay and Mr Lee, on behalf of the Auckland District., He mentioned that Dr. Hannay had for years been -Secretary of the Colonial -Mission Society, while.. Mr Lee was a British irierchant, a politician, and, what was more,; one of the two ambassadors of Christ sent out from Home to the colonies. He though t that such a visit should stimulate them ,bo do more for the Master. He thoughb that these delegations created a speoies of Christian federation which should supersede all other kinds of federation^ ■ .Mr John Milne, Secretary of the New Zealand Congregational. Union, also .addressed a fbW words of welcome. ,He said that Jbr. Hannay had been a dear, friend of hft for 20 years.; Mr Henry. Lee he had known for 3D years past as a prominent member of Congregatiorial. England, but more particularly of Congregational Lancashire. , -1-:'-'-V' _;:'_; ' A hymn was then sung, after which the Rev. Dr Hannay addressed the meeting. . fie expressed his pleasure at giving bo them | the.greetingsof the brethren of England apd:.Wales. He. thanked .them ': for the kindness and hospitality shown them while in the colony. When they returned Home they would have to reporb on Con- ■ gregabionalism in the colony, and he must cay thab* while in the colony he bad more frequently received than given inspiration. :Dr,. .Hannay then Spoke upon Congregational Church government, and referred to the necessity of keeping up the distirictive form of government. Ho said thathe-spoke as a Congrcgatipjaaligtto Congregatiorialists. They afiirmed bfaesame principles, and .were therefore bound together in the one bond ;pf. sympathy. Christianity had often been* marred, nob by heresy, but by misconception ':''."■■■"■ Of the Church. ; He exorted them not to let ! the thoughtless men who set themselves up as leaders of public opinion make them think lightly of the doctrines of the' Church., :."'■:'- He was not prepared to say that Congiega-, tionalism, as they had it, was the finest that cquld be: obtained, but it came nearer to -what they found^ -reflected in the pages of ,'- the Bible, and therefore they adopted it) At 'Home they should bave to report that Congregationalism was rather weak in the coiopy, and perhaps that might result in their obtaining some practical: assistance from their welT-to-do brebhren in England. (Applause^;), They,\ in bhe colonies.; should be, Mtbfulbo,their principles„ and study them. Bythat he meant a carrying, but of tho Congregational idea of church life so far as'they were personally concerned.' '■_'_'. If bhey were to enter into the Congregational system they most give a character: of spiritual and Chri. tia,n force in its relatjori of individuals ono to another. Tho church which had nob that pervading tho minds of its members was hindering, not helping Christ's cause. They should remerhber that they were _elf-governirig;: underthe eye. of the invisible Master.,; ; -He should like to know, to what extent it was realised and exercised in their churches. Top often he bad;seen .their church meetings! lifeless. The.;- whole business was passed, through wibnbubapy kindlirigbf bhe minds in the matter. ButthatwasnbttrueCpngregatibrialisrii. Every member-should consecrate their whole powers to the work-.of /the Church,, ,He feared that as a! rule. the, body of the, mem: bers of the Church were; content to be led by some venerable deacorii the, pastor, or the body oi the deacons. That was wrong} they Were all partners in a great holy business conOern, and they should devote the wboje of their energies to the work.. Christ ,;knevv nothing of sleeping or inactive piS'trier-? -! (Applause;) - He • bad found small churches almost shivering to death in, New Zealand, which, if the members were' Impressed with their duty, might become a grb&b spiritual power, in their respective di-tricts. In Auckland there was not ono church but several, and throughout New Zealand there wore many. Thoy were too apt to be looked upon as ilolated churches, and no doubt that yas often true. But-when ib ; was, they were not fulfilling their 4uty.,aß Congregational: churhes.' _Othoup they migfib go- ■"'.'•■ ■■'■■ vern their separate churches distinctively, BMII, they-should be one in the spiritual work of" CongregabioriaKSm. He would abandon Congregationalism ,'■ to-morrow if it were' ' found -' not to; possess principles of unity. Why should they not beone, asPresbyterianism, Methodism, Episcopalianism,. and pther forms of church goverriirierit ?'.'■'He" thought they might yet develop a'Presbyterian form of governwent without losing their independency. Pc couldnob see why. they,should;, nothave .beir; bishops, without'/.tb'e^.'sbaTOlj^BXbaTbis_ end distinctive dresses. It scandalised him to hear them :iri.these southern climes calling their bishops. ,'' Lord,". when they had - toothing'of the lord about; them. ;-.i-;'But they might have bishops, raised on account of their venerable goodriesß,,but pot offibial bishops. They should let the weaker churches : amongst them feel : that their Btrongor brothren were one with them. Then they would become; a greater power in tho land. Tho true policy of the Congregationaiists in New Zealand was to strengthen tho large centre- of population. : They should strenartheritherstrbngiwith;a view to ultimately strengthening the weak. Dr. Hannay then addressed a few words of exhortation; tbi the yourigoCbigregatiorial-: ists.; He urged them to stick Annoy their principles, and then there would be better . days irithe future than there had been.., ' Another hymn was stmg, during wHich the usual collectionwas gath'efbdtb: defray; o'iucpenses of.prirititigVadv_^_3irig, &c; o :.-';>';;; } Mr Henry-Lee.was thenocalled upon to Pfcfldressthb meetiher.. He:?^:Jio_ceited:Wlth: j(S_ilaUE&. :-7- Ke:_said .ti^bVKsoCpmploteiy,

endorsed! Dr. _.a_mai/'s remarks with regard to the kindness 'arid cordiality with which they had been Entertained in New Zealarid. Though the/re were things thab mighb beimprbved iiri. New Zealand Congregationalists, still lie.-,' thought, that they would compare with Congfegatibnalists at Home. In the JcoloilieS. they had youth and vigour, but at Hbiria Congregatiorialists were lbbked upon as not belonging to the true Church. Even art, Australian bishop, upon returning Home, had once said that he could not recognise Corigregatibriiftlist ministers as true clergymen. Hbweveqr, they Were still able to hold their own, and he believed that they would be able to tllib so in the future. He exhorted them to. hold firmly, to the principles of Congregationalism, which, he believed, lay ab the bottom of good government. He was a Coiigregatiorialisb from conviction that it was the best form of government.' It Was the Congregationalists of England ' that had to bear the briint of, the conflict and shape the course olf political and.religious action. He was, however, glad to say that Presbyterians and others, were now taking their pro}. _r. positions. He had visited that day one of the public schools, and was pleased ' with;'.'," What be saw. He thoughb that , there was the foundation of a strong, young nation. He hoped that they^odldjeetbit that bhey received propei- religious training. He hoped that they would all strive together to propagatb the truth as it was in Jesus. Mr Lee, then spoke upon the value of systematic giving. Hepointedoutthatariaritivechurch was a happyone, and exhorted all to work energetically for the welfare of the church. Mr Lee concluded with a few more words of thanks for the kindnesses which had been shown them during their sojournin the colony. He created a laugh by saying that he found thorn more civilised than he had anticipated. He found in the colonies the making of a large'■■empire,, which he hoped would be linked with England." , The Rev. B. L. Thomas moved a vote of thanks to the Rev. Dr. Hannay and Mr James Lee for their earnest and inspiring, addresses and also for visiting the colony.. ;■■_■' This was seconded by Mr H. N. Warner, when it was adopted with acclamation. The meeting closed with the usual devotions. -