CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR CONVENTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 230, 28 September 1899, Page 5

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR CONVENTION.

THE ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING.

The seventh annual Convention of the Auckland Provincial Christian Endeavour Union was commenced on Sept. 22, when the annual business meeting of the Union was held in the Ponsonby x.aptist Schoolroom. There was a large attendance of delegates from the various Societies in the district. The Rev. A. H. Collins (President) was in the chair; the other clergymen present were the Rev. Joseph Clarke and the Rev. J. T. Pinfold. ANNUAL REPORT. The seventh annual report, read by the Secretary (Mr Newcombe) stated that they were much encouraged by the reports just to hand from many of the town and counti-y societies, stating that the marked feature of the past twelve months had been "more abundant life" in the members. Last year's convention was held on September 25, 26, 27, and 28; and the meetings were well attended and the discussions proved very helpful. The monthly Council meetings had been well attended by delegates, and ..he fellowship had been .most spiriting and encouraging. The Executive had also met monthly. During the year eleven societies had withdrawn from the Union, and five new societies had been received. At first sight this seemed very discouraging, but it must be remembered that in some cases societies were started in country districts where the removal of three or four leading members meant the breaking up of the Society. Moreover, some of the above societies had been merged into Bible classes, and so were still doing good work. Re statistics, it had to be borne in mind that no less than eight working societies had omitted to send in returns. There were at present 54 societies in the Union, with altogether 238 committees working in their various spheres. These societies contained a membership-of 1225 active, 246 associate, and 362 honorary members:] total, 1833. During the year 44 associates had become active member.?, and 63 actives had become church members. Twenty-seven societies reported good solid work in the temperance cause; the missionary cause had also been kept to the fore, 17 native teachers being distributed throughout New Guinea, New Hebrides, New Britain, and China; also three Maori teachers were being supported by the Endeavourers. The amounts subscribed which. had been reported were: For Home Missions, £76 18/4;: for Foreign Missions, £137 9/6; and for other purposes, £103 17/11: total, £318 5/9. Several societies, however, doing practical missionary work had failed to send in any figures, so that t. i above could not be near the amount actually subscribed. The report also showed that in Great Britain last year 590 societies and 21,406 new members were added to the list, mak« ing- the total number of societies 6165, and of Endeavourers 173,024. Th« world-wide totals were 55,258 societies, and 3,315,540 members.

The annual balance-sheet of the Union showed the receipts for the year to have been £69 1/11, including; a balance of £7 2/1 irom previous year. The Convention collections, of 1898 had realised £19_ 11/.**MAk& Convention tea £167/9; but t}je.ex : penSes in connection with the formewere £21 5/9, and for the tea £16 9/. The total expenditure for the year left a cash balance of £4 5/6.. There was a balance of assets over liabilities amounting to £6 9/1. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

ENDEAVOUR WORK,

The report of the Look-out Committee was read by Mr Souster; that of the Tent Mission by Mr G. W. Robinsea; and the Auckland Chinese Mission report by Mr R. H. Swales, thia latter showing total receipts £71 5/5, expenditure £52, credit balance £19 5/5. The reports were adopted as read. In connection with the Chinese Mission, the committee recommended the starting of a fund for a Mission hall, but after some discussion it was decided to defer the matter until the November meeting of the Council. Mr S. F. Benton, who had visited the British C.E. Convention held at Belfast recently, gave a brief address, sketching the work of the Convention. He said he felt it a great privilege to have taken part in such a glorioua success. (Applause.)

ELECTION OF OFFICERS,

The Rev. Hugh Kelly, of Knox Church, Parnell, was elected unopposed to the position of President for the ensuing year. The ballot for the election of three vice-presidents resulted in the return of the Rev. W. L. Salter, Rev. William Day, and Rev. C. E. Beecroft Mr W. Cdoper was elected secretary, Mr H. Smith assistant secretary, and .Mr Jas. Parker treasurer;

VALEDICTORY

The outgoing President,' Rev. A. H. Collins, thanked the EndeavOUrers for the help they had rendered during the past year. • He felt they knew each other better at the end than they, had done at the beginning of the year, and did not love each other less. It had"been a great joy to him to have been able as President to render some small service to the Union. He trusted that the year which lay before them would be'rich in blessing. "I appeal to you," he concluded, "as; you love the movement and desire its prosperity to be faithful to your pledge, be true to your churches, be true to your ministers, and. above, all, be true to your Lord. If the movement should lose interest and; power, only yourselves will be to blame. lam not speaking words of rebuke; I am speaking words of brotherly and affectionate advice. I know that trouble and pain has been caused by thoughtlessness more than by anything else, and no damage has been done to our Societies like the damage .done by lack of fidelity to the churches and the ministers.' As you stand pledged in repeated vows to, the Master, do you see to-day that you are pledged to church, to ministeiy to Saviour. May God abundantly bles you all." Prior to the meeting the Executive were entertained at tea by the outgoing President, and at the close of the proceedings refreshments were handed round.

The Convention was continued lon Sunday, when sermons On Chris- ! tian Endeavour Work were given by the ministers of the churches, and i addresses delivered in the Sunday Schools. A United Communion Service was held in the Congregational Church, Newton, at 8. 15 p.m. Meetings in connection with the Convention were' "also ' held on Monday. Tuesday, and Wednesday of thlj week. .. ;