CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 35, 10 February 1903, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DUNEDIN, Monday.

The annual meeting of the council of the Congregational Union of New Zealand was opened in Moray Place Congregational Church to-day. The annual report especially congratulated the Canterbury District Committee on its renewed life and activity. In the matter of pastoral changes Cliristeliurch happily iiad been for the most part undisturbed. Perhaps the most important question which came before the committee during the year was as to whether the union should engage Mr K. McNaughtoD as evangelist as directed by the .council. The matter was submitted to the several districts and their churches for consideration. The replies were, upon the whole, favourable to the scheme, but in view of the financial obligation involved, arid of the fact that the replies from the districts were extremely indefinite in that respect, the committee ultimately decided that the union was not warranto-.! in proceeding further in the matter. The question of securing to ministers a minimum stipend of £1(50 was remitted to the committee, for consideration and received attention. The feeling was that the union could not be wholly responsible for the extra funds required. The committee addressed a circular to the churches concerned,, asking how far they were prepared to cooperate in the movement. Tlie replies received indicate that the churches arp at present unable to clo anything in the direction desired, and the matter now rests. The committee record their regret at the death of Sir Frederick Sargood and Mr J. A. Ewen, who both rendered valuable service to Congregationalism in New Zealand. One important suggestion made by the Rev. D. D. Hooke was deserving of careful consideration. It seemed to him that the union was greatly in need of a travelling secretary or superintendent, who might assist the weak churches or churches in difficulty, and advise and help the union in commencing new work. The report refers to the question of church extension in several districts, and concludes by stating that the committee bave pro-mised-to endeavour to send representatives to Queensland's Congregational jubilee in July next.