LAYMEN'S MISSION UNION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 270, 14 November 1910, Page 6

LAYMEN'S MISSION UNION.

CAUSE OF CALAMITOUS FAILURE. The first annual meeting of the Lay* men's Home Mission Union of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand was held in the Choral Hall on Saturday evening. A light tea was followed by the business meeting, which was largely attended, and was presided over by Mr. James Mitchell (president), of Christchurch. Mr. J. G. Garland extended a hearty welcome to visitors, and in briefly replying, Rev. J. H, McKenzie (Moderator) remarked that the Gospel appealed to the emotions as well as to the reason, as evidenced by the banding together of a body of men to further a mission work.

The report stated that following upon the formation of the Union in Christchurcb. last year secretaries were appointed, and in 14 presbyteries the claims of the Union . were put forward. Suitable literature was sent to over 3000 laymen, and though the membership fee was only a nominal amount (2/6), response was far from satisfactory, only 590 members being enrolled for the first year. The most encouraging results came from Christchurch 280 members, Wellington 125, Hawke's Bay 130, and Auckland 85. The Union collected just over £100, £60 of which was sent to the church extension treasurer, and £40 spent in procuring stationery and distributing literature.

The Chairman urged in a spirited address the responsibility of laymen to the missionary movement, and suggested that contributions to the work should be made with some degree of system. He moved that the Union merge with the Laymen's Missionary movement, and bo conducted on the same lines as with the sister churches in Australia and Canada.

Mr. J. G. W. Aitken seconded the motion, and remarked that the giving to Home and' Foreign Missions was a disgrace to the Presbyterian Church. The remedy would be found in a realisation of the individual responsibility in the work. The laymen's missionary movement would do more in the direction of arousing interest and enthusiasm rather than in the collection of funds. Mr. L. J. Bagnall complained that there were too many organisations formed in connection with the Church, and declared that a lesser number would reduce the working expenses and yield more money. Dr. Gibb suggested that the membership fee should be the nominal sum of 1/, in place of 2/6, and then there would not be the feeling that the fee constituted the total contribution expected. The nominal fee would induce a larger membership and more successful results. "I say with deliberate judgment," he added., "that the fee of 2/6 has been largely responsible for the calamitous failure of the Union." An amendment that the fee be reduced to 1/ was negatived, and the motion to merge was carried. It was stated that the "constitution of the movement provided for affiliation with other denominations. Dr. Gibb, in a short address, expressed his regret at the decision to maintain the fee at 2/6, and predicted that in another twelve months they would have utterly abortive results, and be brought face to face with the fiasco that confronted them at present.