CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12129, 27 February 1905, Page 8

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

y ... . RELIGIOUS TRAINING OF THE YOUNG. ! A public, meeting- in connection with ' the annual Council meeting of the New 1 Zealand Congregational Union was ' held' in the Linwood Congregational 1 Church on Friday evening, and was very ■ largely attended. Mr F. Meadow- ' croft presided. ' The Rev. J. E. Glasson, of Welling--1 ton, who spoke upon the subject of the religious training of tho young, said '> that somehow or other.the secret had not been learned of getting hold of the young - life and keeping it in the '< Church. What they wanted to do waa to get hold of some fundamental principle, some* view point, of what the ' child was, and what they should do ' with the child. He felt sure.that, the best work of the ministers could be done among the yojjjig. The Rev. G. Heighway said that he 1 feared the domestic instincts and the bearing of religious influence were be- • ing subverted by an idolatrous idea 1 concerning pulpit preaching. Preaching without other helps was almost. 1 useless, and. .what was wanted was more Christian influences fn the home. When home and Church religion were combined the problem of the world's salvation would soon be solved. The Rev. W. 8. Fernie also spoke, and a general discussion followed. Tlie members of the Congregational Union had a most successful picnic on Saturday in the grounds of Mr Allan Hopkins at Bnrwobd. About a hundred of the party were conveyed by special tram, some forty more arriving in the. course of the afternoon. The weather was perfect, and the extensive grounds, with their lawns, shady arbors, tennis court, bowling greens, etc., provided ampjy for all tastes, while the fine billiard table fell in for a good share of patronage. After tea the Rev. D. Hird and Mr F. Meadowcroft expressed the gratitude of the company to Mr and Mrs Hopkins for the use of the grounds and accessories.