A CHURCH CONGRESS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 242, 6 July 1908, Page 7

A CHURCH CONGRESS.

CONGREGATIONALISM. MORE GO-OPERATION ADVISED. ..A LARGER OUTLOOK. (by telegraph—press association—copyright.) London, July 3. Tho third International Congregational Council, in connection with the Congregational Church, has been opened at Edinburgh. On tho motion of tho Rev. John Fordyce, M.A., D.D., of Sydney, Sir Albert Spicer, Liberal M.P. for Central Hackney, was elected President. Tho Rev. A. Griffiths, of Queensland, was appointed one of tho secretaries, and Rev. Mr. Fordyco ono of the vice-presidents. Sir A. Spicer urged tho formation of an intelligence department, in order to keep abreast of the spirit and movement in other countries, and to encourage tho. adoption of forward movements. Ho advised more cooperation, even at the sacrifice of some independence. Sir Albert admitted that tho continuance of tho education struggle would keep up a bitter spirit, and was a great hindrance to tho churclieS. Ho advised a larger outlook, and a more positive note from the pulpit. Tho Chairman of the Scottish and British Congregational Unions welcomed the oversea delegates. Rev. Dr. Marshall, I Moderator of the Church of "Scotland, by request, addressed tho Congress.. AN OPTIMIST. LABOUR LAWS AND THE SPIRIT OF ; GOD. (Rec; July 6, 4.30 p.m.) y London, July 4. At ; the Congregational Council the Rev. Dr. Gosman read a paper on "Democracy, Labour, and Socialism," with special referonce to the Victorian sweating legislation. Dr. Gosman considers that society was never in less peril than it is to-day, as the spirit ■of God is largely entering into modern legislation. The Rev., A. Griffith, on behalf of the Atis- • tralasian Congregational Union, invited the fourth Council to meet-in the Commonwealth. ■ - ' A "CENTRIPETAL,MOVEMENT." This , is the third International . Congrega-' tional Council, and it was arranged to hold it in the United Free Church Assembly Hall, Edinburgh. It was expected that the' Council would consist of between 300 and 400 representatives, about 150 coming from the United States and at least 150 from. British countries. The Rev. J. .Wilkins,.recently of -Auckland, who has returned, permanently to tho Old Country, and Messrs, A. Lindsay and 'A. M. Lewis, were appointed as New/Zealand delegates to the Council. Mr. .Lewis,; how,'evor, was unable to make the journey. The first International-Congregational Council was held in London in 1891, and tho 6econd in Boston, United States, in 1899. Sir Albert Spicer; the President, is Chairman of ■ the _ Council and Treasurer of the :London Missionary Society, Jon whose-behalf he 'liasV made several missionary tours. Jn business he is a s wholesale stationer;. His argument for "more co-operation even' at the expense of some ; independence" will, be the better understood in the light of the following ! remarks by Sir J. Compton-Rickett, Chairman of the Congregational Union:— . "The Congregational' Union is a voluntary association of independent churches' for the purposes of co-operation and mutual help. 'Cer-, ! tain work is undertaken by the Union which is common to "the- whole membership- for objects that can better bo effected through centralised effort. " Although tho > moral ■ in;fluence , of' the Union is considerable, it does not claim to exercise any authority ' upon individuals ;or- churches, and hag 'no \ other powers of. discipline- than such as apply Ito any voluntary association or society. Whilst every independent church possesses, by virtue of its trust-deed, control over- its own affairs, there has been .of late a distinctly marked centripetal movement in . Congregationalism, tending to more , sympathetic association and united action." . ... ' -