PLEA FOR UNITED CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 204, 26 May 1938, Page 15

PLEA FOR UNITED CHURCH

Bishop Of Aotea-roa’s Opinion

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH JUBILEE

A plea for unity between churches denominations was made by the Bishop of Aotea-roa, Rt. Rev. F. A. Beunett, who spoke last night at a largelyattended jubilee thanksgiving service in celebration of the oiiening and dedication of The Terrace Congregational Church, Wellington, on .May 25, 3,888. Bishop Bennett, who took the place of the Bishop of Wellington, Rt. Rev. 11. St. Barbe Holland, who was unavoidably absent, declared that Englishmen had helped considerably in spreading Christ’s teaching. It was largely because of this that such a large empire, had been built.

Congratulating The Terrace Congregational Church on its jubilee on behalf of the Anglican community, Bishop Bennett said he had not had much to do with Congregationalists, though he had been greatly impressed by those members of the church with whom he had come in contact. Miss Jean Archibald, who was teaching among the Maoris, was a notable example. .Samuel Marsden, who had pioneered the work of the church in the Dominion, had been acting for the London Missionary Society, which was a Congregational institution. He outlined the work of Marsden, and said that the churches should work together, bound by the love of Jesus Christ. They should forget their petty differences in the extension of His kingdom.

Speaking of how the churches were uniting in other countries, Bishop Bennett asked why churches in New Zealand should wait until there was a jubilee before they united. The British Empire had been a great influence in the spreading of Christianity. Last century Britain was most successful in carrying out her colonisation schemes in the areas in which English missionaries made the most progress. In New Zealand the Maori had seen the good works of the missionaries, and had said that if the pakehas were as good as them then it w’ould be a wise move to join the dominions of “the great white queen.” The Treaty of Waitangi had been drawn up by the missionaries. History’ of Terrace Church. The minister of the Terrace Congregational Church, Rev. H. W. Newell. M.A., 8.D., said the church was first formed by five people who met. in a house in Thorndon one evening in May, 1842. The first pastor was the late Mr. J. Woodward. The present church building, which had been opened on May 25, ISSB, was the. sixth that had been built since the congregation’s formation and he was the seventh minister. The first church building had been erected in 1545, but was promptly sold to the Wesleyans when it was rendered unsafe by an earthquake in 18-18. (Laughter.) He recalled other details of the early history of the church and spoke of many of its former leaders. ‘‘But what of the future?” he asked. “Should we hope that this church will become rich, largely attended, famous? No, rather should we hope that God will guide us and bring us to a stronger and firmer belief in Him.” The Rev. C. Wickham read from the Epistle to the Hebrews, 11:1-16, 12:1-2, and led the assemblage in prayer.

The mayor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, said that while the occasion was one of great interest and great inspiration to those present, it was one of great interest to him also, as he well remembered many of the early figures in the history of the church. Many of their names had been recorded in the civic and national history of the people of New Zealand. "On behalf of the citizens of Wellington,” he said, “may I express the confident hope that the long record of the past—a record of Christian service in the community—will be but the inspiration for your future work.”

The moderator and secretary of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, Rev. H. Johnson, conveyed the greetings of all the Congregational churches in New Zealand “from Gore to Whangarei” to the Terrace Church. It had been built in a busy part of the city to remind all those who passed by of the power of God. On behalf of the Wellington Presbytery, the moderator, Rev. P. J. Wainwright, congratulated the church on the attainment of its jubilee. There had always been a friendly relationship between tire two churches, he said. Mr. W. Mill, the senior deacon of the church, said the Terrace Congregational Church had pioneered the broadcasting of church services in New Zealand.

A special vote of thanks was passed to tire two chief officers of the church, Mr. J. H. Coster, secretary, and Mr, A. E. Burge, treasurer, who had both done much for the promotion of the church’s interests.

BIRTHDAY TEA PARTY

Church History Outlined

About 150 people attended the birthday tea party held last night in celebration of the jubilee of the dedication of the building of the Terrace Congregational Church, Wellington, in 18S8. The minister, Rev. H. W. Newell, M.A., 8.D., presided. Eight of those present were at the opening of the church 50 years ago.

Mr. Newell welcomed those present and drew their attention to ir display of photographs of early administrators and pastors of the church. The photograph of the late Mr. Jonas Woodward, who was the first pastor of the church when it wag formed in 1842, had been presented to the congregation by the president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Mr. I’. E. Pffttrlck, on behalf of the chamber. Mr. Newell road a list of greetings received from those unable to attend the celebrations and conveyed greetings to representatives of outside churches who were present Proposing the toast “The Terrace Congregational Church, Past, Present and Future.” the Rev. A. Muriel, 8.A.. said the Terrace Church wns the farther and mother of the Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church. The trees that had been cut down to be the pillars in the cburcli that was built some years ago had seen much good work done in the name of Christ. When those pillars were at length felled they would have witnessed the turning point in the lives of many who had become human pillars in I lie church.

He wished tile church every success in the future and expressed the hope that it would receive many a "renewell"

and would go on from strength to strength. Replying, Mr. D. A. Ewen, chairman of the finance committee, outlined the history of the church and said he had been a member of the congregation for 27 years. He paid a tribute to Mr. Newell and said he had done wonderful work for the church in the eight years he had been stationed in Wellington. Mr. F. Holdsworth proposed the toast “Absent, Friends,” which was replied to by Mr. C. R. Lankshear. During the tea a slice of the jubile: birthday cake, made by Mrs. W. Mill, was given to every person present. Those at tile official table were; The Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Newell, the Rev. J. Gilkison, the Rev. H. Jackson, the Rev. C. Wickham, the Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Davison, the Rev. .Mr. and Mrs. Muriel. Mr. D. A. Ewon, Mr. F. Holdsworth, Mr. C. A. Lankshear, Mr. A. Gray, Mr. Ben ham and Miss Benham. At the conclusion of the tea, portions of T. S. Eliot's play “The Rock’’ were given in the Terrace Church. Those who took part were: Misses Mavorti Bell, Kitty Steffens, Eleanor MacLaurin, Barbara Anderson, Joan Young, Patricia Burnett. Messrs. C. Dennie toun-Wood. A. Eaton Hurley, Garth England, B. R. Lankshear, David Young and John Lankshear.