CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 41, 17 August 1916, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

WELLINGTON DISTRICT'S ANNUAL

MEETINGS.

The annual meetings of the Wellington District of the Congregational Union of New Zealand opened yesterday afternoon at the Terrace Congregational Church. Mr. F. Meadowcroft (chairman of the committe) presided. Proceedings opened with a hymn, and the Rev. B. Thomas (Masterton) led in prayer.

In welcoming the delegates and friends to the meeting, the Chairman said that his duty was light as president, but he trusted that the gatherings would inspire the workers to greater efforts. Those who laboured in the country towns felt the need of meeting together. That was 'the fourth annual gathering of the nature. They met together again under the shadow of the great war, and during the year a number of their workers had left them and gone to the front. Some had suffered. To them and their parents and friends the church extended loving sympathy. What was the awful conflict teaching them? What was the message? He regretted that so little reference was made to the Almighty by public men in relation to the war. Ye"fc all of them know that the Allies' strength rested in God. They felt Britain's cause was right, and 'they could with confidence ask that God would give us the victory. But had the nation learnt the lesson? Had the prosperity of the Dominion made the people "rest upon the arms of God?" He was doubtful if it had, for was there not a silent effort being made in the direction of Sabbath desecration in the way of Sunclay golf and other pleasures? If they as Christians did not listen for the Divine voice speaking through the war, then when. the conflict was over they would find themselves in a worse position than before. Church leaders and ministers had a tremendous responsibility to bring home to people's minds the lessons of the war.

The Rev. J. Reed Glasson before delivering his address on "Church Union" read a letter of apology from the Rev. W. Sannders. He emphasised the need of Christians to learn the lessons of the present troublous times, for as history had previously shown Christianity would be severely tested after.the war.

The whole of the two hours' session was taken up with the question of the union of churches (reported elsewhere), and Mr. Glasson was heartily 'thanked for his able address.