CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Evening Star, Issue 7447, 16 February 1888, Page 3

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

There was a full attendance of dels gates at this morning's session. A lengthy discussion took place re a grant-in-aid which had been withheld, which was eventually settled by the unanimous vote of the Council supporting the action of the Executive. At 12 :\0 a deputation from the Dunedin Ministers' Conference was introdnced by the Rev. Mr Kelly, and the chairman welcomed the Bevs. Dr Stuart, J. North, and W. G. Parsonson. Addresses were delivered by the visiting clergy, who expressed the pleasure they had in visiting their brethren in their Council. It was shown that there were no contentions between them, but that they could exteiut to each other the right hand of brotheily love. It was a sign of the improvement and advancement of the time 3 that breaches had been healed, and that they could now rejoice together iii religious freedom and liberty. As fellowwtrkers they rejoiced each in the prosperity of the other, and were each striving to hear their • art in the struggle, and would strive together for the final triumph of the tiuth.—The Rev. W. H. Wkst responded on behalf of the Union in a vigorous and humorous speech, emphasising the principal points of the previous speakers, and hoping that the fedt ration of whkh they heard so much in politics would, if not in name yet iu spirit, become tho life of the whole Church of God.—Mr. J. Milne also spoke and set forth the necessity of closing up in our ranks, that a decided stand might be taken against every form of sin and evil, and that unitedly they might triumph as one great army over all that tends to immorality and wrong. They could not only speak, but down deep in their hearts there was the same love, actuated by the same spirit, and working foi the same glorious end. - The visiting brethren were invited to share dinner provided; the session closing by a hjmn and prayer by Rev. J. Chew.