CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS

Evening Star, Issue 21723, 18 May 1934, Page 10

CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS

MEETING OF COUNCIL The quarterly meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations was held yesterday. The Rev. Percy Paris returned thanks for his election to the office of chairman at the recent annua! meeting. Mr J. Pringle intimated that the Presbytery of Otago would he celebrating its eightieth anniversary on July 3 next, and it was decided that the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse should represent the council at those celebrations.

The Rev. L. B. Neale intimated that he had been in communication with the Rev. Dr Norwood respecting his visit to Dunedin at the week-end of June 17 next. The doctor would preach at Knox Church in the morning of that day (Sunday), and in the Central Mission premises at night; he asked that the council accord Dr Norwood its support, and proposed a meeting under the auspices of the council in the Town Hall in the afternoon. Dr Norwood would be lecturing on the Monday evening. It was decided that the council would act with Mr Neale, and the areaugements were left with the executive for the Town Hall meetings, and also to arrange a luncheon with Dr Norwood. The Rev. J. D. Smith wrote on the subject of the newly-proposed formation of a Christian social council. The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse (secretary) intimated that he had arranged for a deputation to address the council later on in the evening. A report was given front the executive as to its decision that it, on behalf of the council, had declined to accept responsibility for the visit to this city, on financial grounds alone, of Dr Gra- , ham Scroggie. ft was voiced by several that the decision was greatly regretted, but in view of the council’s low finance it was felt that no -oilier decision was possible. It was reported that Dr Scroggie’s visit was being arranged by another body in this city. Re Sunday night services in the Y.M.C.A. for the members of the Unemployed Club and others, it was reported that this would entail a lot ot extra work for the staff of that institution, and without any special need being apparent; it was mentioned that the Central Mission amply catered for all those in the centre of the city. It was reported that the Anzac Day and the Good Friday services were well attended, and special thanks were accorded to the choir of the United Con-o-regational Church for turning out m full strength and rendering such good service on the Good Friday. Re the Unemployed Men’s Club in the Y.M.C.A., it was reported that the average attendance had been twenty during the last few weeks, and that the numbers attending were sometimes limber than thirty. With the advent of" the winter months it was expected that the attendances would be greater, and the need of funds and reading matter was very insistent. Seyeral men had been helped with clothing. AM literature that had been read through was sent to the minister at Cromwell (the Rev. D. Heggie) for the use of the men in the various mining camps there, and was greatly appreciated. The treasurer’s report showed a balance of £3O 11s. sd. CHRISTIAN SOCIAL COUNCIL. Mr P. H. W. Nev'ill, as one of the deputation received, briefly reviewed the aims of the proposed council;—Jo propound the aims and doctrine as laid down bv Christ; how we should seek-to mould “the thought of the present younger members of the community in respect to the problems of modern life; to point out that the ethics of the present social life had in many respects strayed away from the original doctrines; what changes are necessary, and how they can be perpetuated. The Rev. J. D. Smith spoke ot one of the needs of the present day-as being more co-operation amongst people, and pleaded for the support in its aims ot the Christian Social Conned He stressed the point that the newly proposed body was not in opposition to the Council of Christian Congregations, but sought to work out some of the problems that the council was always up against, such as gambling, Sunday trading, etc. It was noted that the same constituency would largely be used, and was asked that all members of the council should supply the names of those m their respective congregations who would like to join the movement and attend lectures'and receive guidance in any way as to the Scriptural attitude towards the problems that confront us. The Rev. Smith mentioned one book (quoted) that ho thought specially helpful towards the abolition of war, but the Chairman interpolated that the Bible was the best text book for that and most other problems. The Rev. W. A. Hamblett said that the Christian Social Council was very necessary, and cpiotcd Prolcssor Hunter as saying at the recent capping ceremony'that some such teaching was very necessary for the rising generation. Miss Lynn, of the Y.W.C.A., stressed j the fact 'that youth organisations were • much in evidence already, and that the

new movement could very well work through the existing machinery instead of creating any new membership of its own. . A motion was passed— * that this council, having heard the deputation from the Christian Social Council, welcomes the formation of the movement, and will give its support to the aims as reported.” PENSIONS PETITION. A letter was received from Mrs JoncsNeilson as to a petition that she was presenting to the Prime Minister asking that this dominion’s old ago pension scheme be linked with that of the Old Country so far as the residential qualification was concerned, immigration or emigration from one country to the other not to be a barrier ior qualification.—Owing to want of clarity in some respects, the matter was refereed to the executive. RELIEF WORK ON SUNDAYS. A member mentioned the fact of a letter in the Press recently as to relief workers having to work on Sundays to make up lost time. The executive was asked to make inquiries into the position, it to have power to act