CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10271, 13 February 1894, Page 5

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

[Pee Panes Association.! AUCKLAND, F»b. 12. The annual sitting of the New Zealand Congregational Union commenced tc-day in the Beresford Street Church, there being a large attendance of both clerical and lay members) The chairman welcomed to the Union the Bevs G. Burgess, G. Williams, E. C. Isaacs, and I. Sarginson, who had been appointed to various churches during the year; alsotheEevE. J. Glaeson, a representative from South Australia, and the Eev E. Day, a representative from New South Wales. The Secretary submitted a lengthy annual report. It pointed out that there were nineteen churches connected with the Union, and during the year seven had been without pastors. Four had, however, been filled, namely:—Beresford Street, by the Eev Mr Burgess j Timaru, by the Bav G. Williams; Linwood, Christchurch, by the Eev 1. Barginson; and Nelson, by the Eev E. C, Isaacs. The report also referred to the projected departure of the Eev G. J. Allen to England, and the resignation of the Eevs W. Powell, Wellington, and Dewsbury, Devonport. Mention was also made of tite visit to the colony of the Eev J. King aud Mr J. Lord, of Madagascar, in the interests of the London Missionary Society. The report also stated that the Colonial Missionary Society had been inaugurated by a grant of JB6O to the new church at Gore, Otago, Eegret was expressed that the Jubilee fund had not met with the support it deserved. Messrs J. P. Horton and G. Fowld had during their visit to England worked in the interests of the Union, and' arranged for an agency to be started in Auckland to distribute the publications of the English Congregational Union. The report laid stress upon the need for children attending Sunday schools to be taught more thoroughly Congregational principles, and suggested the appointment of a district committee to look into the matter. All the churches connected with the Union had been visited during the year by the secretary, Mr L. E. Bailey. The report concluded by stating that the want of funds prevented the Union in many in* stances from instituting new works.