CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CV, Issue 12427, 16 February 1901, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

‘ The meetings of the Council of the. Congregational Union were resinned yesterday in Trinity Church. At 9.30, a meeting for conference and prayer was held, the subject being “Thanksgiving, and Prayer for Divine Guidance.” '

- Tlie following resolution was adopted unanimously, the Council signifying their approval by voting standing—“We, the ministers and delegates of the Congregational Churches' of New Zealand, assembled in Council, desire to place on record our sense of the profound loss sustained by the Empire in the decease, of our late beloved Sovereign Queen Victoria ; and would also express our heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God for the high and noble service which she at all times strove to render in the intrests of peace and righteousness among , the nations. We gratefully recognise that, with ■the growth and extension of the Empire, the Queen was never unmindful of our added responsibilities on behalf of the weaker races brought- under our rule, and that she ever sought to exalt- the principles of Christian truth and justice in the administration of crur Imperial affairs. Ip her translation to a higher service, we mourn the loss of a noble and', high-minded woman, a wise and sagacious Sovereign, a Royal presence, whose lofty Christian virtues will long continue to bear fruit in the Court, and among her people in all parts of the British Dominions. We would also express our deep thankfulness' to God for the spirit in which King Edward VII. lias ascended the throne. We welcome his accession with the avowal of (?ur cordial satisfaction and devoted loyally. May our King have vouchsafed strength from on High, -worthily to sustain those lofty and honourable traditions among bis Court'and people, so nobly initiated and sustained by our late Queen, during the long years of her eventful reign, and ever realise that he is upheld in his high and onerous duties by the affection and prayers of his people throughout the Empire.” The Registrar’s report was read, and it was resolved that.it should be referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs Mitchell (convener), Jago, Wilkinson, Beaven, and Meadowcroft. for their consideration, to re-, port to the Council on Tuesday morning. It- was resolved that, the question of the Le Eons Bay property should be referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs Fowlds, Lyon, Jago, Beaven and Widdowson, for their consideration, and that the committee should report to a future meeting of the Council.

. The question of .presenting a petition to Parliament, bearing on contemplated licen-sing-legislation, was introduced by Mr J. W. Jago, of Dunedin. After discussion, it- was resolved that consideration of the matter should be adjourned to a time to be fixed by the Reference Committee. Mr G. Fowlds, M.H.E., read the report of tlie Pastors’ Provident Fund Board. The report was adopted, and the retiring member, Mr James Callender, of Invercargill, was heartily thanked for the interest he had taken in the management of the fund. In the afternoon, Mr G. Fowlds, M.H.R., vris in the chair, in the absence of the Rev J. Reed Glasson. The Rev W. S. Fernie, of Wellington, read a paper on the place of the Holy Spirit, in Christian thought and life. The* fallowing took part in the discussion which ensued :---Revs C. A. Lyon, B. L. Thomas, W. Day, H. W. J. Miller G. Burgess and the Chairman. In the evening the Chairman for the year, theßevJ. R. Glasson, delivered an eloquentaddress on “ The Church and the Age,” and was frequently applauded. The Rev Syd-. ney J. Baker, ex-chairman- of the Union, presided.