JUBILEE OF CONGREGATIONALISM IN A AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6811, 15 September 1883, Page 1 (Supplement)

JUBILEE OF CONGREGATIONALISM IN A AUSTRALIA.

We have received an octavo volume of 25S pages, containing an account of the late celebration of the Jubilee of Congregationalism in Australia at Sydney. At this celebration there were present delegates from all the colonits of Australasia, New Zealand being represented by Reva. J." Foster, T. Tioseby, LL.D , J. Robertson, M.A., TV. IT. Weat, LL. 8., and Captain Daldy. The proceedings are of great interest to the members of the Congregational Churches, acd are, indeed, of great general interest, as subjects of much importance to all Christian people were discussed at the Conference. The meetings were inaugurated on May 15 by a sermon by Rev. J. Jefferies, of Sydney. On subsequent days a number of addresses were delivered, including historical papers on Congregationalism in the different colonies, and the following ; —"Addresses on Congregational Principles," by the Rev. J. 6. Fraaer, M.A."History of Congregational ism," by Rev. D. Jones Bamer; "Present Position of Congregationalism throughout the World," by Rev. J. J, Halley; "On the Spiritual Condition, of our Churches," by Rev. F. S. Browne ; and one on the same topic by Rev. J. Robertson, M.A,5 "On Ministerial Trainingseveral on "The Religious Education of the Young." Perhaps, the first feature that strikes one in looking through the volume ig the entire absence of narrow sectarianism exhibited. This feeling was likely to become prominent where a number of clergymen and influential members of a particular sect were gathered together to celebrate a jubilee ; that sect Slot being a large q-ic. The Cnngregationalis.ts might be excused in these days for not a little pride and self-glorification. Tr.ey can point to the fact that their Church has a grand history. Its influence, and the influence of its members, has ever beesi exerted in the cause of progress and liberty. It never preached the doctrine of the Divine right of kings. Its early history was a continuous stiuggle with the tyranny and intolerance of the Church and the State. Iu later times, the Congregational Church has been conspicuous in every reform, All these matters are, however, but lightly touched on in the addresses in this volume ; the speakers are far moro penetrated with the problem of how they, in concert with all other churches, may advance and benefit the world. To show the truly Catholic Spirit of the proceedings, we may quote a passage from the opening sermon by the Rev. Mr, Jeffaries as follows —" With many a differing doctrine, with much error allied to truth, yet has Hot the faith of Christendom a. oneness expressed in the same hymns, the same prayers, the same sublime morality ? Perhaps some of you (and I cannot wonder) look upon the Papal Church as the most diverse from your own; and yet some of the : moat devout and spiritual of our hymns are the products of its piety." Mr. Jefferies gives as examples the hymn of Bernard of : Clairvaux, beginning, '* Jesus, the very thought of Thee," r.nd that of Bernard of Cluny, beginning, "To thee, O dear, dear country. 5 ' He also cites Sir John Bowriog's hymn, "In the Cross of Christ I glory," and Robinson's " Come, Thou Fount of every blessing," as showing what valuable contributions to devout Christian worship have been made by Unitarians. Mr. Jefferies then proceeds "As a Christian, I refuse to be included within the narrow limits of a sect. My Church is the Church of the Living God, My brethren are those who, through all the centuries of our Lord,, have Upheld his authority and proclaimed His salvation and lived by His precepts. I will not suffer myself to be cut off from communion with Tertullian, Origen, Arius and Pelagius, Irving and Chaoning, whatever their heresy may have been. I own my indebtedness to Athanasiua and Augustine, to Pascal and John Henry Newman, as well as to Luther and Calvin, to Baxter and Taylor. I honour the unparalleled, selfdevotion of Francis of Assisv, and Francis Xavier, joining them in grateful memory with Wesley and Whitfield, Martyn and Moffat. I know the errore some of tfcem maintained, and the ills some of tbera wrought. But I hail them as sharing in the spirit of the Master, as having taken up the Cross and followed after Chrisb, as having toiled in advance of their fellows, where the stones are sharp and the thorns are pitrcing, in order that they might benefit and bless humanity." Aeaio, in speaking on the subject of " How to reach those who live in neglect ol Christian worship," the Rev, J. W. Simmons thus forcibly recognises all Christian effort :—" Let. us pause here to express our gratitude for the noble men and women in every Section 01 the Catholic Church, who, appreciating the difficulty, have made special efforts and in. many Ca?es reached glorious results. Shall wj mention the name of Cardinal Manning, who Can speak with power and sympathetic Authority to the working-classes of old England ? Shall we refer to the work of Canon Witberfores V'

A large portion of one day's proceedings of the Conference was occupied with discussing the all important subject of " The Religious Education Of the Young," in its different aspee fi. Not one of those who spoke urged that the State should pay the churches for nndertaking the work of communicating religious instruction tQ the or that the Sfcate should assume the duty of teaching religion, All : Of them accepted She fact that religion was not taught in the day-schoolß, and was not likely to be, and that it was their duty, as Christian men, to consider how the want could be supplied by voluntary Christian effort.

This volume commemorates the history of Congregationalism in thess colonies for fifty years, The organisation of the Church is not one which caa deal vigorously with extension or missionary work in destitute localities. That deficiency is the weakness of Congregationalism. But the Church occupies an important position, and has great influence upon society. For all thoughtful persons, therefore, there is much of absorbing interest in this account of the Intercolonial Conference of ministers and members of the Congregational Church recently held in. Sydney.. The splendid liberality of the members of the Congregational Church in connection with the centenary also deserves mention. The Congregational Church used to be poor and despised. Now it. is the most wealthy of the sects, finding, with the greatest ease, money for all church purposes. The Jubilee Fund in New South Wales, has piissed £30,000. The Victorian r'delegates' carried home the enthusiasm, arid' have started n fund for clearing of? all their Church debts iii the text five yenra. Their | dehts are £251,0.00. At a prelimiuiry meet- | tag, £7000 was promised, and since then they have increased the sum promised to £30,000. -