N.Z. CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9002, 15 March 1888, Page 6

N.Z. CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

ANNUAL MEETINGS OF THE AUCKLAND BRANCH. The first of the annual meeting? of the Auckland branch, Congregational Union of New Zealand, was held yesterday evening at the Beresford - street Congregational Church. Captain Daldy presided, and there were also present on the platform : —Revs. J. Chew, H. J. Lewis, T. Harner, B. L. Thomas, R. Lai.-Hlev. H. M. Livens, E. H. Cook, Messrs. H. 'Le Bailly, J. Milne, E. Moore, and others. The Chairman, in his introductory remarks, spoke briefly on the principles of Congregationalism, and referred to its rise and progress in New Zealand. Mr. J. Milne, the secretary of the Congregational Union, complimented the people of Beresford-street Church on their enterprise and progress ; and he proceeded to refer to the recent Congregational Union meeting at Dunedin. He said that the various reports from the four districts of New- Zealand, presented at those meetings, were received with much satisfaction. The Dunedin report shewed that a good aggressive work was being carried on against great difficulties. Mr. Milne referred to the j assistance received by the colonial churches | from the Colonial Missionary Society of j London, who had given a budget grant of £200 last year, to be divided among the j churches requiring aid. This amount was divided between the districts, £1 being riven to each district for every £1 raised therein. All the districts earned the grant allocated to them, except the Wellington district. The Auckland district especially was very energetic in prosecuting mission enterprise. This year the grants were about double those of last year owing to the liberality of the Colonial Missionary Society, and "£125 was voted to Auckland on the tame basis as last year —namely, £1 for £1. Mr. H. J. Leßalllt gave an interesting j account of the recent Congregational meetings at Adelaide, where he had listened to the stirring addresses of Dr. Dale and Mr. Albert Spicer. The meetings were held to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of Congregationalism in Australia, and Mr. Le Bailly referred to the many struggles for religious independence and equality, and freedom from State control, which had marked the first half of that period. Interesting extracts were read from Dr. Dale's addresses on "Congregationalism" and "Church Life" delivered at Adelaide. The Rev. H. J. Lewis read a paper on the subject, "Representatives of Early Congregationalism," and referred to the defeat of the Spanish Armada and the accession of William, Prince of Orange, to the English Throne. Mr. Lewis spoke of Oliver Cromwell, John Milton, John Howe, and other noted Congregationalism. A collection having been taken up on behalf of the funds of the Congregational Union, a paper on " The London Missionary Society" was read by the Rev. H. M. Livens, who dwelt at length on the work done by that institution. Several hymns were sung during the evening, Mr. J. P. Hooton playing the organ accompaniments. The second meeting will be held this evening, when special reference is to be made to local work, and addresses will be given by Revs. J. Chew and E. Hampden Cook, Messrs. C. E. Davidson and J. E. Moore.