CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8112, 22 February 1888, Page 5 (Supplement)

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

The annual meeting of tho Congregational Union of New geslaud commenced on the 14th inst. at iho Moray place Church. The Executive Committee met iv the morning toarrange business matters, and the first session of council took place iv the afternoon. Those present were : The Revs. H. J. Lewis (iv the chair), J. E. Kelly, W. H. Grant, J. Hoatson, G. Bradbury, W. H. West, E. D. Cecil, V.'. Powell, R. j. Williams, F. Seth-Smit'u, H. W. J. Miller, J. Chew, B. L. Thomas, and E. Walker; rdso Messrs Hooton, Lo Bailly, Kuowles, Jago, Harwood, Marshall, B»aven, Kiine, and Ritchie.

It was intimated that Urn Rev. J. Hoatson hao. consented to act as. deputy-chnirman. The following appointments wero maae: Reference Committee: Revs. J. E. Kelly,' J. Hoatson, E. D. Cecil, ?,. L. Thomas, and' the chairman and secretary ex ofiicio. Finance Committee ; Mr J. W. Jngo.Mr Beaveu, Key. W. H. \Vest, Mi: Le Railly, and tho chairman and treasurer f.y officio. Minute secretary: Rev. E. Walker. Press secretary : Rev. J. Beckenham. Tho Rev. W. G. Padsoksox, hon. sec. of the Dunedin Ministers' Conference, intimated by letter that at a mooting of the conference it was resolved thai a deputation, consisting of the Revs. Dr Stuart, A. North, A. Branton, and W. G. Parsonson, wait upon the,Congrei;atioual Union and convey the fraternal greetings of tho conference.—lt was resolved that the deputation be received on Thursday at 12.30, and invited to lunch with tho members of the union; and tha.t t&o Rev. Mr West and Mr Milno be appointed to welcome the deputation. It was also decided to invite Pastor Muller to share tho hospitality of the conference on that occasion.,

At the second day's meeting the fol'owiog brethren were cordially welcomed and received the right-hand of fellowship from tho chairman : —liev. J. Chew, formerly of Kansas, America, now haviug charge of Beresford street ChurcL, Auckland; Rev. C. A. Bradbury, late St. Helens, Lancashire, now of Linwood, Curistchurch; Rsv. XV. Powell, of Liverpool, now of Lawrence; Rev. B. L. Thomas, formerly of Brecon, W.alei, now of Mount Eden, Aucklau.l.

Flev. W. M. Guant read a paper on " The duty of encouraging sr.d helping promising Christian youths in the churches lo devote their lives to tho work of the Christian ministry." Iv concluding the paper, he said at present no easily and ambitious scheme could with any wisdom be for a moment entertained, hut after doing all they could in the direction he had iudicated the church could look forward with hope to n good timo coming, when a weilsuppcrted and properly-equipped "school of the prophets " shall exiit in New Zealand for the training of the young men of our churches for the work of the ministry. What was wanted now was: First, the men; secondly, faith to call them out for the work; thirdly, self-denial to provide the necessary means to train them for tho work.

After the reading of the paper a discussion took place, in which the following gentlemen took part:—Revs. Kelly, West, Thomas, Cecil, Seth-Smith, Walker, Chew, and Mr Jago. The Key. A. North,, being present, was asked to address the brethren ou this question. Ho kindly complied, and stated what plans were being worked in connection with the training of students iv the Baptist Church.

Kir Grant subsequently replied to the remarks made with regard to his paper, and

The Rev. J. Beckenham gave notice of the following motion on the subject:—" That the question of training our young men for the ministry be left in the hands of the executive, with the view of taking some steps to promote the same."

A public meeting was held iv the Moray place Church iv the evening. The Rev. J. E. Kelly presided.

Mr John Milue, in the abseuco of the retiring chairman (the Rev. W. J. ITabens), introduced the latter's successor,

The Key. H. J. Lfcwis, who delivered an address on " Tho Responsibilities of Religious Democracies."

There was a full attendance of delegates at yesterday morning's session. A lengthy discussion took place rem grant-in-aid which had been withheld, which was eventually settled by the unanimous vote of the council supporting the action of the executive.

On tho third day, a deputation from the Dune.Hn Ministers' Conference was introduced by the Rev. Mr Kelly, and the chairman welcomed the Revs. Dr Stuart, J.. Nort!], and W. G. Parsouson. Addresses wore delivered by tho visiting clergy, who expressed the pleasure they had in visiting their brethren in their council. It was shown that thero were no contentions between them, but that they could extend to each other the right hand of brotherly love. It was a sign of the improvement aud advancement of tho times that breaches had been healed, and that they could now rejoieo together in religious freedom aud liberty. As fellow-workers they rejoiced each in the prosperity of tho other, aud wero each striving to bear their part in the struggle, aud would strive together for the dual triumph of the truth.

The Key. W. 11. West responded on behalf of tho union in a vigorous and humorous speech, emphasising tho principal ypiutd of the previous speakers, and hoping that the federation of which they heard so much iv politics would, if not iv name yet iv spirit, become tho life of the whole Church of God.

Mr J. Milne also spoke, and set forth the necessity of closing uji in our ranks, that a decided stand might be taken against every form of sin ami evil, and that unitedly they might triumph as onegrent army overall that tends to immorality and wrong. They could not only speak, but down deep in their hearts there was the same love, actuated by tha Mime spirit, and working for tho same gjotious end.

The visiting brethren were invited to share dinner provided; the session clusiug by a hymn and prayer by the Rev. J. Chew.

The meeting of tho union was continued iv the afternoon, when

The Rev. V. Setd-Smith read a paper on " Christian Economics, or Waste in the Christian Church; Its Cause and Cure." Horemarked that at the opening of Parliament Sir H. Atkinson had propounded as the three great principles of solitical economy: Foregoing such things as one could more easily spare than pay for, making suoh money as we spend produce the best possible results, and increasing and encouraging the wealth-producers of the colony. These would serve as tho leading principles of Christian economics, and they might be called, for short—Surrender, system, and supply. The speaker iv the course of an able and somewhat lengthy paper, dealt with the subject under these three heads.

Mr H. J. Le Baiixy followed with a forcibly worded paper on "The laxity of discipline in our churches, the want of sympathy between members, and how to make members feel at home."

Both papers were then discussed, the following members taking part in the debate: —The Revs. Messrs Miller (Onehunga), West (Wei-

lington), Grant (Fort Chalmers), Williams (Nelson), Walker (St. CJair), end Lev/is (Auckland), and Messrs J. W. Jago and Milno (secretary of the union).

In the evening there was a Jarge attendance at the tea meeting, which was held in the Great King street Independent Church, when addresses were delivered by tho Rev. Mr Hoatsou (Christchurch), Rev Mr Thomas (Auckland), an-l the Rev. Mr Bradford (Christchurch).

The meeting of the union was brought to a close on the 17th inst. The following resolution was passed unanimously :—" That the council sympathises with the aims and objects o_f tho New Zealand Alliance and other organisations for the suppression of the liquor'traffic and sociaHntemperance, and heartily commends the adoption of tho principles of such organisations to the prayerful consideration of the various churches of the union."

The election of officers took place with the following result:— Mr J. W. Jago, chairmnn-r-ieet; Mr J. Elkin, treasurer; Mr W. West lvnowle?, registrar; Mr H. J. Lv Bailly, auditor, len ministers and 10 delegates were elected as an executive committee for the ensuing year, ami it was resolved that the next annual mcttoi the union be held in Auckland.