CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9563, 20 October 1892, Page 4

CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP UNION.

The first annual meeting of the Otago Christian Fellowship Union was held in the hall of First Church on Tuesday night. The Rev. James Gibb occupied the chair.

The following report from the outgoing committee was adopted :—

Your committee in retiring from the position held by them during the past year, would now put before the members of the union a short report of the work done in that period.

The Union was constituted on 15th September 1891, with the main object of "fostering a fraternal spirit and of promoting Christian intercourse among Fellowship Associations." That this has been to a very great extent attained is exemplified in the group meetings, four of which have been held since the union was inaugurated. At these meetings members have had opportunity of becoming acquainted with each other, and of coming into closer Christian fellowship. This result your committee think could not have been attained but at these meetings, and it is a matter for congratulation and thanksgiving that they have been enabled to do this.

When the union was constituted six Fellowship Unions in Dunedin connected themselves— viz., Congregational, First, Knox, Mornington, St. Andrews, and Trinity Wesleyan.

During the year churches throughout Otago known to have associations were communicated with and, where possible, visited, with the object of (retting them associated with the union.

Unfortunately only one (North Dunedin) has joined, the others, principally for the reason that they did not fulfil the objects of Fellowship Associations, have not so far connected themselves. Churches which had no associations were also communciated with, and although this had the effect of stirring some persons interested to take steps to forms associations, none have, come under

;he notice of the committee as having been

formed. In this connection your committee can only hope that the example of those associations now in existence may this year be the means of inducing the formation of many more. fe

The syllabus compiled by the union has not been adopted by so many of the affiliated associations as your committee should have liked. Only the Mornington, First, and Trinity Wesleyan Church Associations having adopted it mi tolo. St.

Audrew's Church Association has adopted it in part, while the other associations have each compiled their own syllabus.

Visitation by delegates has been done during the months of October and November and May and June. Your committee are not in a position to give an analysis of the reports submitted by the delegates, as reports have not come to hand from all. This branch of the union's work will yet be of great service as supplying statistics of the various associations, and it is hoped that this will form an interesting part of future reports. During the year Mr T. A. Finlay, one of the vice* presidents, forwarded his resignation, which was accepted with regret, as Mr Fiulay was one of the moving spirits iv the formation of the union, and had during his tenure of office taken a great interest in the work. As First Church Associa-

tion has not appointed a delegate in Mr Finlay's stead, the vacancy has not been filled. This opportunity is taken to express the committee's indebtedness to the secretary of the Melbourne Fellowship Union for the supply of syllabii, rules, etc., which have been of great service in. compiling the constitution of this union; also, for the regular supply of "The Fellowship Messenger," a monthly periodical bearing on the work of associations. Financially the union is iv the happy position of being free from debt, but it is unfortunate in having no funds—-the receipts being just sufficient to meet expenses, as will bo learned from the treasurer's report. In conclusion, your committee think the result of the year's work has been such as to encourage the members of the union to go forward with a renewed and more euthusiastic desire to accomplish the cherished ideal —"the union of the churches." As has already been pointed out, there has been evidence of a more brotherly feeling generated towards each other, and the prayer of all should be that the union may increase in usefulness ; that many associations may be added, and, above all, that Christ's blessing may follow whatever is done, as by that, and that only, can any good result either individually or unitedly. The election of office-bearers for the ensuing year resulted as follows : —President, Rev: W. Saunders; vice-presidents—Messrs J. P. Simon, J. Agnew, and W. Harris; secretary, Mr James Armstrong ; treasurer, Mr A. M'Kenzie; committee—Messrs Tweedie, Gardiner, Malcolm, Sutherland, Farquharson, T. Gray, Crawford, Reid, and White.