COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12007, 2 April 1901, Page 2

COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.

A meoting of tlio Council of Christian Churches was held in the Moray place Congregational Hall last evening, when there was a gcocl attendance. The President (the Rev. W. Sauntlers) presided, and apologies were received from the Revs. J. o)ibb, W. Hewitson, W. Curzon-Siggers, W. I'ryor, nnd Colonel Morris. Tho Rov. C. S. Bowden, M.A., who was on .1 visit to the old countrj', forwarded his resignation as a vice-president, and Canon Mayne, of Roslyn, was elected in his place. Tho Treasurer (Colonel Morris) resigned hie position through ill-health, and Mr E. Ro3DVCar was appointed in his stead.

SABBATH OBSIiUVANCE. Tho Rev. I. Jolly, M.A., proposed tho following resolution:—"(l) That this council vigorously protests against the increasing Sunday traffic on our railways, and views with much concern the Government's general disregard of tho Day of Rest; (2) That this council expresses its satisfaction with the letter on this Bubject addressed to the Right Hon. the v Premier of New Zealand by the Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott, moderator of the Northern Presbyterian Church of New Zealand." In speaking to the resolution, Mr Jolly said that unquestionably Sunday labour in various Government departments, and especially in the Railway department, was increasing. It was now a great public evil. At a recent meting of tho Lyttclton Harbour Board a strongly-worded protest against tho Sunday labour caused by the Government Railway department at tho Lyttelton wharves was passed and sent to the Government. And this evil wae bv no means confined to one part of New Zealand. Here in Otago Ijlio evil was clamant. Tho speaker said that he knew personally a large number of railway employees who regarded tho Sunday work they had to do as a serious grievance. And this applied also to tho tramway employees, who were now servants of thn city. Hβ (Mr Jolly) objected to the Sunday labour of those public servants, heoaure it was a violation of a Divine command, and because history showed that the secularising of the Sabfoth led to the decline of the moral and spiritual life of the community, and because it was a grave wrong inflicted upon the workers. Mr D. Wrifjht ceeomled the resolution, which was carried unanimously. Tho Rev. Mr Jolly then moved—"That the Council of the Churches, in view of the fact 'that tho tramway employees arc now servants of the city, and that the citizens aro therefore rosnonfiible for their being deprived of tlipjr Sabbath, beg respectfully to urge tho City Council to take stops to secure for their tramway servants the enjoyment of the God-given Day of Rest,"

This was seconded by Mr Johnston. Mesaru Lewis. Wilkinson, Boreham, Arnold, M.H.R., Drydcn, Button, Will, A. 8. Adams, J. W. Jngo, Fairclouffh, Graham, and Borrio Bpokc to the motion. It was pointed out that the fact that tho tramways arc now city property gives every citizen a responsibility in the mutter. Strong pomplaint was also rnndo that a largo number of church-going pcoplo use the trams in Roint; to church on Sunday. Strong opinions were also expressed us to tho wrong dono to the workers by the running of trams on Sunday, and of the ovil effect it was calculated to have on the community, and especially on tho young. It was then decided to nsk the president tind Foerotary of (ho council (the Hevp. W. Simndera and T. Jolly) to seek permission of the City Council to prcso'it tho resolution to it.

Mr Adnms proposed, nnd Mr. Itegg seconded—"Timt the .executive be empowered to call«a publio meeting Id diteuss the question."—This being carried, n committee, consisting of Messn H. H. Driver, J. F. Arnold, M.H.R., A. S. Adams, and J. J. Lewis, was appointed to interview candidates for tho City Council on the subject. nmi.E IN SHIOOLS. Tho Rev. J, J. Lewi?, convener of the Biblc-m-Schook. Committee, moved:—" Tim Council of tho Churches having declared it? policy on tho Bilile-in-Fclioole question, and having further decided to do nil in its power to secure the introduction into Parliament of a bill to deride by the referendum whether it is the will of tho people of this' colony to give tho Word of (iod its right place in the- Government day schools, now instructs tho Bible-in-Soliools Committee to draft n petition to Parliament in favour of the re'eroriilum, and to forward it for signature to those churches that n-ro in harmony with the council on the subject." The Rev: P. W. rnirclough , seconded tho resolution. .■• . Mr "W. Hutchison ■said that the council would bo petitioning for something which was not before Parliament. Sir A. S. Adams thought that before a petition was presented a bill ought to bo framed and brought before the Houso of Representatives. The resolution "put the cart before the hone."

Several ofchor delegates having taken part in Iho discussion, the Rev. J. J. Lewie, in roply, BRicl that the Presbyterinn Church had propnrod a petition showing—(l) That there exists widespread dipsatiafaction with the present system of public education owing to the exclusion ot tho reading of the Bible within school liour3; (2) thnt tho petitioners regard a knowledge, of tho Bible as a necesenry part of tho education of tho young, inasmuch as it presents the only authoritative standard of morality, ar.d as it is necessary for tho understanding of a great part of English literature and of tho history of tho world; (3) that the mind of the electors on thio question has never been fully asceptained at tho election of the members of Parliament owing to other questions'at such times occupying the chief Attention ami" determining tho -election of members; (4) that tho only way of fully ascertaining tho mind of flip electors is by a plchiecito being taken in overy electoral district by the authority of Parliament. The petitioners, therefore, requested thnt iho mind of tho electors be ascertained in evtry electoral district in reply to tho' following question: "Do you approve of the daily opening of the schools with Eiblo rondint; under the supervision of the teachers, and with tho Lord's Prayer along with a conscience clause?" Some such petition as tho foretroing, the encitkor thought, should bo adopted by tho council. liKGUUTIHG THE SALE OP TOBACCO, ETC. Mr W. Hutchison moved—" That the council _ respectfully requests the Government Id legislate in the direction of prohibiting tho salo of cigarettes, cigars, and other forms of tobacco to yotithe undor nnd up to the ago of 16, being convinced that juvenile emoking ie injurious to tho health and. tho best interests of young per Eons who indulge in it." This being seconded by tho Kov. E. C, Tonnent was carried unanimously. THE DUKE OP TOHK'S VIOIT. Tho Rev. Mr Fairolough proposed—" That it bo an instruction to tho executive to prepai'o an address of welcome to their Royal HißhncsEM the Duke and Duellers of Cornwall and York."—Seconded by Mr E. Hosoveni,, and carried unanimously,

GENERAL. The Rov. J. ftibb lmving resigned the position of convener of tho Religious Services Committos, the Rev. W. Scorgie was appointed. It was decided not to hold the proposed simultaneous Gospel minion throughout Otago owing to thn Presbyterian, Baptist, and other churches having already arranged denominational n)iß3ipn3. Mr Ro3evoar. tho ncwly-elccted treasurer, reported that there wa? a balance in hand of £11 17s lid, with liabilities of £19 7s Id, but smkeriptions duo amount to £16 Ss. Ho would bo happy to rcccivo membora' subEcriptiona at tho Bibla Depot as early as possible. Ho wished to remind members that tho expenditure involved by the decision of tho cVeninG would need additional generosity TEUrKIUNCE, Mr A, 8, Adama proposed, and Mr F. Graham bcooiklk!—Tlmt tlio council adjourn till Monday, April 15, to consider the following important resolutions: — Hesolved—That this council is profoundly impressed with the increasing evils of drinking mid drunkenness in this city and colony, and being satisfied— (1) That the use of alcoholic " liquors is in no souse necessary in health; (2) That drink is the cstioe of tho greatest . pirt of the crime and other evils of eo'ciely; ard (3) Tlmt it is also the greatest enemy to the spread of the Gospel, and to spiritual and intellectual life and progress;

(J) That it is the duty of, all Cbristiaus to aid their weaker brethren by their influence nnd example, and to discourage, the driuking of alcoholic liquors an a bevcrago —afiortionetc-ly appeale to all vnonsbere and adheronts of the churches connected with the council to abstain from the use of such liquors as a beverage, and recommends and urgc3 nil churches to Rive increased attcn'•oii to the subject of total abstinence, nnd tc encourage and r.sEiet in tho work o! temEoratice ijy all means in their power; and' reaffirms its conviction that by reason ci the present distress the electors should bo urged to vote fo~ vo license at tho next local option poll; ancl that the bill intiodiued into Ilia House o! Koprcsßiictivcs' last yo»r dealing with this question is a retrograde step of the gravest chancier, nnd that its passage into law should be resisted to the uttetmo.it. And resolved: That the Temperance Coruniittco be requested io arrange ,[or nnd carry on fcctivc tempsrance work, missions, and meetings diitinj; tho winter in the city end suburbs, cither on its own initiative or in conjunction with other tonipcrnnco organisations; tho taking of pledges to abstain to be one of the features of Buch work. The motion to adjourn was carried.