CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL MEETING OP COUNCIL. The Council of flic Congregational Union of New Zealand met in the Moray l'lnce Congregational Church on February 9 to open thoir annual business meeting. The licv. \Y. A. Evans, of Wellington,, prosided, and the following minuter* and dolegates wcro present:—Rev. John Wilkins, Rev. and Mrs A. .T. Lee, Rov. 0. K. Davidson, Rev. and Mrs \V. Day, Mr (i, l'owids, M.H.R., Mr and Mrs Lvon, Mr llooton, llr and Mrs C:osli':r, Rev. W. Kvans, Rw. H. W. J. Miller, Rot. S. Hsker, Rev. D. M'Kee Wright, Rev. and Mrs Newman Hall, Rev. and Mrs .T, li. .Mr and Mrs Lindsay, Mr l!akor. Mr limve, Mr lioynolils, Mr liarltrop, Mr IVavn, Mr and -Mrs Hnldsworth, Mr anil Mrs Aleadoweroft. Mr Smith, Mr Brun, Miss Smith, Miss Orr, Miss Mt.tcalf, Mv and '.Mrs Mills, Rev. I), llird, Rov. I. .Sarginson, Mr Hall, Mr Boavon, Mr and Mrs Bull, Mr Sliuinn, Miss Roberts, Miss Bradbury, Rev. A. K. Hunt, Rov. and Mrs (!. Hervey, Mr Boatlie, Mr Coutts, Mrs Forbes, Ml' and .Mrs Leo, Messrs .T. W. Jago. .1. Begs, Co-ill, \V. Cnttll, .1. M'Gill, R. (Jrni B . A. li. Bono. J. AWnotliy, 11. Miichc'.l. R. Johnson, J. H. Wilkinson, W. Mitchell, (H. Jack. I; 1 . 0. Cray. Mrs Gillies, Miss Ltricmbo, Mr K. C. Cooper, Rev?. W. E. Taylor, W. S. rcrnie, A. llodgc, G Hervey, G. Hciglnvay. UNION OF THE CHURCHES. The Rows, James (lib!), W. Ilewiteoll, J. Cliisliolm, A. Cameron, W. Will. W. button, li. R.' M. Sutherland, l)r Watt-, and Messrs A. C. Rcgg, G. Reid, ami 1). A. M'Nicoll waited on tho council as » deputation from the committer- of the General Adorably dunged with tlio task of promoting a union of the Congregational, J'rejsljyterian, and Methodist Churches of New Jkaland. Tlio Secretary (Rev. G. Ileighway) read a letter from the convener of the Assembly's Committee* (Rov. _J. Gibb) embodying the Assembly's reso'.iition, which was in the following terms:—'"Having in view the waste of'men and_ means occasioned by the separate existence of churches between whom slamd no inseparable barriers, and the hindrnnei to the acceptance of the Gospel found by many in the snectaclo of Christian men occupying different and sometimes hostile camps, and iwognisimg ihe pressing need in present circumstances of the evangelical churches drawing closer together than heretofore, and being convinced that the Spirit of God i« the source of the desire of union which, during recentyears, lias Imen so much in evidence among tim followers of Christ, this assembly is of opinion that tho time has now _ come seriously to consider whether a union of those churches with our own may not bo accomplished, and appoints tho following committee . . and instructs them to communicate this resolution to tho next annual session of tho Methodist Conference and the Congregational Cnion, and in the evwit of the proposal receiving a favourable reception at the hands of these brethren, further instructs the committee to bring up a report to aiext assembly indicating the main lines of doctrine and polity on which negotiations for a union of these churches with our own may possibly proceed." The Revs. James Gibb. Dr Watt, James Cbisholm, anil others addressed the council on the question of union, and thojr speeches wero received with great cordiality. The council debated the question subsequently, when the following resolution was on the motion of the Rev. ft'. Saunders—"That this council records the profound pleasure it felt on receiving the committee appointed by the General Assembly to s(ek union with the Congregational and Methodist Churches; exnresse.s its very sincere appreciation of the truly Cliristion spirit which has led to the overture Iming made, and hereby pledges itself to tlio immedia.t« appointment of a committer, to meet and co-operate with the I'rerbylerian committee and with the Methodist committee. should it be licrealtcr sot up."-

JIEOISTRAIi'S ROTORT. Mr F. Meadowcroft (Wellington) submitted his report for tho year. ending December, 1902. The report gave a comparative statement of the condition of the Church in 1885 and at the present- time. At that time they had 19 churcbcs. as compared with 24 to-day. They had accommodation then for 5203, and now for 7301, whilo tho actual membership was thrai 1652, as agninf-t 2002 now. The Sunday schools in 1885 numbered 20. and now they numbc.i-ed 26; the scholars were then 2933, and now 2390. Teachers now numbered 291, as against- 288. They had 12 nances now, a.s agniiwl seven in 1885, and the- value of church properties was then. £40,850, as compared with £55,826 at the prevent time. The debts on churcbcs had increased during the same period from £8344 to £11,077 17s 4d. EDUCATION IN ENGLAND. Oil tho motion of Mr G. Fowlds, M.H.R., it was resolved—" That tho Council oj the Congregational Union of New Zealand desires to express its appreciation of the strenuous resistance offered by the Nonconformist churcbcs of the Homc-le-nd to the retrogressive Education 7>iU recently pasted by the British Parliament, and cherishes the earnest hopo that their continued opposition may load to its speedy repeal. That a copy of this resolution bo sent to tho Council of the Free Churches of F.ugland, a.nd also to tho Congregational Union of England and Wales." The sittings of the council lasted a full week, and ended with a picnic at Outram Glen on Saturday, the 14th nit.