CONGREGATIONAL MEN’S LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20704, 30 April 1929, Page 6

CONGREGATIONAL MEN’S LEAGUE.

ANNUAL MEETING. Dr R. J. T. Bell presided over the annual meeting of the Otago Congregational Men’s League, which was held in Jay’s Tea Rooms last evening. After community singing, led by Mr W. R, Sinclair, about 40 men answered the roll call, and a number of apologies for absence were read. • The first annual report gave details of the series of meetings held during the first year, of which reports were published at the time. The formation of the league had been amply justified by the year’s work. The meetings bad been full of inspiration and a source of strength to the churches of the denomination. The balance sheet showed a satisfactory position. The reports were adopted. ’ The following office-bearers were elected:—President, Dr R. J. T. Bell; vice-presidents, Messrs J. H. Wilkinson and W. Connor; hon. secretary and treasurer, Mr J. A. M'ColI: committee— Messrs J. W. M'Faul, W. E. N. Johnston, John Connor, Joseph Abernethy, and W. Morgan: musical directors, Messrs Ron! Abernethy and W. R. Sinclair. During a discussion on the programme for the year the Rev. A. Mead urged that the league should do something definite ■for the denomination, and he suggested that the executive should consider ways and means of helping forward the finances of the Congregational College scheme. He .also suggested that an occasional meeting, held perhaps on a Sunday afternoon, might be arranged with a view to helping men outside the churches. He put in a plea for the formation of a small band of lav preachers, and this was supported bv the Rev. C. Maitland EHiss. Mr J. H. Wilkinson mentioned the names of several lecturers whoso services might be obtained during the vear. The executive was asked to draft a programme for consideration at a later mcetiii"-. It was decided to accent an invitation to hold the Mnv meeting at the Moray Place Church Hal), members to have the privilege of bringing ladies. An invitation to attend Knox Church Mens League’s June meeting was accepted with thanks. My A- W. Perkins, a member of the Byrd Expedition, was welcomed as a guest, and gave some interesting information regarding a men's club in the vicinitv of Chicago to which he belonged. He also added some humorous sidelights on the Eleanor Bolling’s trip to the Bav of VVT> ales. Songs were sung by Messrs G. Dyer and _W. Connor, the accompanist being Mr Ron, Abernethy. Supper brought to a close a pleasant gathering.