CONGREGATIONAL MEN’S LEAGUE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21144, 30 September 1930, Page 15

CONGREGATIONAL MEN’S LEAGUE.

The monthly meeting of the Congregational Men’s League was held in the Moray Place Congregational Jubilee Hall last evening. Mr J. H. Wilkinson presided, and the meeting took the form of a welcome from the league to the Rev. James M. Smeeth, the new minister of the United Congregational Church, Hearty community singing opened the proceedings. A resolution of sympathy with Mr R. Abernethy, who had undergone a serious operation, was carried. A letter congratulating the Rev. G. Heighway upon the completion of 50 years in the ministry, to be read at a social arranged in his honour by the Auckland Congregational Men’s League, was read and approved. In the name of the league, the chairman extended the heartiest welcome to the guest. The members of the league, he eaid,. had heard of his wonderful work in the north, and had looked forward to his arrival in Dunedin, as they believed he would be a source of strength not only to his own church, but to the denominatmn. (Applause.) There was a strong feeling of co-operation amongst Congregational churches 'in the district, due partly to the work of the Men’s League, and partly to. the excellent spirit promoted by the ministers.- especially the Rev. A. Mead, who was ceaseless in his endeavours to draw the t churches closer together. The churches of the district must stand or • fall together, and from what they had seen of Mr Smeeth they felt he would be an additional force for welding- of the. congregations.— ( Hear, hear”) J. W. M’Faul (Moray Place), Mr W. Connor (Ravensbourne), and Mr K. G. Roy (Port Chalmers), Mr J. Gardiner (United), and Mr J. Abernethy (Gove) wawnly welcomed Mr Smeeth on behalf of the congregations they represented. The Rev. Mr Smeeth thanked the league and the representatives of the various districts for their warm and brotherly welcome. He expressed the hope that he would be able to fulfil some of the high expectations which had evidently been formed. He would certainly do all he could to forward the wonderful movement represented by the league. He considered there was scarcely any organisation of greater value in the Christian Church, An enjoyable programme was rendered by Mr K. G. Roy (song), the Rev, James M. Smeeth (violin solo), Mr E. Woodward (recitation), Mr L. J. Smith (guitar .solo). Mr Hugh MacMillan &cfcsd as accompanist. Supper- was served by the ladies of the Moray Place Congregational Church, who were accorded a vote of thanks.