CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22826, 10 March 1936, Page 6

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

NEW ZEALAND UNION ANNUAL ASSEMBLY MEETINGS The Annual Assembly of the Congregational Union of New Zealand was continued yesterday when council business was dealt with and the various womens organisations held meetings, Mr H. Sturge was chairman. DEATH OF THE KING. The following motion dealing with the death of King George and the accession of King Edward were carried: — “This Assembly of the Congregational Union of New Zealand desires to place on record its sense of the loss that our people have suffered by the death of his Majestv King George V. As his reign through 25 years of singularly disturbed and anxious public events went on its way our people have discovered that the respect which is naturally given to the occupant of the throne has been insensibly deepening into something more profound and more rare—a deep sense of admiration and affection. The fact that this sense was arrived at by no other means that by a knowledge that the man at the head of the State was a conscientious and devoted servant of his duty, that he was a simple and sincere member of the Church of Christ, that he was upright and honourable in personal and family life—this has made the late King’s influence but the more real and profound. We join with the rest of his subjects in expressing our sympathy with the Queen and the Royal Family in their bereavement, and our thanksgiving for a faithful life of service brought to a full close.” “This Assembly of the Congregational Union of New Zealand desires to express its humble duty to his Majesty King Edward VIII on his accession to his hign and responsible position as head of our British Commonwealth. It rejoices in all the evidence that his Majesty has shown of his earnest desire to serve his people along similar lines to those of his illustrious father, King George V. It prays that God’s blessing may rest upon him, and that he may be constantly upheld by the loyal sympathy and unity of his people.’ “A NATIONAL EVIL.” After a discussion on the question of juveniles and the sale of contraceptives, the following motion was carried: — “That, deploring the impetus given to vice through the unrestricted sale of contraceptives to juveniles, this assembly pledges its people to support immediately legislative action designed to prohibit a pernicious traffic which is fast developing into a grave national evil.” COLLEGE REPORT. The eleventh annual report of the Congregational College of New Zealand was presented by the acting-warden, the Rev. G. Jackson. The report dealt with the activities of the college during the year and gave detailed reports on the progress of ultra-mural and extra-mural students. The report was adopted, as were the recommendations that the Rev. A. C. Nelson, minister of Beresford Street Church, Auckland, should be appointed warden of the College Council and that the following officers should be elected: — Chairman, the Rev.'G. Heighway: council —the Revs. F. de Lisle, G. Jackson, H. W. Newell, A. Mead, and H. Johnson, and Messrs S. E. Campbell, H. Ennor, and J. M. Ilott. MINISTERS’ RETREAT.

The Rev. H. W. Newell, submitted a report on the retreat for ministers held at Warrington prior to the commencement of the assembly. Twenty ministers from all parts of the Dominion had taken part in the retreat, the object of which was to break down in some degree the eeclusion inseparable from a ministry ao scattered as that of New Zealand. The main studies had centred round the doctrine of the Resurrection of Christ, and an attempt had been made to face up to the implications behind the divergencies between the modern liberal position and the scriptural position. Among the papers read by ministers were ‘ The Kingdom of God Movement in Japan, “ The Oxford Group Movement, and “The Conflict Between the Church and the State in Germany.” These had been listened to with interest and there had been discussions on the significance of these subjects in New Zealand. The report was adopted. WOMEN’S FEDERATION ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Federation of Congregational Women was held yesterday, delegates from all the Dominion being present. The president [Mrs R. Carnachan, Auckland) occupied the chair. The proceedings were opened with a prayer meeting. Introducing her annual address, the president made an appeal to the members for continued and renewed endeavours. “ In making a retrospective survey of the progress of the federation during the past year,” she said, “ I am forced to the conclusion that we are entering upon a period of danger. Our first enthusiasm is waning and many are inclined to rest upon past achievements. When we do this the movement loses ground at once, and ground once lost is hard indeed to regain. I want to appeal to all not to let go hut to hold tenaciously to the ideals and aims of the federation and, though it may seem a long and thankless task, try to keep them bright and shining by determined preccnt and practice.” She then proceeded to deliver an address based on the statement that ideals which did not issue in action resulted in spiritual degeneration and loss of vision in the individual and a retarding of social progress in the community. Reports from the provincial groups and from the Dominion secretary and treafiiirer were then presented, after which the election of officers took place, the following appointments being made:— Dominion president, Mrs R._ Carnachan H. Ennor (Auckland): Dominion treasurer. Mrs Gicsen (Auckland). In the afternoon remits from the groups were considered. Several remits dealt with amendments to the rules of the federation and others were of a general nature. It was decided that the Women’s Day of Prayer he held on the third Thursday in May in future vears. MISSION MEETING.

A combined meeting of the federation .and the Women’s Auxiliary of the London Missionary Society, which is affiliated with the federation, was later held, Mrs T. S. Searle, of Dunedin, presiding. Mrs W. R. Don, of Dunedin, delivered a striking address on "Faith.” She illustrated her theme with the triumph of Rahah through faith and with an incident in the Ramabai Mission, where faith and prayer had carried the society through a time of great distress. She concluded with an appeal for greater faith, stating that, if the society had sufficient faith, it coul ( ] stir the whole city. The reports from the various districts were read, and Mrs de Lisle (Auckland), acting for Miss Small (Dominion secretary) read the annual report. All the reports stated that steady progress was being made in the work. It was also stated tliat £124 had been received from the Dominion Women's Executive and £ls from the sale of used stamps. It was decided to make a donation to assist in repairing the damage caused to tlie Atauloma School by the recent hurricane in Samoa. The election of officers for the incoming year resulted as follows: —President, Mrs R. .1. Crawford (Wellington); vice-presi-dents —Mesdames Rond Janies (Auckland), T. S. Searle (Dunedin), Wickonden ’ (Christchurch) ; secretary and treasurer, Miss H. L. A. Small (Auckland). EVENING SESSION The Rev. E. P. Blamires waited on the assembly to bring betore it tlie Question of support for the New Zealand Council of Religious Education, of which he is secretary. , Mr Blamires extended congratulations from the Methodist Church to Mr IT. Sturge on his appointment as assembly chairman. The organisation which lie represented, be said, consisted ot jouth workers of all denominations, and he was sure tliat there was no better or more efficient form of co-operation between the churches in any part of New Zealand. While the Bible in Schools League was trying to obtain access to the State schools by wav of Government legislation, his council was endeavouring to give

religious education under the existing conditions. In 1921 there had been only 10 000 children receiving Bible teaching in schools, but now there were oyer 100,000. Of these, he was certain that fully 30,000 were receiving no other religious education. The council was now endeavouring to extend the system of correspondence Sunday schools. the State school work was carried on extensively in isolated districts by these means, and it was thought that much might be done in that way. One very great advantage enjoyed by the council was that by reason of tile existing co-operation between the various denominations represented cm it, it was able to obtain the names of far more children than any one church could get. As they were located, they were registered and drafted to the different denominations according to their expressed preference. The council included a loutli Committee which consisted of representatives of 10 different Christian youth organisations which were enabled to cooperate in their work through the assistance of the council. He was there that evening for the purpose of seeking the assistance and support of the Congregational Union. It had been represented on the council before, but he was sure that if someone in Christchurch, where the council had its headquarters, were appointed as a permanent representative considerable benefit would result. Mr Sturge said that Air Ulamirca had expressed several thoughts which had already occurred to him. He lully agreed that there was no reform which a united church could not bring about. The matter would have Ihc careful consideration of the assembly. The Reference Committee submitted two resolutions, one setting out the assembly’s appreciation of the sci\iocs rendered by the Key. A. Mead during the four vears he had been editor of the New Zealand Congregational Monthly, and the other expressing gratitude for the good work done by the Rev. G. Jackson as secretary of the College Council for seven years and acting, warden for the past year. Both resolutions were carried.

TO-DAY’S SESSION There will be a session of council business this morning. In the afternoon Pastor E. Lavbourn will deliver an address on “ The Christian In the Church.” The Dominion Auxiliary. L.M.S., will also meet in the afternoon, and in the evening there will he a. public meeting at which the Rev. A. Nelson will speak on “Revival; A Past Experience and a Present Possibility.”