SIXTH DAY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2762, 20 February 1907, Page 17

SIXTH DAY.

The Council of the Congregational Union of New Zealand entered upon the last stage of its annual meeting on the 13th, the Rev. W. Day occupying the chair. The opening devotional service was conducted by tho Rev. J. R. Glasvin. ELECTION OF CH\IRM\N. The ballot for the position of chairman for the ensuing year was the first business taken in hand by the council. This election is carried out on the secret ballot principle, there being no nominations called for. When the scrutineers had completed the count it was announced that the choice of the council had fallen on the Rev. W. Suundei% of Dunedin, the announcement being received with heartj applause. The Rev. Mr Saunders said he was completeK taken by surprise. He had parsed through the chair, and thought that, according to the usual custom, the honour would go to someone el-e. Howe\er, he had just been informed that tho idea was that on the previous occasion he had filled a gap rather than occupied the chair. He thanked the members for what they had done. THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER 0 . The following officers for the coming year were also appointed Mr J. P. Hooten ; treasurer, Mr W. H. Lyon ; registrar, Mr G. Hunt; auditor, Mr C. Campbell. The Rev. W. S. Fernie was elected preacher for next year's council meeting. THE SOUTH- SE\ ISLANDS MISSION. On tho motion of tho Rev. D. Herd ifc was unanimously resoKed — " (1) That this session of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, hawng listened with deep interest to an address by the Rev. Mr Newell on the work of the L.M.S. in the South Seas, hereby expresses its sympathy with our missionaries in that field, and the evident need for the continuance of the leadership and help of the European staff in the educational development and missionary enterprise of the Polynesian churches, and ! hereby records it^ strong conviction that the time has not yet crme for any icdurtion of the L.M.S. staff, but that, on the other hand, the requirements of the work urgently call for reinforcement, and that any attempt to sonousU reduce tho staff would be fatally disastrous to our work in the Pacific. (2) That with a mow to safe- , guarding the interests of the natne ad- j herents of the L.M.S. in the South Sea=, a New Zealand committee of reference be set up, whose business shall be to watch the interests of its constituent-, and take such action as may be deemed necessary should any emergency an=e ; that such committee shall consist of the Committee of the Congregational Union of New Zealand, the Wellington members (with power to add to ' their number) at ting as an executive; that the Rev. A. E. Hunt act as general secretary of the committee; and that a copy of these resolutions be sent to the directors, to the Rev. James King, and to the various District Committees of tho South Seas." REPORT ON CHURCH UNICN. The Rev. W. Saunders brought up the following report of the Committee en Church Union: — j Your committee has to report that the ,

question of union as such has not engaged its attention during the year. It was, however, consulted concerning the desirability of setting up a joint committee consisting of representatives of the Presbyterian, "Wesleyan Methodist Primitive Methodist. Baptist, and Congregational Churches to deal with: — (a) The prevention of overlapping, especially in rural districts ; (b) the occupa1 tion of districts uot sufficiently supplied with the means of grace , (c) the presentation of a united front m all questions affecting the I moral well-being of the community. Your .' committee thought that these matters were i worth our .own earnest consideration, a'ld s that the council should be asked to ec-operate in appointing such a commiitee as is now pioposed. At the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, held in Dunedin in November last year, the suggestion was ap1 proved, its committee on union and cooperation being authorised to confer with representatives of other chifrches with power ' to arrange an equitable representation of the respective churches. Th« intention, as found in all its proceedings, is that such a committee should nreet oiioe a year, that it shall deal with public questions on its own initiative, but in the matter of church extension it shall restrict its deliberations to such issues as may be submitted to it from time to time by any congregation of the churches concerned in the movement, or by any of the courts of those churches Your committee recommends that it be now reappoinred, its members being the Revs. W. Saunders (convener), J. R. Glas- ( son, D. Herd. J. Wilkins. Me=srs W. H. Lyon, A. M. Lewis, A. W. Beaven, ai,d J. Wilkinson : that power be given to it to negotiate with the committees of ether churches on the lines indicated, and that it bo instructed to submit the whole matter to this council at Wellington in 1908. The report was adopted, and the embodied resolutions approved. THAIXING STUDENTS. A committee, consisting of the Revs. W. , Saunders (convener) and G. Heighway, and Messrs P. Barr and J. H. Wilkinson, was appointed to collect information in respect to the opening for Congregational students at the Theological College in Dunedin, and the likelihood of students coming forward for the Congregational ministry from their own denomination, the committee to report to the council at its next meeting. [ NEXT PLVCE OF MEETING. The next meeting of the counc'l was fixed fo 1- Wellington in February, 1908. COMPLIMENTARY. The customary \ole& of thanks were accorded the chairman, retiring officers and committee, sessional officers, the choirs and organists who had as-i->rcd during the meetings, tho hosts and hostesses pa-tor and officeis of Moiay Place Church, the pros, otc. This concluded the bu-iiiess before the council