COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 19

COUNCIL OF CHRISTIAN CONGREGATIONS.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Council of Christian Congregations was held in First Church class room on Thursday when there were 41 people present. In the absence of the chairman, the Rev. W. Walker was voted to the chair. CORRESPONDENCE. The Wellington Ministers’ Association wrote asking the council to pass a resolution protesting against the increased facilities provided for the desecratioti of the Sabbath. The following resolution was passed: “ That this Council strongly protests against the increased facilities provided. and extensively advertised by the Railways Department, the City Council, and motor bus companies, which lead to the desecration of the Lord’s Day. ' — It was decided to forward the resolution to the Primo Minister, the Minister of Railways, the City Council, and motor bus companies.

Letters regarding the subjects of immigration, broadcasting of racing news and the Licensing Bill were received. The Rev. E. O. Blamires. organising secretary of the New. Zealand Bible in Schools League, wrote asking the council to arrange to hold a “ Bible in Schools Sunday ” on May 6.—Agreed to. ' Mr Bush, superintendent of the Central Mission Sunday School, wrote drawing attention to the selling of racing material by boys m the streets, and indicated its baneful influence.—'l his matter was referred to the executive for investigation. Miss E. S. Batt (general secretary of the YW.C.A.) wrote requesting that two repre sentatives of the council should be appointed to act on Miss Maud RoyJsi s Welcome Committee.—Tho Rev Geo.ge Miller and Sister Haze] were appointed vs representatives. Tho president (Dr Merrington) arrived, and took the chair. REPORT AND BALANCE SHEET. The secretary, read his report on the work of the year, which stated that tho council had arranged for the special services on Good Friday and Anzac Day, and had co-operated with the Schoo) of Religious Education m trying to ©cure one or two to be associated with Dr nun lop in treating the subject: ‘‘Essentials of Christian belief.” The council had also interested itself in the Scripture lessons in the public schools and had supplied a syllabus of Scripture lessons (1000 copies] and 200 copies of the New Testament for use in the schools. The report further stated that the following matters bad been dealt with during the year: Compulsory military training, appointment of Bible in schools Sunday; combined prayer meeting; Sunday trading; protest against the Gatping Amendment Bill; sympathy with unemployed, and the taking up of a retiring collection in congregations to help the same; telegram to Prime Minister urging the importance of bringing the Religious Exercises tn Schools Bill before Parliament; unsavoury matters tn court cases; the picture shows as stimulating crime, and the need of providing an educational programme for children; immigration and the need of greater facilities for meeting immigrants; block advertisements; the council’s support given to a Bill to regulate the publication of judicial proceed ings in such a manner as to prevent injury to public morals; the broadcasting of racing news; the endorsing of the New Zealand Alliance's attitude towards the licensing Bill: and the utilising of boys for the sale of race books, etc. The report stated that quite a large amount if useful work had been done, and that it was gratifying to find that increased interest had been shown in the meetings of the council.

lhe President, Dr Merrington, in on dorsing the report presented by the sec rotary, referred to the challenge to the Churcn, which was being given at <ie present time. Tho world was testing our religion by our ability to come together and to speak with one voice about the essentials of our Christian faith and life. ID referred to the address given by the .ev Lionel Fletcher as chairman of ti.e Congregtfttona] Union, then in difference at Christchurch, in which a strong plea had been made for clearing the air in regard to our Christian fellowshm. On the whole the Councff of Christian Congregations had done something towards presenting a united front to the. world: and he honed that, these activities would be the means o F bringing real Christian unity nearer than in the past.

'I he remarks of the president concerning the need for fuller co oneration between the churches were endorsed by other speakers. The Rev. 11. E. Dollhouse stressed the need of the local churches organising some big effort that would reach those who were untouched hv the churches: and that would have a decided effect in winning many who are outside the Christian fold The treasurer. Mr E Rosevear. presented the balance sheet. wb ; ch showed a credit balance of £l6B 6s 4d. The report and balance sheet were adopted. Thanks were passed to Mr E. J. John ston, of Messrs Leslie and Johnston for auditing the balance sheet. GENERAL. The Rev. J. Richards submitted the re port of the Bible Classes in Pub lie Schools Committee, which stat-?J that good work had been accomplished. The head masters were sympathetic, the parents, almost without excep tion, highly approved of the work, and the children were appreciative. He mentioned that there was a shortage of teachers ar George Street, Moray Rlace, High Street, Macandrew Road, and Normal School it was suggested that retired teachers anil minister and laymen might bo able to give assistance in teaching tho lessons — The report was adopted. The Rev. H. H. Barton mentioned that tho committee of- the Dunedin branch of the Dominion Council of Religious Education Was anxious to co operate wit! the Council in the Bible in Schools work The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse moved, and tho Rev. A. H Wallace seconded: “ That the council gratefully accepts the offer mads, and that the Revs. H. H. Barton and f Richards be appointed to act in this capacity.”—The motion was agreed to.

It. was decided that a united commumo.. service shoula be held in Trinity . Methodist Church on Good Friday and that the ar i°-t ef i \° the 'am it was also decided that uie arrangement, for Anzac Day be left to the executive -Lne e.ection of office bearers resulted a*, follows:-President, Rev. W. Walker- vice presidents, Dr Mernn-ton and the Rev w. A. Hamblett- treasurer, Mr E Rose , v « ar = s «- r etary B:ble Classes in Schools e Rot, J. Richards. As the secretary declined to be re-elected, the fillin- of the position was left to the executive. - lhe fol.owing members of executive were appointed:-The officers of the council and the Revs. H. H. Barton. W. Saunders II E. Bel.house. G Millet W D. More. E S. Tuckwell Tulloch Yuille, Brigadier Burton, and Mesrs W. 11. Adams, W. Crawford, and J. W. Stokes.—lt was agreed that the executive should have now- io add to its number.

It was decided to place on record the splendid services of Dr Merrington in connection with his work a« nresident.