CAURCH OF CHRIST CONFERENCE.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8861, 10 May 1897, Page 1 (Supplement)

CAURCH OF CHRIST CONFERENCE.

Ths annual oonfarenos of Churohe3 of C'irißt of tha Middle Island opened in the Christians 1 Meeting Honse, Waim-a steeet, on Saturday April 17ti when the following delegate* took their seats:— Messrs George Gray (Pre-ident), F. Lwrenson (Seoretary), A. Miligan and J. Riobanl* (vVellingtDn), H, Batt, A. Lanttford, and J. Griffith (Sprirg Grove), F. V. Knapp and George Page (Nelson), It. Wright and Mrß Mason • Petone), A, E. Hearle (Newtown), J. Wilson (Wanganui), J. R. Hay (Palmfiraton), R. Farley (Mou ere), and E. Forsyth (Stanley Brook) together with Messrs E. Lewis, F. Hilea, and A. F. Turner, evangelsstß. Toe meeting opened with devotional exercises led by Mr F. Hales, after which the Presidsnt, Mr George 4Jray, delivered his opening address in whioh. he welcomed tho delegates. In the course of hi 3 address the President gave some interesting statistics of tho church in other parts of the world, alluding to Amerioa in ppr.iouiar. He said that about 75 years ago ihe dieoiple3 numbered about half a doz >a. From that time theirgrowth hod been phenomenal, the present membership being over a million. He was pleased to say that Nelson had the honor of being the first place iv New Zealand where the plea of this reformatory movement was promulgated, and one of the few who took part therein was Mr James Barton, who was still with them. He added that this plea was the union of all Christians upon the basis of the Bible only. The Conference then assembled had met, not as a legislative but as an advisory body, to consider ways and means for the promulgation of the Gospel of Christ.

The Evangelist's Report was delivered by Mr F. Hales, who gave a satisfactory account of his labors in Nelson, and said the prospects of further success were very promising. He said their building was now not large enough to hold the people who attended the Sunday evening services. The Treasurer reported that the promised support had been given by the associated churches, and that he had a balance in hand of £58.

In the afternoon a very thoughtful essay was read by Mr H.»Batt upon the attitude of the Church towards auxiliary societies, and a very harmonious discussion took place thereon.

The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted in the reappointment of the past officers, namely— Mr Geo. Gray, President ; Mr B. Wright, Vice-President ; Mr F. Lawrenson, Secretary; Mr A. Milligan, Assistant Secretary ; and Mr E. Hearle, Trea-

surer

Ihe evoning's discussion was devoted the discussion if a paper on Sunday Behool work by Mr F. V. Knapp, who referred t> weakneessoa in the work and mad? suggestions for tueir r=m dy. Oa the question of diecip'line he pointed cut tbat difficulties occurred through want of earuestnesj on the part of toichars ar-a of parents, aud through lack of heme iofluenoe. He txpressed a desire to self 1 a tystam of grading brought into vogue, but said ihat oould only be done by a union cf Hunday schools and a coufer -nco of teaohers. Reeular examinations would be moat benefioial for the present system of drafting into ola-:s b by size or educational qualifications was most unsatisfactory. Oa tbe subject of teaohing, h9 strongly urged the necessity of preparation and the nee of pictorial illustrations.

The paper elicited a varyinteres ing discus siOi.

Oa Monday Apii* 19:h tha Conference resumed its labors, and after the devo ional exeroiaes, the discussion on Mr Knapp's paper on Sunday School work waß resumed, after which a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the writer.

It was resolved that Spring Grove should be the next D'aoc- of meeting, and Mr F. Hales and Mr H. Longford were appointed essayists.

In the evening the delegate?, with abcut two hundred friends, sat down to the Conference lea, whioh was followed by a pablio meeting, which was ably pr sided over by Mr Edward Lewis. Duriaer the evening some exoe leat music was rendered by tbe choirs of Spring Grove and Nelson, assisted by friends from Wellington and Wanganui a duet by the Misses Wilson and a trio by them and their father being very good. Some Btirring addresses were given upon various phases of Church work, in whioh the members were exhorted to earnest 00-operation with the evangelist and one another for tbe furtherance of the work in this plaoe, the speakers being Messrs Bray, Langford, Wright, Halos, Batt, Griffith, ani Wilson.