CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1434, 28 November 1885, Page 3

CONGREGATIONAL CONFERENCE.

The third annual Conference of the Congregational Union' took place last ■Wednesday in Timaru. The following rapresenta'tives were present Revs. Adams, Miller, Closs, Captain Daldy, Messrs Milne (Setretary), and Wood (Treasurer),' from Auckland ; Revs. W. Best, 8.A., E, Cecil, W. J. Habens, 8.A., Mr J. E. Baker, from Wellington ; Rev. H, J. Lewis, from Nelson; Rev. J. Hoatson (Chairman), T. Taylor, 8.A., Messrs Beath, Forbes, and Marshall, from Christchurch ; Mr Barnett, from Akaroa ; Rev. J. Foster, Messrs Haggett, Jones, and Tennent, from Timaru ; Rev. W. M. Grant, from Port Chalmers ; Revs. Kelly, Beckenham, Young, and Messrs Jago, Chadwick, and Dyson, from Dunedin ; and Rev. S. Robins, from Lawrence, It was reported that sites for future churches had been obtained at New Plymouth, Marton, Palmerston North, Blenheim, Wanganui, Gisborne, Westport, and Ashburton, and that new churches had been formed at Mount Eden, Devonport, Gisborne, and Petone ; also, that schools had been commenced at Parnell, Auckland, and St. Clair, Dunedin, and at Dunedin a lay preachers’ association had been formed. The Colonial Missionary Society had granted £l3O to supplement and aid the work of the Union. The following were elected to seats on the Council, viz., Revs. J. Kelly, J. Williams, J. Roberts, Tonkinsou, Macdonald, T, Hamer, J, F. Mandend, W. J. Habens, E. Walker, G. Jones, S. Robins, and E. D. Cecil. At the evening sitting an address from Dr Roseby, the retiring President, was read by Mr Hoatson, of Christchurch. The Conference passed a resolution expressing approval of the address, and regretting Dr Roseby’s severence of his connection with New Zealand. On Thursday several of the rules were amended, and one or two now ones proposed. A deputation consisting of the Revs. Gillies, Fairclough, Dean, and Brown, from the Ministers’ Association of Timaru were heartily welcomed during the afternoon. • The Rev. Wm. Gillies spoke of the spirit of unity that had 'characterised the churches and ministers in Timaru, who had worked together with the utmost harmony. He said tins was a fulfilment of the prophecy of the time when swords should be beaten into ploughshares, and the Church of God reign. In the evening a public meeting was held, at which addresses were delivered by the Revs. H. J. Lewis and T, Taylor, B.A. The former spoke on “ Congregationalism and,

the individual life,” and the latter on “ Congregationalism in its relation to church life.” Both were heartily applauded. A number of votes of thanks erminated the proceedings.