New Zealand Congregational Union.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4570, 15 February 1893, Page 3

New Zealand Congregational Union.

The meetings were resumed at 9.30 this morning, with a devotional meeting, presided over by Mr E. Wood. At ten o'clock the Council resumed its sitting. About fifty delegates and members were present, and the Chairman oE the Union (the JBevH. W. J. Miller) presided. After the opening hymn, lesson and prayers,^the minutes of the previous meeting were confirmed. NEW CHUBCH. A church newly formed at Gore (Otago), with the Esv H. J. Lewis as pastor, was admitted to tho Union. The Chairman briefly welcomed Mr Beattie, as a delegate from this church, and extended the same compliment to the minister. WEW MINISTERS. The Eev Sidney Jameß Baker and the Eev P. Charles Dewebury were formally welcomed to the Council. PERSONAL MEMBEB. Mr J. Callander (Christchurch) was elected a personal member.. REFEBENCB COMMITTEE. The Reference Committee recommended that the Ministers' deputation should be received at noon on Thursday. This was agreed to. EEFORTS. The report of the Committee of the Council contained, among other matter, the following' items:— During the year your Committee met thirteen times; but, owing to many of its members residing away from Auckland, the attendances were rather small. We think the past year has been one of progress. The Jubilee fund, started at last year's Council meetings, has reached considerably over J33000. Considerable changes have occurred during the year, and some changes are prospective in the near future. A new church was formed at Gore (Otago), and is doing good work in the district under the pastorate of the Eev H. J. Lewis. Mission stations have been started at Croyden and Waikaka. The Parnell Church amalgamated with the Mount Eden Church during the year, but the Sunday school is still carried on in the former place. Two new ministers were welcomed during the year, the Eev P. C. Dewsbury, who accepted a call to Devonport, and the Eev Sydney Baker, who assumed the pastorate of Trinity Church in April. Prospective changes in the near future are caused by the resignations of the Eev James Chew (Beresford street, Auckj land), the Eev E. D. Cecil (Timaru), and the Eev W. A. Evans (Nelson). In conclusion, your Committee are of opinion that the prospects for the future are i encouraging. Though clouds obscure the I sun, and adverfe winds are blowing on [ several of our churches, we are confident | that, with prayful, earnest effort on the | part of all our members, our hearts will be | gladdened at seeing the Lord's work prospering in our hands. I On the motion of Mr Powles, seconded by the Eev Sydney J. Baker, the report was adopted. DISTRICT COMMITTEES. Eeports were received from the following districts, and read for the information of the Council : — Otago (read by the Eev D. K. Fisher), Canterbury (the Eev C. H. Bradbury), Wellington and Nelson (the Eev W. Powell), and Auckland (Mr W. H. Lyon), tbeasttrer's statement. The Treasurer's balance-sheet showed that the year was commenced with a balance of J671 19a Bd. During the year subscriptions and collections were received to the amount of jB4O 15a 3d (with ftVellington district to come), sundries £14, 15s 4d, making a total income of J8127 10s 3d. There has been expended during the year : — On account of the Council meeting, £49 17a lOd ; printing of year book, two years, .£32 15a 2d; sundries, £14, 3s, making a total of £96 6s ; leaving in hand a balance of £31 43 3d. The report waß adopted on the motion of Mr W. H. Lyon, the Treasurer. THE BEGISTRAB's BEPOBT. The report, which consisted of incomplete returns, was laid on the table. HISTORICAL RECORDS" COMMITTEE. On the motion of Mr J. W. Jago, the Committee were thanked for their efforts, and the report was referred back to them for completion and printing. I The Council roße at one o'clock, and resumed at 2.30 p.m. „ PAPERS. » J * "W-'-Jago read a paper on 'Economic Law in a Christian Community/* and a spirited discussion on ife wa3 taking place when we went to preßE. •