New Zealand Congregational Union.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4573, 18 February 1893, Page 3

New Zealand Congregational Union.

TEAB BOOK. It was resolved that the separate church reports embodied in the existing reports should be referred to the districts for a special report for publication in the ! yearbook. . i JUBILEE. In connection with the furtherance of the Jubilee movement, it was resolved that the Committee should be empowered to send Home early in 1894 a ministerial delegate to advocate the claims of the NewZealand churcbes. ' ' TBMPEBANCE. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr J* W. Jago — "That this Council is much gratified to observe the growth, of public | opinion in favour of the Temperance move- . fflent, and of sympathy with the effort to ! secure for the people the power to veto the liquor traffic by direct vote at the ballot box, and earnestly commends the members of the churches of the Congregational Union of Hew Zealand to active participation in the endeavours to promote and obtain these great reforms." ■ THE MAGDALA ASJTIiTJM GBA.NT. It was resolved, on the motion of the Rev P. Seth-Smith — "That-we respectfully call the attention of the Government to the grant of £500 to the Roman Catholic institution called Magdala Home ac being contrary to the duty of the State towards any denominational institute, and thereby entera its earnest and emphatic protest against State funds being diverted into any sectarian channels." • COMPMMENTART. : ;■ The Council, having been informed that Messrs Foulds and Hooton were about to visit Great Britain, placed on record' its high appreciation of the services which had been rendered ' by those gentlemen to Congregational churches. BELIGIOUB INSTBUCTION. i The Rev J. Miller brcught forward his motion with regard to religious instruction in State schools. After some discussion ifc was resolved— " That the members of the Council of the Congregational Union of New Zealand enter their emphatic, protest against any attempt to interfere with the present system or education: by the introduction of denominational teaching, into the State schools." .. ...'.'_•..■ It was resolved, on the motion of Mr J. W. Jago—" That the Council respectfully request the Revs H. J. Lewis and W. Saunders to prepare papers for discussion at the next meeting of the Council on the best means of securing religious education for the children of the Colony without incurring the perils of denominationaliam." GBEETINGS. The Chairman announced that he Lad received a telegram from the President of the Wesleyan Conference, conveying fraternal greetings. The Chairman ana Secretary of the Union were instructed to reply. . THANKS. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the Executive officers of the Council for the labours of the past year, to the Eev P. K. Fisher and Mr G. Harris (press reporters), to the Eev E. DurantCecil (Minute Secretary), and to the f riendß at Jhristchurch who have so hospitably entertained the visitors from the different centres. PAPEBS. Mr A. W. Beaven read a paper on " How to Increase the Adaptability of Congregationalism for Service." The Rev E, Durant Cecil read a paper on "Congregationalism as a Factor in the National Life of New Zealand." A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Daldy, of Auckland, for her paper on " Missions." The sessions of the Council were brought to a close by the Chairman pronouncing the Benediction.

The evening waa devoted to a special service in the Trinity Church, conducted by the Eev C. H. Bradbury. The Eev Sidney J. Baker (Christchurch) preached an appropriate sermon, and at the close the Eev P. Seth-Smith (Oamaru) administered the Communion to the clergy present, and a large number of lay delegates and members of the local congregation. This closed the Conference.