United Ministers' Conference

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume VIII, Issue 1, 1 July 1917, Page 5

United Ministers' Conference

The Annual Conference of Anglican and non-Anglican Ministers of the Poverty Bay district that for the past nine or ten years has met at Te Rau College about Whitsuntide was held again at the same place on Whit Monday, May 28th. There were pre* Sent nine Anglican clergy and six noh- Anglican. The Eev. J. Aitken was voted to the chair. The first half-hour was occupied with a devotional reading given by Eev. H. T. Eawnsley, being a precis of an ordination address by the' Bishop of Ely. This was followed by the controversial subject, "The place of! the Holy Communion m Evangelical Theology,'! whichwas opened* by the Rev. Wills (Wesleyan), who was followed by Eev, D." B. Malcolm (Anglican). The discussion wa!s well kept up till 1 p.m. most of those present taking part. The aim that has always been kept m view at these Conferences is for each one to speak out his mind without fear or favour so that each one may have a better understanding of the other's position, which seems to be the first essential if any progress is to he made, m the direction of unity!, No compromise and no surrender of principle is involved m such meeting's, and the Holy Spirit's presence and blessing may undoubtedly be^ looked for. The discussion was good and the Spirit of the riaeeting; excellent.