COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16265, 16 July 1918, Page 2

COUNCIL OF CHURCHES.

INAUGURAL MEETING. f The movement having for its object the more concrete unity of tho nonEpiscopal Churches, was advanced a step last night, when' a meeting was held under tho auspices of the Christchurch Ministers' Association, for tho purpose of iorining a Council or 'iiiiriy-m'o cmucues appointed representatives to uuend uw meeting, weir nurnuor totalling bo•ueuuiuiiiatious represented ueie: — ivxetuouist, I'resuyienan, Congiegtuiicnial,- .baptist, Cuurcn ot Christ; and ouivawon Army. tnose prosent was a rcpresentuu !<o *01 tne k.M.C.A. "The cu'air was occupied by tho Itev. P. Knignt. 5 Ttie chairman said that the meeting had been called as tlio result of deliberations at meetings of tne Clu'istcuurcli Ministers', Association. It had been telt that the Ohurcnes of Christcuurch snould speak witn a united voice on certain questions. • There wore cortain points upon which they-all agreed, and he felt that if the Cnurchos could speak as one, it would go to advance the Kingdom of Christ. The secretary of the Association, the Itev. H. A. Job, outlined a suggested constitution. The Rev. J. J. North, in proposing the formation of the Council, said that Christchurch would be a completer city if a Church Council were established. Ministers' meetings, although , undoubtedly beneficial, had certain obvious deficiencies. The ministers felt that, tho utterances of tho Churches would be better balanced, and likely to carry' more weigtit if they came from a lay body, such as it was proposed to form. it was a pity, he said, that the day had not come for a reahy united Cwistian Council. Howover, two great historical Christian bodies stood out from such a movement, it waS quite certain tnat the great forces of evil and letnargy in the community would be diminished, and probably "scotched," if the Unurches would oniy stand publicly togotner en those great issues. (Applause,) A Church council which was merely critical of tho customs and habits of the community would be a despicable thing, and they wouid have to show that their conception of the Christian faith was large enough and sweet enough to command the general'assent of the community. Apparently the great liquor question was about to be finally solved. Until it was, they would certainly have to take cognisance of, and proceedings regarding,, it. The evil of gambling would have to be tackled, and so woujd that of profitearing and kindred evils. Then there was the subject of tho quiet Sunday. "None of us," said the speaker, "are mad enough or fools jenough to think people ought to bo forced to go to church, but wo are sensible enough to know that the quiet. Sunday is one of the most precious of our assets." The Council would have before it not only purely ecclesiastical matters, but wouid have to consider the amendment of tho social system. During the war our social system had be on thrown into tho melting-pot. It £ad been tried, and found wanting. A' proper Church • Council ought to be sympathetic in approaches towards reconstruction. Religion was not singing, but serving men for God's aako. Tho returned soldier Offered tho Churches a great opportunity, and the Council should have this question prominently beforo it# Further, ho hoped it would work towards the enlargement of itself until it embraced the entire Christian voice of the community. (Applause.)

31r A. G. Williams, in seconding the motion, expressed his whole-hearted approval of the proposal. The motion was unanimously carried. ,* The meeting then discussed "the constitution, and agreed upon the following : — Name: The Christchurch Council of Churchcs. Objects: The consideration of and united action on questions affccting the progress of th» kingdom of God, the well-being of the churches, and -the social and spiritual benefit- of the community. . Representation: That the units of representation be each church, in the city and suburbs; that all. ministers, homo* missionaries, Salvation* Army officers, and the Y.M.C.A. secretary be ox-officio members; that the lay representation be one for each hundred adult church members or part thereof. Officers: A president, two vice-presi-dents, a secretary, and to bo elected annually.

Executive: The officers and one from each denomination. Tho following officers were . elected: President, Rev. J. J. North; -rice-presi-dents, Messrs J. Lomas* and T. \V. Hoc-so; secretary, 11 ev. H. Allen Job; treasurer, Mr E. C. Brown: executive, Major Newby (Salvation Army), Rev. P. H. Venables (Presbyterian), lie v. A. C. Lawry (Methodist), Rev. G. E. Moore (Congregational), Rev. Mr Machattie (Baptist), and Mr W. Grantham (Church of Christ). Tho Rev. Blamires moved: "That the last Sunday In August ,bo regarded as 'Citizens' Sunday' in the churches represented 011 the Council, and that local preachers be requested to emphasise on that day tho duties of Christian citizenship." The Rev. S. Lawry, with reference to the liquor question moved: "That this Council of Churches approves of the effort proposed to bo made in favour of securing a referendum in. regard "to the proposals or the Efficiency Bo%rcl, and refers the matter to the executive for suitable action thereon.'' Tho motion was carried.