UNITED SERVICE IN WELLINGTON.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 815, 12 May 1910, Page 6

UNITED SERVICE IN WELLINGTON.

MEETING OF MINISTERS. A conference of ministers of almost all denominations was held' at the Town Hall yesterday to discuss the holding of a united service on tho day of the funeral of the late King. There were present: The Eev. T. H. Sprott (Anglican), Revs. J. Kennedy Elliott, J. Paterson, and AV. Shirer (Presbyterian), Revs. J. J. North, and A. Dewdney (Baptist), Revs. J. Dawson and P. J. Cossum (Primitive Methodist), Eev. J. R. Clark (Methodist), Rev. Maedonald Aepland (Congregatioualist). Eev. H. Van. Staveren (Hebrew congregation), Mr. J. Mooro (Missions to Seamen), Mr. H. N. Holmes (Y.M.C.A.), and Adjutant Gunn (Salvation Army). ' The Eev. J. Kennedy Elliott, who presided, said that he had spoken to Sir Joseph Ward, who stated that the idea of a combined funeral service would have tho sanction and approval of the Government. It was expected that there would be separate: services in the churches, but the Prime Minister suggested that a. united service would be more of a national and a public occasion. .

Mr. J. Moore stated that at the time of the funeral of Queen Victoria a united service was held in the afternoon, and services by the individual churches in the evening. The Eev. J. Paterson emphasised the appropriateness of holding a. united service. •

The Eev. W. Shirer moved, and tho -Eev. Van Staveren seconded, a motion that a. united service should be held. The motion was agreed to unanimously.

■The Eev. J. J. North moved that the service be held out of doors, unless it was a very boisterous day, in which case it should be held in the.Town Hall.

It was pointed , out that at tho memorial service for Queen. Victoria thero were 25,000 people ■ ■ present, including 3000 troops. The motion was seconded by the Eev. W. Shirer. Mr. Holmes felt that in an open-air gathering a great deal of the solemnity and beauty of the religions service must be lost. He was in favour of holding the eervice in the Town Hall.

The Eev. Maedonald Aspland supported tho motion.

Mr, Mooro thought that if the servico was held in tho Town Hall tbero would be little room for anyone beyond officials and volunteers.

The motion was carried unanimously. It was decided to suggest to the Government that the servico should begin at 2.30 p.m.

A general feeling was expressed that the Eoman Catholic Church should be approached with a view t'o their participating in the service. <

It was decided that a committee bo appointed to interviow the Prime Minister with regard to tho service generally, and Archbishop Eedwood, with regard to Eoman Catholic representation. The following were selected as the committee: —Tho chairman, Revs. J. Paterson, J. J. North, J. R. Clark, and Mr. Moore.

Tho Prime Minister was scon by this deputation'in tho afternoon, and promised the full co-operation and assistance of the Government in regard to the service. A meeting of the ministers and others to arrange details will be hold to-morrow afternoon.