CHURCH & THE YOUNG.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1804, 17 July 1913, Page 8

CHURCH & THE YOUNG.

CONGREGATIONAL UNION. ANTI-MILITARY NOTE STRUCK. The half-yearly conference of the Wellington District of the Congregational Union of New Zealand was commenced yesterday afternoon in the Terrace Church. The chairman (Mr. T. Forsyth) extended a welcome to visiting delegates. Mr. J. J. Whitehead U'almei'stoii North) introduced the question of "The Cliurcn and Its Attitude to the Young." Considerable progress, lie said, had been made in past years in regard to Church woi'K amongst the young. Second-rate methods would not do nowadays. The Church of the past had been'entirely for adults. The Clnircli of tlio future would devote a very large proportion of its energies to the children. Fit'it-class premises and appliances were not the only requirements; the persons engaged in the work mattered more. The Church had trifled with the question, too long, and hud allowed the State to outstrip it in the care of the children. There were too many drones, and not enough ready workers. There should be a closer bond between the Clnircli service and the Sunday School., There had been a decline in the desire for pastoral "work amongst the ministers of the Church. Many of the clergy had great ambition to shine in the pulpit, hut took no interest in "shepherding the tlock." But this work was more necessary to-day Mian ever it was. It was the duty of the pastor to look after the children of careless parents'; aud to help young men and women exposed lo the temptations of a strange city. It was all very well to speak about the falling-off of Church attendance and to seek for reasons, but the real cause was the cooling of the pastoral heart. The children of to-day were the Church people of to-morrow, and the Church should commence its work early m the lives of the children. The Church showed signs of weakness in some respects in its attitude towards tho young. Did the Church raise its voice in support of the Bible in State schools? Did it raise a protest against the compulsory military training of the youth of the Dominion, or did Church people tacitly consent to the system ? Did they tako action against the prevalence of gambling, or did they rather encourage it at their own sales of work? Did they guide the reading, of the young? Were they satisfied that the subjects of some of tho picture shows were suitable for tho young. The truth was that the Christianity of to-day was merely a compromise. They held it was not wrong to kill, so long as they killed in large numbers. It was not wrong to steal territory so long as the theft was called by another name. The spirit of Christianity must pervade thoso interested in the welfaro of children if the Church were to obtain the best results. Considerable discussion ensued on the reading of the paper. The Rev. J. Reed Glasson expressed the opinion that tlio Church had really done, and was doing, a good deal more for t.lie children than Mr. Whitehead's paper would seem to indicate. More money was being spent to-day on Sunday Schools than ever be-' fore, and their machinery was more perfect. Whether there was a proportional spiritual result was another question. The Rev. D. Hird said that he did not believe the statement that there was any "cooling of the pastoral heart,"

Church Membership. The subject of "Preparation for Membership" was\dealt with by the Rev. B. L. Thomas (Masterton). It had been said that "membership sat lightly" on soit:e Church people. Tho importance of membership hail not been brought homo to them when, they joined the Church. Membership of the Church was an important link in the relationship of a human soul with its God. Most accessions to tho Church nowadays were the result of natural growth, the new members being almost invariably the children of Clnifcb people. Tho Church did not go out "into the highways and byways" and invite guests to the feast. Repentant sinners formed a small proportion of new 'membership. They did not keep close enough observation over the children baptised into tho Church in infancy, to see what became of them. The progress /if the children should be closely watched, until it is time to make the final appeal, and to lead thein into Church fellowship. Evening Session, At the evening session, the R«v. A. Hodge (Napier) introduced tlio subject of "Individual Service," and the Rev. J. Reed Glasson that of'"Evangelism." To-day's Programme. Tho conference will be continued this afternoon, when papers will be road as follow:—"Homo Missions," Mr. J. G. Gibson (Alicetown); "Foreign Missions," Mr. W. Mill (Wellington). A resolution with regard to Sabbath observance will be moved by Mr. J. Ilott (Wellington). In the evening a sermon will be delivered by the Rev. D. Hird (Palmerston North), the Rev. W. A. Evans (Newtown) will, conduct a communion service.