CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2852, 17 August 1916, Page 9

CONGREGATIONALIST CHURCH

WELLINGTON DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING

QUESTION OF CHURCH UNION

the Terrace Church .yesterday afternoon, the annual meeting of the Congregational Union was held, Mr. F. Mcodoivcroffc, chairman, presiding. Mr. Meadowcroft, in opening the meeting, mentioned that on the previous evening one of their churchmen from Napier, and one from Mnsterton, had been reported killed in action, and he took the opportunity of sympathising with • their relations and friends.

Tlio Rev. J. R. Glasson then addressed the meeting on the subject of "Church Union," which he described as the greatest issue of our times. In the atmosphere of a United Church, he said, would bo established social justice, international goodwill, and every other principle that had to do with the common good, Just ten months before the war broke out the fifteenth triennial session of the National Council of Congregational Churches of the United States was held, and Dr. Peter Ainslies, from the Ohurch of Christ, attended and protested against the cleavages which separated the churches. The real test of Christianity was to come after the war. The critically hopeful question of the present hour for the Church was: "After 'the war shall there be a new euoeli of international Christianity ?" . Quoting Canon J. M. Wilson, writing to the "Hibbert Journal," he said: "If this war does not unite the ohurches it will proclaim their doom as withered branches no longer fed by'the life of Christ." The heart of the people was Teady, but had they leaders. It was for the men of influence and leading in the Church to answer. About ten years ago, in Canada, a, movement was made towards union of the Congregational, Methodist, and Presbyterian Churches. At present that upion had been practically accomplished, and was only waiting for the end of the wsv. ' It was moved by the Rev. A. E. Hunt, se.eouded by Mr. Lyndsav, and carried unanimously :— "That,, with a view to the elimination of the present wastage of men and means under the present denominational system, and the economising and consolidating of the forces of the non-episcopal churches of the Dominion, this conference is of opinion that the time has arrived for a closer union of the churches; and In vfev of the lessons of the ■Teligious work in the present ivar, and the movements in this direction of the ohurches in Canada and Britain, we request the executive of the union to arrange for the . consideration of this question at the forthcoming council mcetipg, with a view to definite action." The Rev. A, E. Hunt moved a vote of thanks and appreciation to the Rev. J. R. Glasson i'or his extremely, inSeVeating paper.—Carried unanimously. Evening Addresses. In the evening addresses were given by the Rev. A. M. Aspland (Palmerston North) and Mr. C. J. Nicklin (Newtown). The l!«v. Aspland dealt with "Our Empire's Unique Opportunity," which he said was the establishment of a great European. partnership based on the common will, a world league to maintain peace and an international Law Court in which disputes could be discussed and, if possible, settled. Great reform must be carried otft, lie 'said, no matter what the cost. Tho Empire would look to the Church to help. Mr. C. <T. Nicklin addressed the gathering on the subject of "Social Reconstruction." The meeting closod with a hearty vote of thsuks and appreciation to the twi» speakers. A further meeting is to be held this afternoon at 3 o'clock, when the subject for discussion will be . "Feeding tlie Roots." The speakers will be tho tov. W. A. Evans (Newtown) and the ov. TV. H. A. Viokery (Trinity, Lower Hutt). The final mooting will be held at 7.30 p.m., when tho annual sermon will be preached by the R-ev. W. A Evans, and communion will be administered T>y the Rev. W. S. Fernie (Dunedin).