CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8735, 8 February 1907, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Per Press Association. Dunedin, February 7.

Tho annual meeting of the Council of the Congregational Union of New- Zealand was begun this morning. A telegram was read from the Hon. G. Fowlds, convoying his greetings and regretting that business would prevent his presence on Tuesday as ho had intended. The chairman welcomed to tho meeting tne Rev. W. D. McLaren (of England), Rev. J. E. and Mrs Nowell (of Samoa) and Rev. W. M. Grant (late of South Australia and now- of Port Chalmers). The twenty-fourth annual report of tho committee. of the Union was read by the secretary (Rev. John Wilkins) and was subsequently approved. It recorded the transfer of Kuv. S. Griffiths from Nelson to tho Devonport vacancy, of Nelson being filled by the Rev. B. L. Thomas, and return of the Rev. IV. M. Grant to Pori Chalmers to replace tho Rev. E. Taylor, transferred to Richmond, Victoria. At tb e request of thecomniitteetheltev.il. Mitchell, after three and a half years’ work at Kawhia mission, was removed to To Kuiti to start a new home mission, his place at Kawhia being taken by the Rev. C. E. Davidson, Newton Church, Auckland, which remains without a minister. The report also recorded the probability of a new church being opened at Alicctown, a suburb of Wellington, the grant of a church site having already been made by Mrs Williams. Various district reports were submitted.

At- the Congregational Union to-night, tho Rev W. Day gave his presidential address, tho subject being “Commission and Commissions, two sides of church life.” In the course of his remarks he made s< m■> reference to what is known ns the new theology, and said a fresh statement of I hristian doctrine was needed. It was evident the Christian Church should re-read the Bible, its creed, and its message in the clearer light that God hadjjpiyon. Not to do that was dishonest and, in the end, suicidal.