CHURCH OF CHRIST.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 35, 31 March 1894, Page 9

CHURCH OF CHRIST.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The tenth annual conference of the Churches of Christ in the Sonthlsland of New Zealand opened its sitting’s in the Christian Chapel, Bowmont street,on Friday morning, 22nd. The session extended over three days, and was concluded by a tea meeting in Hanan’s Hall on Monduy evening. The President for the year was Mr Henry Holmes of Dunedin. There are 17 churches associated, but owing to the distance only 17 delegates were able to be present (several churches sending more than one). The Evangelistic Committee’s rejzort showed a total exjzenditure of £3lB 12s 6d for the year, with a credit balance to be carried forward of £l3 3s 2d. Evangelistic work had been carried on under the auspices of the committee during the past year in the following places : —Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin, Grreymouth, Bi’unnerton, Ross, Burnside, and Hampden. The reports from the several churches were read, and although not perhaps quite so gratifying as in former years, were still good causes for satisfaction and encouragement. Before the sitting was concluded a congratulatory telegram was sent to the Conference in Auckland, containingfraternal wishes. On resuming on Saturday morning the reports of the churches were further read and considered, and also those of the two evangelists present — Messrs T. J. Bull and W. J. Way. The afternoon sitting- was wholly devoted to the reading of the conference essay upon “ Church Discipline.” In the absence of the essayist, Mr Edward Lewis of Nelson, the papex* was ,ably read by the secretary, Mr T. H. E ix. The essayist pointed out the importance of a kindly, judicious, and thorough discipline as the main factor in the preservation of purity in church life, and urged a closer attention to, and a more earnest adherence to, this important matter. The debate that followed was deeply interesting, and resolutions were passed recording a vote of thanks to the venerable evangelist, and ajso one in which the churches were exhorted to exercise “ a stricter and more cai*eful discipline.” The discussion on the essay and the issues therefrom was continued on the Monday forenoon, after which other business bearing on the prosperity of the churches was considered. The proposals of the Finance Committee were then brought forward, and it was agreed to carry on work, for shorter or longer periods, during the ensuing year at Dunedin, Kaitangata, Mataura, Invercargill, Hampden, and Christchurch, and it was further resolved to station Mr Bull for nine months on the West Coast to labour

with the churches there. After passing a number of resolutions affecting questions of minor importance, it was resolved to institute a Conference for the sisters next Easter for the consideration of such phases of work as comes most directly into their province. The following was also adopted : “That this Conference recognise with satisfaction the material progress which has been made in the suppression of the liquor traffic during the past year, and hail with gratitude all further efforts in this direction.” The officers were then appointed for the Conference of 1895, which is to held at Dunedin. President, Mr T Manifold (Christchurch) ; Vice-President,- Mr T. Rodger; Secretary, Mr T. H. Rix ; assistant secretary, Mr Routledge ; Treasurer, Mr Win. Wilson; and essayist, Mr Henry Holmes.

Statements were made on behalf of the following papers published by the brotherhood , viz:] “Bible Advocate, ,T “ The Christian at work” (England), and “Australian Christian Standard’* (Melbourne).

Votes of thanks to the Chairman and the Press concluded a pleasant and hopeful conference. We may state for the information of our readers that the particular “ plea” of this organizationis'for a return to primitive purity of the doctrine, belief and practice in the church of to-day; the abolition of clerical autocracy ; the enforcement of a literal obedience to the form of conversion taught by Christ and the apostles, viz : faith, repentance, and baptism, in the order indicated, followed up by a life of devoted service to Christ, This further object the Church of Christ strives for—the unity ■of all Grod’s people on the facts of religion as laid down in the New Testament, an end hindered only by the 'weakness of mankind.

A large number sat down to tea in Hanan’s Hall on the evening’ of Easter Monday, and full justice was done to the good things, of which Messrs Kingsland and Son were the caterers. The following are the names of those who attended the three tables : —Mesdam.es McKie, J, B. Black, B. Wren, and Misses J. Todd, Scott, Sycamore, Bellow’s, and J. Wilson. An after meeting was held upstairs, consisting of selections by the choir under Mr Robt. Todd’s conductorship, addresses by the chairman (Mr Henry Holmes), who compared their mission to a warfare in which words of life, instead of death, were dealt out; Mr Samuel Elborne, who spoke of the importance of faith, which was the life of the soul and the basis of Christian character and action ; Mr T. H. Bull, pointing out the folly of belief in the wisdom of man and not in Christ; Mr Thos, Todd, sen., on the hope of the Church ; Mr T. H. Rix, w’ho spoke of the necessity of united effort and loyalty to their general —-Christ ; by Mr T. Manifold (of Christchurch), compare ing life to Paul’s voyage to Rome—to ensure a safe journey, selfishness, pride, and other useless cargo vvould have to be thrown overboard; Mr J, Inglis Wright, w T ho said their watchword should be “go forward,” as they had many enemies yet to fight; Mr W. J. Way on the subject of “ Christ for usand Mr J. H. Perkins on the Christian armour. A recitation was given by Mr Jos. Todd and a song by Mr J. T. Wright, the meeting closing with the Benediction.