CONGREGATIONAL SESSION

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 918, 11 March 1930, Page 11

CONGREGATIONAL SESSION

This morning’s session of the Congregational Church conference was given at first to the consideration of financial statements as presented by Mr. T. Forsyth. The treasurer's report was received with acclamation, since it was possible this year to balance the budget without the undue strain of some past years. All funds were in good condition and votes to aided churches were passed without opposition. The report on Youth Work presented by the Rev. J. Milburn Stewart showed a large increase of Bible Class members and Christian Endeavour Society members. The Commission of Inquiry appointed last year to examine all questions pertaining to the denomination reported on the question of Organic Church Union. It was resolved that the union was prepared to discuss the question of organic union whenever reopened by sister denominations with a view to the formation of a United Church of New Zealand, as, for instance, in Canada: but in the meantime that it could best forward the interests of the gospel by consolidating and developing the Congregational Church in New Zealand. The executive of the union was empowered to make every effort to secure the passage through Parliament of legislation to conserve the property of the individual churches. A deputation was received from the New Zealand Alliance consisting of the Rev. W. J. Comrie, president of the Alliance, ’and Mr. L. E. Falkner, Auckland area secretary. Mr. Comrie said the churches did more 20 years ago than today and pleaded for more practical effort from church supporters. The Rev. Frank de Lisle, chairman of the Assembly, pledged the Congregational Churches to the fight against the liquor traffic.