CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NEW ZEALAND. ANNUAL MEETING. Auckland, Feb. 26.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 347, 2 March 1889, Page 6

CONGREGATIONAL UNION OF NEW ZEALAND. ANNUAL MEETING. Auckland, Feb. 26.

Tm; meeting of the Congregational Union of New Zealand Mas commenced at 10 a.m. to-day, in the Beresford-sbreet Church. The various districts were represented as follows : — Great King-street (Dunedin) : A. H. Wallace. Port Chalmers : Rev. W. ]\l. Grant. Oaraaru : Rev. F. Seth-Smibh. Timaiu : Rev. E. Austin. Lin wood : Key. C 11. Bradbury. Nelson : Rev. R. J. Wiilliams. Wellington — Terrace : Roy. W. H. West, LL.D., Mr J. E. Baker, Rev. W. J. Habens, 8.A., Mr Lindsay. Couitenay Place: Rev. W. Powell, Mr Broad benfc. Thames; Rev. E. HampdenCook, B.A. Onehunga: Rev. H. W. J. Miller, Mr T. Ball, Mr J. Roub. Auckland — IJeresford-stveet : Rev. J, Chew, Captain W. C. Daldy, Mr J. El kin. Newton : Rev. H. J Lewis. Mr W. Sen ice. Mount Eden: Re\. B. L. Thomas, Mr Joseph Potter ; Devon port : Rev. R. Laishley, Mr H. J. Leßailly ; Parnell : Rev. H. M. Livens. Maungaturoto : Mr C. E. Davidson, Mr Cullen. Rev. E. Walker, H. Young, Whirinaki ; H. Cook, Thames ; Austin, Titnaru ; and Evans, Dunedin. Secretary. —On the motion of Mr J. Milne, General Secretary, Mr Miller was appointed Minute Secietaiy, and Mr J. E. Baker, reporter for the press. Recent Arrivals, — The following ministers who had arrived in the colony since the previous annual meeting were welcomed : — Rev. Cook (Thames), Austin, (Timaru) and Evans (Dunedin). Reference Committee. - The following were appointed : Revs. Win. Grant, E. Austin, Dr. West, E. Walker, Mr T. Ball, with the Chairman and Secretary ex orfcio. Fin \nce Committee. — The following were appointed : Me?srs W. Jago (chairman), Bradbury, Baker, Le Bailly, Captain Daldy, with the treasurer and secretary, i a* otficio. The Rev. W. A. Evans, who is temporarily supplying the pastorate of Mora}' Place Church, Dunedin, lately filled by the Rev. J. E. Kelly, and formerly by Dr. Roseby, w»f, on the motion of Dr. West, seconded by Rev. C. H. Bradbury, upon a letter of commendation from the Secretary of the Yorkshire Congregational Union, elected to a seat on che Council in terms of Rule?. Annual Rffokt. — The annual report of the Committee of the Union was, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Rev. W. J. H. Miller, adopted after some little discussion. The report was as follows :—: — To the ministeis, delegates, and members who constitute the Council of the Congregational Union of New Zealand : Dear Brethren, —Your Committee have great pleasure in welcoming the Council to the city o f Auckland. They have during the year attended to all matters connected with the Union, and have watched with interest anything concerning the welfaie of the churches. It has been necessary to meet more frequently than the ordinal y monthly meetings, and eveiy meeting has been well attended. Changes: There have agiin been se\eral changes in the ministry during the past year. Rev. E. D. Cecil, after ha\ ing been pastor of the" n*wly formed church at Courtenay Place, Wellington-, for only a few months, resigned the same to retrain to England. After hearing se\ eral ministers of the colony, the Church' piesented a unanimous invitation to Rer. W. Powtll, of Lawience, to become the pastor, which he accepted. Rev. J. Beckenham, of Great King-street, Dunedin, resigned the pastorate in September that he might accept woik at Oiange, New South Wales. He has been succeeded at Great King sheet by Mr A. H. Wallace, of Gisborne. Rev. J. E Kelly, owingto threatened throat affection, has been compelled toredgnhischargeat Moray Place, Dunedin, and has accepted temporal ily the pastorate of the Church at Angaston, South Austialia. He left Dunedin very reluctantly and amidst expression of great regret from his people, by whom he was much beloved. We trust that the climate may suit his health better than that of Dunedin has done, and that he may be happy in his new sphere of labour. Rev. T. Taylor, B.A , found his strength nob equal to the work at Timaru, and at the expiration of the term for which he accepted the charge, asked to be relieved. The Church invited Rev. Edward Austin, of London, who accepted the pastoiate. Ma Taylor kindly remained until lie arrived. The Canterbury District Committee have bettled Mr Siilifant to woik the Akaroa and Le Bons Bay churches, and the church at Lawrence, with the approval of the Otago District Committee, are having the ministry of Mr McNaughton. The churches at Moray Place and Ravensbourne, in the Otago District, and ab Gisborne, in the Auckland district, are still without pastors. Whilst the changes have not been so numerous as last year, they have still been such as to cause some amount of embarrassment to the churcheb concerned, and serious complications on the part of the Union. It has led your Committee to consider very seriously the position as it affects churches aided by the Union. They have drafted a new rule to define more clearly the position of the Union in relation to aided churches, and setting forth the conditions on w hich grants will be made. This will be submitted for your consideration at the present meeting. We have to lecord that during the year death h/is been bu«y in our midst. Key. Alexander McDonald, full of years and labour, died in Auckland in March last. He was designated for missionary work, and laboured in Samoa as a medical missionary for more than fifteen years, when the health of Mrs Macdonald giving way, he retired from Samoa, and settled in Auckland in the year 1851, where he became the first Congregational Minister, and formed the church which met in High street for many years. He retired from the mini&bry about 13 years ago and re enteied the n.edical profession, and connected himself, with Beiesford-street Church. He was a man of singularly kind and genial temperament and was beloved by all who knew him. Rev. T. Tomkinson, of Dunedin, died during the present month. He was yet scarcely past the prime of life, when he was taken from us suddenly by heai c disease He was trained for the minisbiy in Aiiedale College, Yorki-hire, and held pastorates ab Strutton, in Norfolk, and Ipswich in Suffolk, from whence he came to this colony in the year 1880. He laboured several years at South Dunedin, when circumstances over which he had no control compelled him to retire temporarily. He had already been uniting with ministerial duties that of private tuition, and to this latter he now gave his whole attention. In his teaching capacity he was eminently successful. Scholarly himself and with a singlar power of winning the trust and respect of his pupils, they made large progress. On his leaving Ipswich a testimonial of £150 was presented to him, when it was said of him what has been found to be true here, " that be had a ebtinle&p reputation, godly life, guileless simplicity, unaffected humility and a thorough bransparoncy of character, elevating to thos? who have had his

friendship." He was 50 years of age. Ifc will not be out of place to notice heie the removal of Mr J. Hurndall, J.P., lato of Maungaturobo. He came out from England with those who formed the settlement at Albertland promoted by the Noncomfoninsts. He remained in constant resi denco there until a short time ago, exerting considerable influence amongst the settlers. He remained steadfast to the piinciples of Congregationlism, and was, through the varied history of that settlement, the constant and uniform friend of die church there. Ho pioneered it through its establishment and the many difficulties encountered in its history. He retued only a short time ago, and resided with his son in Ponsonby. He met with an accident, the result of which caused his death, after seveial cays of severe sufleiing. Ho died in great" peace in full reliance in Jesus Christ hU Saviour. It is also fitting to place on record the death of oiu friend, Air Joseph Burne, ot Wellington. Dining a long life he hub been a grand example of Christian devotion. For nearly thiity years he wab member of the Congregational Clnuch at Wellington and of that period, served m the ofliee of deacon for neaily 23 yeais. tie was also for 30 years the Superintendent of the Sunday school. Ho was. a mm of eminent; piety, and in his business relations and intercourse with the world of sterling integrity. He was simple and unaffected, in his habits, a libeial supporter of the chuich, and of philanthropic institutionsinthecity of Wellington. Hehaslaidthe whole community under obligations to him for his noble gift-. He was summoned suddenly from us and has passed to receive the welcome of "V, ell done, good and faithful servant." It is unusual for us to have to lecoid the removal in one year of such a number of the standard bearers. May the warning be not lost on those who lemain, andletothersstep forwaid tofillupthe places so eminently filled by the departed ones. Several mattets of impoitance were remitted by the Council at its last meeting to the Committee, which they now lepoit upon. The hr&b ot these is the motion ot Rev. J. Hoatson, ha> ing lcference to the lecogmbion and acceptance of minister, and then- commendations tor membership in the Union. The dhection was given to harmonise these with the conditions as laid dowu and in foice in the County Unions of England. Your Committee, at seveial of their sittings, have been anxiously engaged in this woik. They consulted the luicsof two of the largest County Unions, in England, ami they recommend the alteration of Rule VII., as pioposed in the agencui of business ot the.se meetings, which they consider will ellect the desired end. Your Committee desire to repoit concern ing enqunies they weie dnected to make as to the immediate utilisation of sites purchased with the sites fund, that they consulted with the repiesentati\es ot the various districts, and after caretul m\estigation they arrived at the conclusion that at tiie piesent time theie is no case in which they can recommend the disposal of anyot the sites held by the Union. \ our Committee have carefully eonsideied the remit ot the best way ot educating our senior scholais in our principles. They made it a subject of consultation with the itpiecentatire» of the English Congre- ! gational Unions whilst on their lecent visit, to New Zealani. They recommend that in connection with each church there should be at the least one Bible class, conducted on the most approsed plan, so as to make it inteiesting, attractive and useful. They also recommend the establishment of Chinch Guilds in connection with each congregation, and that a better knowledge may be obtained as to the wui Icing of these institutions, provision has been made for the reading of a paper at tne piesent meeting. Youi Committee ha\e not lost sight of the instiuction to draw »d a short history ot Congiega tionalism in New Zealand. They have been engaged gathering mateiials for the purpose, and have got together details of the histoiy ot moat of the churches in the colony ; some are ho a ever still wanting, which aie too impoifant to be left out. _4s we aie within two yeais ot tne Jubilee of Congtegationalism in the colony i the Committee suggest the matter 3houlcl still be kept in hand, as the records issued as a jubilee volume bi ought down to the date of publication. Should this meet the approval ot the Council, they would proceed to appoint an editor, and hand o\er to him all the material now in possession. The question of travelling expenses has on seveial occasions come under the notice of your Committee; they consider the time has arrived when a definite rule should be adopted regarding them, and they recommend the passing of (lie motion, notice of which is in the agenda. Your Committee refer withgiatitudetothevisitoflle* . Dr. Hannay and Mr Henry Lee, representatives of theCongregationalUnion of England, and Wales. Although the visit was short and somewhat hunied they were enabled to spend two or three days in each of the four centre 0 , and see something ot the work in the various churches at these centres ; they weiealso enabled to spend a day each af Oamaru and Timaiu. They exi.i ess themselves as highly gratified with all they saw, and the kind leception they met with, and expiess regiet that' they were not able to be present at these meetings. The invitation of the Victorian Union to send delegates to the Jubilee meetings, to be held in Melbourne, was accompanied by a contribution on account of expenses of C6O, and expressed the hope that at the least four delegates would be sent. The Council of the Union at the last meeting nominated in anf'cipatioa only two, viz.. Rev. D. West and the Secretary. The Committee in proceeding to nominate two others found that a strong feeling existed in fa\ourof> the Chan man of the Union being delegated, and on a vote being taken for a fourth there was almost an equal division between a representative fiom Canterbury fnJ. one fiom Otago; the former was elected by a slight majority. Applications had already been made by members of the Union who were in Melbourne at the time to be accredited, one each from Auckland, Wellington and Canterbury. This made the representation of the Districts as follows (omitting the Secretary or Official) : Auckland, two ; Wellington, two; Canteibury, two ; lea\ing the large District of Otago nni epi esented. Under the circumstances the Committee accepted the responsibility of sendinga representative from Otago asafifth delegate, the Secretary to privately solicit t ubsciiptions from each disti'ict to cover the extra. Some of the districts did not respond, and hence a small deficiency, which has been charged to the Union funds. The gathering at Melbourne, extending o\er a fortnight, was a vei*y important one, perhaps the largest ever a&semb'ed in these colonies of representatives of Congregational churches. The subjects for consideration by papers at the meetings of delegates covered a wide range of practical woi kin connection with our churches, and were very ably discussed. The public meetings ;vere largely attended and very enthusiastic, the in'eresb being well sustained to the close. Sites Fund : In accordance with resolutions of last annual meeting, the Auckland Di-trict Committee after receiving the report of Key. H. J. Lewis of hia visit to (Jisborne, strongly recommended the purchase of a site at MaUaraka A suitable one was offered at a

cost £30, and the purchase was completed. This will bo used as a mission station in connection with Gisborne, but no further steps have been taken pending the settlement of a minister at Gisborne. The house propertyatlnvercargilliias not tor sometime realised the amount necessary to pay the interest on the mortgage Some repairs weie also necessary to the house, which have been executed. Tho balance of account with the agent, running over two years, required a payment of £58 4s 7d, which has been charged to the Sites Fund account, and this added to the cost of the Makaraka site, reduces the amount available in thit) fund to £19 14s 7d. The church at Kelson has not so far availed itself of the authority givon it at the last meeting bo sell its site. During the year a new and handsome building has been erected for the chinch at Wellington. The congiegation is to be cungiatulaled on the noble effort they ha\e put forth. The whole expendituie has been C 5,400, and it may be said to have been practical y opened tree from debt. The tinal adjustment of accounts has not yet taken place, but i>o far as ascertained the deficiency will not exceed £350. This is an example worthy of imitation by other churches. Finance : Your Committee have pleasure in reporting that the income from collections and subscriptions on behalf of the Union and mission work has steadily incieased. This, taken in connection with the depressed state of the colony during the past year, is cheering. The income has gone up from • £323 for the 15 months ending December 1887 to £335 tor the twelve months of the year 1888. There was, however, maigin for further exeition and liberality, as none of the districts except Wellington, which was treated exceptionally, have earned the lull amount which was voted to them last year. How long the Colonial Missionary Society may be able to render us assistaucec in the way of grants it is impossible to say, but we have alieady received warning that it may not last much longer. Theio is a strong feeling in England amongst the churches that the colonies arc sbi ong enough to help themselves ; the eflocb of a cable message duiing the s-ittmg ot the autumnal meetings that Victoria Mas raising Cloo,ooo after the great eflorb of paying oil all their debts as a Jubilee memonal helped to contiim this feeling. We have however oui special claims which will be fairly put before the Society. The indication however is that we must more and more diiect our energies to consolidation, and by united etlorls piepaio to place ourselves in an independent position. In cone usion your Committee icfer you to the district repot ts for process ot work in the vaiious distiicts. There is much to encourage and much to hope foi &o far as the tutuie is concerned. " Much land still remains to be possessed." May we go forward in the strength of the Lord of Hosts, whose servants we are. The Committee appointed dining the year the leprepentatives of the Committee to various distiicts, a property committee to athi'-e on all matters relating to the properties \ested in the Union. The transfer of trusts have been completed duiing the year in Maungaturoto, Berestord-street( Auckland), Trinity (Chrittchurch). The leports of the Auckland and Wellington Distiicts Committee. 0 weie also read and received. Notices of motion were handed in for consideration by the Refeience Committee, as follows: — " That an addiess ot welcome to Lord Onslow, to be drawn up by the Secretary and Rev. W. J. llabeus, B.A , be piesented to him on his arrival in New Zealand. Such addre h to be considered and passed before the close of the c c meetings. (2 ) That the lie\. Dr. Hannay be a-ked if he would kindly inseit a notice in the English Congregational year book requesting ministers when granting transfeis for membeis of their churches to New Zealand to post a &epaiate letter either to the General Secretary or any of thedistneb secretaiies ot this colony, stating that such members have left for certain poits in New Zealand, so that they may be looked up on arrival, and nob lo?t to us thiough the non-presentation or their letters of biansfer.'' I have been asked to introduce for your discussion the subject ot church guilds. I do so not because J ha\e ever had to do with organisations under that name, nor because the name has any charm for me, but that you may consider whether, under any name you please, it is possible and desiiable to increase the effectiveness of our churches by further classifying and organising the forces within them. Webster I defines a guild to be " an association of men belonging to the same claas, or engaged in kindred pui suits, formed for mutual aid and protection." And Chambers, in his encyclopaedia deri\ ing the word guild from the Saxon <pldan, to pay, says : " Guilds were originally associations of the inhabitants of particular towns, for promoting the common interests of the fraternity. They are said bo be of Saxon origin, bub {unquestionably similar institutions existed at a very early period among the southern, nations of Europe, where they were known by the namo of confraternities. In England guilds were in use during the Saxon rule, and se\eral records are preserved ot the purpo&es of these institutions. The Saxon guilds appear to have resembled our modern friendly societies. On condition ot a certain payment, the members were entitled to relief in case of sickness, and to protection from violence. At a later period' guilds were of two kinds, religious and secular. Both classes retained, as a general rule, the principle of mutual re - lief to the members in sickness ; but the former were established for the performance of works of charity, and for the regular observance of certain religious services ; while the main object of the latter was the advancement of the commercial interests of the fraternity. Jn order to the establishment of a guild— religious a* well as secular— it was necessary that it should receive the sanction of the sovereign, and. in the reign of Henry II several guilds were subjected to heavy fines, as having been established without that authority." The so-called chuich guilds of our day have become popular institutions of the high Anglicans, the mediaeval name being naturally to their liking. Bub because of their effectiveness for the objects for which they have been instituted, the name with variations of organisation, has been adopted somewhat widely by other churches for institutions serving a variety of ends. Hence we meet with young people's guilds, girls' guilds, young women's guild?, young men's guilds, and other varieties, and hnd the aims of the guilds to be as varied or more so than their composition. In short, any association, tor a specified object, ot persons connected with a church may be called a church guild, and I suppose "Chiibtian Guild" would be a not albogebher inappropriate name for a church itself. In our own body in Victoria were recently organised Jubilee Church Guilds — guilds of young people connected with the Sunday schools of the churches who were organised under that name to assist in raising the Victorian Congregational Jubilee Fund. About £1,000 of the fund ' were raised by their agency. Tho suggestion may be taken for what it is worth, if any effort is to be made ' presently to raise a fund to celebrate I !

I the Now Zealand Congregational Jubilee. I Recently in the Congregational Union of England and Waled the organisation of church guilds was strenuously advocated specially, though not exclusively, with reference to tho promotion ol the moral and spiritual welfare of young men. But how these organisations were to di/l'er from institutions already in existence having similar aims was not in all instances easy to show. The new name gave the opportunity to advocate the extension of some modes of operation which are themselves not new, and it is likely that there were instances in which church guilds were consequently formed where befoie no organL-ed effort was being made to accomplish the ends foi which the guilds were advocated. Whero the ends clesiied to be accomplished weie already being vigorously and successfully achieved, the new name would of course neither suggest better modes of procedure nor impart additional effectiveness to the modes in operation Both these states of things may possibly exist among us as a body in New Zealand. If by the consideration of this subject, those who aie doing effective work aro afforded an opportunity of disclosing to us thoir methods, and those who feel that they are not doing what might be done, receive helpful, practical suggestions, some good may reasonably be expected to result. But the meie creation of organisations where theie is not the Christian vitality to make them effective will not do much good, and may possibly do harm rather than good. On the other hand, there may be instances in which the effort to create an organisation may generate the foice to work it. The question then arises, What is the least we should be. content to do, beyond what is universally done, specially for the youths and maidens and the younger men and women of our congregations, in order that they may learn to approve things which are excellent, be guaiderf from evil, and be inspiied with zeal and wisdom in eveiy practicable foim of Christian service? and what organisation, if any, will be of service to accomplish what is desiied ? Almost univei sally we pio\ide Bible and Mutual Improvement Classes for youths and maidens and young men and women Js thero loom for an institution winch shall advantageously include in its aims more than these, for which the name Guild might aptly be appropriated a* a distinguishing designation ? For example, might we not have in connection with our churches, clubs or guilds for young women, young men, or young people of both sexe-i providing everything for them which is ordinarily provided by Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations, from a prayer-meet ins to a gymnasium, from a Bible-class to a chess table, from a Sunday Tcacheis' Eeteiencc Library to an amusing seiial, and from aggressive mission woi k to teasand picnics — an institution tor the promotion of friendship, and mutual helpfulness in the developingand safe-guaiding of Chtistian chaiactet and the piosecution of Christian work? The first necessity would be suitable accommodation. A libiary and maga/me 100 m where silence would be observed and a news room where conversation and quiet table L r ames could be indulged in would be requisite; and most of our ch'iiches have sepai ate rooms enough to supply this need if willing to u&e them for it. The same rooms, whero others would not be available, could also be used for religious and other educational classes, pi aver meetings, conferences, etc., at stated times and on special occasions. They would require to be open every evening ot the week with either a hired attendant always in charge, or chaige taken in lotation by competent members of the guild. It covered space weie provided, probably the young men would construct or by some means obtain their own gymnastic and industrial appliances, which could be more or less extensive according to circumstances, and aUo piovidc suitable storage for the guild's tennis, cricket and other athletic outdoor apparatus. In some instances the hiring of a neighbouring house affording the necessary rooms with ground for tennis lawn, bowling gieen and other advantages, wouki better meet the case. The opeiations of Fuoh a guild might take an endless variety of forms, including the foimation of auxiliaries lo the various societies and movements for the promotion of moral, social, missionary, and other philanthropic purposes as well as schemes of its own adapted to its own constituency, the sui rounding popu lation, the appliances available, and its own inherent strength and capabilities. No guild need be the exact Jac simile of another, nor because one guild develop^ all I tho possibilities need others differently circumstanced be discoiuaged from doing loss, if only they justify their existence by undertaking such things, and so much, as may be possible to them advantageously to do. But while Christian companionship, recieation, and moral and general educational advancement would be afforded by theseguilds, their aim should always be specially todevelopthespirituallifeof thomembers and engage them in aggressive Christian work. The guild should never be so organised as to be able to assume an attitude of independence towards the chinch. It should be an institution of, and subject to, the church, in ■which the pastor's iniluence as an intimate and helpful per-onal friend should be constantly felt, and his presence as its recognised head and the chief organiser and director of its aggressive Christian efforts should be ever \va\como. Young Men's and Young Women's Christian Associations apart from the churches should have neither reason nor room to exist. The ends sought to be accomplished by them are part of the propel work of the churches, and work the cost and responsibily of which the churches as such should therefore cheerfully undertake. As already indicated this brief paper has been written to order, and not because the wiiter claims any special qualification to produce it. But it has been written with the feeling that thero should be a cheerful response to the demands our Union Executive makes upon our individual services, in order that tho work of this Union, and the anxieties ot that work, may fall as lightly as possible upon those who are charged with the very considerable labour and responsibility ot conducting its operations. It is not necessary to enlarge. The subject is important, and it will be gratifying if your discussion of it throws upon ib further light. After his paper, M r Walker read from the February number of the " Australian Independent " a brief statement of the recent history of the guild movement in the Home Country, and also the following suggestions respecting guilds, published by the Congregational Unions of England and Wales :— Suggestions as to the Formation of Congregational Church Guilos. — (1) Any person desiring the formation of a guild should confer with the pastor, with the officers of existing; societies, and with leadei's among the young people. (2) On an adequate amount of co-operation being secured, a meeting should be summoned by circular, in which the object is fully set forth. With this circular should be sent a copy of the draft rules prepared by the Special Committee of tho Union. (3) At this meeting the Guild should be formed by tho adoption of the draft rulo3, with Buch modifications as rhe circumstances of Hie congregation may require by the ap-

pointmenb of officers, and, as far as possible, of the branch committees. : Ruler Suggested i-or Guilds Formed IN CONNECTION W ITU CONGREGATIONAL . Chukcjies. — [1) Name— Young People's . Guild. (2) Object— To associate the young people of the congregation in exercises tending to intellectual, moral, and spiritual progress, in various foims of Christian i service, and in healthy recreation. (3) • Membership — 1. All young people coni neoted with the congregation shall be eligible for membership (children should i be grouped into separate branches). 2. Others connected with the congregation > who may wish to co operate in promots ( ing the objects ot the guild shall be ■ eligible for honoiary membership. Ens rolment will take place on the payment of the specified subscription. [The terms ' of subscription should vary according to i the circumstances of the congregations, ■ and honorary membership should be de- • pendeno on an annual contribution.] (4) ' Branches. — The guild shall comprise branches for such ot the objects stated in i the list appended hereto as it may be agreed ; to include among the objects ot the guild. ; (f>) Branch Committees : A separate Com- \ mittee shall be appointed tor each branch, ! and each such Committee shall appoint its own convener. (6) General Council : For i the promotion of the harmonious and i vigorous action of the several branches, and > for the furtherance of special ends contistent with the general put poses of the guild, but not included in any i of its blanches, a General Council shall i be formed consisting of the members of • the seveial branch committees, with the i officers of the guild. (7) Officers — The ; officers shall be the President (pastor exolHdo), Vice - President, Treasurer and i Secretary. (8) Standing Committee foi General Purposes— The officers ot the Council and the conveners of the several bianch i committees shall foim aStanding Committee to dcteimine any questions which may arise i in intervals of the meetings of the Council. (9) Meetings — Two general meetings of the guild shall beheld annually at dates suitable for the commencement ot the winter . and summer session. The meeting held at • the opening of the winter sest-ion shall be the annual meeting, at which the officers shall be elected, reports received from the branches, and the branch committees appointed. (10) The guild shall be connected with the National Council of Congiegational Guilds. Branches Which m vy be Coihtrisld iv 1 Conokkoational Guild*. — [It is not contemplat<;d that in any one congregation nil the branches here named should be comprised, and it should be understood that the particulars indicated under the several headings aie in many ease 9 alternative.] Religious Knowledge Branches: (I) Pastor's class. (2) Classes for Congregational Union examinations. (3) Lay Preacheis' Preparation Class ; (4) Bible Clas-es other than the pastor's, and not organically connected with the Sundayschool : (5) Christian Band ; (6) Christian Endeavour Societies. Religious Work or Mission Branches — (1) Invitation Society; (2) Tract Society ; Open-air Sen ice Bands ; (4) Home and Foieign Missions. White Cross Branch — The objects of this branch should be : — (a) To treat all women with respect, and endeavour to protect them from wrong and degradation. (b) To endeavour to put down all indecent language and coarse jebts. (c) To maintain the law ot purity as equally binding upon men and women, (d) To endeavour to spread these principles among companion--, and to try to help younger brethren, (c) To use every possible means to fulfil the command, "Keep thyself puie." Temperance and Thrift Blanches : (1) Band of Hope, (2) Adult Temperance Society, (3) Provident Clubs. Literary and Dialectical Branches : (1) Debating or Mutual Improvement Society ; or (2) Public Meeting and Speech Club, (3) Reading Union or Book Club, <4) Lecture or Literarj Evenings, (5) Nature Club, (6) Educational and Technical Classes. Social Recreation Branches : (1) Gymnasium, (2) Conversaziones, Concerts, (3) At Homes, (4) Readingroom Amusements, (5) Summer Ramble«, (6) Football, (7) Ciicket, (8) Tennis, (9) Cycling, (10) Boating or Swimming Clubs, (11) Garden Parties. Devotional and Moial : Provision should be made, under the auspices of the General Council, for special gatherings at stated intervals for devotional purposes, for the promotion of social parity, and for other kindred objects. Note. -Guilds or associations adopting other mles than those suggested by the Union may likewise be connected with the National Council. It is desirable that the guilds should forward the syllabus of each session to the Secretary of the National Council. There were several visitors present, and in the discussion which ensued the following took pait: — Revs. Habens, Miller, Dr. West, Evans, Thomas, Williams, Bradbury, Hampden. Cook, Messrs Broadbent, Milne, Leßailly, Smeeton, and Captain Daldy. It was resolved that the following draft constitution of a New Zealand Council of Congregational Church guilds be adopted in its entirety, as a working plan for the union of any such guilds as may come into existence and be willing to avail themselves of the means of union it affords :—l.: — 1. Name : New Zealand Council of Congregational Guilds. 2. Object : To promote the objects of the young people's guilds in general, and in particular (a) to circulate information in regard to the work of the guilds, and bring them into correspondence with one another ; (b) to arrange tor geneial conferences or meetings; (c) to give counsel on questions touching the interests of the guilds ; (d) to arrange for examinations in religious knowledge ; (c) to provide at intervals visitors or lecturers to local guilds in theinteiests of social purity and other subjects. (3) Appointment: This Councilfhall beappointed annually by the Congregational Union at its annual busiuess meeting. It shall consist of 24 members, half ot whom shall be ministers and half laymen, along with the chairman and secretary of the Union, who shall be ex officio members. 4. Meetings : An annual meeting shall be held in connection with the annual meetings of the Union, at which a repoit of the year's work shall be submitted, and a pie-i-dent, secretary, and committees for the year elected. A popular meeting shall also be held in. connection with the annual meetings. 5. Committf es : The Council shall appoint the following committees : — (a) To ariange for examinations in religious knowledge ; (b) to arrange for bringing the subject of social purity periodically before the local guilds ; (o) for general purposes. Of these committees the secretary of the Council phall be the convener 6. Such guilds, or similar societies, shall be associated with the Council as are recommended by the church or by the pastor of the church with which they are connected, on the payment of a subscription of not less than 2s 6d annually. It was further resolved, on the motion of Rev. Mr Walker, that the following be appointed the Congregational Church Guilds Council for the ensuing year : — Otago : Revs. E. Walker, F. Seth-Smith, A. H. Wallaco, and Messrs R. C. Jonos, Robert Rae, and J. Harvvood. Canterbury : Revs. J. Hoatsou, C. H. Bradbury, E.

Austin, and Messrs Beecham, Clifford, and Ferrier. Wellington : Revs W. J. Habens, 8.A., W. Powell, R. J. Williams, and Messrs. Holdsworth, Broad bent, and Smart. Auckland : Revs. J. Chew, H. J. Lewis, H. W. J. Miller, and Messrs. R. Gubterridge, W. Service, and IT. J. LeBailly. The afternoon session was closed by Rev. J. Williams leading in prayer. A public service was held in the evening. Rev. E. Austin, of Timaru, conducted the meeting and a sermon was delivered by the Rev. F. Sebh Smith, of Oamaiu. Rev. Jos. Chew presided o\er a united communion service.