NEW ZEALAND CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 457, 26 March 1890, Page 6

NEW ZEALAND CONGREGATIONAL UNION.

Auckland, March 20. A public meeting was held last nightin the Beresford-street Church in connection with the Auckland district of the Congregational Union of New Zealand. The attendance was not large. Mr J. Elkin presided and briefly opened the proceedings. The Rev. B. L. Thomas gave an address upon the Union’s work. He detailed the . work done ab the recent meeting of the Union. He mentioned that the past year had been one of trial, in consequence of the depression having caused a falling off of funds,and also owing to the removal of people from various districts. In some places churches had been maintained ab a sacrifice, and in other churches had been allowed to amalgamate with others, as at the case Thames, where they had united with the Baptists. The grantstochurcheswould belessthis year than heretofore. Auckland would receive only £75, and in future it would be at the rate of £ for £ subscribed. The Parsons’ Retiring Fund was not in as good a position as could have been wished. He heard that there had been two offers of £SO each towards this fund, provided £I,OOO was raised during the year. However, Captain Williams, who was one that had offered £SO, was since dead, so that was gone. The speaker then mentioned the various papers which had been read at the meetings of the Union. Speaking of gambling, Mr Thomas said that the Union were unanimous in their decision that this vice should be discouraged in whatever form it was met with. In referring to the paper on Bible-reading in public schools, Mr Thomas said that ho recognised it as a most ticklish and dangerous question to meddle with, as it might place a weapon in the hands of those who had ever been the enemies of religious progress and liberty of conscience. (Applause.) Mr Thomas said that the meetings of the Union had been most harmonious, and they all recognised the necessity of getting the people more in touch with the Union. The Chairman referred to Captain •Williams’ death, and said it warned them that the standard-bearers were falling, arid there was a necessity for young men to come forward and fill the places thus rendered vacant.

A hymn was then sung, after which Mr Davidson, of Maungaturoto, made a few remarks upon the work done in his district. He said they were holding their ground,but not increasing, as there was nothing to in crease.

Mr J. E. Moore, District Secretary, next reported upon the work done in the Auckland district.. He stated that there had been a numerical loss in both churches arid schools owing to the many that had gone away from the colony. Another thing was that the. church ab Gisborne had, after a long struggle, been compelled to close. They hoped that in thefubure those churches might again be opened. In the Auckland, district they had 8 churches, with 1,600 adherents and 644 members ; 56 had been admitted to membership during the year, and 43 had withdrawn. There were 9 Sunday - schools, having 1,065 scholars and 116 teachers. During the year 200 scholars had left. The present estimated value of church property iri the Auckland district was £12,190, of which £2,680 was still owing. The Rev. Mr Hamer was still conducting his mission to the Refuges and the Gaol, which was really an interesting work. At the Thames, the Congregational and Baptist churches were now united under the pastorate of the Rev. Mr Woolley, but both bodies were still distinct and independent. Their receipts during the year had been £199 18s 6d, and the. expenditure £lB4 4s lid.

Reference was also made, to the removal of the Revs. Livens and Hampden Cook, and the death of Mr John Milne.

A collection was next made, after which the Rev. H. J. Lewis delivered an interesting address upon “ Congregationalism— Its Place and Work in the Life of To-day. ” The meeting closed with the usual devotional exercises. . i;;