CONGREGATIONAL UNION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 234, 11 February 1911, Page 5

CONGREGATIONAL UNION

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin,' Thursday. The annual conference of the Congregational Union opened to-day, a large number of delegates being present. The Rev. A. E. Hunt, of Timnru, presided. The annual report recorded a year of satisfactory progress. The number of new members in 1010 showed an increase over the two preceding years, but the losses were also greater. The net gain was 111. Sunday .School pupila increased from 2800 to 3148; church property increased by £.z<iio, and was now worth £04,318. 'The debt on property had increased hv .-CI 100, and was now £7398 Cs. A proposal in favor of undertaking denominational work in the Vvanganui district was approved, and referred to the Finance Committee.

PASTORS' PROVIDENT FUND. Dunedin, Last' Night. The Congregational Union Conlereuce was continued to-day. In the matter of the report of the Pastors' Provident Fund Board on a suggested alteration to the rules, it was intimated that Mr. X. H. Lyon and Mr. Fowlds were unable to attend. It was resolved to communicate with Mr. Lyon, informing him that the Council would deal with rule o, but would defer, consideration until next conference. The proposed alteration to rule 5, if put into elfect, would admit of the board receiving all ministers at present working in the New Zealand Congregational Churches as beneficiary members, but will not open the door to aged .ministers subsequently arriving in tbie Dominion. An interesting paper on the function of the rhurch was read by the Rev. I. Sarginson.