CONGREGATIONALISM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 195, 15 February 1912, Page 7

CONGREGATIONALISM.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Congregational Union to-day, the Rev. J. McClure (Dunedin) read an address on "The theological trend of British Congregationalism." The old committee of the examining board was re-elected, with the additions of Rev. Glasson and Hird.

On the recommendation of the finance it was decided to grant Greenlane £125 and Timaru £IOO, also that the following grants be allowed for the ensuing year:—Te Kuiti £SO, Pio Pio £llO, Raglan £7O, Mangawai £7O, Kawhia £llO, Sydenham £SO, St. Clair £45, Nelson £46 ss, Masterton £7o. It was decided that the following allocations be obtained from the district treasurers for the ensuing year:—Auckland £2-20, Wellington £164, Canterbury £6l, Otago £182., ~ Messrs T. Forsyth and 1 A. W. Beaven were appointed to wait on the Otago sommittee to try and persuade the members to collect the full amount of the allocation. I

It was decided, on the recommendation of the finance committee—(l) That no removal expenses be paid in future to churches other than mission churches; (-2) that the sum of £63 on the balancesheet for the 1 removal of ministers be struck out; (3) and that the sum of £B7 15s 10d, loans due to extension account, be transferred to capital account.

The registrar's report was read. Mem-, | bers at the close of the year were 2782 and at the commencement 2683, a net gain of 492, the smallest for some years. The Canterbury district shows an increase of 14 per cent., Auckland an increase, while Wellington remained stationary, but has increased its total of non-residential members. Otago shows a considerable decrease, due mainly to the revision of the roll by the St.* Clair church. The position, therefore, can •hardly be considered as satisfactory. The Sunday school figures are rather better, the substantial increase of last year being maintained, this being ,ent, tirely due to the Auckland district, Canterbury being practically the same, .while Wellington and Otagb both show losses.; Sunday school scholars at the close of the year were 3275, at the commencement 3148, a net gain of 16. Church property shows an increase at the close of the year of £67,038, at the commencement £64,31®, a net increase of £2720. Debits on church property have been reduced- by £B6B 18s, and now amount k> £6629 Bs. The combined value.of church I and manse properties, after deductions of all debits, is £69,553.