ANGLICAN CHURCH.
WAIRARAPa members in CONFERENCE. An important conference of mem • bera of the Anglican Church in the Wairarapa was held yesterday. In the morning the Holy Communion was celebrated in S. Matthew's Church, the Bishop of Wellington preaching from Ist Peter 4-10. In the afternoon and evening the conference met in the schoolroom, the Bishop acting as chairman. The proceedings were opened with .prayer, and the recitation of the Apostles Creed. Then followed an interesting paper cn "Christian Science and Mental or Spiritual healing," by the chairman, which entered so fully into the subject that it is impossible to detail it here, and it is understood that the Bishop will allow the paptr to be printed at an early date. After discussion on the opening paper, Rev. C. li. Isaacson, of Pahiatua, introduced the subject of "The Church's Work Among Youne Women." The speaker drew attention to the importance and difficulty of this work. He also pointed out that no special system of work could be mentioned, as the method of work must be adapted to the varying needs of different parishes. All work, however, must be built up upon the foundation.of Jesus Christ.
This subject waß further dealt with by Rev. A. T. B. Page, of Grey' town, who mentioned .some of the difficulties that had to be met and overcome in the work. He drew attention to the unspiritual condition of a great deal of home life, and also to the class of literature largely read by young women of to-day. Then, 100, there was the neglect of duties by God parents. The church must, if possible keep the young women in active membership from the time of their Confirmation. Every effort should be made to teach the necessity of self discipline in Church life, home life, and individual life; also of thb responsibility due to superiors, subordinates, and God. Mrs VVa 11 is laid stress upon the necessity of workers having a personal individual knowledge of those amongst whom they worked. The speaker enlarged on tne spheres of work amnnust young women in which she, herself, was engaged, viz.. the Women's Hostel, which provid s h home and accommodation for yuunij women students; St Mary's Guild, which is engaged in church rescue work. Miss Whittaker described the work of the Girls" Friendly Society, which might be called "the Society of Organised Friendship." Their ideal is that no girl should be Without a friend. They strove for purity of thought, word and deed, and to make it possible for a life of purity to be lived by every woman. The society endeavours to form Lodges in large centres, where girls, may find a home and visiting girls to the town may be sheltered. They also endeavoured to find situations for girls and to spread pood literature.
EVENING SESSION. This session was opened before a large attendance by the Rev. J. D. Russell, who speaking on the subject of "'How to win men to active membership of the church," drew attention to the help received from the "Church of England Men's Society," in achieving this object. This society was tu help men to realise an active brotherhood. He contended that laymen should feel the responsibility ot work. Mr R. G. House, of Peiorie, | impressed upon his hearers that this object could only be achievthose who were active, workers themselves. One of the chief causes of the absence of men from church was that they were not sufficiently made welcome. He spoke of the work of the branch of theC.E.M.S. in Petone. The next speaker, Mr J. W. Blackman, pointed out Jthree barriers which prevented men from cotninj
to church, viz., diffidence, independence, ignorance of the church and her history. The first two he considered could be remedied by personal influence and steady example. Friendliness should be encouraged and the abolition of seat rents would greatly help to this end. The ignorance that exists about the church, her teaching and usefulness, is partly due to the conditions under which we live. In overcoming this the C.E.M.S. might prove very helpful. The Bishop thought that men were not mads bUflkiently welcome when they came to church. They heard of a Father in Heaven and they did not always find brothers on earth. The spcond subject for discussion was entitled "The of the Ch'Tcii with r gard to thu Acquisition and Possession of Wealth " The Rev. V. H. Kilcat said that Christianity was not a svstem but an unveiling of God. It appealed to the Spirit within, jt laid dawn the principle of man's duty to God and to his neighbour, but it left men to work out the application. Christianity insists on r.he responsibility of wealth, the rich are cautioned against pride, and that they must give an account of the use they have made of their wealth. The tithe cf the Ola Testament as well es the Gospels teach that we should give a proportion to God. Our aim should be duty not gain, service not selfishness, and even Mr Carnegie had said "that it is a low and vulgar ambition to amass money/' We are to seek fast the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Mr J. T. Fowler pointed out that the Christian message on this subject was of no uncertain sound, and might be divided under two heads —(1) Wealth is a trust, which must be administered faithfully; (2) in particular cases abandonment is advised ("sell all that thou hast and give to the poor")- This call was accepted by the early Church of Jerusalem, and by Christiana of early days. Bishops vied with each other in charity. Sympathy existed in different dioceses. If there was a famine in Africa grain was sent from Gaul and Rome. Nor had the English Church forgotten her responsibility. He quoted several of the resolutions of the Lambeth Conference of 1908, pointing out that property was a trust, held in trust for the community and its right u«e should be insisted on, and drawing attention to the moral responsibility involved in investments.
Kev. W. Raine pointed out that Christ did not propound a social scheme —He spoke to the individual. ISocietv was not to reform the individual, but the individu ll to reform society. It was noticeable tiat the Master'** friends anc followers were drawn from all classes, rich as well as poor. Like the former speaker, he insisted that riches were entrusted us and that under certain conditions they should be surrendered. If they interfered with the right development of character they should be abandoned. It was stated that in Great Britain a third oi the income went to a thirtieth of the people In the Unitiid States the inequality was greater. Amongst us there were the superabundantly rich who had everything they desired and also the poor who could not even buythe necessities of life. Inequality in itself was not evil; it was a mark of social pro gress. But such extreme inequality was a mark of social disorder and ought to be rectified.
Mr Holtz said that to.acquire riches was difficult but not impossible, Hnd tn acquire riches without vi"lating the principles of Christianity was nuce difficult, but even that was no* impossible. It was not easy to find a test for the golden rulu "to do unto others as you woud be done by" which was easily evaded, it being difficult to put one's self in another's place. Wealth chiefly comes through three sources commerce. With regard to the first a man must not acquire land whtch he does not Intend to use. With regard to the second source the employer must guard against employees living squalid and miserable lives—they should copy the example of Cadbury andL ever. With regard to the third source speculation in the necessities of life, corners and trusts in food stuffs were hardly Christian. He insisted not only on the duty of using wealth to the best advantage but of seeking such opportunities to do so.
Mrs Wallis spoke of evils that might result from high rents demanded in the towns of this Do
m'nion. Rev. R. Young (Carterton) said that God never meant that thtrshould be grinding poverty, drudgery and ignorance. With regard to every reform that deals with these evils the Church should lead the way. At the close of the conference the Vicar expressed a hope that it would become an annual event.
The proceedings then concluded, the Bishop giving the Blessing.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9654, 19 November 1909, Page 5
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1,414ANGLICAN CHURCH. Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9654, 19 November 1909, Page 5
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