RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 255, 27 October 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

PRESENT-DAY OUTLOOK. (Contributed.) BAPTIST UNION CONFERENCE. CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCES. There was an attendance of 160 delegates at the New Zealand Baptist Union Conference, which was held at Chrietchurch recently, Mr. S. Barry (Auckland) presiding. In his opening address, the Rev. E. Nicholls, of Ponsonby, dealt with the experiences which came into a Christian's life in following Christ. He took as his subject, "Discipleship," and for iie text the words, "Follow thou Me." (John, xxi. 22). The preacher classed the experiences into three groups. The first experience was that of a Bethlehem birth, which was the work of regeneration. Secondly came a Jordan baptism by which one was imbued with the Holy Spirit. Thirdly, was the experience of a Nazareth life, which consisted of learning that comes before knowing, doing, or having. These experiences were identical with the experiences of Christ Himself, but care should be taken not to reproduce Christ as stereotyped, mechanical, or a figure for mere imitation. A Galilean ministry devoted to unselfish service for God and humanity comprised the fourth experience. In the secgnd group were embodied the experiences of suffering and sacrifice. These were the trials of the wilderness, temptation, a Gethsemane suffering, which, implied feeling the weight of the world's sins, a Calvary sacrifice, and a willingness to bo forgotten. The third group comprised the experiences of the transfiguration mount, the resurrection morning, and an ascended life, which were typified by gladness and glory and which completed the Christian life. The preacher concluded by exhorting Christians to follow Christ through these experiences, bearing in mind that the dominant note of was sacrifice.

The new church at New Lynn was received into the Union on the motion of the Rev. John Hiddleston.

Secretary's Report.

The report of the general secretary for the Dominion, the Rev. W. M. P. LascelJes, stated: —The membership of the churches at August 31, 1927, was 7217. Additions totalled 716, removals 548, showing membership totalling 7385 at August 31, 1928, giving an increase for the year of 108. There were 406 baptises, 322 of which were for membership, showing a decrease of 9 on the previous year. The year had witnessed great activity in new buildings, churches having been erected at Palmerston North, Hawera, New Lynn, Island Bay, and Linwood. The event of the year in connection with the Baptist College, Auckland had been the opening of a building at Mount Hobson, presented by seven donors. Alterations effected in the property and furnishing of the college exceeded £1000, which was fully subscribed, and the building had been opened, free of. debt. With reference to the proposed second Children's Home for the South Island, the auxiliaries of Canterbury, Otago, and Southland decided that the time was not opportune for the inauguration of such a movement. The financial statement showed a small credit balance due to the generosity of the Auckland Tabernacle Church, which had made a gift of £1000 for denominational funds, £250 of which was for the Union. A legacy of £2000 ;• td bfen left unconditionally to the Union by Mrs. Williams, of Cambridge. The offerings received from the week of Prayer, Self Denial, and Thinksgiving had totalled £1700. During the year the churches and college had received a visit from the Rev. W. T. Whitley, a noted Baptist scholar and the chhrch at Esk Street, Invercargill, celebrated its jubliee. The fourth Congress of the Baptist World Alliance had been held Toronto during June. New Zealand was represented by the secretary of the Union, the Rev. M. W. P. Ltußcelles. , . Finance.

The financial statement showed expenditure £1680, and receipts £1820, leaving a credit balance of £140. The total sum which passed through the office, covering, a period of eleven months, amounted to £17,443. The year showed a shrinkage in contributions from .the churches towards the Union funds of £238.

The report, of the Manurewa Children's, Home, showed the average number of children in residence, to be '65.8, the total admissions to date being 518. The total contributions by churches, Sunday schools, and Bible classes totalled £306, a big decrease on previous years., .The endowment fund showed a steady growth, totalling £5425.

College Committee. : The third annual report of the College Committee stated that during the year there had taken place the .dedicatory and opening services of the new college at Mount Hobson, Auckland. A signal honour had been conferred .on the college in., the. recognition, of <the principal, Dr. J. J. North, by the MacMaster University. There were nine students in residence at the college. Several applications for admission had been received. Two promising applications had been deferred owing to youthfulness and inability to reach the required educational standard for entrance.