BAPTIST SESSION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 238, 8 October 1936, Page 3

BAPTIST SESSION.

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY.

YEAR OF GOOD ACTIVITY. HOPES FOR THE FUTURE. The work of the 54th annual assembly of the Baptist Union of New Zealand was continued in'the Baptist Tabernacle this morning with a devotional service. The Rev. C. B. Boggis, of Hastings, preached the union sermon, taking for his text Matthew v., 47: "What do ye more than others?" Mr. Boggis dealt with the distinctiveness of the Christian character. It was still a serious thing to lie a Christian, he said, and loyalty to Christ demanded the maintenance of an outstanding Christian character. The Rev. H. E. Edridgc conducted the service and presided at the Communion service which followed. There were nearly 200 delegates present, nearly every church in the Dominion being represented. Greetings were received from a number of Baptists who were unable to be present. The annual report presented by the secretary, the Rev. M. W. P. Lascelles, stated that a new church hat', been erected at Greymouth and the cause was flourishing there under the care of the Rev. F. A. Parry. New school halls had been erected at Nelson and South Dunedin and the Auckland Tabernacle had been completely modernised. The membership of the churches contained in the assembly now totalled 9023. During years of depression the work of the union had been maintained at full strength. The self-denial fund had yielded £2142, and £1503 had been subscribed for extension work on the West Coast. Nearly half the members of the young men's and women's Bible classes were also members of the Church. "Great changes are passing over the modern world, which is looking for a new order of society," the report concluded. "The Dominion is venturing upon new paths, and new problems are confronting Christ's Church with their challenge. In the Gospel of Jesus Christ we have resources vast enough for our utmost needs." The reports of the Auckland, Canterbury, Otago and Southland auxiliaries were presented this morning. This evening a Bible demonstration will be held in the Unity Hall, the title being "Simon the Leper," and to-morrow morning more reports will be discussed.