CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 87, 14 April 1941, Page 3

CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE

GATHERING AT GREYMOUTH

(P.A.)

GREYMOUTH, Sundav

The twenty-first annual conference of the Associated Churches of Christ is being held in Grey mouth and Mr. J. I\. Robinson, minister at Nelson, is presiding over about 200 delegates. Dr. J. E. G. Richards, of Auckland, was elected president of the Dominion conference. The location of the 19 k! conference is to b; Wellington.

In his presidential address Mr. Robinson. on appealing for congregational and personal life, which commended the plea of the. Churches, said that when from the watch towers of the. world we see one body of Christ arise. Christianity will be meeting the urgent human need of the hour.

In presenting the report of the general executive and home mission committee. Mr. M. Vickery, of Wellington, referred to the definite development in home mission churches and increased qualifications of the preachers; £2430 waraised tor centennial aims and two preachers were commissioned during the year. Chaplain Captain W. Harford and Chap'ain Captain J. Crawford. Botii were in the southern district, the latter having entered Burnham camp on January 7 with the Territorials.

Mr. Y. C. Stafford, in referring to the Biblc-in-schools league pointed oqt that in almost 090 schools 100.000 children were receiving instruction in the Bible under the X els on system. The principal, Mr. A. L. Haddon, M.A., in reporting on a meting convened by the Archbishop of Xew Zealand for the purpose of forming a. National Council of Churches, said "Christian unity is something we should practise as well as preach."

Mr. r. Bolton (Xc'son), in his report on foreign mission work in Southern Rhodesia, said that the increasing responsibility of the native Church was evidenced in the higher standard of education, improved offerings, a widened field of medical service, and an increase in membership of 360. Financial support from the Xew Zealand churches had increased by £719.

Mr. Haddon reported on the Bible college "Glen Leith" at Dunedin, where 11 students were in training for the ministrv.

Two Bible class camps, directed by the Dominion youth leader, Mr. W. R. Hibburt, and being held in conjunction with the conference, are 'being attended by 130 young people.

Greetings were extended by the Rev. A. D. Horwell on behalf of the Ministers' Association, and Mr. G. M. Truman for the local church.

A youth demonstration was given today by the campers to an audience of 500, while 450 communicants attended morning worship, at which Mr. E. P. Alderman, of Auckland, addressed the conference.