CANTERBURY BAPTISTS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21179, 1 June 1934, Page 9

CANTERBURY BAPTISTS

AUXILIARY REPORTS ON YEAR'S WORK ACTIVITIES YIGOUOI SLY 1 MAINTAINED Though the year was an anxious one the denominational activities of the Canterbury auxiliary of the Baptist Church of New Zealand were vigorously maintained, states the report which will be presented to the annual meeting of the auxiliary to-morrow. "Close touch has been maintained witn all the churches by auxiliary deputation:;! visitation." .''tales the report, "and in addition the president 'the Rev. ,J. K. Archer) has paid a numlvei of visits for Sunday preaching f.nd on special occasions. In this way the auxiliary has been keptaware of local problems and help has ; been proffered ;u a number of j causes." j There are two "acanf churches m Hie district, Spreydon and Oxford. The Rev. J, J. Carlisle .supplied at Spreydon for a period of three months, concluding at Hie end of February. 1!j34. Mr E. I'. Y. Simpson. Baptist student, supplied the pulpit at Lincoln for part, of the long vacation, and his ministry was much appreciated. Mr W. Bobbins undertook the oversight of the Lincoln church for several months, and the executive records its appreciation of his help. "We are glad to report that no ministerial changes have taken place in our auxiliary district, but we hear with regret of the impending departure of the Rev. E. V/. Batts from the Ashburton church."' states the report. "Mainly through the initiative of Vir Archer. a Sunday school was begun in the West Spreydon pubbe school in .filly, 1933. The work has mown, and the Sunday school hall is now approaching 40 scholar-;. A section has been purchased in Lytic!ton street, and this has been vested in tine Baptist Union. Organisation is now in hand to provide a Sunday school building. and an evening service will ; be commenced us soon as aceommoda- j tif<n is available. Mr Archer has un- ■ r'eriaken to act as honorary pastor for . the tirst 12 months. In all the above : progress our president has been aided ; by Mrs Archer, and we record our appreciation of her help. Assistance by Levy "The executive would urge the churches to realise how essential it is for them to accent the obligation to contribute a levy cf 3d a member per annum to the funds of the auxiliary. A grant of £ls for sundries is received annually from the Baptist Union, but this is quite inadequate to meet pressing demands. The pay- . ment of the church levy enables the j executive to prosecute a helpful pol- j icy. especially towards the aided and j weaker causes. Many appeals are re- j

; eeived for oversight, and often for monetary aid, and all this means expenditure. By the united co-operation of all churches in this regard the I auxiliary is able to approach the prob- ! lems constructively and helpfully. ! "The resolution approved at the annual meeting in June, 103:5, regarding the application to the Baptist Union for the sum of £75 for the purpose of placing a home missionary in Westland for three months received the commendation of the Baptist Assem- : bly in October, 1933, and a promise of £75 was made through the Home Mission Board of the Baptist Union. "It has not been possible to carry out this plan, and a modified form of visitation has again been adopted. The Rev. E. T. Jones visited the Baptists in Westland during May. "Two auxiliary and church officers' teas have been held, one on August 21, 1933, when Dr. J. J. North stressed the claims of the Baptist College; the second on February 26, 1934. when thr. president of the Baptist Union (Mr W. J. Bardsley) outlined proposals for progressive work. These proposals have been considered by the executive, both in committee and in the general meeting, and the findings have been conveyed to Mr Bardsley. Visitors to District ■ "Dr. J. J. North,' prinpical of the ! Baptist College, has paid several visits to Canterbury during the year, and he always receives a warm welcome m our * province. Mr Bardsley, together with Mrs Bardsley. paid un extended visit to our auxiliary district in February of this year, speaking to church officers at tea on February 26 at the Oxford Terrace church, and addressing a large rally at. a later gathering. "We were pleased to welcome also the Rev. J. J. Carlisle, Dominion evangelist, and Miss A. L. Cowles. missionary on furlough, undertook deputations! work in our area, lhe Dominion secretary, the Rev. M. \\. P. Lascelles. was present during April, and attended the monthly executive gathering on the second day of that month. Miss Beckingsalc attended the executive meeting on May 23. and was cordially welcomed. "We are indebted once again to IWr 11. Jones for his audit of the auxiliary accounts-, and we appreciate, too the help of our honorary solicitor. Mr K. G Archer, for his legal aid. To those who have occuuied pulpits and to those who have supplied motor transport wo record our gratitude.