BAPTIST UNION

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 19, 17 October 1917, Page 8

BAPTIST UNION

ANNUAL MEETING. The Baptist Union of New Zealand determined that .its annual conference should not be held this year owing to the exigencies of the war, but that tho necessary business should be transacted by tho executive. The executivo met for the first time last evening in the Vivian Street Church. There were present:— The Ecvs. J. Archer (president), W. S. Rollings (vice-president), R. S. Gray (secretary), A. North, J. J. North, I''. Oldrieve, and W. H. Hinton, and Messrs. C. Cathie, L. C. Garlick, A. F. Carey, W. Shipley, T. E. Ton.eyclifi'e, A. Hoby, and H. 11. Driver. Apologies were mado for the absence of tho Revs. C. Dallaston and Knowles-Ivempton, and Mr. A. S. Adams.

Tho session was opened by prayer by tho Rev. A. North and Mr. A. F. Carey. Telegrams of sympathy were voted to Mr. Israel, of Whangorei, on the death of his son-at the front, and to Mr. Robert Milligan, of Oamaru, on tho death of his mother.

The Rev. A. S. Rollings was appointed minute secretary, and Mr. H. H. Elriver reporter to tho local Press. ' The secretary, the Rev. R. S. Gray, presented his annual report, which abi.V reviewed the work of tho churches during the year. It stated that the churches had lost nearly all their availuble men through enlistment, but that spiritual work had been carried on with great earnestness. Many changes had occurred in tho ministerial ranks of the Union. The Rev. Joseph Clark had groatly holpod the church at Cambridge, the Rev. W. Lambert had settled at Whangarei, tho Rev. A. C. Seivwright at New Plymouth, the Rev. A. Anstice at Mount Albert, tho Roy. S. Maiden at Morrinsville. the Rev. J. .7. .Tones, 8.A., at Thames, the Rev, J. Laird, 8.A., at Nelson. the Rev. O. M'Hattic at Spreydon, Pastor C. S. Matthews at Ashburton, t.li 9 Rev. F. H. Radford at Mount Eden, the Rev. S. W. .Tonkin at TVanganui, Pastor ,T. Nicliolls at Sou(h Dunedin, the Rev. C. D. Gardiner at Feilding, and the Rev. Reuben Bailey at Richmond. The Rev. Howard Elliott had resigned the church at Mount. Edon to becomo organising secretary of tho Protestant Political Association, and tbo Rev. .Tames Jup had resigned his pastorate at Richmond to join tho Presbyterian Church. The Rev. H. B. Hughos, M.A., had done excellent work at Invcrcargil], and Mr. J. H. Stephens at North Invercargill. Mr. C. W. Duncunib, who had recently completed his studies for tho Baptist ministry, had undertaken chargo of the church at Riccarton. Tho Rov. .1. K. Archer had resigned his pastorate at Vivian Street, Wellington, to bccoino chaplain in the Tauherenikau Military Camp. The interest of tho denomination in tho Manurewa Children's Home was well maintained. Tho "Now Zealand Baptist" had flourished under the virile editorship of tho Rev. J. ,J. North, and tho efficient managership of the Rev. W. H. -Hinton. Tho membership of the churches began with 5838. Tho additions had been: By baptism, 101; by transfer, 181; by other, means, 68; total, 440. Tho losses had been: By death, 71; by trans- 1 fer, 153; "by rovision of roll, 148; total, 372, leaving the present membership 5906; an increase of 68. Special reference was made to tho retirement of the Rev. Alfred North after nearly half a century of continuous ministry. Great sympathy was expressed with' those who had suffered bereavement through the war. Chaplain Guy Thornton had resigned his position with the Forces, and was engaged in Y.M.C.A. war work, and Chaplain AVilliams was at present on duty at the New Zealand Convalescent Hospital at Brockenhurst. Pastor Lascolles had become Y.M.C.A. Commissioner, and was absent at tho front. Mr. H. M. Smcet.on had, at his own expense, visited tho armies in England and France, and since his return had reported very effectively on his experiences. Dr. A. H. Pettie, a medical missionary of tho Union, had engaged in special medical work among the soldiers. . Mr. Walter Lambourno submitted the annual financial statement,'which showed: Receipts, JC1256; expenditure, dr. balance 1 .£lOl 10s. lid., grants-in-aid ,£942 10s.; office expenses, X 76 12s. 7d.; Students' Committee, .£9B 14s. 5d.; sundries, i 46 10s. 9d.; Sunday School Committee, .£l2; total, ,£1278 o=. Bd., leaving a deficit of i 22 Os. sd. ' , , , . Tho Rev. Alfred North presented his report as financial secretary of tho Union. The Rev. W. B!. Hinton reported that the circulation of tho "New Zealand Baptist" had risen to 1800. The cost of the organ had greatly increased owing to the enhanced cost of paper, and' it would be necessary to advance the charge for the paper. The receipts 1 for. tho year had been .£350 Ss. 2d., and-the expenditure ,£358 18s. 3d., leaving a debit balance of ,£8 10s. . , Mr. E. C. Garlick presented the annual report of the Manurewa Children's Home, which was received with exceedingly great'pleasure. It showed: Receipts, ,£1617 lis. lOd. j expenditure, -£1500 17s. Bd., leaving a credit balanco on tho year of .£llO 14s. 2d. Total value of property and assets, .£9960; children in the home, 55; average cost of cach child per week, 9s. BJd.