BAPTIST CHURCH UNION

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 16, 13 October 1927, Page 11

BAPTIST CHURCH UNION

WELCOME TO DELEGATES. Opportunity was taken last evening to officially welcome the delegates to the conference of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, which opened in the morning in the Vivian Street Church. After tea the Rev. F. E. Harry, on behalf of the Conference Committee, welcomed the visitors. He was followed by the Mayor of Wellington (Mr. G. A. Troup), who said that he recognised the great part the churches played in a city’s life. He welcomed them as a church which was unexcelled in its earnestness in the cause of Christ. Though not one of the greatest in New Zealand numerically, it stood in the very forefront with regard to the missionary enterprise. The Baptist Church , stood for great principles and a wide outlook, and it was the church with a wide outlook that would be the church of the future. The problems of the church were also very much the problems of the city. If there was a great church consciousness, it reacted for the good of the city. No other body _ could so form the spirit of the community. They both faced great problems, such as labour, in which he could wish that the Church would take more interest. There was also unemployment, in which there should be more civic and church cooperation. The Rev. W. J. Comrie represented the Wellington Ministers’ Association, and in the name of all the I’rotestant denominations expressed the welcome of the churches. The Rev. R. Stewards, president of the Central Auxiliary, also spoke. These addresses of welcome were replied to by the Rev. H. Knowles Kempton, of Whangarei, who spoke for the North Island, while Mr. W. Wright, JI.A., of Caversham, replied for the South Island. The Union sermon was preached to a large audience by the Rev. E. S. Tuckwell, 8.A., of Dunedin, after which the communion service was conducted by the Rev. F. E. Harry. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME. The sessions of the Baptist Union of New Zealand will be continued to-day in the Vivian Street Church. Missionary business will occupy the attention ot the ministers and delegates during the morning and afternoon sessions, and in the evening the conference tea will be held, followed by a great missionary demonstration, when among the speakers will be the Rev. J. C. Martin, of the Australian Mission Board, Miss Cowles, of India, Rev. J, J. North, and others.