WORLD CONGRESS OF BAPTISTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 261, 4 August 1928, Page 13

WORLD CONGRESS OF BAPTISTS

LARGE GATHERING. AT TORONTO

SIXTY COUNTRIES REPRESENTED An interesting review of the large Baptist World Congress which was held at Toronto in June was given to a “Dominion” reporter yesterday by the Rev. M. W. B. Lascelles, secretary of the Baptist Union of New Zealand, who returned by the Maunganui on Thursday night. The congress of the fourth Baptist World Alliance, Mr. Lascelles explain? ed, met on June 23 last at the buildings in the Exhibition grounds, Toronto. These being very extensive, were most suitable for such a gathering. “Baptists,” he said, “are unique in that they are the only Protestant communion which is represented on every continent and in every country of Europe- Delegates had travelled from all parts of the world to be present (it this great congress. On the opening day, 6300 delegates had registered, but on the second day the numbers increased to 7400, these representing over sixty countries. Yet in spite of its multitude of numbers and diversity of races, the congress was thoroughly homogeneous in its spirit and entered upon one concern, the cause and Spirit of Christ..” It was the Baptist spirit as a world force which the gathering represented, and it did so in impressive manner. It also emphasnsed the fact that it was a Church of all nations.” Welcome to Canada. The Rev. Lascelles said that the Hon. Newton W. Rowell, K.C., welcomed the delegates in behalf of Canada. Controller- A. E. Hacker extended the welcome of the city of Toronto to the visiting representatives. Greetings were received from the Hon. D. Lloyd George, London; the Rev. Stuart C. Parker, on behalf of the Presbyterian Church of Canada; Rev. Si. D. Chowan, D.D., conveyed the good wishes of the Methodists in the Western Hemisphere ; and Rev. G. C. Pidgeon, D.D., extended felicitations from the United Church of Canada. The alliance being a religious body and a non-political organisation, and seeking no political ends or using no political methods, delegates had an open mind for their work, the main object being to cultivate purely paternal relations between fellow believers of every land and the cherishing of good-will to all peoples and Governments. New President Elected.

The appointment of Rev. John McNeill, D.D., as president of the Baptist World Alliance for the next five years was unanimous, and evoked tremendous applause. Dr. McNeill lias been a popular minister in Toronto for the last twenty-two years, and was described by Dr. Scarborough, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, as a great Christian proclaimer and defender of the truth, a spiritual statesman, a greatly honoured preacher, a divinely endowed leader, a winner of men, and a marvellous builder of Christ’s world-encircling kingdom. Dr. McNeill, in acknowledging the honour, suggested as a slogan for-the alliance for the next five years, the following words uttered by Dan Crawford on the last New Year’s Day he spent in this world: “Hat’s off to the past, coats off to the 'future.” Dr. McNeill considered that should be their watchword for the future.

The Rev. J. H. Ruslibrooko, M.A., D.D., was elected general secretary, and Rev. AV. S. Rollings was elected to the executive as representing New Zealand, and Rev. M. AA T . I’. Lascelles as correspondent. At the concluding service, which brought the world congress to a triumphant close, the new president, Dr. John AlcNeill, delivered an inspiring message, in which he quoted Bishop Gore as saying: “That all progress in religion was made by a return to the primitive and original type.” He said the need of the moment was to “contemporise” Christ, and to make Him a living reality to those of the present generation. The congress closed on the evening of June 29.