BAPTIST UNION

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1922, Page 3

BAPTIST UNION

FORTIETH ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

<BI TBIBGRAPH.—PRESS MBO0IATI0K.)

DUNEDIN, This Day. ■ The fortieth annual conference of the New Zealand Baptist Union and Missionary Society opened yesterday. The Rev. W. H. Hintpn (president) was in the chair. \ Mr. W. J. Bardsley,' on behalf of the conference committee, extended a hearty welcomes to the delegates. The Baptist Church, he said, had a great past, and they prayed' that the conference would be another step forward in the progress of the Church. The chairman welcomed the following new members to the ministerial ranks: The Revs. F. E. Harry ■(Australia), D. Catchpole (Canada), L. J. B. Smith (United States of America), F. Samson, J. Hiddestone, and Pastor T. Wesion.'

The Rev. Howard. Elliott waa associated ,with the conference, and a, welcome was extended to_ the Rev. E. N. Goring and Mrs. Goring, of the India Mission. '. ■

■ The report of the secretary contained the following: Members as at 31st August, 1921, 6121; as at 31st August, 1922, 6232; net increase, 111.. The additions were set out as follow: By baptism, 255; by transfer, 222; by other means, 94; total, 571. The removalswere: By death;- 54; by transfer, 198; by other means, 208; total, 460. The executive had arranged with the Rev. W. S. Rollings to act 'as editor of the "Baptist" during Mr. North's absence. A- special appeal, made in Auckland for support of the Manurewa . and other homes, had resulted in a substantial sum being raised. The secretary had visited all the churches except five. His, appeal for support had resulted in. £700 being provided in monthly subscriptions and £300 had been given in donations. The depaiture of the president, the Rev. W. H. Hinton, to undertake the pastorate of the Aberdeen street Church, Geelong, was notified. The report' was adopted. The secretary, the Rev. R. S. Gray, gave a brief report on his visit to the churches, and read a detailed list of promises made by the individual churches, the total being over £717. He considered that the Church could jafely reckon on receiving fully £600 of this. Pastor M. W. P. LasceUes mo-tfed: ''That this assembly place on record its very hearty' appreciation of the services rendered to the denomination by Mr. Gray's recent visit to the churches. 1'