CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 49, 27 February 1934, Page 3

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

GROWTH OF MOVEMENT

Tfhc conference of the New Zealand representatives in connection with the Christian Endeavour Movement was held yesterday at the Newtown Congregational Church. Tho retiring'president, Ihe Rev. A. N. Scotter, of Palin-e-rston North, presided, and delegates were present from Whangarei, Auckland, Pulmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invoreargill. Substitute representatives ivore present on/behalf of Wang'anui, Nelson, and Oajtiaru. The president welcomed the delegates, and said ho hoped that much, good would accruo from the exchange of views and the various decisions reached for;.-the: advancement of tho work. In his report the president stated that they were greatly indebted to tho painstaking service of Mr. and Mrs. Carless.. Amid much difficulty, they had carried on an effectivo work in dealing directly with the 286 societies, and the New Zealand union was under a great debt of gratitude to them. The Whole of tho'so^cietiea wore greatly indebted to Auckland and the Auckland leaders for the maintenance and promotion of the union. In zeal and by finance they had sought to continue the good work so admirably commenced by the former president, the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher. Tho treasurer reported that during the biennial period, the receipts in connection' with the general fund had amounted to £683 5s CJd, and after making the necessary payments and allowing £26 14s lOd for outstanding accounts, there was a balance in hand of £14. Owing to the adverse 'rate of exchange, the stock of literature and ■badges had been' allowed 'to decrease, and this largely accounted for the favourable balance. The general secretary's report stated that applications for., registration had been received from.96 societies, embracing 1818 Endeavourers, and tho total membership in 286 societies, was now 7019. Twenty-three Endeavourers had passed tho examination ■ for tho cfliciency diploma, making 126 holders of this diploma in New Zealand. Pledge cards, badges, and books to tho number of 18,064 had been sold during the period.. Reference was .made to the successful visit of .the Rev.' 8/Varcoe Cocks to New Zealand in July last, and to the great increase in enthusiasm, especially in the south, which had resulted. The secretary's report was adopted. Greetings were presented from Mr. Harry Holmes, of New Yftrk, lato secretary of the ■ V.M.C.A., Wellington; tho Christian Endeavour Unions of South Africa, Budapest, Queensland, Victoria, Great Britain, and Ireland; the Rev. S. Yarcoe Cocks, Miss Jennie Street, the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, Mi\ G. H. Nelson, president of the union, of Australia, and New Zealand; and others from the various parts of Now Zealand. ■ A report on the junior'work was submitted by Mrs. P. E. Harry, of Wellington. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election: of officers for the forthcoming two years resulted as follows:— President, Mr. Kenneth. 'H. Melvin (Auckland); vice-presidents, Rev. .F. M. Beattio (Gore), Rev.C. B. Boggis (Wellington), Pastor G. Mathieson (Wellington), Rev. T. Miller, M.A. (Dunedin), Rev. Raymond Richards (Christchurch), 'Mr. A. Sutherland (Auckland); joint secretaries, Mr. and Mrs. Noel Carless -(Auckland); treasurer, Mr. Noel Carless, J.P.; departmental superintendents, junior Mrs. F. E. Harry (Wellington), intermediate Miss Ivy Croasdale (Christchurch)/ The appointment of a superintendent of country societies was left to the executive. In dealing with the matter of financoj the council stated that it recognised that up to the present the burden had been, borne by Auckland,'where the sum of no less than. £,514. had been raised during tho past Jour and a half years. It was unanimously decided that for the future working of the movement each district union should bo budgeted according to the membership in the area. A NATIONAL MAGAZINE. The question-of a national magazine for tho, Christian Endeavour movement was introduced by Mr. A. Binnie, of Auckland. He emphasised tho fact that a, magazine would be tho means of arousing very much greater enthusiasm throughout New: Zealand, and that tho various societies would be able to receive help and information, regarding the latest developments' in connection with Christian Endeavour throughout the world. After discussion, the following motion was carriod: "That this council, recognising the need for a C.E. magazine, agrees to tho proposal of the Auckland delegates to produce such a magazine for a-period of twelve months, and urges the several unions to support it within, the limits of their power." The national constitution was revised to meet the .conditions which have resulted from the rapid growth of the movement. It was also decided that the executive prepare a standard constitution for the use of local unions throughout the Dominion. /Votes of thanks to the officers of Newtown / Church and the Endeavour workers of Wellington, especially tho Rev. C. Boggis, were passed. - The ..business meetings were followed by a tea, at which an address was given by the Rev. E. P. Blamires, who paid a tribute to the help he had received from tho ■-. Christian movement in his early Christian life. The gatherings were brought to a conclusion with a public meeting which was addressed by the newly-elected president, Mr. Kenneth H. Melvin, of Auckland,: the subject' of his; address being, "The International Youth. Movements in the World and Their Challenge to Christian Endeavour."