BAPTIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 19385, 20 October 1926, Page 6

BAPTIST CONFERENCE

THIS WORKING'S SESSION The conference of the New Zealand Baptist Union was continued this morning, the Rev. H. G. Hcrcus presiding. A MINISTER’S JUBILEE. The Rev. A. H. Collins moved a resolutiou oi warm congratulation to the Rev. Charles Dallaston on the attainment of his ministerial jubilee, conveying the church’s appreciation of Ins signal service in New Zealand. The mover paid a glowing tribute to Mr Dallaston’s work, remarking that it was not easy for all to realise the importance of such an event in the life of a minister, and praising his faithfulness, wisdom, and never-failing friendship to his colleagues and the people. Mr Dearsloy supported the resolution, making mention of his close friendship with Mr Dal has ton, and his ready help and sympathy in time of need. “Wo have had no minister,” said the Rev. J. J. North, “ who has come, as Mr Dallaston came, from his college to give an unbroken fifty years of his life to the proclamation or the evangel.” Ho went on to pay an eloquent compliment. Mr Dallaston had come to Christchurch in 1876, and no minister had ever loft Christchurch surrounded by such love and respect. He was tolerant of other Christian people; yet ho rightly adhered to the principals of the Spurgeon College, where lie was trained. His ministry in Wellington was also of a notable character. “We are thankful,” went on tho speaker, “ that, after serving all these years, he has reached the beautiful evening of Jus life _in health, with his hoft-liko voice unimpaired—a voice that may in some way nave come from that most remarkable of all English voices—that of C. H. Spurgeon.” The Revs. H. G. Horens, M. W. P. Lascellos. and J. K. Archer and others also spoke, and Mr Dallaston hrieily replied.

HOME MISSION BOARD. The Rov. A. S. Wilson moved—- “ That this assembly, in creating a special homo mission department, favors in the first instance the raising of the sum of £5,000; this amount to bo collected, mostly in small sums, from the rank and file, to be available immediately upon being raised in the way of approved loans and advances free of interest, but not as a direct gift till the objective is passed. The Homo Mission Board shall bo free to approach directly the churches in the raising, of the fund, at the same time keeping in touch with the union office, hi the distribution thereof on the above linos it shall, however, be largely guided by, and shall work through the local auxiliaries ol the union. As a general rule the monies so advanced shall be applied in the districts raising the money.” Mr Wilson later agreed that the motion be confined to the appointment of a Home Missions Committee to go into the proposals outlined by bun. The following were elected to the Home Mission Board: —Revs. A. Anstice. H. H. Schrocder (Otago and Southland Auxiliary), Revs. Joseph Carlisle and C. Mathews (Canterbury), Rev. R. Stewards and Mr I). T. Allen (Central), Rev. A. S. Wilson, Mr J. A. Penman, Mr T. E. Toneychffe (Auckland). On the motion of the ex-president (Mr F. N. Andrews) the Rev. A. S. Wilson was appointed convener of the hoard. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. The committee appointed to discover how best to increase church membership made certain suggestions calculated to bring about that end. The suggestions were adopted, and a committee was appointed, consisting of the Revs. 11. G. Kerens, J. Robertson, |5,A., C. W. Duncninb, T. Keith Ewen, J. Carlisle, E. Evans, H. E. Edridge, Pastor Chant,- and Mrs Dearsley. AUSTRALIAN BAPTIST UNION. The report of the Rev. W. S. Rollings. who represented Now Zealand at the meeting of the Australian Baptjslj .Union, was regd and received* — • • r ’VT '" J ',