BAPTIST UNION

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 October 1943, Page 3

BAPTIST UNION

IVIISSIONARY PROGRESS Famine conditions in India were reflected in reports and decisions of the Missionary Meetings of the Baptist Union and Missionary Society on Monday. In the light of information received from India, concern and sympathy for the sufferings of the Indian people were expressed, and it was resolved that the New Zealand Government should be urged to send any relief that might be possible. It was further decided to send at once a substantial amount, from the N.Z. Baptist Missionary Society which has sixteen European and about seventy Native workers in East Bengal and the Native State of Tripura. For their support £9,000 had been contributed during the year, being an average of nearly £1 per capita of N.Z. Baptist Church membership. “Orphaned Missions” had also been given liberal support. In spite of war conditions missionary work had progressed courageously, and decisions have been made to extend the work into new areas.

“We are engaged in a global war,’’ said Rev. F. 11. Lloyd, preacher of the Annual Missionary address. “But let us remember that the first global book is Ihe Bible. Christian Missions are a global campaign. The chief task of the Church is outside herself. He alone can make a new nation who can make a new man."

In the evening, Dr. Nola Ivory and Rev. P. F. Lanyon, both with personal experience in Indian Mission work, addressed a missionary rally, their subject being “On' Great Walers.”

The Assembly meetings of the Union continued on Tuesday. Reports from numerous departments were adopted. It was reported that Rev. Dr. J. J. North had completed 26 years as editor of the “N.Z. Bantist.” The paper showed a credit balance on the year’s working. The Young Men’s Bible classes showed an increase of 150. the total membership being 625. £382 was raised for general purposes. The Young Women’s Movement, with a (■membership of 967, raised £lO3O for ••Home and Foreign Missionary work. A Youth Department of the N.Z. Baptist Union was set up to co-or-dinate the work of the various phases of youth work, with Rev. P. L. A. Crampton as Director. 'Two applicants were accepted fortraining in the N.Z. Baptist College. Revs. D. C. Moore and C, AV. Smith were set apart for their life’s work and briefly addressed the delegates. Rev, J. Cumming was accepted as a probationary minister and Pastor J H. Neilsen a probationary Home Missionary. J The the evening session Revs. L. IJ. Boulton Smith and N. P. Wood introduced a discussion on the subIject “The Baptists and the World I Church” and “The Baptist Position,” respectively. Revs. L. A. D: y and L. A. North introduced a furth r discussion on the subject “when ti e Men Return.”