BAPTIST ASSEMBLY

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 November 1944, Page 2

BAPTIST ASSEMBLY

ADDRESS CHRISTCHURCH, November 2. The feixty-second annual assembly of the New Zealand Baptist Union opened at the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church to-day. After the President’s reception this evening, the delegates were welcomed io the city by Or.. J. L. Hay. arid by Archdeacon A. C. Purchas, Chairman of the Canterbury Branch of the National Council of Churches. Rev. L. J. Boulton Smith presided. The induction of Mr Ernest Nees, of Wellington, as President was performed by Rev. H. G. Goring, retiring Presiaerit, appreciation of whose services was expressed in a resolution by ReV. A .L. Silcock. “As Baptists we stand in a magnificent succession,” said Mr Nees, in his Presidential address, after outlining the rise of the derioiriiriation from 1575, and the stand made by the pioneers for individual liberty of conscience. “While we Baptists recognise the good work that is being clone by other denominations, and, are willing to co-operate with them,” he continued, “we believe that ’the ume has not yet come when we should cease our particular and separate witness. The Baptist Church’s articles of faith were built upon the inspiration and absolute authority ol the Word of God. One of the thrills of recent years had been the number of leaders of the nations who 'not only read the Word of God, but fearlessly and confidently, quote its message. Commanders-in-Chief of the Navy, the Army, and the Air Force had issued a statement commending the Gospel to their men; Field Marshal Smuts stated his faith in Jesus Christ; Mr Winston Churchill spoke of prayer swiftly and wonderfully answered; Field Marshal Montgomery expounded the creed, ‘put God first, serve well, live honourably’ and proclaimed his faith in the power of prayer; and the King said ‘we shall not ask that God may do our will, but that we may be enabled to do the will of God. “It was said that the strength of a nation was in its home life,” Mr Nees continued. If this were true, and he believed it was, the nation and this country should be very much concerned at the lack of home life which had become apparent in recent years. We need Christian homes, not without children, but, if possible, with them, not with ones and twos, but, i f possible, with threes, fours, fives, and sixes. Let us make our contribution to the world of children brought up at the feet of Jesus. Too often the need for population was stressed merely from the material angle. It was vital that as big a proportion as possible should come from Christian homes.” UNION’S ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report presented to the Assembly showed that there were now 85 churches with a total membership of 9598. The increase during the year was 80 members. Rev. H. R. Turner, of Invercargill, drew attention to this position, saying that the churches should do better than winning an extra member each in one year. The financial report showed that the various funds of the union handled £31,738 during the year and that the annual self-denial offering produced the record return of £6OOO. A loyal resolution was carried by the assembly. Mr. J. R. Carey, of Wellington, was elected a life member of the Church Extension Committee, and Mr. IL Dearsley, of Auckland, was elected a fife governor of the Baptist College in appreciation of their particular services in these branches of the union’s work.

Rev. J. Ayson Clifford, of Hawera, was appointed resident tutor at the Baptist College.

COLLEGE PRINCIPAL RESIGNS Rev. Dr. J. J. North, who was foundation principal of the New Zealand Baptist College, Auckland, and who continued in office beyond the normal retiring age because of war conditions,''tendered his resignation to the Bantist Union Assembly to take effect from the end of the next year. It was emphasised that his resignation at this stage was “in no way associated with other events which have received public attention.” By unanimous vote, the Assembly passed the following resolution: —“In acknowledging the reception of the letter of resignation from Dr. J. J. North as principal of the Baptist College, the Assembly notes that it is just 20 vears since the denomination requested Dr. J. J. North to accept the position of first principal of the Baptist College of New Zealand. For 19 years Dr. North has guided the studies of the students for the ministry with conspicuous ability. HeJjias filled the onerous office with credit to himself and to the great benefit of the Baptist Churches of this land. In his endeavours. he has been nobly assisted by Mrs. North. The committee regrets that the time has now arrived when Dr. North feels it necessary, to relinquish his position. In accepting bis letter of resignation, to take effect from December 31, 1945, the committee desires to express its unbounded confidence in him and to give thanks to Almighty God for the service rendered. The Assembly agrees that Dr. J. J. North be appointed . the first princioal emeritus. It further recommends that a special committee be set up by the new council to arrange for the siiitabe recognition of his long and distinguished service to the college and the denomination.”

I Steps have been taken to receive applications for the position from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and Great Britain. The closing date lor the applications to be received in New Zealand will be May 31, 1945. PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY HASTINGS, November 3. “Rehabilitation for returned men depends on the community, not on the Government. So also in the Church, it depends on individual congregations, and it is up to all in our church to help in this matter and not leave .it to the authorities,” stated Rev. J. Strang, of Riccarton, when speaking to the Active Service Coinmittee’s report at the Presbyterian Asembly. Among the recommendations of the Committee was that all congregations be urged to make the rehabilitation of returned men and women into their fellowship a priority matter. It also recommended that approval be given to the production of a bookleton sex, marriage, and home life. Commenting upon the latter recommendation, Mr Strang said the war had upset home life, and there was a real need for some definite and informative education on-the subject. As far as he knew there was no booklet of this sort available, and the Committee strongly supported its being made available. Mr R. J. Gibson. (Otago) suggested that churchmen should join the R.S.A. and Rehabilitation Committees, and there throw in the weight of Christian character to help the returned men and find fellowship with them in this way. “The churchman can go out and meet the soldier at his headquarters,” he said, “and maybe the sblclier in return would come and see the churchman in his headquarters.”

The Church report was received and the Committee’s recommendations adopted.

TEMPERANCE

HASTINGS, November 4. The principal subject discussed, at

Irist night's session of the Presbyterian Assembly was the liquor question. The Assembly was presented with a coriiprrihehsive report from the Temperance Committee and giveri an outline of some of the proposals favoured by the recent conference of Church representatives and which it was proposed should be placed before the Liquor Commission. A strong appeal for increased enthusiasm throughout the Church on the question of temperance was made by Rev. J. D. Smith, of Auckland, the convener of the the committee. It was feared, he said, that of late temperance lessons and services were often avoided by teachers in Sunday schools and Bible classes, largely because of the desire to avoid offending parents whose practice did not fit in with the lessons. n , x Mr. A. McEachran (Dunedin) did not agree that Bible class leaders had shirked their responsibilities regarding temperance instruction. He was all in favour of improving the conditions in hotels. . , . “I hope the' churches will work against the establishment of Returned Soldiers’ Clubs,” stated Mr A. J. McEldowney (Christchurch). “After the last war these clubs were definitely an evil in the community. The clubs worked against the morality of the men and the community in general.” The Assembly unanimously adopted the policy as outlined in the report from the Committee. Another recommendation was that Presbyteries and congregations be urged to appoint temperance agents whose duty it would be to Keep in touch with the Temperance Committee and further the work in their own areas.

An appeal was made to the Church to gel together the best brains and the best people to prepare a statement on temperance, by Rev. G. B. Falloon, who was a chaplain in the Pacific zone. There was a body oi opinion which looked io the Church to lake a lead in a wide-awake policy regarding this question, he said. Pointing out that the subject was included in the syllabus in schools, but was hardly ever given any attention by teachers, Mr D. R. F. Campbell (MorrinsviUe) urged that the Church should press for instruction to be given on the subject in every school, and that inspectors be asked to make a point of setting questions and see that the instruction was given. “We should withhold judgment meantime on the question of the trust system ol' control,” stated Rev. H. H. Barton (Oamaru). It was by no means certain, he added, that the trust control established in Invercargill was going to work out satisfactorily. It was feared in some quarters that the repercussions from this system might be serious. “There is a strong feeling, too, that the liquor trade may be deeply and further entrenched by the system.” Rev. J, A. Thompson (Invercargill) said that Southland Presbytery would not pronounce upon the trust until it had been in operation six months, at the end of which period it hoped some announcement could be made as to the success or otherwise of the system. J ■ Mr. Thomspon pointed out that the liquor trade had never been on a better footing than it was in Invercargill to-day.