BAPTIST ASSEMBLY

Grey River Argus, 10 November 1944, Page 2

BAPTIST ASSEMBLY

YOUTH SERVICES DISCUSSED HASTINGS, November 8. “We have had a number of telegrams from various branches_ of the Returned Services’ Association regarding this matter,” said the Moderator (Mr. T. C. Brash) at the Presbyterian Assembly when Mr. A. J. McEldowney, (Christchurch) was given leave' to withdraw his- whole statement regarding th e liquor question, in which he made reference to the establishment- of soldiers’ clubs, The Moderator expressed regret that in the words complained of, though used in course of discussion, had been isolated from the remainder of .Mr. McEldowney’® speech, and so given cause for misconception. Mr. McEldowney, .when withdrawing his statement said: “When I saw the remarks attributed to me regarding returned services’ clubs I denied them, as I at no time intended to charge the clubs with being an evil influence, and as working against the morality of the community. However, subsequently all the members of the Press table assured me that I said what was stated. If so, I ask leave to withdraw the remarks, because they did not convey, my intention, as was shown in my subsequent remarks which were not reported. I praised the work of the Returned Services’ Association and it is. because I have no wish to retard its work that I withdraw the whole of my statement. I 'hope, as I said in the Assembly previously, that all returned servicemen who are members of our church will take an active and constructive interest in the association.

The youth services of the Baptist Church' in New Zealand have shown an overall increase in membership of 1316 in the last year, it was reported during t'he assembly meetings to-day. The Rev. P L. A. Crampton (youth director) reviewed the progress in various departments and traced some of the developments of the last year. The importance of trained teachers was more than ever realised, he said. The time when a Christian faith and good intentions were the sole qualifications was passed. Literature for the guidance of teachers was being issued regularly, and an effort made to attract suitable persons into the work. In this respect the proposal to establish permanent Baptist camp* sites where retreats and conferences might be held, was worthy of consideration. Frequent conferences of teachers would accomplish much. Mr. Crampton mentioned that increased attention was- given to provide visual aids in Sunday school instruction, and the standard of music would also be improved. When a delegate raised the question of issuing service certificates to teachers, it was stated that it would be preferable Io issue efficiency certificates rather than a 50-years’ certificate to someone who “should have got out” 41 years before.

The Sunday ■ School Council was elected as follows:—Chairman, Mr.K. M. Edridge; secretary, Mr. L. K. Fear; minute secretary, Miss H. Horner; representative members, the Rev. A. J. Jamieson (Auckland), Miss I. Newton (South Auckland), Messrs R. A. Comber (Central), G. H. Ivory (Canterbury), H. A. Harris (Otago-South-alnd); ex officio members, Mr. Ernest Nees (president of the union), the Rev. P. F. Lanyon (secretary), the Rev. P. L. Crampton (youth director), and the Rev. E. W. Batts (convenor of youth pages in <the “Baptist”). The youth department budget was approved at £750. CHRISTCHURCH. November 9. The action of the executive committee of the Baptist Union in suspending Rev. Dr. A. J Dodge, Minister of the Tabernacle Baptist Church, Auckland, has been confirmed by the Baptist Assembly, which has also accepted Dr. Hodge’s resignation from ite list of accredited Ministers. Its resolution with regard to Dr. Hodge read: Having considered the report of the executive with reference to the suspension of Dr. Hodge and also a letter from Dr. I-lodge tendering his resignation as Ministerial member of the. Union, the Assembly resolves’ as follows: That the decision of the executive in suspending Dr. Hodge be confirmed. That while completely repudiating the various statements contained in his letter by way of justification, Dr. Hodge’s resignation be accepted. That Dr. Hodge’s name be removed accordingly from the Union’s official list of accredited ministers and that the Assembly, records its deep regret over the ' circumstances which have led to the foregoing decisions. A motion was also passed offering the Tabernacle the opportunity of reconciliation with the Union. The motion relating to the Taber-

nacle Church was that as the decision of the Tabernacle Church was arrived at before the position could be considered by the Assembly it is felt that the Tabernacle Church should be given an opportunity to reconsider its decision. It is accordingly resolved that the letter from the Tabernacle Church be remitted to a special committee consisting of Rev. L. aBoulton Smifh, and Messrs. G. Burt and H. T. Falla, m the hope that conciliation may be The Baptist Unions’ statement said: “The assembly’s resolution with regard to Dr. Hodge was cairiea without any dissenting vote.