BAPTIST UNION AUXILIARY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15716, 8 September 1911, Page 10

BAPTIST UNION AUXILIARY.

ANNUAL MEETINGS,

Tho annual meetings of the Canterbury Baptist Union Auxiliary were held at tho Spreydon Baptist Church on Thursday. A devotional meeting was held at noon, when the Rev A. Ager presided. Lunch followed, after which the president, the Rev O. D. Gardiner, welcomed tho delegates, of whom about forty wore present. He also extended a hearty welcome to the Rev S. Griffith, w'ho represented the Methodist Church and. the Ministers’ Association. The Rev T. A. Williams and Mr J. A. Efford replied. At 2.30 tho afternoon session of the Auxiliary was held. The Rev O. D. Gardiner welcomed into the Auxiliary the Rev T. A. Williams, of Sydenham, and Mr H. Farland, of Lincoln, as having come into tho district since the last meetings, and the Rev J. Laird, of New Plymouth, who lvas supplying the Spreydon pulpit for some months. The secretary’s report made reference to the losses sustained by the removal of ministers, and weloomed the newcomers. Applications for grants were received from three churches. The repprt was adopted. The treasurer, Mr Dixon, read his annual report, which showed recoipts for the year £99 14s 6d, and expenditure £lOl 18s 3d, leaving a / debit balance of £2 3s 9d.

Mr A. F. Carey gave his missionary statement, which was not, however, complete. Mr Carey made an earnest appeal for funds for the Indian field. The church reports, referred to by the secretary, were read from Groendale, South Malvern, Lincoln, Ashburton, Kaiapoi, Rangiora, East Oxford, Oxford Terrace, Linwood, Spreydon and Lower Rieearton.

The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr C. R. N. Mackie; vice-president, Rev T. A. Williams; secretary, Mr A. King; treasurer, Mr C. Dixon; committee, Revs R. S. Gray, C.T). Gardiner, H. Farland, A. Ager and J. Inga, Messrs Horne, G. Holland, F. W. Dudney, C. H. Adams and J. A. Efford; auditors, Messrs H. Jonos and A. Mander; missionary treasurer, Mr A. F. Carey. The appointment of Union conference delegates was left in the hands of the executive.

The Rev T. A. Williams gave an address on “ Aggressive Christian Work,” dealing with the position of the churches in Canterbiiry and tho work of the Auxiliary, and the possibilities! of extension in the outlying districts. A discussion followed.

A publio meeting was held, in the evening, tho president taking the chair. On the platform were the Up vs J. Lnird and J. Ings. After prqyer, the choir sang “Jerusalem, my Happy Home.” The president delivered his valedictory address. He pointed out the urgent need of aggressive work. Dead members of a Christian , body did moro haTm than good. Additions to their numbers must be aimed at. They required men and money—most important men.

The Rev James Ings, of .Ashburton, was received into the Auxiliary, and delivered an address. He. gave an account of his Home experience. The basis of his address was “ The Place of Prayer in the Church.”

The Rev J. Laird spoke on “ Tho great Commission of Christ to the Church.” .. The Rev C. D. Gardiner introduced the now president, Mr C. R. N. Mackie, who thanked the meeting for his election. The evening's proceedings were interspersed with musical items. Tho Doxology and Benediction closed the proceedings.