BAPTIST UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXIII, Issue 16061, 16 October 1912, Page 7

BAPTIST UNION OF NEW ZEALAND.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference cf tho Baptist Union of New Zealand and the New Zealand Baptist Missionary Society was commenced yesterday. The executive and tho Missionary Committeo met during the day and a welcome social gathering war, held in the evening. The Rev R. S. Gray presided. The Rev It. S. Gray welcomed the delegates to Christchurch .and expressed his great pleasure that- tho presidential (head of the Union, .the Rev.R. H. K. Ivempton, was able to be present. Christchurch once again had the largest number' of delegates at a conference and he wanted the conference to make a great impression on the public of Tho "'kavor (Mr H. Holland) said 1 that it gave him tho greatest possiblo pleasure to'-extend a very hearty welcome to tho delegates. Christchurch was the second largest city in the dominion. It afforded him cause for much regret, however, that all the pcoplo in it were not members of a Christian church, and ho hoped that tho influence of the conference would do much towards bringing them to the church. The ministers and laymen should behove in tho gospel they preached and then perhaps tbeve might not be so many people in the streets on Sunday nights and the churches might" bo more than half-filled. Ho wished every possiblo success to the conference and he sincerely hoped that its work would be most satisfactory. He was exceedingly sorrv that Christchurch was going to lefle'tho Rev R. S. Gray, but he rejoiced in the fact that the Revs J. J North and J. Knowles-Smith would shortly be arriving to take up their work here. .. Mr S. R. In gold spoke at considerable length in* welcome of the delegates. , The Rov T. A. Williams, also extended some words of welcome on behalf of the local Baptist churches and referred to the great amount of work before the conference. Tho president of tho Union, the Rev R. H. K. Kempton, in replying to tho addresses of welcome, said that ho was glad to come to tho city of.the Can-, torbury cathedral of their denomination. On behalf of tho delegates he thanked the hosts and hostesses who had made preparations for their coming and assured his audienccthat the delegates themselves had spared no pains to get to Christchurch. With Baptists it would he a miracle if they all thought alike, but they would not forget that they were under their hosts' roof and thov would not bring disgrace on to their name. They had como to work, but 'they had also come' to know something of the trlow of comradeship. The beauties of Christchurch were great, he continued, but ono coming from Auckland could afford to bo magnanimous. (Lauehter.) Mr Gilbert Carson, of Wanganm, nlfo snoke in reply.

During the evening musical items were rendered by Mrs Cooper, Messrs Rogers ,and Cooper, and a. recitation by Mr J. Rodger. At the conclusion supper was served by tho ladies.