CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 108, 7 April 1926, Page 10

CHURCHES OF CHRIST

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual conference of tho Associated Churches of Christ in New Zealand opened at Invorcargill on Friday morning in tho Y.M.C.A. under tho presidency of Mr George Day, of Wellington. There was a very largo roll call of delegates from churches throughout tho Dominion. Tho visitors were woloomed by Mr T. Pryde, and tho president acknowledged his remarks. A Reference Committee consisting of Captain Sundstrum and Messrs Murray Glaister and E. Yiekey was sot up to consider notices of motion. Greetings were received from the Australian Conference and replied to. The reporting of tho meetings was left to Messrs Grinstend and A. E. Wright. Mr Todd was appointed minuto secretary. . After prayer and praise the president delivered his message, his theme being: “Builders All.” Mr Day is a well-known builder of Wellington and bis simile and illustrations were particularly appropriate. God, himself, ho remarked, was tho architect of His House. Tho lines had been well drawn and the foundations well and truly laid. Just as tho details of a building rovealed its beauty and character so they, building on ono foundation, revealed the glory of tho Founder of the Church of God. HOME MISSIONS. The roport of the Home Missions Committeo was presented by tho general secretary, Mr H. P. Leng. During tho year missions had been held at Spring Grove, Palmerston .North, Motueka and Gisborne under the leadership of Messrs Carpenter, Watt, Leng, Crawford and Fitzgerald, while seven churches had received special evangelistic help. Financially, the year had been a trying one, but it was a delight to find that with the closing of the year tho debit balance had disappeared. This was very gratifying, especially in view of tho fact tliar< the churches stood solidly behind the principle of appealing only to their membership for financial support. Dealing with future work it was agreed that the special missions should bo continued and that the action of the Dominion Evangelistic Committee in inviting the Herrickson and Brookes Evangelistic party to visit Now Zealand at the end of 1926 was unanimously confiimed. During tho year 196 persons had been baptised upon their personal confession of faith, ’3O having been received by iho various Churches of Christ by transfer, etc. A full discussion took place, speakers generally expressing dissatisfaction with tho progress being made but looking forward to tho coming year with optimism. Addresses on the various home mission fields were delivered by Messrs Marshall, Rickc3, Crawford, W. Vickery and H. I‘. Leng. ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEARERS. The Conference Executive for 192027 was elected as follows: —President, Mr T. Prydo (Invercargill); vicepresident, Mr 'W. J. Mason; secretary, Mr W. G. Carpenter; treasurer, Mr M. Mitchell (all of Wellington).; committee, Messrs G. Day, Ladbrook, F. V. Knapp (Nelson), A. W. Stephenson (Christchurch), G. P. Cuttriss (Dunedin), A. A. Creamer (Auckland) and H. Grinstead (Palmerston North). Advisory Boards were appointed at Christchurch and Auokland. It was resolved that the 1927 Easter Conference be held at Auckland. FOREIGN MISSION RALLY. Under the presidency of Mr George Day a foreign mission rally was held in the Church of Christ chapel in the evening. There was a largo attendance present. Addresses were given by Mr fe. G. llickos, missionary-elect to Southern Rhodesia,, and Mr J. Inglis Wriglit, general secretary. Mr T. Pryde was inducted to the presidential chair.