PATERNAL DELEGATE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 238, 5 September 1928, Page 2

PATERNAL DELEGATE

DR. F. W. BURNHAM

NOTED CHURCH LEADER. “For many years I have been looking forward to a visit to New Zealand, and now that ambition is about to be realised,” said Dr. F. W. Burnham, who arrived at Auckland by the lofua from Fiji this week on his way to the Federal conference of the Associated Churches of Christ, which is to be held at Adelaide next month. He is accompanied by Mrs Burnham. • On the way down the Pacific they made holiday calls at Honolulu, Pago Pago and Dr. Burnham is president of the United Christian Missionary Society of the Disciples of Christ, a member of the Federal Council of Churches, a director of the AVorld’s Alliance for International Friendship through tho Churches, a member of the American Near East Relief Committee, a member of the American Council of the Boy Scouts of America and president of tho Foreign Missions Conference of North America.

Speaking of the Boy Scout movement in America, Dr. Burnham said that it had spread to an amazing degree, and was proving a factor for good in tho juvenile national life of the nation. The girls were grouped in a, movement known as “The Campfire Girls,” and similarly good results were being achieved. He regarded the Boy Scout movement as one that would play a part in moulding the destiny of the' English-pseaking nations of the world.

Dr. Burnham mentioned the great work that had been in connection with the American Near East Relief Committee which was formed during the war period to relieve sufferings in Armenia. The work, he said, was still going on according to plan, but it was intended next year to bring it to a close. In connection with the work of the Foreign Missions Conference in North America, Dr. Burnham said that they had a very wide field, the work being principally conducted in China, Japan, India, Africa and the Philippines. It was Iris intention to visit the East in connection with the mission operations later on his tour. “It is going to be better for the whole human race,” said Dr. Burnham. in referring to the signing of the Kellogg Peace Pact. He looked upon it as something that was fraught with wonderful possibilities, a movement which would help to stimulate church work throughout the world. Both Dr. Burnham and Mrs Burnham are familiar to some extent with New Zealand on Account of wide reading. and having heard much of the Dominion’s progressive legislation, they are anxious to obtain first hand impressions. They will spend a couple of weeks in the Dominion before going on to Australia.