CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 21 April 1938, Page 16

CHURCHES OF CHRIST

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. The annual conference of the New Zealand Churches of Christ was continued at Nelson over the week-end, Mr A. G. Saunders presiding. There was a large congregation on Friday and Mr Tyrell Baxter, of Palmerston North, gave the second address on the Restoration movement for New Testament Christianity, his subject being “The Teachings and Principles of the Movement.” Mr Baxter said that the world and the churches would have to take notice of the restoration movement. “It will not be because of great minds or peculiar gifted men, but it will be because of what, we believe and teach if succeed,” lie added. “Our principles and teaching demand that we must never forget that the unity of God s people, also the Scriptures, are, and must be. our only guide, the New Testament being the authoritative book in Christianity. We have nothing new to offer. The ordinances, the ministry, the worship and the life, must live up to the teachings of the Word of God, and added to that the vision of the early church in a world-wido gospel for a world-wide need.”

The general executive and home mission committee’s annual report was presented by the chairman, Mr Vickery. The report stated:—At-'the outset a careful survey was made with the object of discovering the strength and weakneMs of our work, after which the committee formulated its policy. The general aim was: (1) To increase the membership of the Churches of Christ m New Zealand. (2) To develop the loyalty and devotion of its members. (3) To broadcast our plea for. and basis of* Christia.n union. In addition to the self-sacrificing labours of our staff, there is an urgent need for a State evangelist to conduct special efforts and we are recommending that such an appointment be made.

The membership is now 49(52 as compared with 4786 last year. Additions by faith and baptism were 265. The Bible schools have 3307 scholars, a decrease of 123, but owing to different methods of compiling Bible school statistics, the figures are not very reliable.

The progress made in the foreign mission _ fields was the subject of an interesting report in which it was shown that in school, hospital and church splendid work was being done. In connection with the youth work it was reported that the figures for those attending camps were as follow :—Dominion camp, 234; Nelson district camp. 80; Wellington camp convention, 81; three South Island Christmas camps, 90. Grand total, 485. The conference elected the following to the general executive and home missionary committee:—Messrs G. Fretwell (Wanganui), W> G. Graham (South Wellington), J. T. Hunter (Wellington), W. J. Mason (Wellington), F. W. Pullyn (Palmerston North), A. G. Saunders. M. Vickery. H. J. Voice and It. T. Wright (Wellington)RESOLUTIONS PASSED. The following resolutions were carried : “That this conference deprecates any expression of racial bitterness and cruelty such as the persecution of the Jews, and urges Christian jieople to spread the spirit of understanding and the recognition of racial equality so that these may become the basis of harmonious and equitable relationships between peoples.” , “That in view, of the recent disclosures regarding the prevalence of criminal abortipn in New Zealand, this association of Churches of Christ, in conference assembled, urges the Government to take positive measures: (a) To investigate further the underlying causes, whether economic, .educational or spiritual, contributing to the wholesale practice of criminal abortion, and in the light of such investigation to promote any legislative amendments or enactments as are deemed necessary, with a view to' combating this evil, (b) To prohibit the present unrestricted advertisement and sale of contraceptives. (c) To exercise a more stringent and effective censorship upon motion|picture film releases, and also upon the importation and sale of certain gross literature, which, in the hands of youth especially, can only lead to mental and moral disharmony.” “That this conference views with alarm the increasing secularisation of the Lord’s Day, and calls upon all Christian people to safeguard their heritage by using the day for worship and Christian service.”

“That this conference desires (1) to acknowledge the good work of the New Zealand Alliance, and pledges itself to support in any way possible the movement for the abolition of the liquor traffic. (2) It calls upon the New Zealand Alliance to press upon the Government the need for the protection of the residential districts, and to give to those resident in these districts the right to veto any licenses it is proposed to place in these districts. (3) And further it calls upon the Government to instruct all public /school teachers to impart to the scholars the scientific teaching regarding the harmful effects of alcohol on' the body and on the mind.”

Mr H- Grinstead. lion, secietary of the New Zealand Alliance, Palmerston North, in seconding the resolution, said the time had come when the people of New Zealand should have the right to veto any license being placed in their districts.