BAPTIST UNION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 16

BAPTIST UNION

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY FIRST SESSION OPENS NEW PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS TENDENCIES OF THE AGE The Puritan attitude to conduct, and its relationship to the important moral md spiritual questions of the present day, was the main feature of the presidential address on "Puritanism and To-day," delivered by the Rev. A. Anstice, of Cliristchurch, at the first session of the 54th annual assembly of the Baptist TJ.aion of New Zealand, which opened at the Baptist Tabernacle last night. Before the session, nearly 200 delegates to the assembly from the Baptist churches of the Dominion, attended a welcome tea i:i the Tabernacle. The chairman of the assembly committee. Dr. Alexander Hodge, presided, and addresses of welcome were delivered by the Eev. C. Chant, president of the Auckland auxiliary, and the Rev. J. A. Thomson, retiring president of the Council of Christian Congregations. The, Rev. J. K. Archer, of Christchurch, replied on behalf of the visiting delegates. In the absence of the president. Dr. Charles North, who is in England, the chairman of the session was the Rev. J. Laird, who introduced tho new president to the assembly. Past Firesldent's Services

Appreciation of the services rendered by Dr. North was expressed in the following resolution, which was moved by Mr. H. H. Driver, and adopted by the Assembly:—'.'That we express to Dr. Charles North our warmest thanks for the efficient services he has rendered during his year of office as president. We feel it most appropriate that as a son of the late Rev. Alfred North he should have held the office in the jubilee year of the Baptist Missionary Society. By his gracious personality, by his wise chairmanship of our last assembly, and by his visitation of our churches, he 'has fulfilled the duties of his high office most faithfully." "The break-up of Christian home life is a sad ana disastrous feature of to-day, and presents a most pressing problem to Church, Sunday school and social worker alike," said Mr. Anstice, addressing the assembly. "Good men of all shades of thought deplore the loss of home life, though they_ appraise the issues differently. This is natural. Son*) regard it hopefully as a part of the birth pangs of civilisation in its evolution into better things. Students of Bible prophecy »ee in it a sign of God's ripening purposes as the ages grow old and come near the fulfilment of Hiii will in them." Mr. Ansticei said the honour of the creation of heme life as it was known at its best belonged to Puritanism, and was so audited to the Puritans by impartial historians. He dealt at length with the history of Puritanism, and the principles that guided the Puritans in their :Faith. ii Attitude to Conduct "This is where a quiet but very real . conflict is in process to-day in our own and other communions," said Mr. Anstice, referring to the Puritan attitude to conduct. "There is a very definite sphere in the realm of conduct in which this conflict is evident. It is in .sex relationships, including the sanctity of the marriage tie, and the integrity and dignity of home life; recreation and pleasure, and chiefly its relation to Sabbath observance; drinking and gambling; the uses of the drama, and the effects of suggestive works of fiction; and business probity, and sincerity in all human relationships." . Mr. Anstice said the list might be enlarged and much said under each heading. But the issue with Baptist people might be stated in a few well defined queries. Should Christians dance, play oardi. gamble, or mix in * world frivolity? How much of a Christian's time should be devoted to sport and amusements? Should not a church member be scrupulously honest and truthful? These and others might be at this moment live issues in the different Churches. • "The word prejudice is lightly used in a careless age, but we must not lose ' sight of the truth that Puritans were Bible lovers, and their prejudices are Bible prejudices," continued Mr. Anstice. "Have we, who have been spoken of as the extreme wing of Puritanism, a word of authoritative and intelligent guidance to give to-day on these important moral and spiritual questions? For not alone is the attitude of the Christian to worldliness involved. Sociology, and in fact generallv. as it it exercised concerning the well-being of mankind, must take note also of conduct." Greetings "0 the assembly from missionaries in India were brought by the Bftv H A. Jones, who is on furlough from Eastern Bengal. He thanked the members for their sympathy and as6istanc6. A combined choir conducted by Mr. A E. Wilson, rendered Jackson's "Te Deum," the Hallelujah Chorus and a tone poem. The Rev. H. E. Edridge will preside at the session to-day, when the union sermon will be delivered by the Rev. C. B. Boggin. of Hastings.