N.Z. BAPTIST UNION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17954, 5 June 1920, Page 10

N.Z. BAPTIST UNION

OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND AUXILIARY.

On the King's Birthday of cach year the Baptists of this province forgather io review their work and to plan for future activities, the twentyeighth annual gathering being held this year at the liosgiel Baptist Church, when all the meetings were well attended. The opening session was of a devotional character, conducted bv Pastor H. Bay Turner, of Owaka, who gave an inspiring address.

The first business session followed, and was presided over by the Rev. tiiorge D. Oox, when delegates from as lar south as Gore and from Oamarn in the north responded to the roll call. The church at ilornington lately lost its pastor by death, and the sincere sympathy of the assembly was extended to the congregation; to the widow of Pastor Mai den in her sad bereavement* also to the widow and family of the Rev. w! L. Salter, who died quite recently while returning home from a visit to India. These resolutions of sympathy were carried by those present standing in silence.

A patriotic resolution affirming the ' Baptists' loyalty to the King and Empire was heartily carried, and a verse of the National Anthem was sung.

In his presidential address the Bev. Mr Cox dealt with the "Progress, Principles, and Prospects of the Baptist Cause in New Zealand" from the inception of the first chnreh at Nelson iu the early lifties. The speaker made reference to the splendid records of (he cause in varying departments of servioe, and urged all to maintain tliat high standard for which their forbears had to make sacrifice.

In his annual report the Sccretarv (Mr H. H Driver) referred to the work which was being carried on with much faitlifulness in all the churches in the district, the young people's work being specially hopeful. The churches had resjionded well to the self-denial • effort for home and foreign missions. By special peace celebration thankofferings the churches at Gore, Oamaru Invereargill, and Hanover street had considerably reduced tlijj. debts on their properties. The home missionary and his people nt Owaka had done splendid service, and had been optimistic enough 10 lamicli a manse scheme. On the whole much faith Inl work had been done, and hallowed influences had radiated from all tho churches. The adoption of the report was carried on tie motion of Mr E. V. Itov, and Gunported by Mr V. Lowe and Mr V.Smyth. Mr C. E. Buckingsale presented his audited balance sheet, dealing with tho grants in aid to the assisted chnrchcs, which was adopted. The ready response of the various churches to tne Maiden memorial fund had elicited much practical support and sympathy. The election of tho executive officers for the incoming year resulted as follows:—President Mr George Calder (Xorth-East Valley); vice-presi-dent, Rev. F. 0. Every; sccretarv, Tiev. Ramnel Morris; treasurer, Mr C. E. Beclringsale; committee—all ministers and retiring president ex officio, together with Messrs J. Villiams, H H Driver, W. E. Smith, E. V. lioy, 11. H. Todd' Bond, A. J. Bridges, and V. Lowe. Mrs H ll' Driver was appointed hospital visitor in succession to Mrs Buchanan, who had served for the past 15 years, and who, through ill-health, had to resign. Mr,; Buchanan was hcartilv thanked for the splenoid services she had rendered, and the yeoman services rendered to the cause' bytee • retiring secretary (Mr Driver) were a\eb acknowledged by a hearty vote of thanks

The invitation to hold the 1921 gathering at Eoslyn was cordially accepted. Tne discussion on "How May We Make our Baptist Testimony More Effective?" wis ably opened by the Hoy. I'. 0. livery, of South Duneilin, otlmrs taking part being the licve. Morrit, Datlaslon, llobcrtton, Messrs Lowe and W. Smyth, and tlie local officer of the Salvation Army. The auxiliary tea meeting followed, when the school hall wan filled to overflowing with delegatus and visitors.

Tlie evening session found tho church building again comfortably filled, Pastor Uobertfion was m tlio chair, and wp» supported by the new president and secretary und the speakers for the evening. Tlie Itev. ft. Morris verv briefly emm-yed fraternal greetings from overseas Baptists, and an especial greeting to the Mosgiel iliurch from its first pastor, tlie Her. F. W. Horeham, who is now doing a fine work at Armadale, Victoria.