THE BAPTIST UNION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19497, 4 June 1925, Page 2

THE BAPTIST UNION.

THIRTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING. The thirty-third annual meeting of the Otago and .Southland auxiliary of the New Zealand Baptist Union was held in the Uaversham Baptist Church yesterday. The proceedings, which lasted all day, were opened with devotional exercises, conducted by the Rev. L .A. Day. The business meeting was then held, the Rev. Guy Thornton presiding', and the annual report was presented. It read, inter alia; — The reports of the 12 churches were as follows, and gave good cause for satisfaction : -The year at Oamaru had been a most difficult one, especially during the period that there was no resident minister. They managed, however, to keep the work going with tlie aid of many friends, who acceptably filled the pulpit Sunday by Sunday. A call was sent to the Rev. Adam Clark, which was accepted, and the minister-elect was welcomed to the church a few days ago. Mr Clark is busy reorganising all departments of the church work, and the now year is looked forward to with eagerness and faith. Owaka was another held in which the work had proved difficult. Pastor Garner, who took the pastorate for one year, had applied for work in a foreign field, but had agreed to continue serving this cause till a now minister was installed. It was with regret that this church reports that the work was slowly going back, due to the fact that a number of the older members had passed to their rewards, and fewer younger members were filling the gaps. The work hero called for earnest prayer and supplication, and the incoming executive would have to tackle the problem of this home, mission station immediately it assumed office. Gore, which for a long time showed little, if any, improvement, had this year a much more encouraging statement, and reported marked progress in all departments. The Rev. Mr Ecoersall, who for so long faithfully and efficiently served this cause, received a call to a northern church early in the year, and the Rev, L. A. Day, of North Invercargill, accepted the cal! of this church, and commenced his new ministry in April. The membership shows a nett increase of nine, and stands at 4-2. Sunday attendances had considerably increased, and the finances were in a healthy state. Esk street, Invercargill, was at present without a resident minister, the Rev. J. Carlisle having taken np fresh work in the north. Word had just come through that the Rev. F. Sampson had accepted the call of this church, and would shortly commence his ministry in the southern city. The membership of the church has increased by nine, and tbo number of young people attending was most encouraging. A forward move was made during the year, when a branch church was opened at Georgetown, and it was reported that the attendances there were increasing. A sum of £25 was obtained for this work from the contingent fund, and the executive managed to raise a further £l6, which was remitted a few weeks ago. North Invercargill had also experienced a change of leaders. Pastor Wilson taking the place of the Rev. L. A. Day, who went to Gore. The forward movement begun at the end of 1925 has been maintained, and the membership was now 54. The finances were satisfactory, and another record had been created in the self-denial offering, which amounted to £25 16s 9cl, the highest sum over given by this church. Mosgiel was another of the churches to have a fresh minister, and it was now under the leadership of the Rev. Mr Robertson. There was little change in the membership, but it was believed that increases would soon bo recorded. Hanover street showed a nett gain of eight in its membership, and the total now stood at 370. The Sunday school classes and the Bible classes were well attended. Ton of the senior scholars joined tho church during the year and six became teachers. It is of interest to record that the Hanover Street Sunday School was now tho second largest: in tho city area. Mrs Hictt, as sister of the church, reported 1056 visits paid, including 284 to Hospital patients. The total amount raised list year for foreign missions was £272. Tho balance sheet revealed an income of £759 5s 3d from weekly offerings, and for funds outside its own field £752 4s Td was raised. Tho general fund had a credit of £34 8s lOd. Tho amount accruing from tho sale of the Maori Hill properly became available during the year, and from this fund £IOO was given to tho Uoslyn Church towards tho improvement of their property, and £SO to the South Dunedin building fund, £SO to 1 ahakopa, £3O to North-East Valley Bible class, and £2O to Morningloii. The North-East \ alloy Church reported a nett gain of seven members, tho roll now .standing at 150. The Rev. Mr Morris continued as pastor. Finance was sound, a small credit balance being available. During tho past. 12 mouths the young men had erected a new Bible class room, and tho young women’s class had grown to such an extent that tho accommodation provided by their classroom was inadequate. Roslyn bad effected further improvements to its building, and had installed pews in the church. 'Dio roll stood at 143, against 160 in June, 1924. The attendances at Sunday services were good, but could be belter at the mid-week services. £6OO was raised in the year, of which £lO4 was contributed at the annual golden offering. Mornington reported that tho spiritual tone of the church was good, and that the membership showed a noil gain of five. The work in the Buuday school was, however, showing tho most progress, the number of scholars growing week by week, until to-day the roll numbered 140. Cavorsliam had had a. most successful year under the ministry of the Rev. Eric Evans, and the increase m membership wa.s 50. Attendances at the Sunday evening . services wore particularly good. 'Considerable improvements had been effected at the manse, some £2OO having been spent thereon. The bulk of that sum was raised by a very energetic ladies’ committee. .South Dunedin had also to report a greatly increased membership, tho roll now standing at 145—a nett gain of nearly 20. The attendances at the Sunday services had been more than maintained, and in tbo evening had averaged, except during the epidemic period, approximately 200. Finances were sound, the general fund bong in credit to tho extent of nearly £SO. Following the usual custom, the conference slightly reduced the grants for the present year, allowing Owaka £65, Gore £35, and North Invercargill £6O. During tho .year the executive welcomed Pastor Garner. The Rev. A. Clark, was welcomed to Oamaru by the president a few days ago, ami Pastor Wilson, of North Invercargill, made tho third newcomer. It was fitting that tho report should not bo brought to a close without references to the work of the president. During the 12 months in which he had held office, Mr Thornton had visited each of the four churches situated out of Dunedin, and had taken a keen interest in the work of the auxiliary, and was one of tho prime movers in the proposed Sunshinc-Taimii Church. Thanks wore also due to Mr Beokingsale, treasurer, and to Mr Cakler, honorary auditor. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tho election of officers for tho ensuing year resulted as follows President, Mr Leslie J. B. Smith ; vice-president, the Rev. Leslie J. B. Smith; secretary, Mr C. J. Darracolt; treasurer, Mr C. E. Beckingsule; auditor, Mr D. J. Calder; committee--Hovs. 11. 11. K. Kemplou, G. Thornton, E Evans, L. B J. Smith, S. Morris, T. Weston, H. Robertson, C. Dallaston, Messrs \V. J. Bardslcy, W. Bcufell, ,1. Bond, C. Beckingsale, D. J. Calder, C. J. Darracolt, H. 11. Driver, J. Freeman, A. J. Niqhol, D Owens, W. Qiiennell, J. Rood, W. Sharp, \V. Swallow, R. H. Todd, A. Todd, VV Wright, E. P. Wilkinson, J. Williams. The following motions, notices of which had been given at the morning session, were brought forward: Mr R.. 11. Todd moved—“ That it is a direction to the incoming executive to consider the possibility of establishing a new cause at Tuinni, and if they deem it feasible that they take stops to secure a site and appeal to the churches for support.” Speaking to the motion, Mr Todd said there was a great need tor an extension of the work "in the Tainui district. At the present time there was no church in the immediate vicinity. He thought steps should be taken to pet a site and erect a building that could be used as a Sunday school. The motion wa.s supported by several speakers and carried. Mr A. J. Nichol moved —“That the congregations attached to this auxiliary bo recommended to prayerfully support the movement for the carrying of prohibition at (ho coming poll by assisting the New Zealand Alliance as far as possible in its organised efforts, and that tho following resolution be sent to the Prime Minister: ’That the Government be asked to strenuously oppose legislation based on 1 ho following proposals made in the report presented by the Licensing Committee of last session: Securing an amendment to enable the redistribution of licenses contrary to section 3 Licensing Amendment Act, i 920; an extension of tho period between the polls from throe years to nine years, or any extension longer than the present provision—namely, t.tre.i years; a provision for four years’ delay in [Hitting prohibit inn into effect after it is earned, in place of the present provision which makes it effec-

tive in the following June after prohibition is carried; provision for restaurants to secure liquor to be served as refreshments at evening functions after 6 p.rn. ; proposals which advocate the doing away with the people’s right to elect licensing committees; the proposal to appoint licensing boards in place of licensing committees, and tho proposal that licensing committees should not necessarily meet in magistrate's courts; that in the event of licensing legislation being introduced on tho floor of the House during the coming session of Parliament, the Government bo asked to vigorously support our demand for a two-issue ballot paper, containing only the vital issues, prohibition and continuance.’ ” The motion was carried without discussion. The Rev. R. H. K. Kcmpton moved—- “ That we, the members and delegates of tho Otago and Southland Executive of the Now Zealand Baptist Union in conference assembled, do hereby reaffirm our unswerving loyalty to the Throne. We would render thanks to Almighty God for the restoration to health of our beloved King, praying that he may long bo spared to reign over ns and that for tho arduous tasks of Empire he may ever be vouchsafed strength and wisdom from on High. The motion was carried by those present singing one verse of the National Anthem. It was decided to hold tho next meeting in Invercargill. AFTERNOON SESSION. At tho afternoon session the President (tho Rev. Guy Thornton) addressed the .gathering, taking for his subject; Is Christianity a Spent Force 7’ Ihe speaker traced tho difference in the methods and administration of the early church with that of the modern oburcn, and contrasted the pomp and tawdry magnificence of the pre-sent-day church with the unostentatious sincerity of tho early church. Iho mmrch of to-day had become so encrusted with custom that it was losing its vitality, Mid the sooner it got back to the old ideal the better. The Church of God was a client force when it ceased to bo aggressive, but ho felt that it would never become a spent force, and that it would live and flourish through the years. At the conclusion of the address prayers were said, and the gathering adjourned for t6a ' EVENING SESSION.' The evening session opened with prayers, led by tho llov. (J. Dallaston. Mr R. li. Todd (President-elect) road the Scripture, after which tho choir rendered tho anthem “King of Kings.” It also sang ‘And the Glorv.” and “Praise iho Lord. The Rev. J. J. North, of Christchurch, was present, and delivered am inspiring address entitled “A New Zealand Baptist Stocktaking.” Ho said ho felt it a groat pleasure to be present, and would speak ol Iho way they should love and revere the Church. They did not think enough of the potency of tho Church and if he could help them ho would do so. ffhero was, however, a danger 'u doing that, because the first love of a man should not be for the Church, but for Christ, and only Him. A man should lose himself in Hun and foe the charm, power, and potency of Him, and such thoughts that would displace Him were dangerous. 9ho ancient Grecians showed tho world that man was something better than a beast, and wanted a man in whom was to bo found everything that was ideal so that tho people could see and believe. In time Christ came and it was His vast virility and purity that gave to the world the man the Grecians had wanted. It was one of the pestiferous things in Christianity that tho Church got in front of man and stopped his vision of (Jmsi. When that was put aside, and Christ was soon, tlion would the fine air of the Spirit Thkl T niuin trouble with I lie Baptists waa that they thought too little of their Lfiurcli. They thought, of it, as a club and did not listen to the voice of the Church, and should think more profoundly of the meaning of a Church like fhoirs—tho most The Church was the ono institute in a. city that uplifted it. It, was the dream of Jesus to build a church —nor ot stones, but of men. A Church that would bo a league of brothel’s, a harbour for lonely souls, and a garden where all virtues might bo at homo. When in on found Christ in tho first, days they felt a brotherhood. They had no buildings, but wherever Ho was preached that Church sprang into being, with its wonderful enthusiasm, wonderful atmosphere, and wonderful effectiveness. Jesus founded his Church and it was the one indestructible thing in the world, and expressed itself in brotherhood. Mr North dealt, next with the various creeds, and stated that many people wanted to know why there were so many different sects, and to those ho would put the question: “Why are there so many different phases of mind?” It was Christ in history Wiio said HLs Church was free, independent, and universal. Tho Church did not defend otr its officers but, on its law. It was impossible to speak of the simple majesty of tho Baptist Church, not that, it was tho only one, but that its beauty and simplicity was so evident. That was because, its first, principal wa.s a satisfactory otic, ami that, the New Testament was a sufficient guide for the Christian. When they read the New Testament, they read an utterance so pure and chaste that anything written since was trite. The question of baptism was touched on by the speaker. Some people asked why they wont in for that damp business, and why they differ from other churches. 'Hie Church was falling back on tradition. The Church of the twice liom is the Church built by Jesus, and baptism was a. sign set by-Him. The Christian Church, as they understood it, was a gathering of men who exercised their treewill in their choice. Hie Baptist creed was the New Testament, and the Baptists were the freest of them all. ’I hey might differ in religion but, if they believed in God, thov were all brothers. 'I ho Baptist Church in New Zealand was not, strong, not as strong as it should be, and not as strong as it was going to be. They were a group of about 7000 twice born, and they had the rudiments for a remarkably strong advance—they only wanted the fire. A correct creed that was to 1(1, and that did not have a touch of the Divine glow was no good. It was those who possessed the tiro to go out to the people with a Christian message and a challenge, that would succeed. If they got men like that, he concluded, not for the glory of a denomination, but for (ho glory of Jesus and His greater Church. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr North. Mrs Ford, who conducts tho affairs of the Baptist Church in Taiiakopa, gave a. brief but interesting address on her work in that, district, which was listened to with tho greatest: of interest. The meeting closed with votes of thanks to tho chairman, and to the committee.