BAPTIST CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25862, 5 June 1945, Page 6

BAPTIST CHURCH

PROVINCIAL CONFERENCE The Otago and Southland Auxiliary of the Baptist Union of New Zealand met in annual conference in the NorthEast Valley Baptist Church yesterday. The president, the Rev. R. G. Bycroft, presided over 90 delegates, representing 15 churches. Major T. Knights was associated with the conference. The annual report showed that 30 baptisms had taken place during the year, but that the balance of the membership figures gave an over all decrease of 15 for the 12 months. The individual church reports indicated an increasing enthusiasm in congregational work, and showed that _ youth work was in an improving condition. A number of conversions had been registered among the churches, particularly in connection with the Easter camps, and the Lionel Fletcher Mission. Church extension plans for the future include projects for church development in Sunshine, Green Island, Corstorphine and Waikiwi (Invercargill), and Sunday school work in several other areas. Southland Association

The proposal of the Southland churches to form a Baptist Association to act on behalf of the auxiliary in that area, was approved, and the suggested rules were referred to the executive for examination.

The treasurer’s report showed that the year closed with a credit balance of £l9 18s 2d in the general account and £57 7s lOd on the circulating loan account.

The officers elected for the ensuing year were as follows:—President, Mr E. C. Brown; vice-president, the .Rev. A. E. Lonsdall; secretary, Mr C. J. Darracott; minute secretary, Mr S. C. Hercus; treasurer, Mr C. E. Beckingsale.

The following public resolutions were carried unanimously:— “That this annual conference of the Otago and Southland Auxiliary places on record its approval of the Government’s action in reducing food rations for the purpose of increasing the country’s export of supplies to England. We urge our people to accept this reduction loyally, and to do whatever lies in their poWer to increase the country’s output of foodstuffs. Further, we are of the opinion that if the present reduction in rations is insufficient to enable New Zealand to make a significant increase in its exports, then the Government should ask the country to accept still greater reductions.” Liquor on V-E Day

“ That the Baptists of Otago and Southland assembled in annual conference deplore the Government’s action in allowing hotels to be open on V-E Day. We are convinced that the Government had adequate warning of the attitude of the churches on the issue, and was well informed of the moral danger to the community of allowing the unchecked sale of liquor upon such an occasion, a danger which events proved to be by no means imaginary. Its failure to safeguard the community, and especially our young men and women, against this moral danger is most reprehensible, and must be described as a serious failure in responsibility. We urge strongly that this grave mistake should not be made upon the occasion of the final victory over Japan, and demand that all hotels and liquor stores be closed on the day of victory and on the following day.” The new executive of the auxiliary met at 5.30 p.m., when the visiting ministers were present. At the evening meeting the new president, Mr E. C. Brown, was inducted to office, and the retiring president, the Rev. R. G. Bycroft, delivered a stirring address on “ The Worker’s Motive.” A special offering was taken up for auxiliary funds, and the Sunshine Baptist Church Building Fund. Musical items were rendered by the North-East Valley Baptist Choir, under the baton of Mr G. T. Austin.

The delegates were, entertained to dinner in a city restaurant, at the expense of the North-East Valley Church, and a public tea was provided in the evening by the ladies of the church.