CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27505, 27 September 1950, Page 2

CHURCHES OF CHRIST

Otago District Conference

At the annual conference of Otago Churches of Christ, held at the NorthEast Valley Church, the principal speaker was Dr J. A. Tyrrell-Baxter, of Christchurch. At the afternoon session the speaker,, said that if the churches were to accomplish their full work in the world there must be recognition ■of God's dependence on man, man's dependence on God, and the churches’ dependence on one another. The spirit needed in each Christian was self-giving—intelligent, universal goodwill. In his second address, “ The Challenge of a Dangerous Age,” Dr Baxter reviewed the world situation and pointed out that the most serious danger was not physical, real as that was. The threat of physical destruction through the use of deadly new weapons was but symptomatic of the spiritual and moral disease that was disintegrating the social fabric. We had developed a sensate pattern of life and duped ourselves into thinking that technological advance was real social progress. Progress must be along spiritual and moral lines. The preservation of civilisation was the responsibility of the Church, Its great task was sanely and aggressively to link the lives of the people with God. This called for a dynamic demonstration of Christian living, showing the relevance of Christianity to all life. As the possibility of a world conflagration demanded a united front amongst democratic nations, so the spiritual dangers of the age called for all Christians everywhere to unite.

Mr H. C. Bischoff presided and was reelected president. Other officers., elected were: Vice-president, Mr H. M. Smith: secretary, Mrs H. M. Smith; representatives on Youth Committee, Messrs H. Laing and T. Todd. Satisfaction was expressed that the churches had greatly increased their combined efforts for such causes as the United Nations Children’s Appeal, CORSO. old people’s welfare, colportage work, and the Christian Educational Council. Delegations were present from all Churches of Christ in Otago, and they were entertained at tea by the ladies of the North-East Valley Church. The college male quartet rendered several items.