BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3005, 18 October 1911, Page 5

BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

NAPIER, October 9. The Baptist Conference was continued to-day. The reports of the auxiliaries were presented as follow -.—Auckland, by the Rev. A. North; Wellington, by the Rev. U. Cathie; Canterbury, by the Rev G-. V. Gardinerj Otago, by the Rev. F. H. Radford. The reports, especially tha u or Auckland, showed much aggressive work being done. The Wellington auxiliaryhas commenced a new cause in Masterton. After prolonged discussion the reports were adopted. The report of the manse fund showed that the fund, was operating beneficially, but needed, increased support from the churches. v - The report from the Remuera Children's Home showed that during the year 40 children had- been maintained; but many applications for admission were refused owing -to the lack -of accommodar ; tiori. The committee appealed to the .churches for help to enlarge:'the building- *•'.*- ■ , . '.. The annual meeting, of the ' Baptist Women's Missionary Union was held. The report. showed that £370 'was. raised for mission work during the year.- Mr» IK S. Gray (Christchurch) was elected -president) Miss Spcddinel(Auckland) searetary> Mesdames Smeeton, Hintpn, Wilson, Driver, and Miss Bell vice-presi-dents, and Mrs Blackburn treasurer. "A resolution- urging that China be released from the teaty which forces upqa her the necessity of taking opium was carried. -'" ;•-■'. ' ■-■':■. ■".. ' ■'•;. '■•'. : ~J' Ji ~...:.«•..-': ~.-'.V- ■.:;/'•■; October- j.O.

The Baptist Conference was continued to-day. The chief business was the election of officers and Standing Committees. The Bev. Hf Khoy/'es Kemp>n (Auckland) was elected president; sfr J v G./ Eraser (Christchurch) -vice-president '; th* Rev. B. S. Gray, secretary; Mr A. FCarey, treasurer; the; Bev. Alfred North, financial, secretary;, the Bev. Alfred North (Ponsonby) was appointed hom« mission superintendent travelling organiser at a salary -of £250 and expenses. A Students' Committee wa* elected, comprising the Bevs. A. William* (convener), J. J. North, J. K. Archer, A. S. Wilson, and Mr A. S. Adams. Mr H 11. Driver was re-elected editor of the New Zealand Baptist, and the.E«v. E. H. Hobday sub-editor. A committee consisting of the following was set up to consider and formulate a scheme for the removal- and settlement of ministers—, namely, Bevs. K. Kempt,on, F. G. Buckingham, J. J. North, H. Elliott, E. S. Gray, and F. A. Eadford, Messrs G. Carson, and H. M. Smeeton. The following were elected a Sunday School Committee :—Messrs W. G. Shearer (convener) W. Donovan, B. Edwardes, T. F. Thompson, E, O'Connor, and F. C. Gray. The Bev. K. Kempton was elected convener of the Board,of Introduction Advice. The' Bev. T.- Kirk Ewen was elected union preacher, and - the Bev.. Howard Elliott • deputy preacher, A Literature Committee was appointed, consisting of the following :—The ... Bevs. # Howard Elliott (convener), A. North, W. . B. Woolley, and Mr E. S. Abel. The Annuity Fund Committee was reappointed, with Mr E. S. Abel secretary and Mr H. M. Smeeton, treasurer. The Manse Fund Committee was re-elected, with the addition of Mr T. E. Toneycliffe (convener). The Bev. W. R. Woolley was reappointed registrar and recorder. Messrs T. E. Whitton_ and Heaton Barker - were appointed auditors. The Executive Committee was elected, consisting of the Bevs. Kempton Kerwood, senr., J. J. North, J. K. Archer, A. S. Wilson, E, S. Gray, T. A. Williams, C. D. Gardiner, C. Dallaston, W. Hay, E. H. Hobday, and A. North, Messrs Smeeton. Toneycliffe, Carson,, Cathrie, Hobey, Mackie, Chidgey, A. F. Carey, Fraser, Milligan, Adams, and Driver.

The Conference is appointed to sit next year in Christchurch. In the evening a home missiori demonstration was held. The chair was taken by Mr A. F. Carey, of Christchurch. Speeches were delivered by theRev. Guy Thornton (Ohakune), Mr Erio Evans (Whangarei), and the Rev. A. S. Wilson. The story of work in the backblocks proved very interesting to a large congregation. The annual meeting of the Baptist Young Women's Bible Class Union was held in the afternoon. Mrs Archer, vicepresident, presided. Reports were re* ceived from the various classes. Mrs Hoby, Wellington, was elected president for the ensuing year. It was decided that the funds of the union be divided between the home and foreign missions. ■