CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 7

CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S BOARD OF MISSIONS.

Tho fourth annual conference of the New Zealand Christian Women's Board of Missions was begun at tho Tabernacle, King street, last Thursday evening, when there were present about 80 ladies, and a number of evangelists and prominent members of tho Church of Christ. The Dominion president (Mrs W, Powell) was in the chair, and after devotional exercises she declared the conference open, and briefly outlined tho business to be brought before it. The reports of tho year's operations were of a most gratifying nature, success having attended tho society in its labours from Wanganui in the north to Invercargill in the so'ith. Mrs C. F. M'Donald welcomed the delegates to Dunedin, expressing a hope that their visit would bo fraught with the happiest results. She emphasised the need of great earnestness in their labours. The opponents of Christianity were in earnest, thoso who looked askance at women's work were in earnest, and Christ was very much in earnest when Ho becamo a sacrifice for the sins of a world. John the evangelist was not a worker of miracles, and was not a brilliant orator, but ho was loving, kind, and sincere. She was glad that there was no lukewarmness among the women of tho C.W.8.M., and she felt sure that their deliberations would bo marked by deep piety and earnestness; their future efforts by their perseverance. Mrs l.angford (Christchurch) thanked tho previous speaker for the kindly welcomo extended to delegates. There was a time when women were denied the right of independent thought, but that time was now past, and woman enjoyed all tho rights to which she was entitled. Neither sex was superior or inferior to the other, except when one sought to usurp the rightful position of the other. Woman's propor sphere was the home, but every woman who had responded to tho call of Christ had an imperative duty to perform beyond its narrow precincts. The C.W.B.M. was an organisation in which all Christian women could take part without trespassing upon the work-circle of men. She was thankful to observe the strong unity of purpose displayed from end to end of tho Dominion, meaning, as it surely did, the successful accomplishment of the work they all had so much at heart. The Dominion secretary (Miss Mary Lowe) reported that during the year a number of new auxiliaries had been formed, and the presently existing ones strengthened through the labours of their organiser and home missionary, Mr Joseph. Binney. The present membership stood at 699, 112 of whom were subscribers to their religious periodical, the Missionary Tidings. The Dominion Treasurer (Mrs C. F. Sundstrum) presented her report and balance sheet, the latter showing a credit balance of £204 for the preceding 10 months. Tho balance sheet was adopted upon tho motion of Mrs C. F. M'Donald (Dunedin). Mr J. Binney (organiser) then addressed the conference. It was unnecessary, he said, to enlarge upon tho successful work of ilie past year, as that would be thoroughly discussed at future sittings. Ho was confident of success attending this groat woman's movement in New Zealand. The Lord Jesus Christ said, " Pray yo therefore, the Lord of the liarvost," and the C.W.B.M. had availed itself of this groat power of prayer for its service. This caused it to become a migfity power mightily used by Gcd all over the world. The compassion of Jesus led Him to sacrifice, and woman, by tho exercise of her innate fund of pity and compassion for the unsaved and suffering of humanity was led to acts of sacrifice and uevotion for Hi« sake. The churches generally required to exhibit more of the compassion shown by tho Lord Jesus Christ, and to waste less time in arguing about ossentials or non- i essentials of salvation. Rather should they get to business and seek to unite all Christians upon the basis of tho Bible, and tho Bible alone. India, China, and many other lands were tho harvest, which was truly jlo.iteous; but tho homeland, New Zealand, must first bo attended to. They as a religious people had a distinctive plea, otherwise they had no right to exist. They were pleading for the restoration of primitive Christianity, and God was mightily blessing their efforts. i Thirteen delegates were then appointed as a committee to nominate Dominion officers for the coming year. During tho evco*n? a solo entitled "God bless you, beloved" was well r«ndered by Mrs R. Gebbie (Dunedin). The conference was resumed on Monday morning, when Miss Morton led the devotional exercises, and Mrs M'Donald (vice-president) took the chair. Greetings were received from Wellington and Auckland. The roll-call showed 25 delegates present from Gore, Invercargill, Mataura, Kaiuuigata, Oarnaiu, Christchurch, Wellington. Wanganui, NorthEast Valley, South Dunedin, and the Dunedin City auxiliaries. Tho Dominion President delivered her ' message, in which she emphasised the unlimited amount of good or of evil that might be btlUKht about by the influence of the Womea's Board c£ xdission* To eo» sure a most uplifting influence thaja 7fW« threo essential points to be noted :~"~fi) To cultivate a prayerful spirit ; (2) to bo willing to sacrifice much; (3) to acauire «* nnssion for souls.

The report of children's work was' next read by Mrs Allen (Dominion superinten« dent), and showed progress for the year. It was resolved by the conference that in future C.W.B.M. and Children's Missionary Day bo held ;it the same time. During the morning a solo, " 0 Divine Redeemer," was effectively sung by Miss K. Sinclair.