NEW ZEALAND BAPTIST UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3112, 5 November 1913, Page 81

NEW ZEALAND BAPTIST UNION.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (From Our Special Correspondent.) WANGANUI, October 15. The New Zealand Baptist Union met at Wanganui to-day. A devotional meeting, led by the Rev. (Stanley Jenkin, preceded the first session of the union, when Mr J. G. Fraser (president! took the chair, and extended a warm welcome to the delegates. The attendance was gratifyingly large. The Revs. W. S. Rollings (Poneonby), A. T. Brainsby (Wellington), J. G. Hughes, D.D. (Bcrhampore), and F. Oldrieve (Mornington) —new ministers—were received as ministerial members. Two new churches —Cambridge and Otahuhu —wore received into the union. Greetings were sent to absent ministers, and received from England, America, Australia, and all parts of the dominion. Revs. W. H. Hinton and D. Mill were appointed the minute secretaries, and the Rev. E. H. Hobday press secretary. The Rev. R. S. Gray presented the annual report, which showed additions tor the year: By baptism 263, by transfer 302, and by other means 119, the total additions being 654. The decrease for the year by death was 43, by transfer 226, and by revision 146—total 415,—leaving a grand total of 5763—a gain of 269 members. The number of churches was 51. New Plyrhouth, Takapuna, and Mount Albert reported the erection of new church buildings, and Mornington, Epsom, Grey Lynn, Auckland, Sydenham, Masterton, and Gore also reported extensions. The treasurer’s report was submitted by Mr Carey, but the discussion was postponed. The general organiser (Rev. A. North) presented his second annual repoi t, which was cordially received. The financial secretary presented his report. The Young Men’s Bible Class Union was shown to have raised £96 4s during the year, and the Young Women’s Bible Class £37 2s 5d At the afternoon session the Rew W. Perry rend an interesting paper on “ The Work of God in the Churches,” which was followed by a stimulating discussion. In the evening the president delivered his address, entitled “ Our Baptist Faith’, dealing with the principles and progress of the Baptists in this generation. The Rev. A. North presided. The annual meetings of the Baptist Women’s Missionary Union wore held at Central Hall. Mrs ‘Kirwood (president) occupied the chair, and 27 branches responded to the roll call. Mrs Smceton (Auckland) extended an affectionate welcome to Miss Gainsford, who has just returned on furlough from India. The reports showed ftn increase of throe branches and an increase of IC7 members, making a total of 875. The receipts for the year amounted to £543 13s 6d. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President, Mrs Hinton; vice-presidents —Auckland, ]Vlrs Rollings j Wellington, Mrs Brainsley; Central, Mrs Gaze; Canterbury, Mrs J. Heywood; Otago, Mrs Archer; bon. secretary. Miss Speckling; hon. treasurer, Mrs Blackboural. A largely-attended public meeting held this afternoon was presided over by Mrs Kirwood (president), who delivered an address entitled “A Plea for a Womanly Womanhood.” Miss Gainsford gave an interesting account of her work among the women and children of Brahmanbaira, Bengal. Mrs Smeeton gave extracts from the reports of the world’s Baptist Alliance of Women, which numbers many thousands, and in which the New Zealand Baptist Women’s Missionary Union is included. The meetings were enthusiastic, all the reports being very encouraging.

CONCLUSION OF CONFERENCE. WANGANUI, October 22. At this morning’s session of the Baptist Union the budget was considered by the Assembly. The estimated receipts and expenditure were approved and grants in aid of churches and home missions were made of £905, and a further contingent vote of £l5O was sanctioned. Messrs Duncombc, Rushbrook, and Chard were accepted as ministerial students for admission to the ’theological Hall, making a total number of seven students now being trained by the Union. The missionary budget was submitted and approved. Thanks were expressed to the Rev. B. H. Hughes for his annual missionary sermon. The Rev. J. J. North was elected missionary preacher for 1914. It was resolved to recommend to the churches that evangelistic missions be conducted by ministers of the denomination during the coming year. <( Mrs T. A. Atkinson moved— ibe Baptist Union of New Zealand, in conference assembled, earnestly requests the Prime Mnister to introduce and pass without delav such amendment of the Education Act as may be necessary to prevent education boards and school committees refusing to allow voluntary Bible instruction to be given under what is known as the Nelson system.” The motion was discussed in hearty and favourable spirit, and was carried by 69 votes to 1. The Rev. W. fe. Rollings moved a strongly-worded resolution rejoicing in the growth of amitv between England and Germany, and praying that the time may soon come when arbitration will take the place of war as a tribunal of the nations. Regret was also expressed that prosecutions have taken place of those who have conscientious objections to military training, and urging an amendment in the law to accommodate such objectors, and protesting emphatically against persecutions in the nature of the instruction remitted by the Government to educational authorities, withdrawing certain educational privileges from the childien of those who object to and refuse __ to render compulsory military training.—The motion was carried with acclamation. Resolutions on the no-license issue and the bare majority question were meved by Mr A. S. Adams and carried unanimously. The Assembly expressed its high appreciation of the work of the secretary, the Rev. R. S. Gray. Mr I. M. Smeoton was appointed a de’egate to the Baptist Unirn of Great Britain, and the Revs. E. A. lUrwood and Howard Elliott, delegates to the Australian Assemblies. The Conference concluded with the singing of the Doxology.