N.Z. BAPTIST UNION

Otago Witness, Issue 3509, 14 June 1921, Page 52

N.Z. BAPTIST UNION

The loyal Baptists of Otago and Southland assembled, as is their custom, on tiie King s birthday at Kosiyn to review tiie work carried on throughout lily province during tiie year and to discuss pians for future efforts for increased usefulness. The first gathering at 10 o’clock was of a devotional character, when pastor L. A. Day, of North InvjreargiJl, took charge and struck the keynote ior the day’s proceedings by a very helpful address on *‘Tarrying for the Promise/’ Several of the brethren led in prayer and a season of blessing was experienced. The opening business session followed, when Mr George (‘a Id or presided and the Assembly was duly constituted by the roll call when 53 delegates from the 12 churches within the bounds of the auxiliary responded. Four new preachers were wirmly welcomed by the president, and tlie Revs. J. Carlisle rnd F. R. Weston and Pastors K. T. Benfell and L A. Day thanked the meeting for their kindly reception. Pastor Chas Matthews, of Ashburton, who was pre sent, and who was associated with the conference, was warmly received. The president, in his own homely manner, spoke on his official visits to the aided churches at [nvercargili. North Invercargill, Gore, and Ovvaka. whereby lie had gained much first-hand informatk n of gieat assistance to the executive. He also referred to the immense amount of good assured to future generations by the faithful work of ihe Sunday School and home teaching. The secretary (Rev. S. Morris) then read the annual report which stated, inter alia, that the affiliated churches showed a present membership of 1412. About an equal number of Sunday School scholars were receiving instruction, from 155 teachers. The "Young People’s Institutes, Worshipping Leagues, Christian Endeavour Societies, Bands of Hope, and kindred works were doing much to put forth among the young people the right teaching. Home and foreign missions had evoked a fine spirit of liberality, and generally the work had progressed and baptisms had been frequent. At the afternoon session the balance sheet was read by the treasurer and adopted. It showed that the finances were in a satisfactory state; £l2 had been remitted for China Relief Fund, £lls more had been making a total of £2Ol for the Maiden Memorial Fund. The election of officers followed, the result being as follows: —President, Rev. S. Morris; vice-president, Rev. Ray Stewart; treasurer, Mr C. F. Beckmgsale-; auditor, Mr D. J. Calder; hospital visitor, Mrs H. H. Driver; executive —Messrs R. 11. Todd, J. Bond, W. Lowe, E. W. Roy,’A. J. Bridges, J. Williams, H. H. Driver, W. R. Smith, and the retiring president. Tho executive was authorised to elect a secretary. , Resolutions were carried in favour of doing away with the drink traffic, concerning the gambling menace, and warm congratulations to the Rev. C. Dallaston on his 45 years of faithful service. Votes of thanks to the officials of the Roslyn Church of Christ for the use of their building and to the ladies were also passed.