CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3764, 4 May 1926, Page 65

CHRISTIAN MISSIONS.

DOMINION CONFERENCE. The first interdenominational missionary conference representatives of all the Protestant missionary forces in the Dominion ever held was opened in Knox Church Sunday School Hall on Tuesday morning, and was continued on Wednesday and Thursday. CONFERENCE FINDINGS. NATIONAL MISSIONARY COUNCIL FORMED. At the afternoon session of the conference the hearing and consideration of the report of the Committee of Findings was taken. The Rev. J. A. Asher presented the report, and the conveners of the various committees moved the adoption of each finding. MISSIONARY COUNCIL AND ITS PURPOSE. Mr R. S. Cree Brown, convener of the survey on New Zealand’s part in missionary enterprise. moved:— “That a National Missionary Council of New Zealand be formed,” the clause being seconded and adopted without discussion. Mr Brown further moved:—“That the purpose of the council be: (a) to promote counsel and co-operation in matters which concern the missionary agencies of New Zealand; b) to arrange for National Missionary Conference as they may be required; (c) to make representations, as may be needed, to governments; (d) to act as a link with similar bodies in other countries and with the Interdenominational Missionary Council.” These clauses were adopted, and the following clause (e) added: “To nocure and make available for all adequate surveys

of the tields in which New Zealand churches and missions are specially interested.” Another clause moved by Mr Cree Brown was:—“That a committee be formed to draw up a provisional constitution, and to propose a basis of representation of the following groups: (a) Denominational missionary societies; (b) interdenominational missionary societies; (c> auxiliary agencies.” This clause was seconded and carried. It was further unanimously agreed: That the committee have power to call the council together on the basis of the provisional constitution, and that the committee consist of Archdeacon Williams, Revs. W A. Sinclair. M. P. Lascelles. H Johnston, 11. H. Barton, D- Calder, Mr Donald Grant. Mr J. Priestly, Mr Cree Brown, Revs. F. B. Redgrave J. A. Asher. Bishop WestWatson. Bishop Snrott, Revs. G. Budd. A. J. Seamer, and G. H. M‘Neur, with the Rev. F. B. Redgrave as convener. A WORLD MISSIONARY CONFERENCE *That this conference favours the holding of a world conference of missionary societies and the indigenous churches throughout Tie non-Christain world, and that the proposed National Missionary Council have power to appoint the repre sentatives to which New Zealand will be entitled, and. further, that this conference looks with favour on the holding of the World Conference in Jerusalem.” was a further motion brought forward by Mr Cree Brown, which was carried unanimously. MISSIONARY EDUCATION. The Rev E. P. Blamiree moved:—“That (1) this conference, recognising that the interest in the missionary entei. 'e depends upon adequate use of educational methods at the home base, recommends: ‘A close co operation of mission boards with youth department*, and that practical methods of missionary education be developed in the Sundav schools, especially throurh the New Zealand Council of Religious Educa tion.’ (2) That the Committee of the Bible Class Movement urges its members to study t.j present-day problems of world-wide missions, to cultivate the attitude of Christian stewardship, and to face the challenge of missionary service. (<5» This conference urges missionary societies to consider ways and means of organising the Christian man hood of New Zealand in support of mis sionarv enterprise.” All findings were adopted without discusMr Donald Grant (Christchurch) moved: “This conference recommends that mis sionary boards get into and main‘;iin touch with the Student Christian Movement, with the Y M.C.A.. and the Y.W.C.A.. in order to help ip developing missionary in terocst and information.” Mr Grant also moved: That the eonfeience recommends that the Student Christian Movement consider the great advis-« ability of re-establishing the Student Volunteer Movement Department of its work with such modifications a* changed conditions may require " —Carried MISSIONARY TRAINING. Tho report on the Training of Missionaries was submitted by the Rey. Profesor Hewitson. It was on the lines of the address given by Professor Hewitson in the morning. He moved that it be commended to mission boards and mission candidates for favourable consideration. _ Mr R. S. Cree Brown moved an additional cause proposing that a special course of missionary training be included in the curricula of theological colleges, including opportunity for definite supervised training in pastoral work and leading men into a reasoned and vital faith in Christ. He referred to the dangers oi men being unsettled in their faith by a university courseand stressed the importance "f actio Christ‘ n experience as a corrective. This additional clause was accepted. Mr Cree Brown further pointed out that there was a vast field of service open for the men who had not a university training but who had been trained in other ways. He moved “That though there is a new and urgent situation to be faced calling for specialised training of the high est type there still remains vast opportunity in many field.? among backward races and masses of uneducated peoples for men and w’omen who have been prepared otherwise than through universities.” He gave it as his opinion that there was room for hundreds of people without university training to carry the Gosnel to the masse* of India. Mr J. Wilkinson seconded and supposed the motion. Dr W. IT Pettit expressed pleasure in supporting the motion. He had lived in a most ’liberate and densely populated part of India and his conviction was that cue best preparation for mission work among these peonies was the teaching of a Sunday school class. He commended the work of the Bible Training Institute in Auckland where men w-ere he : ng trained for the work of evangelism. He found in the findings no specific reference to the fact that all their work was based on the atoning work of Christ. He hoped that that omission would be remedied, for there were tendencies at work to obscure the central fact of the Cross. Miss V. Opie, from Bengal, said she had not had a university education but if she had her time ovei again she would certainly have a university education before going to India. She felt strongly that the better education they had the better work they could do in any type of mission work. The Indians and Chinese wanted their very best. In Bengal they were erving out for leaders. Rev. S J. Hutchins (Rarotonga) saia he did not agree w r ith the motion. If it meant that they were to accept a lower standard of education he totally disagreed. The highest and best education was required for the most backward races and that was the only education they were justified in giving. Rev. W. R. Malcolm of Chefoo, China, expressed himself as strongly in favour of education but quoted instances of notable a-nd conspicuously successful missionaries who had been without university education. He questioned if the best foreign trained speakers in China were university men. Professor Hewitson, in replying, drew attention to the harm that might be done by uneducated people seeking to teach those of better education. Tho report did not specify a university education, but a thorough education. Mr Brown’s motion seemed to open the door to those who were not diligent enough to undergo a thorough training. _lt was important that the conference should not seem to give its imprimatur to a poor class of worker. He suggested that Mr Brown raise the matter again before the Missionary Council. Mr Brown agreed to withdraw the amendment and the report was adopted.

The Rev. G. H. Nl’Neur moved a further clause: “That this report and suggestions arising in discussion thereof be referred to the National Missionary Council for investigation. . . . for the purpose of improving facilities of missionary training in New Zealand.” The motion was carried. HOME MISSIONS. The finding on home missions was presented by the Rev. G. Budd, who moved the following recommendations: “This conference emphasises the value and desirability of co-operation in home mission work and appoints a committee to make further investigation with a view to supplying information and suggestions to the churches concerned and to report to the National Missionary Council, the committee to be as follows: Bishop Averill and three others to be selected by him. Revs. Drake and A. J. Seamer, Messrs W. S. Mackay and W. Ambury, Revs. H. Johnson, L. B. Fletcher and Messrs Ennor and Campbell, Revs. M. W P. Lascelles and J. Hiddlestone Messrs F N. Andrews and F. W. Gaze, Revs. D. D. Scott and G. Budd and Messrs Wilkinson and Hitt, convener, Rev. D. D. Scott.” Miss allncock asked if there were any reason why tho women who did so much for the church should not be represented on the committee. Mr Budd said there was no reason at all. It had never been considered. On the motion of the Rev. E. P. Blamires the committee was directed to add four women representatives. MAORI RACE. “In view of present conditions, it is of vital importance that a deeper sense of equality, Christian brotherhood and fellowship should be promoted between the two races, and, with this in mind, the conference would impress upon clergy as well as laity the principle enunciated in the closing sentence of the survey: ‘For ourselves greater care should be shown that no action of ourselves or of our companions should Crove a hindrance to our Maori brethren, ut that we and they should encourage one another in the endeavour to lead the Christlike life.’ ” The Rev. Archdeacon Williams moved this finding, which was passed without discussion. NEW HEBRIDES. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair (Auckland), . introduced the following finding: “That this conference, representing the missionary societies of New Zealand, expresses grave concern at the unhappy conditions prevailing in the New Hebrides under the Condominium as administered, appeals to the British Missionary Society to bring the . matter before their respective Governments with a view to joint remedial action; urges upon all concerned in the dual system of government the need for applying to the native tribes of the New Hebrides the principles embodied in the League of Nations Covenant; and respectfully requests the Prime Minister to press further upon the Imperial authorities the necessity of securing a system of government which is capable of administering justice to settlers and natives.” The motion was carried. HIGHER EDUCATION AND LEADERSHIP. “That, with a view to increasing and # developing leadership in the indigenous churches, an effort be made to extend religious educational institutions in the fields; and that Mission Boards consider the very great and pressing need for increasing tho number of educational missionaries on their f staffs,” was a further finding presented by Mr Sinclair, and adopted. “That this conference congratulates the New Zealand Government on its activities in Samoa in promoting Child Welfare and its projected extension of this work to the Cook Islands, and urges Government and missionary societies throughout the South Pacific to further this development,” was also carried unanimously. The following motions were also pre j sented by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, and were adopted unanimously : “That this conference representing the missionary societies of New Zealand, impressed with the new and great responsibility now accepted by the New Zealand people in the control of many islands of the Pacific, and appreciating highly the sincere efforts of the New Zealand Govern* ment and its officers to administer faith* fully the affairs in the interest of tho native people within this territory, urges the New Zealand Government to give seri* OU3 consideration to the training of futurq administrators and commercial leaders along the lines of the training given to thei Indian Civil Service, with a view to de* veloping a Pacific Civil Service fully worthy in ideals and efficiency of our new; task. The conference expresses satisfac* tion that it is the policy of the New Zea-i land Government, as exemplified in tho . Cook Islands and Samoa, to develop a J staff speaking the languages of the people * for whoso interests they care.” “That, in order to make available readily; information on work in the South Pacific, the National Missionary Council undertakes through a commission, the continuous review of data as presented in the survey on “The Child Races of the Pacific,” thq commission to consist of Archdeacon Haw* kins, Major Robinson. Rev. W. Mawson, Mr A. F. Ellis, Rev. A. W. McMillan, Rev. W. A. Sinclair. Rev. A. B. Chappell, Rev. H. Johnson, Hon. Geo. Fowlds, with power t<* co-operate. “That the National Missionary Council give consideration to possibilities of delimiting fields of work between society and society, and pf advising societies in, regard to entering neglected fields.”