CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13757, 21 April 1915, Page 3 (Supplement)

CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

"(From "The Colonist," April 3.) The animal conference of the Churches of Christ, in the middle district of Now "Zealand, opened at the Church of Christ, Spring Grove, yesterday morning at f- o'clock, when a devotional meeting way conducted by M. 0. Johnson, M.A. There were large attendances at all meetings, including a larsre number of visitors from Wellington. The roll of delegates was called about 10.16, the following being n list of delegates:—Kilbirme, Bro. 11. Coombe; Levin, Bro. M. Viokory ; Lower Hutt, Bro. A. Hardham; Nelson, Bros. Phillips, F. V. Knapp and A, Page; Pahiatua, , Bro. Jos. Griffiths; Palmerston North, Bro. H. M. Hearle; Petone, Bro H. Gri^^tead; Richmond, Bro. E. Tucker; Moutere, Bro. J. G. Price; Motueka. Bro. W. Glover; Spring Grove, Bros. S. Russ, P. Boddington and J. Griffiths; Wanganui, Bros. O. Downey, Groves, H. Richards, and J. Wilson; Wellington (Vivian street), Hall,-Burnett and Williams; Wellington South, Campbell, Inkersell, jiui., Pratt and 11. Callam. Bro. John Griffiths', of Spring Grove, extended, in a few appropriate words, a very hearty welcome to the district. The correspondence included greetings from the Conferences at Auckland and. Lnvereargill; also, from the'president of the.. Victoria Sttate Conference and from Principal Main, of the Bible College, Melbourne. It. was notified that the next Dominion Conference- would bo held on January 3st; 1916, it Dunedin. It was resolved that churches employing evangelists be recommended to loud them to the Home Mission Committee for the purpose of holding special missions. The Home Mission Report referred to the good work being done in the Hutt district by H. Grinstead. Bro. L. Johnston -continued his engagement at Palmerston North, but unfortuately, owing to a lack of. funds, it was found necessary to terminate Bro. Johnston's engagement 'by three months' notice. The balance-sheet was read and adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —President, Bro. M. Vickery; vice-preside at, Bro. 11. A Wright, M.P.; secretary, Bro. H. Callam, 62, Leraud street, Wellington; treasurer, Bro. D. Campbell;' committee, Bros. Cairns, Pratt, Hunter and Burnett. It was resolved that the question of the appointment of an organising secretary he laid before the churches, and that* replies be returnable in ' one month. It ,vas further resolved that the Executive Committee be authorised to confer with the Auckland Committee as to joining with this executive in connection with employment, and also as to the Auckland Conference joiniug in with this District- Conference for mission purposes It a\ as resolved that Bro. Grinstead continue his labours at re-tone and Lower Hutt. It was resolved that a preacher be secured and located at Palmerston North, to work at Palmerston North, Pahiatua and Levin. Bro. Jarvis will continue his labours at Kilbirnie. The actual membership for the Middle District now stands at 1012, being an increase on last year of 75; The following were appointed to act on the committee of the proposed Protestant Association: —Bros. Hardham, Grinstead, Phillips and Wright, all of Wellington. The following were appointed as correspondents x<> isolated members: — Bro A. V. Williams, North Island; Sister M. Phillips, South Island. Auditors were appointed as follows: North Island, Bros. Inkersell and A. li. Eaion; South Island, Bro. E. M. Jackson. It was decided that the next annual Conference, at Easter, 1916, be.held at "Wanganui. FOREIGN MISSION SESSION. The president (Bro Hail), dealing with the Foreign Mission report, reported that Bro. and Sister Hadfield had had a very trying year, which was rendered more difficult by the absenco in England of Bro. Andersen. The president recommended a concentration of effort at Buluwayo and at Intini. , Two lady workers, Miss McNally and Miss Bull, who went out during the year, were compelled owing to ill-health to return to the Dominion. The balance-sheet showed a credit) in hand of £65 8s 2d. The following Foreign Mission executive was elected for the ensuing year: President, RoW, Hall; vice-presideat, D. Campbell; treasurer, H. Owen; secretary, H. Coornbe; committee, Sisters Mansill and Pratt. Bros. Grinstead and J.Day. In the evening a crowded meeting was held in the Chapel in the interests of home missions. Bro. M. Vickery, the president, occupied the chair, and addre?ses were given by Bros. Price, Grinstead and Jarvis A number of musical selections and recitations, and a couple of violin solos by Bro. Burnett of Petone, made-up a-most-enjoy-able and profitable entertainment. April 5.) > The meetings in connection with the eonf fiance of the Churches of Christ m the Middle District of New Zealand were oontimied on Saturday at 9.30 a m., when Bro. John Wilson, of Wanganui, led a devotional service. + Then followed a session devoted Ijo Bible school work, presided over by Bro 11.I1. V. Knapp. ■ ■ The report detailed the work done dnrin.? tho year and the statistics showed that 910 scholars were attending the schools under the warn of Middlo District Churches, and that SJ scholars had joined the Church-Umon ofaStions had' been Held, in conjunction with the Southern Oonfiagoe. an* much interest had been manifested in "S&??ttw * bright devo■^sSWrs^ratt then took the chair, and the following delegates were cpnt-—Wellington South, Sisters Vick £" and Pratt; Vivian Street, Wellmg--55, M?b and Mi*, Philpj Spring.Grove were giver., greetings from the various churches. . ma 6 The annual report was an encouraging one, and dealt with Dorcas and other work that is being done by the 81 Th? draft constitution was considered clause by clause, and the whole as ■juentary remarks were made as to. tne value of both of the papers. - It was decided to bring up as a remit at "the "1016 Dominion Conference the advisability of appointir.p; an organiser for JBiblo sphool work for the

schools of the Churches throughout the Dominion. A short session of the General Conference concluded the business. "The constitution of the. Women's Conference was formally adopted by resolution of the Conference. It was resolved, on tha motion of Bro. Grinstead, ' That a sub-committee consisting of the President and the secretary of this. Conference and of the Women's Conference be a deputation to wait on the C.\V.B.M. executive with regan: to amalgamation." A hearty vote of thankn was given to tht> Spring Giov© brethren for their uospfralit.y, and a similar vote to the outgoing ■executive. It was generally agreed that the conferenco had been most successful.