THE NEW ZEALAND BAPTIST UNION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 222, 2 October 1901, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND BAPTIST UNION.

' This year is a memorable one in the 1 history of several of the churches. It . has seen thn union of all the Presby- : terian Churches of Australia and will see the union of the Presbyterian Church of Otsgo and Southland with '. fche Free Presbyterian Church of New , Zealand.- It will also see the jubilee of the New Zealand Baptist Union, an even j which is bdng looked forward to with exceptional interest by the members and friends of the church throughout the colony. Tbe event possesses more than ordinary interest in New Plymouth because we hare in our midst tbe general secretary of the Baptist Union who is charged with making all tbe arrangements for this interesting orcaiirn. We refer to the Rev. W. R. Woolley, wbo is filling the popition of pastor of the New Plymouth Churoh owing to the retirement through illhealth of the Rev. J. Ings. Mr. Woolley is one of the ablest preachers in New Zealand and was for IS years pastor of tbe Baptist Church at the Thames. His health breaking down he resigned that charge and made a trip to tbe Old Country, which has had the desired effect of restoring his health and enabling him to fill the vacancy here. New Plymouth is fortunate in securing a pastor of the standing and attainments of the Rev, Woolley, and there are many in the congregation who would gladly see him settle here permanently. From him we learn that the jubilee {of the church takes place at Nelson, in November, at which place the first Baptist Church in New Zealand was established 50 years ago by the Rev. Dolamore. It is expected ' that the jubilee celebrations will be presided over by the Rev. J. G. Greenhough, M.A., President of the Free Church Council of Great Britain ! and -Ireland. During tbe 50 years j since the Rev. I>olamore he}d bis first ' service ths progress of the phurch has ' remarkable. The church hns now over 4000 members in full communion I and between 30 and 40 churches pro-

viding over 10,000 sittings, besides a number of hal's and other buildings uaed in country districts. Tbere are batw.-en 40 and 50 Sunday Schools with upwards of 5000 scholars and nearly 600 teachers. That the church is a live church may by seen by the increise during last year, which was over 300 members, and 335 Sunday School scholars. Of course admission to this church is by adult baptism. The president of the church in New Zealand this year is the Rev. A. H. Collins, of Ponsonby, Auckland, who has come before the public so, much as Preridens of the Oopciliation Board in BrA IF 1? Wmllm

is being kept very busy with correspondence relating to the jubilee; notwithstanding this, he is making a great many friends in the district. During his sojourn in New Plymouth he is tbi quest of the Rev. Drew, who is now one of the oldest ministers in the I colony, and has done much to maintain | the church in this district. I —■—