N.Z. BAPTIST UNION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 12000, 18 October 1906, Page 2

N.Z. BAPTIST UNION.

24th Annual Oonference.

WEDNESDAY.

Tlio Conference resumed at 10 a.m., Mr G. Calders having presided at the opening prayer meeting.

The hrst business was a special session to consider the finances of the Missionary Society. Mr G. Carson moved and it was carried "That line Assembly desire to place on record its sense of the deep disappointment which Miss Inglesby must suffer in her enforced retirement from active service in the Indian Mission field; it appreciation of her eelf-denying willingness to place herself unreservedly in the hands of the executive and loyally abide by its recommendation, and its earnest hope that a field of usefulness may quickly open out for her in which she may be able to render even more acceptable service to her Lord and Master, that she was physically capable of doing under the burning skies •nd exhausting climate of Indoa." Mr H. 11. Driver proposed "That with a view to the Uquidation of the adverse balance ot A' 357 on the General Fund, the Society observe a week of 6clf denial, preferably in the first week of December, but that churches desirous ot adopting other methods be free to do so." — -Carried. The estimates were next considered. The Committee's estimated expenditure for the year 1906-7 was passed, amounting to =£1586. The estimated receipts were — New Zealand, .£1500; India, £80; special amount 8.W.M.U., £50; balance Baria Dispensary Fund, £30, total, £1660. Mr A. F. Carey moved "That the recommendation of the Committee that Dr. North be empowered to use every endeavour to secure both the sites for which he ha 6 been negotiating in connection with the dispensary at Chandpur be adopted, and that the funds raised for the dispensary be applied to their purchase, but that any subscribers who object to this proposal be allowed to ear-mark their amounts, and reserve them for the dispensary to be ultimately erected." Seconded by Mr A. S. Adams and carried. The statement of accounts of the dispensary fund showed the receipts to be £140; expenditure £110. leaving a balance to l credit of £.^o.— Settlement rcceiyed. A letter wa3 received from the director of the Technical School inviting members of the Conference to visit the school. — Letter received with thanks, and members asked to attend. The Conference adjourned at 12.45. Special missionary feession closed. The retiring President (Mr A. S. Adams), in introducing the new vice-presi-dent, Rev. W. L. Salter (who took the chair in the absence of Rev. J. C. Martin, the newly-elected President), returned thanks for the privilege of acting as President for the past year. It had been a happy year of service, in which a deal oi gcod work had been done. Rev. W. L. Salter returned thanks for the honour accorded him. A hearty vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the retiring President for his self-denying efforts towards the cause of the denomination in New Zealand. Tho Conference went into committee to consider the question of the interchange of pastorates. On the Conference resuming, the President reported that the following had been passed. 1. That the Conference is deeply impressed by the difficulty and loss occasioned both to churches and ministers in connection with the termination of pastorates. 2. That in order to meet* the situation, the Committee believes the efficiency of the Board of Advice must be increased along tho lines of the resolution submitted by the Rev. W. Hay. 3. That with a view to this, its membership be so increased as to provide that representation from the auxiliaries shall serve, and the convener carefully selected by Conference (the President and secretary to be ex-officio members). The Rev. R. S. Gray moved that the following words bo added : "And that with a view to discovering whether the churches of the Union are desirous of such an alteration as shall provide for a more suitable and effcient method of pastoral changes, they be requested to state whether they would agree to all invitations to the pastorates being subject to the approval of tho Baptißt Union, which should have power to make any alterations held by it to be necessary in the interests of the denomination." — Lost. The Rev. J. J. North moved, "That the Board of Advice be in the future formed in the following manner: That the Executive Committee of each auxiliary shall elect a member of the Board of Advice from their auxiliaries, that the President and secretary of the Union for the time being shall be ex officio members of the Board, and that in addition a convener be appointed by the Conference, in the same manner, as the President of the Union is elected."— Carried. The Conference adjourned for lunch. On resuming, it was resolved to consider the budget at 9 sharp this morning. Mr W. H. George submitted the report of the sub-committee appointed to consider the position of the annuity fund. lie mentioned the tact that three friends had promised to biidsidise the funds to the extent of 10 per cent, each, provided the sum of £100 was collected yearly, until the amount reached £100. — Seconded by Mr A. F. Carey and adopted. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committe to manage the annuity fund : — The President and secretary of the Union, Messrs A. F. Carey (secretary and convener), George (treasurer), Adams, Smeeton, Dixon, Mackie, and Fraser. On the motion of Rev. A. Dewdney, the supplementary rules in connection with the annuity fund were made to hold good for another year. Rev. R. S. Gray moved, "That in connection with tho opening for home mission work in tho Taranaki district, the other evangelical denominations bo approached, with a view to a united effort along the lines of colporteur work, and that in the event of their being unwilling or unable to join in the enterprise, we undertake it ourselves and that we make an appeal for special donations for a period of two or three years, so that this work may not become a charge on our general fund." — Carried. The Conference adjourned.