BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume IV, Issue 1075, 16 October 1883, Page 2

BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

[BY TELEURAPH. Nelson, To-day. The annual session of the Baptist Conference commenced yesterday- After prayer by the Rev A. North, of Dunedin, seventeen ministers and delegates assembled, and the President (the Rev C. Carter, of Pohsonby) was in the chair. The Revs C. Bright, of Oaversham, J- D. Gilmore, of Sydenham, and A. Farr, brother of the Maori missionary, Te Wairoa, Uhinemutu, were elected members of the Union. The annual report was read. Its salient features were that nineteen churches had sent their annual collections to the Union. The net increase in the membership, was 207, the total membership being 2,230. More churches were being formed at Oamaru and Mosgie l . The Sunday schools contain 2,800 scholars and 322 officers and teachers. Property and buildings costing L 2,680 had been acquired during the year.’ The Maori mission had beenj well sustained by the churches, helped by Mr Snow, the generous originator. The treasurer’s report showed receipts to the amount of LlO2 15s 2d, and expenditure Ll 7 7s, leaving a balance in hand of LBS • 8s 7d. The sum of LlO had been voted for supplies to the church at Oamaru. A request from the Canterbury Baptist Association inviting the Union to take charge of the New Zea'and I Baptist and make it a journal for the whole denomination was agreed to. A motion by the Rev A. North that churches receiving grants from the funds of the Union be required to confer with the committee in the event of a change either of the pastorate or of the constitution of the church was, after discussion agreed to unanimously.