CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 480, 13 April 1909, Page 4

CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Tho annual conference of the Associated Churches of Christ for the middle district of .N'civ Zealand was continued in the Christian Chapel, Riddiford Street, South Wellington, on Saturday. Mr. J. T. Hunter, of Wellington, presided. A devotional meeting at 9 a.m. was led by Bro. E. Lewis (Spring Grove). Annual Report. The retiring committee reported that a number of changes had taken placo in its personnel during the year. Bro. Dick, who for a number of years had acted as secretary to the conference, had removed to Auckland soon after tho year opened. On Bro. Dick resigning from the secretaryship, Bro. Vickery .accepted that position, Bro. Turner being clioscn to fill the vacancy on tho committee. Then Bro. Vickery also left Wellington for Auckland, and Bro. Franklyn was elected to the secretaryship. Bro. Gray, who was appointed to the position of vice-president, felt compelled to resign bis position, and Bro. Davis was elected to that post. Tho positions vacated by Brethren Vickery and Gray wens not filled by the committee. Fourteen meetings were held, and tbo following attendances registered: J. T. Hunter (12), R. B. Davis (13), D. Campbell (14), Geo. Gray (2), J. J. Franklyn (13), M. Vickery (10), W. Taylor '(13), R. J.Dick (1), A. F. Turner (9). The result of the special homo mission collection was somewhat disappointing. It was hoped to reach tho sum of £150, but tho amount received was only £107 Is., and the Churches were asked to remember' the necessity of bringing this * annual effort moro prominently beforo the brotherhood, as tho success of the work depends largely upon tho result of these appeals. The following recommendations are made for future work: That it bo a recommendation to the incoming committee to securo a proacher for the Pahiatua field at tho earliest opportunity: That it bo a recommendation to the new committee to thoroughly investigate the state of the work in Palmerston North, and give favourable consideration to its claims; That tho conference seriously considers—(a) Whether it is advisable to continue evangelistic work in the Nelson district; (b) The matter of re-engaging Bro. Prirto for such work for another year,; That it bo a recommendation to the incoming committee to consider the question of giving evangelistic assistance to tho cause in Taranaki and Taihape districts. Tho membership of the Churches in tho co-operation was reported at 1052. The actual gain was 21, a large number being removed from tho rolls by discipline. A debit balance was reported on* the year's work of £37 17s. 7d. This was accounted for by the failure of some of tho Churches to forward tho amounts promised. During tho year tho losses of tile Churches by tho hand of death had been unusually heavy. Tho recommendations in tho report were discussed at "considerable length. It was decided to re-engage Mr. J. (i. Price for the Nelson homo mission district for another year. v Foreign Missions, In the afternoon the Foreign Missions Committee's report was presented. The report expressed regret that owing to Sister Carter's removal from Wellington her resignation had to be accepted. Tho vacancy has been filled by Bro. Burnett. During tho greater part of tho year the secretary had been on tho nursing staff of tho hospital or laid aside by illness, so that her valuable sorvicos had been lost to tho committee. She would leave shortly on a trip to England. The committee wished her a pleasant trip and safe return. During the. year thirteen ordinary meetings and one'rally had been held, and keen interest had boei-Tmani-fested by.all in the reports from the mission field. A letter was received from Agrippa thanking the conference _ for the gift sent to him last Easter. In accordance with his own desires, tho .committee had recommended that he be relieved from teaching, aiid allowed to devote himself entirely to evangelistic work. Bro. Hadfield suggested thathuts bo erected on the Forest Yalo station, and that promising young men bo housed and trained as native preachers. The erection of each hut would cost something like £15, and the maintenance of each student would bo about £18 a year. This was a grand scheme, and ono they should support. The committee had also been asked to formulate some scheme for raising funds to meet ■the expenses of their missionary's furlough, which had been promised in less than Uirge years' time. This year the allocation system was tried, but though very little was asked per member, no church, save Vivian Street. Wellington, came up to expectations, Oii April 1 the committee should have forwarded their remittance of £58, hut as they had only £30 in their treasury they had been unablo to do so. They confidently appeal to tho conference to make up the deficiency, and if possible give them something towards their next draft. Whilst the committee could not see its way to form an auxiliary of tho American Christian Women's Board of Missions, they were pleased to report that a number of their sisters had resolved to form a N.Z.C.W.B.M. Tho object of this was to create amongst their sisters a deeper interest in home and foreign missions. They wore approaching the Sisters' Conference at Oamaru with a view to Securing their cooperation. Tho committee trusted that they would unite with them, and form a strong society. They would be glad if delegates would bring this before tho sisters in their respective churches, and urge them to form auxiliaries. The committee recommended— (1) That tho Churches endeavour to raise £150 this year; (2) that/the foreign .mission offering bo taken up on the first Sunday in October. The report was adopted. New Executive. The executive for the ensuing year was elected as follows:—President, Mr. J. J. Franklyn; vice-president, Mr. R. B. Davis; treasurer, Mr. D. C-rapbell; secretary, Mr. John Bewley; committee, Messrs. G. Day, A. Williams, W. Taylor, and H. Owen. No-Ucanso. A resolution was carriod in regard to NoLiceiiso as follows: —"That this'conference of delegates, representing tho associated Churches of Christ, wishes to place upon record its thankfulness to God for the result of the last No-License poll, and that it giv«s approval to the principle embodied in tho No-License platform, ' that the total prohibition of the sale of alcoholic liquor would bo conducive to right living, and thus further the extention of the work of God.' " It was decided to hold the next conference at Spring Grove. In the evening an essay by Mrs. Rioliardc was read on Bible-school work. The es3ay was followed by discussion. Yesterday, at 10 a.m. and 7.30 p.m., public meetings wero hold for tho deepening of the spiritual life. These wero very largely attended, and addresses were given by Bios. D. M. M'Craekett, E. Lewis, J. G. Price, li. J. Jones, J. T. Hunter, J. Griffith, and J. J. Franklyn.'