CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1326, 2 January 1912, Page 7

CHURCHES OF CHRIST.

FOURTH ANNUAL; CONFERENCE. The fourth general conference of the (-.burches of Christ 111 New Zealand is now being held. in. the Vivian Street Church. •■•■■ On Sunday special services were held 111 each of the-city and 'suburban "churches, visiting preachers occupying. Ihe pulpits in each case. A combined rallv ot the churches was held in the -Vivian street Church ou Sunday afternobh, and' the meeting Was most enthusiastic, addresses being delivered bv Jlos«ri. "Ha!•' ward, Ciebbie, and Hadfield.. Air. A. J. Saunders presided. . The business session commenced Ihis morning,, under (he presidency of- Mr. J. L. Scott. Tho following.c'vuuEcli'ts were preseiit.i-JlcssK. li. Uebbic, .jjunedin; T. J. Bull, Alataura; CV Volvo Nelson; 11. Grinstead; Auckinhd.i J„ Jollnston, Palinerston : Northi.-J t V J. Goodwin, rahiatua; A. J. Saunders, Wellington ; S. H. Mudge.(Newton), H.-.Q.-- Harward; Oumaru; J. R, Clark, Gore; ,T; Binnev, Oamaru; J. Griffiths, Spring' Grove; F L. Hadfield, Bulawayo, South Africa. The following delegates were- also present ■Messrs. Alleu Scott (Auckland); H. Grinvstead, W.D.Glaislor (lit. Eden),R. Gcbbie, C. F, JlacDonald (Duficdin),': J I. AVright 'J. Holnies (MlifSngtori), J. Jltller and F. Burns (South DUncdiii), H. Codmbo (Kilbirnie), J. Heggi'o (Lower Hutt), H. T. Bull (Mataura), C. Verco and F. V. Knapp (Nelson), S. Clark, H. HnrWard, J. Bmney .(Oamaru),-F, Goodwin, J. 11. Hay(l'ahiatua), L. Johnston (Palmerston North), A. Wright, N. Battersby (Potone), H. Richards (Wanganui), A. ,T. Saunders, T. J;-Hunter, R-; J;v Dftvies; J. Bewley (Wellington), S. Aludge, H. Owen, H. Callam, G. Clark (Newtown), F. Shepherd, Al. Auckland). llr. It. ,B. Davies welcomed- the delegates, to Wellington. Messrs. "Grinstead and Vick.ery were appointed press correspondents, _and F. J. Bull, recording" secretary. A" welcome was also "extended to Mr. F. L. Hadfield, missionary to South Af'rida, who .is ' !at present.ho'nie.6ll fiir-' lough. . ""." '. ..-••—- -

Reports were received frbm- ; the Auckland, Middle District, end Sbuthern Conferences, telling''of the worli'ttiat is-be-ing done'iu each .of these districts. Very good progress was reporte<l from Otago, Nelson, and Auckland. The conference then discussed the best methods of evangelisation: ill' tho Dominion, a. proposal being brought forward by Mr. T.-.1. Hunter, of Wellington, that a Dominiou Conference tako the pine* of tho Provincial Conferences. ■ After alengthy discussion the proposal -was lost. It was resolved that the incoming 'executive- formulate a. worknble scheme showing how home missions can be more effectively carried out than at present. Mr. P. Gebbie read a. paper on "The Need of a Dominion Chinch Extension Fund." II was resolved to eniphatically rccoinmond id the various district conferences the establishnient of n. Dominion church extension fund. Mr. W. D. Glaister read a paper dealing with the disabilities under which tho preacher's of the Chhfch <if Christ labom 1 in reference to registration under the .Marriage Acl. It was resolved that the president of the General Conference.be made responsible to the Government for the Churches >if Christ in order to comply with tho legal enactment of marriage laws. Mr. f{. G. ffafward road, a paper on "The Needs of the IV.nro in Home Mission Work." In tho evening a homo mission rallv wa« held. Mr. C- -F. M'Donald. of Duhedin, presided, and addresses were given by Messrs. Harward, Saunders. n.iirt Gebbie.'