THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1882, 16 October 1913, Page 7

THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

YEAR'S CONFERENCE. (By T«l«rrap]i—Prari Af«aclatlon.) Wanganui, October 15. The business sessions of the Baptist Conference opened this morning. The Rev. J. G. Eraser, of Christchurch, presided. -In answer to the roll call, a large number of delegates responded, and the gathering constituted tho largest conferenco yet hold.

Th Revs. W. H. Hinton and D. Mill wore appointed the minute secretaries, and the Rev. E. H. Hobday press secrotary. The Rev. A..North, Mr. G. H. Maunders, and Mr. G. Carson were appointed as Notices of Motion Committee.

The president, in a formal addross of welcome, expressed gratification at tho attendance of delegates, and expressed the hope that tho conference would accomplish much useful work. Tho past year had been the most successful in the history of tho union.

The Rovs. W. S. Rollings A. T Brainsby, Dr. J. G. Hughes, and F, Oldreive were received in full minis.terial status.

Interesting addresses wore, delivered by the now ministerial members. Now church fellowships have been constituted at Cambridge and Otahuhu. The representatives of tho Remuera Childron's Homo were associated with tho conference. Greetings, were road from South Africa, Australia, England, and from .various parts of the Dominion.

Church Extension. At the afternoon Bession the vicopresident (Rev. E. A. Kirwood) took tho chair in the absenco of tho president. The secretary's report wa3 presented by tho llev. 11. S. Gray, and indicated that an advance had been made in both islands. Tho membership returns indicated an increase of 269 members, and church buildings have been oreotod at New Plymouth, Mount Albert, and Takapuna. Extensions have been made at tlie Auckland Tabernaclo, where a now pipo organ has beon put in, and Baptisteries are being' installed at Mornington, Richmond, and Epsom. Church sites have been secured at Mas"terton, Waltham, Goro, Te Awamutu, ■Maungakaramea, Onerahi, and Totoki. Now stations have been opened at Rotoorangi and Walton. Tho report evoked conßidorablo discußßion.

Church Finance. The treasurer's report indicated that tho income was £1542 19s. 3d. A committee was set up to report upon the financial position. The general organis'er (Rev. 'A. North) presented his second • annual report (which covered his visits to all the ohurches during the year, and was received with ontnusiasm.

• The financial secretary presented a report dealing with the' contributions of churches. The Young Men's Bibleclass Union contributed £96 4b. Id., and tho Young 'Wwmen's Biblo-ciass Union £37 2s. od., to the Homo Missions Fund during the year. A moro regular system of contributing was advocated in view of the demands being made upon the fund: £125 had beon raised for training students for the ministry. Tlie llev. W. Perry opened a discussion "On tho work of God in the Church," in which many representatives took part. The Aduance in Europe. The presidential address was delivered at tho evening sossion. The Rev. Alfred North presided, and spoke of tho groat advance of the Baptist Church throughout tho world, especially on the Continent of Europe, where during the last two years, no had ascertained, when in Hungary, that moro than 20,000 people havo united with the Baptist churches. Altogether the Baptists now number more than 30 millions. Tlie theme of the uresident's address was "Our Baptist Faith," and dealt with' the strength of the Baptist faith in; this age. Women's Missionary HfTort. The Baptist Women's Missionary Union met for tho annual nieoting in tho central hall. Mrs. Kirwood presided over a representation from '27 unions. Miss Galnsford was welcomed homo from India on furlough. Tho reports showed an increase of 107, in tho membership. A sum of £543 13s. Od. was raised for mission work. Rogrot was expressed at tho absenco of tlie secretary. Miss Spedding. Tho election of officers for tho coming year resulted as follows:—President, Mrs. W. 11. Hinton; vice-presi-dents—Auckland, Mrs. Rollings; Wellington, Mrs. Brainsly; Contral, Mrs. Gaze; Canterbury, Mrs. James Haywood; OtacM, Mrs. Archer; secretary, Miss Spedding; treasurer, Mrs. Blackburn.

In tho afternoon a public meeting wan hold. Mrs. Kirwood presided, and gave an address on "a plea for a womanly womanhtod." Miss Gainsford gave an interesting address 011 licr recent experiences in India, and tlio prospects of Christian work in India.