BAPTIST MISSIONS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 20, 18 October 1917, Page 8

BAPTIST MISSIONS

NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE

EXECUTIVE

The executive of the .\ew Zealand Missionary .Society (which is also the executive of the A'ew Zealand Baptist Union) met yosterday morning, under the presidency of the Kcv. U". H. Kollings, the vice-president of the society, the president being also the secretary of the society. . Mrs. J. K. Archer and Mrs. Charles Collins (president und treasurer respectively of the Baptist Women's Missionary Union) were also present. The secretary reported that material for the preparation of his annual report had been sunk in transit from India, and that he would compile as accurate an account of the work abroad as he could after conferring with the returned missionaries. Mr. Charles Cathie, the treasurer of the society, presented his audited bal-ance-sheet, which contained many items of interest. The total revenue in the General Fund was MbiS 7s. Sri. Of this amount (lie Self-denial J'und yielded ■£451 ss. lid.; Ihe Baptist Women's Missionary "Onion raised ,C 660 9s. 3d. (an advance of JCIOO on any previous record); and legacies, JBI2I. 12s* sd. Tho expenditure in the Dominion had been .£715 lis. 7d-.. and the amount remitted to India .£2BOO 13s. id. The credit balance on the year's revenue was <£159 3s. 7d. Tho sum of £i]i ss. lOd. had been contributed towards the new mission house at Chandpur, raising tho fund to £im Is. 3d., but as ,£IOOO had been remitted to India for the erection of tho house, J£i3'i 18s. 9d. was still needed, in addition to the cost of furniture for tho house. The balance-sheet was adopted, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. H. H. Driver. Warm thanks were accorded to Mr. Cathie for his- efficient services as treasurer, and to the Eov. I\ Oldriovc for his activity as fiuanciul secretary. The 11.W.M.U. was heartily complimented on the splendid contribution it had made to the funds of the society. Mies Beokingsalo and Miss Wilkinson, returned missionaries of the society, wero then introduced, and cordially welcomed on behalf it the executive by the Rev. A. !North. Miss Beckingsalo gave valuable information regarding the working of tho society in India, anil counselled the executive as to the future policy and aims of tho society. It was decided to remit 4MO to India lor tho purchase of Christmas gifts to bo distributed among Iho schools conducted by tho society at its two stations.

Miss Wilkinson, who is returning to Jndia in December, after a. year of furlough, suggested that definite topics for prayer should be slatCtt month by uioiilli in "The Baptist." Airs. C. Collins read tho balance-sheet of. tho 8.W.M.U., which showed- that &m 'is. M. had becji raised, ur .£l3O in excess of the nmouut estimated. Mrs, Collins presented a careful summary and comparison of tho amounts iontributed by the various branches of tho union. The balanco-slioet was received with ap; plause on the motion of Air. A. F. Carey and. the Rev. It. f>. Gray. The report of" the secretary ol tlie 8.W.M.1). (Mrs. H. H.-Driver, of Duuedin) was read by tho president (Mrs. ,T K Archer). It expressed Mgrel at the retirement of Miss Spudding from the i-ec-rotaryship after holding the offico for ten years An afternoon lea service bad been presented to her in recognition of her valuable services. A gold wristlet watch bud been sent to Miss Beckiugsalo in recognition of her twenty-one years ot servico in Indn. Reference- was made io the returivof ifisses Wilkinson and Beckiugsale. Gratification was expressed that ton junior, branches of the union had been formed. Tho total membership of the nuion was now increase ot nearly 100. Tho union rejoiced that work for the women and girls at Chandpur had been begun by Misses Gainsford and Hall, and hoped that Bonn medical work might be also undertaken. The Rev. A. North moved and Mr. T. 13. .Toneychfie seconded the reception of tho report, which was agreed upon. If. was resolved that a. message of appreciation and affection bo sent to Mrs.-Driver in recognition of her devoted services to iho soThe Rev Prank Oldriovc, financial secretary In the society, read his annual report. He staled that 59 of the clnirehee liait contributed Io the Self-Denial Fund, and that tho returns had been 55 per cent, in advance of nny previous amount. The total sum had. been £620, of which tho young people had contributed Albb. A request for gifts for Christinas boxes for India had yielded JiGO. Mr- Oldrieve believed that the Tevenue might ho easily augmented if inoro systematic methods were adopted. The report was adopted on the motion of tho .h,ev. J . J . North and tho Rev. K. S. Gray Regret was expressed at the prospect of tho possible retirement of Mr. Oldrieve from the position which he had so effectively_ held. A remit from the Auckland auxiliary, that local arangemtfnts for thei itinerary of visiting missionaries, bo leu in tuo hands of tho auxiliary was adopted. _ Applications from candidates lor missionary training and service were received "and considered. The secretary and treasurer were authorised to arrange for an increase in the salaries of lady missionaries proportioned to their length of service. The Rev. .T. K. Archer was unanimously' re-elected secretary, and the Rev. F. Oldrieve re-elected financial secretary, until their future movements were decided upon. Mr. C. Cathie was re-elected with applause, and wns heartily thanked for Ins past services. The estimated expenditure for the ensum" year was carefully considered, when the following items were passed:— New Zealand expenses, JB500; Brahmenbaria expense 3, .£1500; Chandpur expenses, .£1250: Chandpur House, £230; appreciation of silver. £220: total, £3700 It was considered that the revenue would equal the budgeted expenditure. A special prayer meeting was held in the gveninf, when the membew of the executive Joined the members of' the Vivian Street Church in united intercession Chaplain-Captain ,T. K. Archer presided, and gave interesting items of his experiences in the military camp. Dr W H. PetHt was also wesent, and Ruo'ke briefly- Prnyer was offered by the Revs. A. North, V. Oldrieve, and R, S. Grny and Messrs. A. F. Carey, H. H. Driver, and T. E. Toneycliffe; ' A public missionary 'meeting will be hold this evenine. over which the Rev. Alfred North will preside. Miss Becking.=rale, tho senior missionary, will be welcomed on her return on furlough. Farewell will be taken of Miss AVilkinson, who is returning to the field at the end of the year.