BAPTIST UNION CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 16, 14 October 1919, Page 5

BAPTIST UNION CONFERENCE

•*-, TRAINING OP MINISTERIAL STUDENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, October 13. At the Baptist Union Conference today the report on the training of students was read. The report thanked the authorities at Knox College, Dnnedin, tor according the full ministerial course to Baptists. In the course of discussion on the reports several'speakers stressed the necessity of a revision of the methods employed in training men for the Baptist Ministry. It was agreed that the conference commend to the Students'/ Committee the consideration of (1) The advisability of providing for students having a preliminary course of training in actual home mission or other preaching work under direct supervision of dome experienced minister;>(2) the wisdom of arranging as far as possible that the first ministerial charge upon completion of their course should bo in 6iich sphere as would permit of definite and constant advice and help from 6omo .senior minister. It was Tcsolved that a sustentation fund, to be worked as far as possible with the ministerial settlements scheme, be established with a view to'augmenting the stipends of ministers and home missionaries, and that a committee be set up to draft rules and obtain financial support. It was agreed that a paid secretary and treasurer bo appointed to devote his wholo time to tho business of thel union and the Missionary Society. Greetings were received from the New Zealand Alliance and congratulations on the loyalty of the Church to tho tenipcranc'o cause.A motion was carried to tho effect that steps be taken to incorporate the union under the Incorporated Societies Act. The revision of tho constitution was held over till next year. Mrs. AY. 'Lambonrno (Auckland) was elected president of tho Women's sMissionary Union. THE CHURCH AND THE INDUSTRIAL CRISIS. (By Telegraph—Spccial Correspondent.) Christchurch, October 13. The missionary sermon preached on Sunday by the Rev.. A. H. Ivearon, of Dunedin, and tho union sermon in tho evening by the Rev. 11. E., Edridge, of Hastings. To-day the'reports of the various organisations were received. At tho Women's Missionary Union meoting the annual report shoved that tho society had collected ,£B-tO. At this evening's meeting the subject discussed was "The Church in Relation to the Industrial Crisis." Tho opening address was delivered by tho Rev. W. S. Rollings, of Brooklyn, - who emphasised the npNssily of intellectual daring and moral courage if tho.new order were to bo established without a red revolution, ne condemned tho present land system and all the conditions which contributed to nrodnce the aggregation of wealth. Tn tlie discussion which followed, the Rev. .T. J. North expressed his agreement with the bulk of Mr. Rollings's view. Tho Rev, R. S. Gray urged a ranprochement between Labour and the Church in order to secure a solution of the social problem. The Rov. R. H. Knowles-Kempton, Mr. A. S. Adams, and others also spoke, tho speakers all admitting the nccessitv for a united attempt on the part of both Church and Labour to face tho situation in a spirit, of mutual confidence. . .