CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN’S SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 191, 11 May 1944, Page 6

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN’S SOCIETY

Dominion Conference

CREATING A CHRISTIAN OPINION

The 29th Dominion conference 'of the Church of England Men’s Society was opened yesterday in St. James’s Parish Hall, Lower Hutt, with a welcome by the mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. XV. Andrews. Between 30 and 40 delegates from various parts of the Dominion were present. The Ven. Archdeacon J. D. Bussell, Oamaru, responded on behalf of the clergy, and Mr. C. S. Hammond, Christchurch, on behalf of the laity. “I believe this is going to be a momentous conference,” said the Bishop of Wellington, the Kt. Rev. H. St. Barbe Holland, who is presiding, and who opened the conference. “We are here as realists, not to have pleasant and genial discushions, but to probe the defences of Mammon, and bring to the problems of the post-war world the benefit of an in* formed and virile Christian opinion. Never since the days of Constantine, when Christianity was made a legal religion, have we been confronted with such problems as confront us today.” He said that he would like to emphasize three points in individual Christian living—experience of God, dear thinking about God, and action for God. These must be the basis of Christian witness. Report of the Council. The annual report of the Dominion council said that the work generally throughout New Zealand had expanded and prospered during the war period. “The society has proved that it is not a small body of effete old-fashioned,Church-men, out of touch with modern conditions, but that it is a vigorous, enthusiastic, and earnest body of men, from every rank of life, who are prepared to give, and are giving, serious thought to the problems of life as we find it today,” the rfeport continued. “The conference held at Christchurch in 1941 marked the beginning of an encouraging revival in the life of the society, and initiated a definite movement in the direction of relating the Christian message to everyday life as we live it.” “It is generally felt that something should be done by the Church to welcome returning servicemen, and fit them into the life of the parishes. The experiences of active service have severely tested the spiritual resources of all men, and many who have been out of touch with Christian fellowship have _ been brought to serious thought on religious matters through what they have seen and endured, and also by helpful contacts with chaplains in circumstances which would not be possible in normal civil life. The problem is to make it easy for such men to find congenial fellowship and help when rehabilitated. A committee of C.E.M.S. members was set up to prepare a plan for adoption and in its deliberations it had the valuable assistance of the Rev. N. "E. Winhall, who was able to present the point of view of the padre. A scheme to be carried out under the control of the military affairs committee was prepared and submitted to the bishops of the province, who gave their approval. The scheme was then put into operation, and a sub-committee of the military affairs committee set up 'to assist in the work.” The election of officers resulted: vicepresidents, The Ven. J. D. Russell, Mr. J. Snell; lion. Dominion secretary, Mr. G. B. Goddard; hon. Dominion treasurer, Mr. R. H. O. Caldwell; hon. Dominion auditor, Mr. A. McGregor. Dominion council: The Ven. A. C. T. Purchas. Ven. E. J. Rich. Rev. N. E. Winhall, and the Rev. F. M. Kempthorne, Messrs. G. A. Ammundsen. R. Liggins, C. R. Mabson, and J. R. Smith. Dominion executive: The Rev. F. M. Kempthorne and Mr. R. Liggins to act in conjunction with the Bishop, the vice-presidents and the hon. Dominion secretary.