BAPTIST UNION

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 84, 6 October 1931, Page 9

BAPTIST UNION

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON REPORT OF ACTIVITIES. The annual conference of the Baptist Union of New Zealand was opened in Wellington at the Vivian Street Church to-day. There is an attendance of about 100 delegates frotii all parts of the Dominion. Various committee meetings were hold this morning and this afternoon, preliminary to the welcome tea at 6 o'clock this evening, after which, at 7.30 o'clock, the president (the Key. W. 33. Lambert) will introduce the incoming president (Mr. P. W. Gaze), who will deliver his presidential address, his subject being "A Now Zealander's Free Church." Tho confe-r----enco will continue throughout the week. The annual report states that tho membership now totals 7599; resident 0508, non-resident 1391. Seventy-one churches are affiliated with the union. Of these, 42 show an increase- in membership of 359, and 19 show a decrease of 131. This reveals a net increaseof 228 for the year, which is a marked improvement on the figures of tho previous year. For the year, 446 baptisms were- reported. Of that number, 343 were- for membership. It was to be regretted that 17 churches did not report any baptisms, also that 103 were baptised who did not apply for membership. Tho number of baptisms was satisfactory, and rovealed an increased interest in most of tho churches. Reference is made to the deaths during tho year of the Rev. A. 11. Collins, an ex-president of the union; Rev. Joseph Clark, an ex-president; Mr. 11. Townshend (of Wellington), an outstanding local .preacher; Mr. Theo. Rollings, M.Sc., and Mr. Don Graham, two promising young men who lost their lives at sea; Mrs. C. Cathie, relict of the late Mr. C. Cathie, an ex-president. The splendid service rendered by the members of the four auxiliaries is acknowledged. The work of the college, it is stated, has continued unabated and unhindered in any way. The committee acknowledges with gratitude the liberal support from all sources. The executive) places on record its appreciation of.tho arduous duties so ably fulfilled by the principal, the Rev. J. J. North, D.D., and tho tutor, the Rev. A. J. Grigg, M.A., B.D. The committee entrusted with the churches' finances reports that, with the oxception of the missionary statement, nil other accounts are in credit. The capital of the annuity fund is steadily increasing. With tho assistance of the a gmentation fund, annuitant;; are receiving the maximum annuity from the fund. Tho good work made possible by the sustentation fund has been maintained. Next year the union will celebrate its jubilee at Christchurch. Dr. J. H. RiishIn'ooke, secretary of the Baptist World Alliance, has signified his intention to be present at the meetings.