LUTHERAN CONVENTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 128, 30 April 1940, Page 8

LUTHERAN CONVENTION.

Tbe regular annual convention of the Luiheraif Conference of New Zealand assembled at Rongotea recently. Dc’cgatcs and visitors were present from all the units of the conference. The keynote of ibe presidential address to the assembly was a [call to pemonal consecration, and to active service in the work of tlie Church. The Christian Church existed not to engage in j general philanthropies, excellent and ncccsj sarv as these were, but to bring about spiritual conversion. Despite tbe fact that !a number of families were compelled 1 through force of circumstance to remove to districts beyond the reach of the Church steady progress was reported. No great i changes had taken place in the conference 'during the past year, apart from the change jin the Wellington pastorate. Rev. P. Paid left late last vear to take charge of the I parish at Hamilton, Victoria, and his place [had been taken by Rev. (V . Seppelt, 'who had been working in the South Melbourne mission. I On the Sunday special services were held in the Coronation Hall. The preacher at the morning service was the president of the conference, Rev. A. Vcny, of Nelson. and lie appealed for consecrated evangelism. Rev. C. AfTelt conducted the ser- \ ices in the afternoon and appealed to the audience to look 'to Christ by faith, and to bring others to look to Him. The session on the Monday was devoted to the business of the conference. The missionary programmes of the Church, particularly in Christchurch and Wellington, were outlined and the necessary funds, appropriated. On M&ndav evening an essay was submitted to an attentive audience, dealing with problems, and difficulties facing the Church and how to prevent or overcome them. After the meeting a number of people registered their willingness to assist the Church by personal active support. The next convention will meet at Haleombo in 1940. Rongotea correspondent.