MISSIONARY SOCIETY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9794, 18 October 1917, Page 3

MISSIONARY SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho executive of the New Zealand Missionary Society (which is also the executive of tho New Zealand Baptist Union) met yesterday under the presidency of tho Rev. IV. S. Rollings, the vice-president of tho society, the president being also tho secretary of the society. Mrs J. K. Archer and Mrs Charles Collins (president and treasurer respectively of the Baptist V. omen’s Missionary Union) were also present. The secretary reported that material for the preparation of his annual report had been sunk in transit front India, and that ho would compile as accurate an account of the work ahead as ho could after conferring with tho rcturucmissionaries.

Mr Charles Cathie, the treasurer of tho society, presented his audited balancesheet. which contained many items of interest. The ratal revenue in the general fund was 423516 7s Sd. Oi this amount tho self-denial fund yielded .£451 5s lid; the Baptist Women’s Missionary Union raised AGCO 3s 3d (an advance of 41101) on any previous record); and legacies, .till Ids. 3d. The expenditure in the Dominion had been 41715 Ik 7d, and the amount remitted to India ,22300 13; 4d. The credit balance on the year's revenue wag ,2153 3; Zd.

Tho sum of .£412 5s 10(1 had been contributed toward; the now mission house at Chandpur, raising the fund to 41766 Is 3d, but ns JBIOOO had been remitted to India for tho erection of tho house, 4:233 18; 9d was stivl needed, in addition to lire cost of furniture for the house.

Tho balance-sheet was adopted, on tho motion of tho chairman, seconded by Mr H. It. Driver. AVarm thanks wore accorded to Mr Ca-thio for his etlicient services a; treasurer, and to the Rev. F. Oldrievo for his activity ns financial secretary. Tho B.W.M. was -heartily complimented on tho splendid contribution it had made to tho funds of tho society.

Miss Beckingsnlo and Miss Wilkinson, returned missionaries of the society, were then introduced, and cordially welcomed on behalf of tho executive by tho Rev. A. North. Miss Becfcingsaie gavo valuable information regarding the working of the society in India, and counselled the executive as to tho future policy and aim of the society. It was decided to remit 4MO to India for the purchase of Christmas gift; to be distributed among the schools conducted by the society at its two stations. Miss Wilkinson, who is returning to India in Decamber, after a year of furlough, suggested that definite topics tor prayer should be stated month by month in “The Baptist-.” Mrs C. Collins read the balance-sheet of tho 8.W.M.U., which showed that 41653 9s 2d had been raised, or 41130 in excess of tho amount estimated. Mrs Collins presented a, caa'cful summary; and comparison of tho amounts contributed by tho various branches of tho union. Tho balance-sheet was received with applause, on. tho motion of Mr A. F. Carey and the Rev. R. S. Gray. Tho report of the secretary of tho BAV.M.U. (Mr H. H. Driver, of Dunedin) was read by the president (Mrs J. K. Archer). It expressed regret at tho retirement of Miss Spedding from the secretaryship after holding tne office for ten years. An. afternoon tea service had been presented to her in recognition of her valuable services. A gold wristlet watch had been sent to Miss Beckingsale in recognition of her twenty-ono jaears of service in India. Reference ras made to tho return of Misses Wilkinson and Becldn-gsale. Gratification was expressed that ton junior branches of the union bai been formed. The total membership cf the union was now 973—an increase of nearly 100. The union rejoiced that work for the women and girls at Chandpur had been begun by Misses Gainsford and Hall, and hoped that soon medical work might bo also undertaken. Tho Rev. A. North moved and Mr T. 11. Tonoycliffo seconded tho reception of the report, which was agreed upon. It was resolved that a message of appreciation and affection bo sent to Mrs Driver in recognition of her devoted services to tho society. Tho Rev. Frank Oldrievc, financial secretary to the society, read his annual report. Ho stated that 59 of the churches had contributed to tho .Seif-Denial Fund, and that tho returns had been 55 per cent, in advance of any previous amount. The total sum had been 4:620, pf which tho young people had contributed 42166. A request tor gifts for Christmas boxes for India had yielded 4260. Mr Old.riovo believed that tho revenue might! be easily augmented if more systematic methods were adopted. Tho report was adopted on the motion of the Rev. J. J. North and the Rev. R. S. Gray. Regret was expressed at the prospect of t.ho possible retirement of Mr Uidrieve from the position which he had so effectively held. A remit from tho Auckland auxiliary, that loe-ai arrangements lor the itinerary of visiting missionaries, bo left in tho hands of tho auxiliary was auoxited. Applications from candidates for missionary training and service were received and considered.

The secretary and treasurer were authorised to arrange for an increase in tno salaries of lady missionaries .proportioned to their length of service.

The Rev. J. K. Archer was unanimously rc-olected secretary, and the Rev. F, Uldricve re-elected liuancial secretary, until their future movements were decided upon. Mr 0. Cathie was re-elect-ed with applause, and was heartily thanked for nis pa-st services. The estimated expenditure for the ensuing year was carefully considered, when the following items wero passed : —■ New Zealand expenses, 42500; Brahma-n----baria expenses, 421500; Chadpur expenses, 4:1250; Chandpur House, 42230; appreciation of silver, 42220; total, 423700. It was considered that the revenue would equal tho budgeted expenditure. A special prayer meeting was held in tho evening, when the members of the executive joined the members of the Vivian street Church in united intercession. Chaplain-Captain J. K. Archer presided, and gave interesting items of his experiences in the military c-amp. Dr W. H. Pettit was also present, and spoke briefly. Prayer was offered- by tho Revs. A. North, F. Oldrievc, and R. S. Revs, and Messrs A. F. Carey, H. HDriver, and T. E. Toneyclifie.