BAPTIST COLLEGE OPENED YESTERDAY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 292, 1 March 1928, Page 18

BAPTIST COLLEGE OPENED YESTERDAY

“OUTSTANDING EVENT” WORK BEGINS TO-DAY “The third outstanding event in the history of the Baptist Church in New Zealand,” is how the Rev. Eric Evans, of Dunedin, president of the union, characterised the establishment of the new theological college for Baptist students on the slopes of Mount Hobson, during the opening ceremony yesterday. The other two events were the founding of the union in 1882 and the initiation of the Baptist Missionary Society in 1885. A tablet in the college states that the building is the gift of “seven men animated by a desire for service,” and the complete equipment and furnishings have been given by well-wishers throughout the Dominion. The college is now complete with all necessities for study and recreation. The building was the home of the late Mr. H. M. Smeeton, who was largely responsible for the founding of the college. Mrs. Smeeton yesterday officially performed the opening ceremony by unlocking the door before the dedication ceremony. The three floors of the house include lecture halls, and accommodation for the ten students and the resident tutor, the Rev. J. J. North. He will be assisted by the Rev. A. Grigg and the Rev. J. L. Laird. The chairman of the college committee, Mr. F. N. Andrews, presided at a short service in the lecture hall. He read numerous messages of congratulation from all over New Zealand. These included one from Knox College, Dunedin, where Baptist students have been trained in past years. The Rev. W. S. Rollings, of Wellington, a former secretary of the committee, gave a brief outline of the history of the scheme. The Rev. J. J. North, who has been in charge of the college since its inception at the Tabernacle, spoke of the good work already accomplished and his hopes for the future. The college has no endowments. An appeal to support the institution by yearly subscriptions was made by the Rev. F. E. Harry, of Wellington, secretary of the committee. A total of £1,200 a year is needed for maintenance.

The students are to commence work to-day.