BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2635, 18 October 1909, Page 5

BAPTIST CONFERENCE.

REPORT OF ANNUITY FUND.

[Ter Press Association.! WELLINGTON, Oct, 16. At the -Baptist Conference, the report of the annuity fund showed increased interest on the part of churches and individuals. No payments had been made. The income fro nr church, collections anl personal donations amounted to £295 los 110. Pastors’ proud imp amnu-i t; £SO 9s 3d, and interest to £SG ISs 2d, makng a total of f‘397 3s 4d. The accumulated capital now amounted to £1403 13s The report of the Sunday School and \oung People’s Societies’" Committee stated there was a growing interest in the annual examination, and the quality or the work .'lone was distinctly good. The report advocated a uniform date for examinations. Dealing with Sunday Schools, it stated that compared with last year the rate of progress has., :; slackened perceptibly. Of the 55 schools, 36 had shown an increase .and 15 a decrease, but tbs increases had' hardly counterbalanced the decreases. The total number of teachers was 706., scholars 5460, Bible classes 557, and an increase of 91 teachers and 221 scholars and. Bible class teachers. Various speakers emphasised the necessity for stimulating interest in the work of the Sunday schools. Receipts oik behalf of the manse funds for the year amounted to £S3 13s Bd, making a credit balance of £123 9s 2d. A sum of £S2 had been paid iu reduction _ or manse loans. The reports of various auxiliaries gave a comprehensive review of the condition and doings of the Baptist churches throughout the Dominion, and were most encouragingThe report of the registrar mentioned that very few additional names had been sent in for insertion in the list of unattached Baptists. Reference was made to the lasting benefits to bo derived from family worship. WELLINGTON, Oct. 1/. At the Baptist Union Conference yesterday the report of the board ot introduction and advice was presented, and showed that much useful work bad been done during the year in the way of introducing pastors to churches, taking the oversight of new enterprises, and giving counsel in cases ot emergency. . _ .. Mr. H. H. Driver, Dunedin, m reference to the decease of the ReV. Silas Mead, of Perth, moved that the Union desires to record its high regard for the memory of the Rev. Silas Mead, M.A., L.L.B. The resolution explained the singular services rendered to the denomination by the late minister during a long and strenuous life, especially in South Australia and Western Australia, It was largely due to his initiative that the Indian mission scheme was undertaken by the Australasian Baptists. The Assembly rose and' silently expressed its' approval. Mr. W. H. George moved that every other conference he held either in Wellington or Christchurch, the alternative conferenQe , being at some place other than there. This met with much opposition from Auckland, and eventually it was decided to leave the matter to he arranged year by year.. The conference adjourned till no day.