Tárogató, 1945-1946 (8. évfolyam, 1-7. szám)

1945-09-01 / 3. szám

14

TÁROGATÓ

When the war ends, the situation will change rapidly. People without fear will seek the ministration of religion. The Church in Europe will have a unique opportunity for service, at a time when because of the repression of the past few years she will be least able to render it alone. We who believe in a world wide Christian fellowship, must come to the aid of the Protestant churches in Europe. Already plans are under way to enable us to do so. The churches in Great Britain, the United States and Canada will soon have an opportunity to demonstrate their faith in the unity of Christian fellowship by making gifts of money to help meet the need of Europe’s Protestant churches. Great Britain has been asked for £1,000,000, the United States for $4,385,000. The Protestant churches in Canada are being asked for $300,000. The money will be used specifically for the reconstruction of dispersed congregations, the restoration of the ministry, the provision of Christian literature, the organization of evangelistic campaigns, the rebuilding of Christian youth movements, the reconstruction of Home Missions and Christian social work. The members of the Canadian churches, all of whom have benefited financially by the war boom will, we are sure, contribute liberally to help their fellow Christians in Europe when the appeal is made in a few weeks’ time.

OVERSEAS MISSIONS COUNCIL FORMED IN CANADA

Dr, A. E. Armstrong First President

Canadian Churches have taken another great step forward in interdenominational cooperation in the formation and inaugguration on April 3rd of the Canadian Overseas Missions Council.

This history-making step is the outgrowth of an inter-board committee, and the co-operation between Boards and Secretaries. The new organization will permit closer consultation and united planning of wrok abroad as well as in the home churches.

The business meeting was held at the School of Missions in the afternoon at which the devotions wree led by the Most Reverend Derwyn T. Owen, Primate of All Canada; and various problems requiring immediate action were outlined by Dr. A. E. Armstrong, Dr. W. A. Cameron, Rt. Rev. Jesse H. Amup, Mrs. H. D. Taylor, Canon L. A. Dixon and

Mrs. A. R. McMurrich.

Representatives, officially appointed by the General Boards and Women’s Missionary Boards, were present, and adopted a constitution. Membership is open to Foreign Mission Boards and Societies of Churches having headquarters in Canada who will have fortyeight of the sixty memberships; to the Canadian Sections of Boards having headquarters outside Canada and interdenominational agencies co-operating in overseas work, who will have the other twelve. Allotted so far are Anglican, 12; Baptist, 9; Presbyterian, 9; and United Church, 18. So far Anglican, Presbyterian and United Church Mission Boards have officially entered the new Council. It is expected that the Baptist, Lutheran Evangelical and Disciples Communions will join later.

The organization being a voluntary one, it will have authority to commit the Boards concerned only as these approve.

Officers elected for the first term were: President, Dr. A. E. Armstrong; Vice-President, Mrs. A. R. McMurrich; Secretarytreasurer, Rev. H. C. Priest; Executive, Canon L. A. Dixon, Dean R. S. K. Seeley, Mrs. George Laidler, Dr. W. A. Cameron, Rev. Clifton MacKay, Mrs. J. G. Inkster, Dr. Jesse H. Amup, Dr. W. T. Brown, Mrs. H. D. Taylor.

A public meeting held in the evening at Trinity United Church, Toronto, formally inaugurated the Council at which Dr. A. L. Warnshuis, who has recently returned from a mission in war-torn Europe, spoke on “The Churches of Europe As Affected by the War.” He declared that the Churches in France, Holland, Belgium and Norway, and part of Germany, have become the voice of the free spirit of the people. He said there was a moral and spiritual regeneration going on in Europe, and predicted a new Europe within a few years that would make ours seem old. Dr. Warnshuis is a former Associate Secretary of the International Missionary Council, and is now Foreign Relations Counsellor to the Committee on Overseas Relief and Reconstruction which co-ordinates the overseas relief interests of twenty-six denominations and nine relief agencies carrying out overseas service programmes on behalf of the Churches.

The evening meeting was very largely attended, and the newly elected President, Dr. A. E. Armstrong, acted as Chairman. A state-