MINUTES OF THE BURMA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL

Transcription

1 MINUTES OF THE BURMA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETINGS N o'ljember , and January 7, ip3111! The Executive Committee of the Burma Christian CauncU met' on the 17th November, 1930, at 8:00 a.m., in Community; Hall and at Bishopscourt 7th January, 1931, at 6:00 p.m. The following members of the Committee were present at one or both of the meetings:-the Rt. Rev. The Bishop of Rangoon, presiding; Mr. D. Yesudian, Rev. Peter Kin Maung~ Dr. J.- E. Cummings, Mr. E. M. Gabriel, Dr. H. I. Marsllall, Dr. C. H. Riggs, Mr. B. M. Jones, Dr. W. E. Wia~ Mr. Geo. Appleton, Mr. W. B. Hilton, U Ba Hlaing, Saya U Hla ~u, Mr. H. W. Green, and Mr. G. 'D. Josif, Secretary, Mr. H. V. Shepherd rep~sented the Wesleyan Mission at the second meeting. Other members.of the Council present were :-Dr. F E. Eden, Miss Hazel Winslow, Mr.W. W. Bell, Mr. R. H. Clayton, U Shwe Hman, Rev. V.N.Kemp, Mr. W. F. Grahame, ~Miss M. H. L. Laughlin, Mr. 'P. l Braisted. Members of standing committees present:-rev. E. H. Cox, Rev. H. E. Hinton. Visitors:-Dr. W. St. John, Mr. Htin Tait and the Yen. Archdeacon, Rev. N. K. Anderson. The Chairman opened the meetings with prayer. Regrets were received from Saya U IDa Bu, Mr. J. M. Young, and Mi. H. W. Green, for their inability to be pres'!l1t at the first meeting and from Saya U Tun Pe and Mr. Hilton at the second meeting. The Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council were BJ'V\ Z, approved as printed and circulated. t:>1j~2.~~ 1. The Secretary explained that due to a mistake madt: at the Annual Meeting in electing to the Executive Committee a person whp was not a member of the Council, the Committee of Arrangements appointed Dr. Marshall to serve on the Executive COmmittee, subject to the confirmation of the Executive Committee. It was VOTED:. That we confinn the appointment of Dr. Marshall as member of the Executive Committee.. 2. "Beci!use of the resigna~on of Mr. Johnson Kan Gyi as Treasurer-elect immediately after the dose of the Annual Meet-.

2 2 ing, the Committee of Arrangements appointed Mr. D. Yesudian to this office, subject to the confirmation of the Executive Committee. It was VOTED: That we confirm the action of the Committee of Arrangements in appointing Mr. p. Y esudianas our Treasurer for the year The Secretary presented a numb~r of matters for in for mati.on:-,.. (a) A. notice from the N. C. C. informing all interested that the office of the Council had been moved to Nagpur from Poona... (b) A letter from the N. C. C. calling attention to the recent publication of Miss Matheson's book on Industrial Relations in.india, by the Oxford University Press. Members of the Council ate advised to purchase copies of this first edition, Re. 1/- per eopy only'; later a more expensive edition will be issued for the general public... ( c) The Secretary announced that further correspondence, as well as a personal interview with the chairman of the Barrows Lectureship Committee, availed nothing, and Bishop McConnell will not be able to give his lectures in Burma. This information was received by all with fresh feelings of regret and disappointlfient at the slight which Burma has received in this matter. (d) A letter from Mr. Philip stating that Burma's request to ~dr. Paton to visit Burma will receive consideration. (e) Commission on Christian Higher Education. Dr. St. John, Principal, Judson College, to whom the making of arrange.ments for the visit of this commission was entrusted, was asked to make a statement as to the plans and purpose of the Commissinn's visit in.burma. Dr. St. John was requested to present the Secretary with a copy of his letter to the Commission for the files of the Burma Christian Council. The Bishop of Rangoon suggested that the views of 'all!communions should be made available and would be welcomed by the Commission in considering collegiate and other higher c:du~ation in Burma. It was also RESOLVED: That we ask the CommiSSion on Christian Higber Education to consider the problems of theological training and of high school education in ~urma and their relation to College education. (The hope was expressed that the report of the Commission will in due time be made available to us.) :( f!) A letter from the Immanuel Baptist Church offering the use' of Community Hall.free of charge for the meetings of the

3 Executive Committee. this generous offer. 3 The Committee records its thanks for (g) A letter from th~ X. C. C. calling attention to the Day of Prayer for India Burma and Ceylon, 7th December. The Secretary has distributed the printed' suggestions for the ob~ervance of this day among the Communions represented on the Burma Christian Council. 4. The Conscience Clause in lljission Schools. The most important matter with which the Executive Committee dealt at these two meetings was the application of the Conscience Clause in lvlission Schools, in the light of Letter :\' /1. G. 28, dated the 11th October, 1930, from the Director of Public Instruction. The situation \,vas considered very thoroughly in lengthy discussions at the 1\'\'0 meetings and the foll(j\.ving t1nal action was adopted nem con. Upon motion by Mr. Shepherd, ~l'c()nded by Mr. Appleton, it \vas RESOLVED: That \ve ask the Communions represented on the 1 ~urma Christian Council, to urge upon their schools the honourable observance of the religious condition for recognition, as laid do\\'n in Chapter II, paragraph 4, of the Educational Rules for Anglo-Vernacular and English Schools and that schools lje requested to print this rule in their prospectuses, and to post the same in a prominent way in the school. 5, IF ark in the Samra Tract, Upper Chilldzc'in District. A letter from the Chief SecretarY to the Government of Burma asked the opinion and advice ~f the Council on the request of ':\Ir. Pettigre\\' of the A. B. ~Ilssion in ~1 ani pur, to be permitted tu do work among the Tanghul Nagas of the Somra Tract across the Burmese border. It was I<ESOL VED: That \\'e advise Government that the Council has no objection to the granting of the permission requested by 1\1r. Pettigrew, provided that the \\'esleyan ~lission has no objection to offer. (The Secretary subsequently corresponded \\'ith }\lr. Young, Superintendent of the \Vesleyan }\Tission, who offered the following observation which wa~ included in the Secretary's answer to the Government of Burma:.. I consider the establishment of a station on the Chindwin river, especially south of Homalin, would cause overlapping." It is assumed that it is not the intention of Mr. Pettigrew to establish such a station, but further information has been requested of him on this point.) 6. Req'ttests of the B. C. Jll. S. (a) The request of the B. C. M. S. for representation on the Burma Christian Council

4 4 was approved by the Executive Committee, in accordance with the explanation given by the Chairman that the request would be satisfied by an increase in the representation of the Anglican Communion on the Council. On moti m by Dr. Wiatt it was RESOL VED : That the representation of the Anglican Communion on the Burma Christian Council be increased by two, and that if notice of constitutional alteration is necessary for such additional representation-this resolution be regarded as such a notice to be acted upon later. (b) On the question of enlarging the boundaries of the work of the B. C. M. S. it was agreed that arrangements must be arrived at between the B. C. M. S. and the other bodies concerned and that the Burma Christian Council by its constitution may be called upon only to act as arbiter if necessary. 7. Visit of Dr. Oliver, Secretary of the N. C. C. for medical and women's work. In response to her "letter expressing her readiness to visit Burma, it was RESOLVED: That we invite Dr. Oliver to visit Bun11a in connection with the next Annual Meeting of our Council. 8. Contribution to the N. C. C. Funds. A letter from Mr. Philip of the N. C. C. explained the misunderstanding that has existed regarding the contribution expected of this Council to the N. C. C., due to which the B. C. C. has not contributed to the N. C. C. since While regretting that we cannot accede to Mr. Phillip's request that we contribute to the N. C. C. the arrears for the past three years, it was VOTED: That we contribute.rs. 400/- to the National Christian Council, to cover our share for the years 1929 and In view of the suggestion made that the B. C. C. should plan a United Evangelistic Campaign in Burma among the Communions represented on the Council, it was RESOLVED: That Mr. B. M. Jones, Mr. George Appleton, and Mr. P. ]. Braisted constitute a committee to formulate plans deemed desirable for such a campaign and report to the Executive Committee at its next meeting. (This was passed at the meeting on the 17th November. See page 6 for Report and further action at the meeting on 7th January.) 10. The arrangements for appointing one Sunday for the Christian Literature Society was left to the discretion of the officers of the Council.

5 5 11. Closer Relations With Sim1t. This subject was referred by the Council at the Annual Meeting to the Executive Committee for consideration and action. The Executive Committee adopted the following resolution presented by Dr. Marshall:- In view of the great similarity of the Ii fe, culture and religions of the people of Siam with those of Burma, and in view of the friendly relations established during the hot season of 1930 between the students of Burma and of Siam. and the oft expressed desire both of the missionaries and natio'nals of Siam that they might have more friendly relations between the Christian workers of the two countries. be it RESOLVED: That the SecretarY of the Burnia Christian Council open correspondence with the' Siam Christian Council, with the view to exchange greetings and open up the way f01' the interchange of visits and cordial relations bet\\-een the two countries which may lead to conferences on our common religious problems. 12. Representation 011 the N. C. C. A letter from :Mr. Philip requested the names of the representatives from Burma at the N. C. C. meeting in It was therefore necessary at this time to elect two representatives for the vacancies that will occur in July 1932, and it \v'as VOTED: That Saya L~ Tun Pe and 1\1r. G. D. Tosif be elected as our representatives to the X. C. Co, in place' of Mr. Young and Rev. Peter Kin Maung, whose term expires in July, \ It was further VOTED: That the arrangements for filling any vacancy that may occur in the representation to this year's meeting of the N. C. C. be left in the hands of the Chairman and the Secretary.

6 REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO STUDY THE, QUESTION OF A UNITED EVANGELISTIC CAMPAIGN FOR BURMA " Following the instructions of the Burma Christian Council Executive Council your committee has studied various aspects of the present situation of the Christian :Movement in Burma. In addition we have studied the now, well-known movements in other countries, especially those of China, and Japan. Vve have learned that within Burma there have been several individuals and groups of Christians who have been hoping and < planning in the direction of an e-vangelistic campaign. All these separate endeavors testify to the considerable conviction that some such movement shouid soon be under way. U It is our conviction that a United Forward Evangelistic l\1ovement is long overdue. in Burma. \i\t e feel that the time has come for the Burma Christian Council to ca.l1 upon the Christians of Burma to unite in an evangelistic campaign. "Several general principles seem to us to be basic in any such Forward Movement. 1. It should be preeminently a movement in and through the churches. 2. It should not in any way constitute a pugnacious challenge to other communities. 3. Very careful and special efforts should be made to enrich the Christian experience and Ii fe of each individual Christian. 4. This campaign must be something far grander than a mere spurt. Careful and persistent planning, steady and continuous promotion, and sustained effort to make a true evangelism the dominant emphasis of the Christian Movement in Burma." should extend over a period of say three years.. 5. It must be comprehensive as regards Christian denominations, as regards area, race, methods; we should aim at the. establishment of the Kingdom of God in every relationship of Life. "We feel, as we are certain the majority of the Christians of Burma feel, that any effort merely to set up more machinery should be strenuously resisted. It is onr hope that this evange- " listic effort will eventuate in a Forward Christian Movement along all fronts. We would look for a genuine unity among all

7 7 Christians; for a deepened and enriched spiritual life; manifest in our churches; and within a period of five years a doubling of the church membership in Burma. " If the Executive Committee approves of the general plan and principles we would recommend the appointmehtof a Committee of seven or nine members which Committee should be instructed to proceed at once to a more detailed planning. The first step should be the issuing of a Call to all Christian churches to prepare for and to SUpp01~t the Movement." The Executive Committee received- the above report with appreciation and after favorable consideration it wa~ RESOL VED : That we heartily approve of the United Evangelistic Campaign proposed, and that we request the present committee of three to select nine other representatives and thus form a larger committee to \\"ork out the necessary plans for such a campaign, and take the necessary steps for its inauguration. ' 13. Reports of Standing Committees were not read at these meetings because of the lack of time. 14. The Report of the TreaslIrer was presented by 1\1r. Yesudian and was accepted. (See report on page 8 & 9), 1 S. Date of the next 111 eetiny of the Executive Committee ~as left to the decision of the officers of the Council. The meetings adjourned "vith prayer. GEO. D. JOSIF, Secreta1,}'.

8 8 BURMA CHRISTIAN Accounts from 15th July, 1930 Month Date' Items Receipts Cash Expenditure July I I August 2 18 Sept Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Balances from last year Burma Sunday School Union Sale Poona Reports Sayama Ma May Si-Transla- tion work Tel egrams, books etc. II 9 0 Dr. A. H. Henderson (Travelling) Thra San Ba Saya On Kin Mr. H. W. Smith-Tea, Annual Meeting. so 0 0 Rev. Geo. D. Josif, Telegrams, postage etc Dr. A. H. Henderson (Travelling) Hire of Community Hall- Annual Meeting A. B. M. Press-Printing Rev. B. M. Jones-U Po Thein's Salary July National Christian Council- Poona Reports A. B. M. Press-Printing Rev. B. M. J ones-translator's Salary-August.. ISO 0 0 Rev. J. M. Y oung-(travelling) Secretary, Corporation of Rgn.-Hire of Jubilee Hall Secretary, Corporation of Rgn.-Hire of Jubilee Hall Anglican Church Contribution for Weslyan Mission Contribution for , 0 0 Methodist Episcopal Mission Contribution for A. B. Convention Contribution for =l 0 0..

9 9 COUNCIL to 1st December, 1930 Regular alc Literature alc Special alc Receipts Exp. Receipts Exp. Receipts I Exp. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P IS II So ISO IQO los

10 10 Moilth Date Items BURMA CHRISTIAN Accounts from 15th July, 1930 Receipts Cash Expenditure October :\0\' Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. W. C. T. U. Contribution for 1930., Y. M. C. A. Contribution for Rev. B. M. Jones Translator Sept ISO 0 0 A. B. M. Press-Printing Hon. Treas. postage etc Thra San Ba (Travelling)., Mr. G. F. Lavall-Hire of Community Hall, Stanley Jones.... I National Christian Council- Annual Con tribution Rev. B. M. Jones-Translator October y. W. C. A.-Annual Cont Contributions towards Dr. Stanley Jones' Lectures Expenses towards Dr. St 1.nley Jones Lectures S07.:; 6 Bank Charges Contribution from B. e. c. to the National Christian Council Contribution from the Christian Literature Society A,'. B. M. Conference Rev. B. M. J ones-translator November.... ISO II 5 Balance on I

11 11 COUNCIL to 1st December, 1930 Regular alc Literature alc Special alc Receipts Exp. Receipts Exp. Receipts Exp. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P. Rs. A. P S I ~ ; ;... )1;,. -- rj.,... '. :~;-. \.. ruf" lso 0 0 '. ".;",.f" ~~. ""'.-.":-'. - ; '~:-: ;) () II Il 5 6

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