METHODIST CHAPLAINS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 50, 28 February 1916, Page 2

METHODIST CHAPLAINS.

» DISCUSSION AT CONFEREMfCE. SHOULD MINISTERS FIGHT? A> LAViJAN-g PROTEST. Some interesting points were raised at the New Zealand Methodist Conference this morning, when discussing matters ■ connected with chaplains and ministers ■ who had enlisted. Rev. W. A. Sinclair • moved that the Rev. W. Grigg, who is a chaplain to the forces, be re-appointed to keestpn, with Home Missionary aB supply. This was agreed to without discussion. It was also agreed that an allowance of £75 per annum be allowed to the wife of Rev. A. Mitchell, tne same as was done in the case of Mrs. Luxford last year. The .next point was with regard to two probationers, F. P. Lawrence and W. Watson, who had completed their fourth year, Rev. W. Ready suggested that Mr. Lawrence be ordained, but some objection was raised as the candidate would not be present to give certain pledges; ; Rev. George Bond argued that they should not penalise these men because of their bravery and devotion to King and country. He hoped the conference would ' have the.justice to ordain, them,, as they Would have been entitled to. have done ; had the men not gone to the Front. Rev. S. Lawry said that if the men had been present then they would have been asked for the pledges as usual before bel ing admitted to full connection. It was •' not a question of these two gentlemen, but • the establishment of what might prove : a dangerous precedent. Mr. E. Rosevear strongly objected to ministers fighting. He said he had a high ideal of the calling of.a minister, and objected to them taking part as actual . fighters. ...';'* Rev. T. Fee pointed out that one of 1 their number, Captain Sullivan, went out .first as a fighter, and Was now returning, as a chaplain. The other two men were ' going out with the ambulance, not to ' take lives, but to try and save them. '- "Rev. C. H. Laws warned the conference against the danger of being swept away ■ by a wave of .patriotic--feeling. He suggested that the conference might give" authority for .the men r to,be ordained if they returned during the.j'ear and gave the usual pledges. This was agreed to, - -tire President-being empowered to act accordingly. GREETINGS TO -\TETHODIST SOLDIERS. ' On the motion of Mr. J. 11. Blackwcll, of Kaiapoi, it was agreed that letters be sent to all Methodist members of the forces conveying to them the greeting? of the conference. It was further decided that letters of sympathy be also sent -to the friends of those who Sad • lost relatives in the war. REV. J, A.. LUXFORD. : -When the question-of- placing. the Rev._ 3. -A. Luxford -'oh- the supernumerary list on account of liis havTngflost a -leg -at Gallipoli, came before- the conference, the Pev. C." H. Laws ' referred to the fact that the chaplainmajor had served through the South African war, and when the present ho?- j tilities broke out, notwithstanding his age, .he went once more to the front. Mr. Laws tread extracts from a letter from Rey. % t : - H. Batson, which referred ;to the honour done to -the Methodist Church by Sir lan Hamilton having men-" tioned Mr. Luxford in the dispatcheSiMr. Laws then moved that Mr. Luxford i be "placed: on- the list, which was seconded by the President of the conference, and supported in eulogistic speeches by a number of brethren, and agreed to unanimously.