METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 52, 1 March 1916, Page 6

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

i'IXiNG THE STATIONS.

THE FTKST DKAFT.

SHORTAGE OF MEN.

The president, Key. A. C. Lawry, occupied the chair at the session, of the New Zealand Methodist Conference yesterday afternoon. The effect of the war was observable when the first draft was submitted by the Stationing Committee shortly before a p.m. to the menrbeis of the New Zealand Methodist Conference. In no leas than 17 stations the words "One wanted' , appealed, while in numerous other instances home missionaries took the place of ordained minsters, and even then it was resolved to appoint three students from the college to supply at stations. Thfe U dine to the number of Methodist either gone as chaplains, enlisted as private soldiers, or joined the ambulance. The first draft of the stations was passed by Conference. The Auckland list is as follows: — Auckland C-entraL— Revs. C. H. Lawk, 8.A., J. J. Lewie, H. Ranston, and P A.' Paris. I Auckland West.—Rev3 H E. Bellhonse, Wm. A, Burley, M.A., and home mission α-ry. Auckland East:— Revs. James Wrigley, E. Percy Blanrires, J. E..Paisons (one wanted). Wesley Training College: Rev. •J. H. Simmonds. Home Mission: Rev. T. O. Brook. Organising secretary Tbeo-log-.-al Institution: Re-». C, H. Garland. Avondale: Rev. Lewis Hudson and home j missionary. Auckland Methodist ilis-j sion: Rev. Edwin T. Cox, North Shore: Rev. W. J. Elliott (one wanied). Birkenhead: Rev. H. Sharp. Onehunsa: Rev. H. C. Harrison. Papakura: R = ev. W. S. Potter. Pukekohe: Rev. J. B. Suckling and home miEsioaary. Waiuku: Rev. J. Clover, ilahtcraiigi: Rev. J. Southern. Paparoa: Rev. Wm. W. Avery. Northern Wairoa: Rev. W. H. Speer. Wharigarei: Rev. H. DanieL South Auckland District—Thames: Rev. S. J. SorpeE and home missionary. Te Aroha: Rev. G. H. Main, ilorrineville: Rev. R_ B. GosoelL Cambridge: Rev. G. C. Cook. .Hamilton: Rev. Charles Roberts. Opotiki: Rev. C. H. Hudson. Rotorua: Rev. Harold T. Peat. Te Kuiti: Mr B. E Fordyce (student). Taumaranui: Rev. S. E. Sage. Te Awamntu: Rev. C. A. Simm. New Plymouth: Rev. Albert B. ChappelL Af A R ev Charles H. Olds, 8.A., and home missionary. Waitara: R«v. G. B. Hdnton. Stratfordt Rev. R. B. Tmsley {vne wanted). Eltham: Rev. A. 0. Harrfe. Hawera. Rev. Ernest O. Blamires. Manaia: Mr G. E. Brown (student). Cape Egmont: Hγ R, Richards and home missionary Kaponga: Rev. Charles Blair. Wanganni: Rev. Henry L. Biamires and home misßioiniry. Aramoho: Rev. F. X. Griffin. Rangitikei: Rev. Fre«rick Raeds. TaiHape: Rev. J. A. Lester IGnige. BAPTISM. Conference agreed that a rubric be inserted in the Book of Offices to the effect that unless prevented by necessity, the Sacrament of baptism be administered as a part of public worship. OPEN CHURCHES. The Conference also agreed that for the duration of the war (if no t always) the doors of churches stand open every day. CHURCH UNITY AM) CO-OPERATION. It was agreed that a small committee be set up by Conference to confer with similar committees „ representing the Non-Episcopal Churches to consider the recommendation of the Auckland Ministers' Association for the forming of a United Committee to represent all NonEpiscopal Churches in New Zealand, on questions of a national character. CITY MISSIONS. It was resolved that Conference records its high appreciation of the cood work of the ministers and laymen" associated with, various City Missions. The following were appointed members of the committee of management of City Missions: —Auckland, members of the mission quarterly meeting with Messrs S. J. Ambury, J. E. Wheeler, T. Clark, T Hodg3on, K. Peak, J. Burton, G 'D* j Smith, and T. W. Jones; Wellington": Central Mission: Members of quarterly, meeting, with Messrs. J. Lomae We ' Howe, A. E. Moss, W. C. Burd. c! D! Macintosh, E. Tonks, R. G. Dento'n, and' : J. R. Burley; Dunedin Central Mission : (appointment deferred); Cnriatehurch - Central Mission, owing to lack of finan- i cial support and of workers, it was decided this Mission be discontinued.

CONNEXIONAL INSURANCE FUND, - Rev. S. La wry referred to the fact that. many churches did insure with the Con- " nexional Fund. That waa particularly- V the case in the Auckland district. Ha mentioned that they had a surplus ot *" £SOOO in the Connexional insurance' " fund. A resolution was adopted that ' - trustees and treasurers he requested to insure church property ia the Gonnexional fund. ' """ 11 WELFARE OF THE CHCECH. - ' - • A SPIRITUAL MEETING. The Rev. C. H. Laws, B.A, led a con &'}. versation on spiritual life this momirg- -■ at seven o'clock in the parlour of Pitt; 11 Street Church. There was a good!- g| attendance of the younger member* of the Conference. Brief addresses were r <nven by various members present. • > The Conference resumed sitting at 10 a_m.. the President. Rev. A. C. Lawryiii. ;-■ the chair. The first half hour was spent . in devotional exercises. WELFARE OF THE CHURCH, • ■-_ ■■■'--■ The Rev. S. Griffith submitted th«/ report of the committee on the welfara; || of the church. This stated that: Tit-' view of the special needs of this rime bE.-.is-i-w war, the committee in llay last, by Wm circular to all ministers and home mis- r ; :- sionaries, emphasised the conference ref;r:lS solutions on The Work of God,' and re-: commended special inspirational seh- ~--- vice3 for the first week cf July, to be- " -. followed, whenever possible, by evau- .-.■;-';■■ gelistic services, and by a 'Come to " Church Campaign.'"' The report added - that in many places, part, if not whole,;iff of these recommendations was carried 5 out. with gracious results .The report ,: also stated that gracious news continued to be received concerning the work done ;' by the Rev. Val. W. Trigge in who is to visit New Zealand in 1916-Ir. ; The report further recommended a fnHet |||| surrender on the part of ministers and"' members, the adoption of practical and - well considered means for the realisa-" tion and expression of the corporatalife of the church; more effective and : systematic efforts to utilise the latent -.;. resources of the church for reaching/ individuals and famf-ies now out of touch with the church, and apparently drifted or were drifting towards irreligion. '-.ySjSta The Committee recommended .that.-.-. ./<.. special use be made this year of the y Festival of Whitsuntide, and. that Con-;.' ference appoint that as a season of. prayer and intercession, for the holding■- _ i of special convocations or inspirational services, for the deepening of the deyo-i. : -: tibnal life, and for promoting.of the . highest welfare and. increased effectiveness of the church. Rev. S. Griffith pointed out that Whit- ;.- suntide would arrive about a month X after ministers got back to their sffc' ' tions. Their aim should be to create a revival at the end of the war. • Rev; C. Eaton, in seconding; the; motion, said the war had changed ■■ standards of value generally, and greatly enhanced the value of tlie Christian Church. The very fibres of the nation were beinjr tested by "tins-.-/.: war. When Britain took the part dFcivic duty, she enhanced the- moral standing of the nation. No curse was' so far-reaching as. war, and they must ; V* economically reap the result' r TEe yorld would take half a century- to recover..'. g from the wounds left by the war.. The:; j temptations of army , life. swept- matt.r; || meiu off their,, feet.' So far there did": |fl not seem much sign, of spiritual revival--.;sn of the church. The real fight would ue-;;SB| when continent fought against continent M in the future. They should aim at ascendancy of the spiritual. It was said that the material bad aji* ascendancy ■;.";-, over the spiritual in v the church. The - ■ danger of to-day was that ministers were more men of business than of God Very frequently the material in the church pushed aside the spirituaL : What was needed now wa3 m. aggressive masculine Christianity. The church had "J made the mistake of ministering to the | - women and the children, but had lost it 3 grip on the men.. . Rev. C. E. Ward, in supporting the..' " motion, said reconsecration for servicewas required on all hands. The - hood of. Methodism were more true and more loyal than the men. Rev. C. H. Garland combated the, statement that thi3 war was. the er-y > pression of a masculine mmi The/ mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters were absolutely with the men in thS E war for the defence of weak nationsi-'; Mr. Garland said if ministers'were to _ withdraw too much from secular mat- -' ters, they would get out of touch with; - the men outside the church.. Rev. Eaton claimed that a ministers";fe time was robbed from spiritual matters ; y attending to secular things, which could be just as well done by laymen. Sev. S. La wry referred to the danger - : , arising out of present circumstances; 6E;-'\y beinjr distracted from the great worfc .;.;. of life by the thoughts arising out of /£ the war. Those circnmstances gripped them, and they should learn, from them .'"' the world's urgent need of Christ. Hie r moral and social banfcrnptcy of the;;: world without Christ had. been mads> manifest by the war. .- "" Several speakers referred to- tfie=7|| greater need for prayer, more consecration, self-sacrifice, and the reinstalling: Wgt of the altar in the homes. The recommendation, re Whitsuntid* ?:| season was then agreed to. This afternoon the Conference' considered the report upon Foreign IDs-' <-. siOns, and at 4 pjn. the members were (, entertained to afternoon tea by the Methodist Women' 3 Missionary Union in " Wesley Hall. This evening "the renort-H on Home ilissions will be submitted t» I Conference.