MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 52, 1 March 1916, Page 7

MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION.

GREETS METHODIST CONFERENCE.

A deputation from the Auckland Ministers' Association waited upon the N.Z. Methodist Conference to-day for the purpose of tendering fraternal greetings to that body. The ministers were:- Rev. A. Miller, MA. (president) (Presbyterian), Revs: 11. Steele Craik (vice-president) and W. Young (Congregational), Rev. Howard Elliott (Baptist), and Mr. W. Brackenrig. The deputation was received by all the members standing to their feet, and upon reaching the platform they were warmly welcomed by tho president (Rev. A. C. Lawry). Rev. Miller, in tendering greetings from the Auckland Ministers' Association, congratulated the Rev. A. C. Lawry I upon the high honour of having been elected president of the Methodist Conference of New Zealand. Mr. Miller referred to the Methodist Church as a distinctly evangelical one, and to thai it owed its progress and success. (Applause.) He touched upon the wave of gambling for raising patriotic funds, and said the Church should raise its voice strongly against that great evil. The sanctity of the Lord's Day also required carefully more safeguarding. They should organise to prevent further encroachment upon the day of rest. In conclusion, Mr. Miller wished the Methodist Church every success in the future. Rev. H. Steele Craik said so far the war had made little impress upon the people under the British flag. They had not felt acutely the agonies of the war, as had their allies. He considered men were losing interest in denominationalism as such, but he believed they were at the same taking greater interest in Jesus Christ. Rev. Howard Elliott said the war had taught co-ordination of various nations for the purpose of effective action against a common enemy, and said it was not too much to hope that churches ■ might similarly combine for the common • good. After the Rev. Guy and Mr. R. Reynolds had replied on behalf of the Con- ! ference, the members of the deputation were invited to lunch.