PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 9005, 18 January 1895, Page 6

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

(FBKSS ASSOCIATION TKMORAM.) WELLINGTON, January 17. To-day's session of the Primitive Methodist Conference was taken up in considering various reports. The book-room report showed a balance of £200, the furnishingfund report showed an income of £91, witn a balance in hand of £71. From the report of the superannuated ministers, widows and orphans' fuad it was seen that the fund was in a flourishing state, having a balance in hand of £863. The Primitive Methodist Magazine fund showed an income of £253, leaving a balance of £47 on the working of the year. The children's equalisation fund showed an income for the year of £351 0i 3d, which left a credit balance ot £18 5s 7d on the year's transactions. The balance to the credit of the fund is £224 183 4d. The fire insurance report showed that sixty-three separate risks had been taken to the extent of £10,200. The assets were very satisfactory. Replying to a deputation from the local Good Templars, the Rev. J. Cocker said the Conference stood shoulder to shoulder with the temperance workers. In two years the greatest struggle the colony had ever seen would be fought at the ballot box. In the meantime the temperance party must educate, organise and agitate. This afternoon was taken up with the making of arrangements for missionary meetings and the election of officers and Committees for the coming year. An appeal to the Conference for help on behalf of the jubilee loan fund was made and promises were given amounting to about £300. The legislation from different stations was considered. . It was decided that the Conference should meet at Tnnaru on January 10th, 1896. It was resolved—'.* That thia Conference renews its oft-repeated testimony in favour of local option by the direct vote of the people at the ballot box." Also, " that this Conference, believiug it to be the duty of Christ's Church to bear its testimony against all unrighteousness, and recognising in the iucrease of gambling a grave peril to the Church and nation, enters its eolernu protest against this vice. The Conference trusts that ministers will denounce this evil from the pulpit, and recommends members of churches to discourage lotteries; also urges upon school officials the duty of safeguarding the young under their care by warniug them of the. sin and dauger of gambling practices."