METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11525, 6 March 1903, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

REPRESENTATIVE SESSION,

The Conference opened in representative eeseioit at 9.30 a.m. yesterday, the President {Rev. J. A. Luxford) occupying tie chair. Foreign Mission matters were discussed. The Foreign Mission* secretary reported that the Key. J. W. Collier had been j designated for deputation work in New Zealand during the months of April and! ifay. ' It was resolved—That in connection with tha New Zealand Auxiliary of the Foreign Missionary Society, an executive committee be appointed to have charge of all the business of the auxiliary, the Conference Foreign Missions' secretary to be convener. That all income, together with liste of contributions, be forwarded to the Foreign Missions' secretary not later than December Slefc in each year, and that all moneys received after that date be carried forward into the following years. That the Foreign Missions' secretary and a layman be appointed treasurers. That a report and balance-sheet be prepared and presented to the Conference. That the Foreign Mμsicr.s , secretary be a member of Conference, and that his travelling expenses to Conference be paid out of the missionary incomes. That the Executive Committee, in conjunction with the superintendents, arrange a plan of deputations to cover the whole of the colony. That circuit superintendents be requested to call the attention of congrcations to the Methodist mission literature, -with a view to secure a wider circulation. Conference expressed ite pleasure at the successful formation of a Ladies* Foreign Mission Auxiliary in Dunedin, and recommends that similar auxiliaries be former in other parts of the colony. The- Rev. J. N. Buttle and Mr C. Hicks were accorded votes of thanks, and reelected Foreign Mission secretaries. The Conference directed that in each circuit and Home Mission station sermons bo preached on one Sunday in each year in all Methodist churches, and collections made at such services, in aid of foreign missions ; also, that public meetings in aid of the same object be held, and subscriptions be solicited, wherever practicable. It Was resolved that the first Sunday in August be the day for bringing the subject of Foreign Missions under special notice of the congregation. The Conference concluded by again committing the Foreign Missions enterprises of the church to the prayerful consideration of its members. "From many lands, voices call for help. Most of Isew Guinea, is still without the Gospel. In those fields we have entered there is great need of extension, and from distant India our brethren repeat the old invitation, "Come over and help us," to save theee .millions of mankind. Without a large augmentation of means, these criea must be disregarded. The, Conference therefore urges on all the members of the church the needs of the millions who, whilst we are satisfied wit.i every good, look and are not fed." At the afternoon session, the* Rev. J. J. Lewis presented the balance-sheet of the Home Mission Fund, which was discussed in committee. The balance-sheet showed' receipts to* the Home Mission Fund for the year to be £2721 and the expenditure £2990. It was resolved to (recommend to every circuit auxiliary to the Home Mission Fund the system "of appointing a sufficient number of collectors, who shall wait upon subscribers to receive weekly or monthly contributions, tihat a system of juvenile, collectors ba established, and that ministers of circuits watch the interests of this fund, particularly in the Sabbath schools. That efforts be made to have the income collected continuously and remitted immediately throughout the year instead of at ita close. That with a view to overtake the needs of new districts constantly being opened up in making the ordinaiy grants to circuits the precedent, of the English Conference bo followed, and that they be made on a eliding soale, diminishing from year to year, such intimation being printed with the grant. That in the Church's Homo Mission operations in the principal dities particular attention Tie given-", to _'" the various philajithropio agencies, especially to the establishment of a Conneiional Orphanage, when practicable. The. Rev. T. G. Brook spoke on the need of improving the Homo Missionere* Supernumerary Fund. The debate was adjourned , at 4.30 p.m. to receive a deputation. The Rev. J. MoKenrie (St. Andrew's Presbyterian). Rev. D. Hird (Trinity Congregational), Rev. C. E. Ward (Cambridge Terrace Primitive! Methodiet), and Rev. R. S. Gray (Oxford Terrace Baptist Church) wafted on the Methodiet Conference, as representing the Christchurch Ministers' Association,, in the afternoon, to convey fraternal greetings from the Association, and l to wish the Conference Godspeed in its work. The Rev. Mr MeKenzie said they were greatly interested in the Methodiet Church, and its work. The Methodist diuroh was an evangelical andi a missionary cne, and was happy in possessing the men it did to carry on the work. He thought the Ministers' Association represented unity in sympathy and unity in tha Christian work of solving the great practical problems with which they were face to face.

The Rev. Mr Hird eaid he could quite emphasise what had been said about the brotherliness of the Ministers' Association, which he deeply appreciated, coming as he , recently had from the North of Ireland. While approving Christian emulation In tho sections of the Church, his own Church was very far from envying the Methodist Church 'in its Christian zeal. R*ferring to the union proposals in the air, the Jipeaker said this was something for which to thank God. Mr Hird then conveyed the sympathies of the Congregational Church to the'Cbnference on tho los 9 sustained by ih'e Methodist Church by the death of "Hugh Price Hughes. The Rev. Sir Ward spoke at lencUi on the good work of the Methodist (?hurch. Tho Rev. Mr Gray, in the course of a happy speech, alluded to the union proposals Jrtid said , there was in the heart and mind of the Baptist, body a desire for the closest union possible. He was not hopeful that there would ever bo a union on doctrinal basis, but they all hoped for the closer relation of the churches on any banis whiob would be for the greater glorr of God.

The Rev. Mr Sinclair, of Dun*din. conveyed to the deputation the appreciation of the Conference for the kind words said. There was a tendency towards unity in the Chtirohee to-day, if not uniformity, and they were learning to magnify their agreements and to minimise their points of difference. As they came closer together and knew each other better they would be getting nearer the pentecostal conditions of working with one accord.

Mr E. H. Penny, of Blenheim, replied on behalf of the fay representatives, and the deputation withdrew.

The evening session was devoted to conversation on the work of God. The R«v. Mr Spencc moved—"The work of God in its several aspects, having been reviewed by this Conference, we desire to place on record our profound gratitude to the Great Head of the Church for the measu/ e> of euccess that has attended the labours of the past year, as indicated in the .'tabulated returns, and nlsr> for spiritual progress which cannot be set down in figures. We rejoice- that ttao year has been marked by % special outpouring of the Hoiy Spirit in many of our circuits. The mission conducted in a number of our churches by Sister Elinor and her companion, Mias Lay-toa, were, wHh the Divin.©: blessing, the means of a gracious ingathering to tbo kingdom of Jesus Christ, while the visit cf the Rev. Dr. Torrey and Mr Alexander to our shores resulted in far-reaching and beneficent influences to our own and other churches. We blSs God for the quickened conscience of our "people on moral an 3 social questions, vrhioh we believe contributed in no, small degree towards the heavy vote cast for "no-license" at the receEt triennial poll, and we earnestly pray that, under the influence and guidance of the

Holy Ghost, we may as a church fe*l ft yet mightier blow 'at. those social eyile that co seriously hinder tie establishment of the Redeemer's kingdom ia our land. Encouraged by.tfae past, and relying on the fulfilment of the, pwwnises ©f God in the future, we solemnly dedicate ouxrelves afresh to Him, resolving in His strength to be more- faithful in the great service into which we have been called."

The motion was carried at 9.20 o'clock. The session then adjourned till 9.30 a.m. to-day.