CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN'S SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13906, 3 December 1910, Page 12

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN'S SOCIETY.

ANNUAL COXTERENCE. The annual conference of the Church ©f England Men's Society was held on October 19th, at Bristol, England. The Archbishop of York presided. The annual report showed that the •membership had increased from 81,072 to 101.195. and the number of branches from 2330 to 3502. Consolidation had been as inarkfd a feature a«s extension, and the number of federations had boon more than doubled. Several dioc'Mjs were moving towards the adoption of a definite diocesan organisation. Australia had already set the example oi a further consolidation and strength-'cnir-g of the work by unions of branches illicit cover a province rather than a tiio:cse, and the provinces of Queensland and New South Wales now had their own constitution and governing body. One notable effort of the year had boon the missionary tour, which the Rev. H- £>• Woollcombo bad undertaken at the request of the Council. Six months were spent by him in Australia, and throe months in New Zealand and be was, at uio date of the report, in the midst of a firo months visit to ►South Africa. The Council desired to put on record its deep senso ot obligation to him for his unsparing and to thank God for tite exceptional success that had attended tlic-ni. Clergy and laity alike had written to testify to tho wonderful influence that his mission had exercised, and many had remarked that the enthusiasm'engendered at the time, ana maintained since, have- surpassed their most sanguine expectations. In West and South Australia the work was strengthened and extended. In Queensland, where many branches already existed, many places were visited, and a great mission to men conducted. In Tasmania new branches were started, and a constitution for tho diocese adontcd. In Melbourne and Sydney had been put upon a sound foundation, and diocesan and provincial I secretaries had Leon appointed. The j Council had. been greatly pleased by the ivav in -which the gratitude or Australian churahuirn was expressed in a cablegram despatched to headquarters from Melbourne. In New Zealand tho first conference for branches within the Dominion had teen -lield, and a letter , recently received, stated : —"lt is no exaggeration to say that Mr Woollcombo's visit has stirred the men of our Church in every town he has been to, in a greater degree than ever before, and thousands of Churchmen in New Zealand arc feeling very grateful to their brothers at Home for sending such a grand man to inspire us with the C.E3I.S. spirit, and to put us in tho right lines of prayer and active service for our beloved Church * and its ■"Master/ , - Another secretary said:— "There has, been a more lasting effect left by Tits visit than was at first ap- i parent. The C.E.M.S. movement has had a great impetus, it is true*, 'but, better still, tho ordinary man, tviho does not not take too great, a stock of religion, has been roused by him. That is the feeling, andi it now remains for the C.E.M.S. to cultivate it." The* report also referral to tho heartiness of the sendoff which Mr "Woollcombe experienced on his departure for New ZeTTTand. Among those who took part in the day's proceedings were tbo Lord Mayor of Bristol (who extended a hearty welcome to tho conference), tho Bishop of Bristol, and many delegates from the United Kingdom und beyond the seas. The Archbishop of Canterbury sent, a telegram:—"Please convey my cordial greetings, Benediction, and God-speed to the conference. It is clear that our endeavour is abundantly blessed of God, and this doubles our responsibility, both as a society and as men." The conference was preceded by Holy Communion at Bristol Cathedral, attended by about 900 men. and at the •close there was a service in the Cathedral, at which the Archbishop of York preached to a crowded congregation of men. In tho evening thero was a crowded meeting at Colston Hall. The Archbishop of Yorkj who presided, referred in tho. course of his address to the cablegram received from the churchmen of Melbourno, and to Mr Woollrombo'n tour in tho colonies, remarking that no more fitting representative of the movement could have been found throughout the length and breadth of Britain. He desired that a special message, of comradeship should go out from that meeting to brethren overseas, on the seas, in the merchant service, and in Britain. Tho t>uke of Devonshire, the Bishop of Bristol, and Mr W. Horsley also spoke.