METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14909, 6 March 1914, Page 8

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS.

(press association telegram.)

DUNEDIN, March 5. At the sitting of the Methodist Conference to-day the Rev. W. Slade was appointed official representative of the P*ew Zealand Church to various Methodist Conferences in Great Britain. Tbe Rev. Griffith was associated with Mr Slade as representative to the English Wosleyan Conference, and granted special commendatory letters. Home mission affairs were introduced by tho Rev. Veale (treasurer). The income for the fund for 1913 was £5561. The capital account of tho fund stands at £62SS. The average interest earned by the fund was oi per cent. Estimates for 1914 showed, incomo £5982, expenditure £5523, assessments were accepted, and grants made on the basis of these estimates. A deputation from tho Council of the Churches waited upon Conference, and the Rev. G. Heighway conveyed greetings, and tho Rev. J. Guy. and tho Hon. C. M. Luke responded on behalf of the Conference. _ Unofficial intimation wa. received of a bequest by Mr Collison, of Hastings, of £1000 to the various purposes* of thChurch. It was resolved that an effort be made to secure from the Victorian 1 Conference a visit to New Zealand from the Rev. Valmont Trigge in 1915.

Appreciative reference was made to the following ministers, whose deaths occurred during the year:—The Revs. Chas. E. Beecroft, William Tinsley, and Barton H. Ginger. *A suitable hymn was sung, and the Rev. P. AY. Fairclough engaged in prayer. Reports of the welfare of the Church were presented, and many members of the Conference bore testimany to the good -work of the visiting missionaries, the Rev. and Mrs \ r allance Cook, tho Rev. V. W. Trigge, and Sister Francis. A series of resolutions wero carried, placing on record the success that had attended the labour of the missionaries. The Rev. Fleshe/ spoke of the difference between the Church records of the Methodist members, and the members returned according to the last census. The Rev.. Mr Dawson had .paid a-great deal of attention to the question, "and would suggest means for tracing those not -within the influence of the Church. The report showed an inexplicable decrease of 3G69 in the number of adherents, -whereas formerly the Church returns approximated to tho census figures. The recommendations were aereed to. BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS QUESTION. At the Conference this evening the Bible-in-Schools question was introduced by the Rev. J. J. Lewis m an eloquent speech. Ho moved : — "That this Conference affirms its adherence to the platform and objects of the Bible-in-State-Schools League, and congratulates the League on the success that has attended its efforts during the past year, and urges the Government to pass the necessary legislation to enable the people of the Dominion to express their will concerning this important question at the next general elecThis was seconded by Mr _J. A. Flesher. The Rev. J. W. Barton moved as an amendment: —"That this Conference regards the proposed referendum on the Bible-in-Schools question in its present form as distinctly unfair, in that it disfranchises so many members of the community, who, while agreeing with the first section of the proposal which aims at the introduction of the Bible into schools, cannot conscientiously vote for a section which teeks to introduce an odious form of, sectarian instruction to tho children." The amendment was lost by 86 votes to 15. The motion on being\put was carried by 95 votes to 14. The Rev. Lewis received a great ovation on tho conclusion of his reply.