C.E.M.S.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16219, 23 May 1918, Page 4

C.E.M.S.

EQMINION CONFEIIENC'E

There was a representative attendance at tli'p Dominion Conference of the Church of England Men's Society, which opened yesterday in the Board Room at Christ's College. At 7.15 a.m. there was Holy Communion, and at 10 a.m. an intercession service in t Christ's College Chapel. The president, his Lordship Bishop Julius, presided, and in his presidential address spoke eloquently on tno manner in which the. lioly Spirit manifested itself and laid down the principle that the spiritual eould only reach us through soinc creature form. The divisions in the Church mitigated against tho full expression of tho Holy Spirit, and he urged members of the C.E.M.S. and all Church people to consecrate thei-s.lves absolutely to God's service. CONFERENCE BUSINESS. The annual report outlined a number of matters that had resulted from C.E.M.S. c. nferencrs, such as the establishment of C.E.M.S. Institutes at military camps, and the efforts in the interests of social purity, in connexion with which a serifs of lecturer was given by Captain I'ettit, N.Z.JI.C. It was estimated that the membership of the Society throughout the 3>ominion was about*2ooo. the number of branches being 120. Some (itil member:-, had gone to the front, of which number 127 had made the supreme sacrifice. The bal-ance-sheet showed a credit balance of £5 12s (id.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. After a lengthy discussion on the subject, ot' the appointment of an organiser, ,it was decided that the Dominion executive lie empowered to enter into negotiations with the London headquarters with a view to the appointment of ;in organising secretary as soon as circumstances permit; and that in the event of headquarters in England failing to provide a suitable secretary within three months, the Dominion executive be empowered to find a secretary in Australia or New Zealand.

The report, of Mr C. M. iStrachev, manager of the ''Men's Magazine." was adopted.

The Ven. Archdeacon Russell (Oamaru) was re-elected general secretary. The following executive was elected : —Rev. H. G. Blackburne (Palmerston North), Canon T. F. Taylor (Trenthani Camp), Rev. J. G. Castle (Wellington), Mr J. C. Adams (Christchurch), Mr W. Nash (New Plymouth), and Mr J. W. Henderson (Wellington). Tt was decided to hold tho next annual conference in Auckland.

Conference adjourned till 10.30 a.m. to-day, when papers will be given by Mr H. P. Harvey (Thmedin) on "The Duty of C.P3.M.S. Branches to Study Social, Economic, and Political Questions" : and by Mr X. Heath (Auckland) on "A Five Days' Working Week."

In tlie afternoon napers will bs given by Dr. Tpham" (l.yttelton) on '•Problems of the War front a Medical and Religious Standpoint" : and bv Mr J. C. Adams (CJiristchurcJi) on ''Service." In the evening papors will be given by the Rev. H. G. Blackburne (Palmerston Aorth) on "The Causes of the Failure or Succoss of C.E.M.S. Branches"; and by Canon P. T. Williams (Auckland) on "Church Work Among Soldiers."