METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17701, 1 March 1923, Page 8

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S SESSION. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEOBAIt.) DUNEDIN, February 28. . The Methodist Conference carried a resolution urging on its people the duty of strengthening public opinion in support of the League of Nations, and urging on individual members the duty of definitely associating themselves with some branch 'of the League of Nations Union. It was agreed that the Board of Examiners should consider the establishment of a course of study of international problems, and that the Sunday before Armistice Day should be observed as Peace Sunday. Spiritual KevivaJ. A conversation on the work of God was introduced by Eev. Dr. Laws, who gave an account of bis presidential visitation to various parts of the Dominion last year. The young men's camp at Upper Hutt had been one of tlie highest experiences of his spiritual experience. A similar experience had been his at the young women's camp at Dunedin last year. He had discovered that ministers in many circuits were endeavouring to adopt methods likely to make a mark for good on the commurffuy as a whole, though in some places there were evidences of content with things as they were. He felt that there should be a Divine passion "the welfare of the ciiurch. and its work. A deepening of the inner heart of the Church which come through fellowship was the thing most needed. The problem of the week-night prayer meeting was before them. This could be redeemed, and made a centre of fellowship iir the Church. Thcire was, he felt sure, a larger body than ever of those who were eager to devote themselves to Christian service, yet, more than this even, he believed that they were waiting for the spirit of revival. A great burning work of God throughout the land was being waited for, a revival of spiritual earnestness, ethical fervour, and- passion for souls. As ministers we were responsible for power—power to shake men to the very centre of their personalities —the power of the Holy Ghost. N The secretary of the conference, the Eev. A. Ashcroft, narrated a personal experience when a large number of children had taken' their stand for Christ, and of the means taken to link them up with the Church life, and how, starting from this, the whole spiritual life of his congregation had been revived. * The Eev. E. Drake, chairman of the Wellington district,. bore_ striking testimony to the spiritual influences emanating from the young men's Bible class camps, and of the enrichment of .the Church which had followed. 1 . Several other speakers gave encouraging reports of movements, evidencing the' spiritual quickening that was abroad in the land. • \ Auckland District The president reported that the Eev. Dr./'Laws, who is about to leave on a visit to England, had, on that account, resigned the chairmanship of the Auckland district. He (the president) had therefore appointed the Bey. Percy; Knight to be chairman in place of Dr. .Laws. Toung People's Department. \ The balance-sheet of the Toung People's Department shotfed an accumulated deficit of £260. The confer-! ence was asked to grant this amount from the contingent fund,, and that for the . future the'-necessary income; be .] raised by the circuits and Home mis- j sion stations. V ■ ' ! It was decided to..make a grant of £l6O, and to request the defaulting circuits to make up the amounts allocated to them, and that a levy of sixpence per member be made on alHthe circuits for current expenditure. At the conclusion of the afternoon proceedings, the Conference farewelled the Rev. Dr. Laws on the eve of his departure for England. The president expressed the best wishes of the Conference for a safe and pleasant voyage to the Home Land. i