METHODISM.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 8

METHODISM.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. The annual Methodist Conference was continued yesterday in the Durham street Methodist, Church. The president,, the Rev. A. Ashcroft, presided. The morning session was taken up with "Conversation on thi Work of God." The conversation commenced at nine o'clock with the celebration c£ Holy Communion. At the close of this service an address was delivered by tho Rev. R. B. Tinsley, who outlined the necessity for personal evangelism instead of depending upon evangeiistic services. Many ministers and laymen took part in the diacusaion, and suggested means whorcby the work of the Church could bo more effectna'.ly mobilised. Following on the discussion, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair (Auckland) moved the following resolutions respecting the Centenary of New Zealand Methodism: —"That in continuance of the Centenary Commemorations and in accordance with the original proposals, the year 1925 bo observed as a year of organised evangelistic effort in every circuit and homo mission station; that next year be observed as a year of special spiritual preparation for this evangelistic campaign; that the March quarterly meetings and leaders' meetings be instructed to consider carefully ways in which meetings for prayer and fellowship may bo strengthened in circuit; where a minister is removing it is recommended that a special quarterly mooting be held as soon as possible after the arrival of the new minister; j that ministers be instructed to make ■ earnest efforts to form circles or groups of members for purpose of fellowship; that Dr. Ranston's 'Studies in Fellowship' be recommended as a booklet suitable for use in such fellowship circles; that the Home Mission Executive he instructed to consider fill arrangements in connexion with this evangelistic campaign, and present a report to the Synods of 1924 and to the Conference of i 925: that in considering these arrangements, the methods now being adopted in England by the Wesleyan and other Methodist churches be carefully studied by the Home Mission Executive.'' The motions were carried.

Life and Work Committee. The Life and Work Committee of the Presbyterian General Assembly forwarded the following resolution which had been carried at the Assembly:— "That this Assembly extend paternal greetings to other branches of the Christian Church, and request their cooperation, through the Councils of Christian Congregations and Ministers' Associations, inviting Gipsy Smith to visit New Zealand for the purpose of conducting an evangelistic campaign." The letter stated that if Gipsy Smith could be secured for 1925 it would result in great spiritual good to tho churches, and would mobilise the moral forces of the Dominion for the licensing poll to be taken at the close of that year. j

On the motion of the Rev. W. A. Sinclair the Conference decided that the letter be received, and cordially to approve of the suggestion that Gipsy Smith be invited to conduct a united mission in 1925, provided satisfactory arrangements couid be made, and that

the' matter be referred to the Welfare of the Church Committee.

Before closing the session the president said he had been deeply impressed by the discussion that morning. But if they wen going to do any good they must get beyond pious resolutions. Unless they did so they wonld have had only a morning's entertainment.. He wanted to call for a practical expression from the laymen and minisc ters whether they were prepared to go ii back to their circuits and carry out . the resolutions they had passed. He was prepared to do so himself. The president then called on the lavP men and ministers in turn to stand f if they were prepared to do as lie asked j them. £ All the members stood up, and the president then declared that they had a Conference pledged to carry on an ■ evangelistic campaign. It was a mat. ;. ter for much gratification, and was a r memorable day for the Church. It was decided that the Revs. Dr. H. Itanßton and W. A. Sinclair draft a pastoral letter to be sent to ministers t and congregations, embodying tho reso--5 lutions which had been passed at lh>j j morning session. Immigration Matters. In connexion with immigration mat- ' ters it was decided, on the motion of * the Rev. E. D. Patchett. to appoint the ' following Immigration Committee for New Zealand: Revs. Clarence Eaton 3 and A. N. Scotter, and Messrs R. G. I Denton, J. Lawrence, C. M. Luke, and IT. P. Mourant, The Rev. Clarence Eaton was appointed chief immigration . officer for New Zealand; the Rev. S. S. Green immigration officer for Auckland, and the Rev. S. Bailey for Lyt- | telton. The Conference also decided that tho 1 scheme propounded by the Y.M.C.A. for the settlement in the Dominion of families from the membership of Christian Churches at Home was commendable. Church Welfare. A discusaion took place on the minis, try of teaching in the Church, and it j was decided that the Conference was of the opinion that missions of inspiration and appeal rpen to all should be held during the year in as many centres as possible, with the special needs in view of preachers (ministerial and lay). Sunday school teachers an.i Bible class leadeis. It is considered necessary at each mission to give instruction on the generally accepted find, ings of Biblical research. Nevertheless, the dominant feature should be positive, constructive, and warm-heart, ed evangelism, and emphasis upon reli- ! gion as personal experience, funda. mentals which were' unaffected by literary or scientific investigation.'' It was also decided that with a view I to securing correctness and efficiency I in Church business and general Church work, Conference directs each Synod to arrange visitations every three years to all the circuits within its bounds, when (1) the' circuit and trust books should be carefully scrutinised; (2) the state of the membership and congregations and Sunday schools be reported on; Co) a meeting of an inspirational character should be held: (4") the findings should be reported in writing to tho Svdod concerned, and in cases of laxity to the Conference. The visitation should consist of either two ministers and one lav-men, or of one minister and two laymen as could best be arranged, from adjacent or other circuits.

Home Mission Fund. The Rev. G. Bond ( Auckland), treas urcjr of the Home Mission Fund, pre seated the financial statement in connexion with the fund.

The statement 6howed that the capita] account stood at £9445 Is Sd, of

which £7367 4a had been invested, and £2077 17s 8d was awaiting investment. The Canterbury Home Mission Investment Fund stood at £llOO, The total income amounted to £10,332 103 3d, and the expenditure to ,£11,644 0s 6d, leaving a debit balance of £1331 ;3s ?>d. The total estimated income for 1921 from circuits and home mission stations was shown at £7408 10s. The grants recommended by Synods for the total estimated expenditure on European and Maori circuits and home mis. sion stations was shown at £8924 10s, and the committee's estimate of expenditure was shown at £7287. The total income estimated by the committee was £10.030. and the total expendi. ture £11,259 3->s sd, leaving a debit balance of £1229 35s sd. The estimates were referred back to the committee for the reconsideration of several of the grants commended by the committee to home mission stations.

It was decided on the motion of the Rev. S. Lawry that the committee's recommendation that a minister wilh special gifts for inspirational and evangelistic work be set, apart as assistant to the general superintendent, Ibe deferred for another year. > HOME MISSIONS. APPOINTMENTS FOR 1921. The Rev. T. G. Brooke read the following list of home mission appointments: — Auckland District. Avondale (Henderson) —C. C. Hosking. Pukekohe, Bombay—J. H. Edmonds. Mahurangi (Warkworth) —H. Thornlev. Port Albert—C. Aker. Coromandel—W. M. Jones. Flelensville —H. Fallows. Kaukapakapa—J. W. Bayliss. Bay of Islands (Kawa Kawa) —J. Thomas. < Hokianga (Rawene; —W. McDonald. Whangaroa (Kaeo) —J. M. Smeeth. Mangonui (Kaitaia) —B. H. N. Teague. Hikuraugi—JL Noble. Rehia. (Arapohue)—E. J. Clark. Ohaeamai—\V. Parker.

South Auckland. Cambridge (Leamington)— One wanted. Huntlv —P. Bridge. Te Kuiti—C. Strand. Taumarunui—A. F. Attwood. Whakatane —J. W. Cocks. Putaruru —C. G. H. Byeroft. Te Puke—J. Common. Ngaruawahia—S. Green. Mokauiti—One wanted. Okura—H. Ashworth.

Taranaki-Wanganui. j Waitara—One wanted. Stratford (Midhirst) —One wanted. Cape Egmont (Okato) —T. Flower. Wanganui (Gonville) —W. T. Hooper. Wanganui North (Dublin street^—T A. Brady (supply:-. Patea —One wanted. Mokau —One wanted. Hawke's Bay-Manawatu. Gisborne CTe Hapara)—E. Puddle. Patmereton North (Ashliurst) —G. Hall. Feilding (Halcombe) —A. E. Haynes. Apiti—£. Robinson. Norsewood—J. Boothroyd. Wairoa—One wanted. Wellington District. Johnaonville (Porirua) —T. F. Watso*. Masterton (Ktiripuni)—F. J. Handy. Otaki (Paraparaumu)—A. C. Whiteford. Wellington South —J. C. Draper.

Nelson District. Motaeka—W. E. Sleep. Havelock—R. T. H. Wearne. Murchison—R. Alexander. Denniston-Granity—H. Dyson. Richmond (Wakefield) —F. T. Hoten. Runanga—One wanted. North Canterbury. Greendale-Malvern (Waddington)—J, Belshaw. Hawarden—F. Richard. Oxford —T. W. Featherstone. Rangiora CWoodend) —F. E. Foot. South Canterbury. Methren (Rakaia —E. Alexander. Mayfield—A. Beeson. Otago-Southland. Roslyn ("Maori Hill) —Supply. Mosgiel—C. W. Brown. Edendale—G. 11. Bridgman. Kaitangata—C. G. Scrimgour. Lawrence—H. Vowell. Cromwell—G. 11. Malier. Eiverton—H. E. Haines. Tuatapere—One wanted. Nightcaps—G. F. 0. Whittleatone. St. Kilda (Peninsula) —H. S. Badeliffe. Waikouaiti-Palmerston —C. Duncan. LAST NIGHT'S BUSINESS. Conference continued in the evening, when the report of the Home Missions Committee was proceeded with. The Rev. T. G. Brooke was unanimously appointed a life member of the Home Mission Board. The Rev. G. Bond, treasurer of the Home Mission Fund, was cordially thanked for his valuable services. He was reappointed to the position for 1924. The Home Mission Board were thanked for their services during the past year, and the following were appointed for 1924: The General Superintendent, the General Treasurer, the Lay Treasurer, the ministers of the Auckland city aud suburban circuits, and Messrs J. Veale (life member), T. W. Jones, T. L. Caley, A. Peak, \V. S. Stone, T. Clark, J. j. Parker, C. Jansen, W. S. Maekay, J. Trounson, H. Field, C. A. Piper, G. 0. Blakey, F. G. Steinert, A, Trenwith, C. K. Wigglesworth, W. H. Worsley, H. S. Crowe, Howard Knight, J. Boyce, C. Bycroft, aud E. O. Chivers, and the Rev. T. G. Brooke.

Conference adjourned at ft.ls until 10 a.m. to-dav.