METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 444, 1 March 1909, Page 8

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

« STATIONING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. FIRST DRAFT OF APPOINTMENTS. Tho Methodist Conference was resumed on Saturday morning, wlion tho opening business was the first reading of stations. Following is tho list: — Auckland District. Auckland (Pitt Street), Rev. W. Ready (Mount Albert); Kev. T. A. Joughin (Kingsland), Rev. A. A. Scotter, 13.A.; Wesley Collcgo, Tlireo Kings, Rev. J. H. Simmons; Auckland West, Rev. G. Bond; Auckland East, Revs. H. R. Dews bury, W. R. Tuck, M.A., and E. Cox; Auckland Methodist Mission, Rev. J. Wilson; (North Shore) Rev. R. Taylor (Birkenhead) Rev. T. G. Carr ; Auckland Maori Mission, Rev. W. Gittos, and 0:10 wanted; Onehunga, Rev. S. J. Gibson; Otahuhu, Rev. W. H. E. Abbey; Rev. J. D. Jory; Thames, R(jv. J. Blight; Upper Thames (Tc Aroha), Rev. W. S. Bowie; Waihi, Rev. J. Wrigley; Paeroa, Rev. A. J. Recti; Franklyn, Rev. J. Dukes, and one wanted; Cambridge, Rev. W. H. Beck; Hamilton, Rev. H. L. Blamires; Huntly, one wanted; Papnroa, Rev. J. H. Haslam; Northern Wairoa, Rev. W. Wills; Whangarei, Rev. J. J. Mather, and ono wanted; Rotorua, Rev. H. A. G. Keek; Tauranga, Coromnndcl, Helciisvillc, Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Whangaroa, Aotea-Kawhia, homo missionaries.

Wanganui District. New Plymouth, Rovs. T. G. Brooke, and one wanted; Waitara, Rev. F. T. Read; Inglewood, Rev.- R. Wilson; Stratford, Rev. 0. C. Harrison; Eltham, Rev. F. Copeland; Hawora, Revs. F. W. Boys and W. W. Avery; Capo Egmont, Rev. R. P. Koall; Paponga, Rev. W. B. Scott; Wanganui, Rev. J. A. Luxford; Aramoho, Rev. E. D. Patckett; Rangitikei, Rev. C. Griffin; San<don, Rov. G. Frost; Feilding, Rev. C. E. Beecroft; Palmerston North, Revs. G. W. J. Spence, T. T. Thomas, 8.A., G. Snaddon; Taihape, R-ev. R. B. Tinsley, Waimarino, Rev. J. F. Martin; West Coast Maori Mission, Revs. T. G. Hammond, R. Haddon; Patea, Kimbolton, Taumarnnui, Ohura, North Taranaki, homo missionaries. ' Wellington District. Wellington (Taranaki Street), Revs. S. J. Serpell, J. R. Clark (organising secretary Biblo class movement), Rev. A. B. Chappell; (Thorndon) Rev. T. Feo, president of Conference; (South), Rev. W. J. Williams; (suburban) Rev. E. P. Blamines; (Johnsonville) Rev. C. Eaton; (Hutt) Rev. 13. F. Rothwell, A. J. Seamer; South Wairarapa, Revs. W. J. Elliott and W. G. Maslin; Masterton, Rov. C. Porter; Napier, Rev. A. C. Lawry; Hastings, Rev. W. Tinsley; Gisborno, Rov. J. A. Lochoro; Eketahuna, Rev. J. J. Pendray; Dannevirke, Rev. J. W. Griffin; Levin and Otaki, Revs. T. F. Jones, C. B. Jordan, 8.A.; Waipawa, Rev. B. J. James; Woodvillo, Rev. B. H. Ginger; Pahiatua, Rev. W. H. Speer; Norsewood and Waipukurau, homo missionaries. Nelson District.

Nelson, Rev. J. J. Lewis; Richmond, Rov. S. H. D. Peryman; Blenheim, Rovs. J. G. Clapman, G. S. Cook; Hokitika, Rev. J. G. W. Ellis; Greymouth, Rev. C. Penney; Motueka, Rev. G. F. Stockwell; Reefton, Rev. T. W. Newbold; Westport, Rev. O. Blair; Havelock, home missionary. Canterbury District. Christchurch (Durham Street) Revs. C. H. Garland; C. H. Lawes (East Belt), J. N. Buttle (W°olston) ; A. M'Bean; (Methodist Mission) Rev. S. Griffiths; (Sydenham) L. . Hudson; (Addington) , Rev. H. Beggs; (St. Albans) Rev. W. A. Sinclair; (Papanui) Rov. S. Lawry, secretary of conference; 'Lvttelton, Rev. A. Peters; Springston, Rev. J. T. Pinfold, F.G.S.; Tai Tapu, Rev. A. Ashcroft; Leeston, Rov. S. R. Richards; Kaiapoi, Revs. T. Trcstrail, C. Roberts; Rangiora, Revs. C. Abernethy, 11. Ranston; Malvern, Rev. R. Richards; Timaru, Rev. W. Baumber; Waimate, Rev. T. W. Vealie; Temuka, Rev. '"W. Beckett; Ashburton, Rev. H. E. Bellhouso nnd home missionary; AVilloughhy, Rev. C. H. Standidgo; Amberloy, ono wanted; Banks Peninsula, Oxford, home missionaries. Otago District. Dunedin (Trinity), Rev. P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S., R. H; Wylio; (Central Mission), Rev. W. Slado and one wanted; (Cargill Road), Revs. W. Grigg, F. Rands; (Mornington), Rev. D. J. Murray; (Roslyn), Rov. T. J. Wallis; (Mosgiol), Rev. E. Blamires; Port Chalmers, Rev. J. Ward; Balclutha, J. A. Hosking; Milton, Rev. A. Reader; Lawrence, Rev. W. J. Oxford; Invercargill, Revs. A. Mitchell and P. R. Paris; Oamaru, Rev. T. ,N. Griffin; Gore, Rov. W. Greenslade; Otautau, Rov. G. T. Marshall and home missionary; Roxburgh,' Rev. W. A. R. Pratt; Cromwell, Rov. A. C. Randersen, M.A.; Palmerston, Winton, home missionaries.

j RECEPTION BY THE MAYOR. At'l2 o'clock tho members attending the conference wore accorded a civic reception in the Council Chamber of tho Town Hall, tlio Mayor (the Hon. T. W. Hislop) presiding. •, . - In extending a cordial welcome to thoso present, tho Mayor said that he did not need to tell them what an, important part the Methodist Church had/ played in the progress of the country, and what good had been done by it in succouring those unfortunate members of society who were unablo to help themselves. They all knew tho history of the Mothodist branch of the Church, and they realised how true it had always stood to tho original conception of its great founder. Throughout the history of religious activity in New Zealand no body had better fulfilled its traditions than the Methodist Church. Speaking with more personal reference, tho Mayor went on to say that a large number of tho people of 'Wellington were friends of the members of the conference, so that their presence in the community was very welcome. (Loud applause.) Tho president of the conference (Rev. Thomas Fee), in responding, said that the forces which made for righteousness made also for good citizenship. Tho Church was trying to make New Zealand a better country with a hotter class of people than it was even at present.- , Mr. J. A. Flesher, of Christchurch, responded on behalf of tho lay brethren. He said that people who had been coming to Wellington for tho past 15 years could not ignore tho fact that tho Empire City had made 'great progress. He referred at> some length to the many advantages of the city. "You havo tho samo trouble in Wellington," he remarked, "in regard to tram fares as elsewhere —people clamouring for a reduction—and 1 see that some' of your members claim that tho fares are now lower than anywhere else in tho Dominion. I, as a member of the Christchurch Tramway Board, bog to differ." Tho, speaker complimented tho Mayor on his connection with public affairs, referring particularly to his term as Minister for Education. In conclusion, he said that ho was suro that Methodist laymen would never bo found wanting when thoy were required to tako their sharo of civic responsibility. OPEN-AIR MEETING. A successful open-air meeting in connection with the Methodist Conference was held at tho Basin Reservo yesterday afternoon. Tlio Rev. T. Fee, president of tho conference, occupied tho chair, tho Rev. T. Trcstrail, of Kaiapoi, led tho opening prayer aud addresses were given by tho Rev. J. J. Lowis, of Palmerston North, and tho Rev. T. G. Brook, of New Plymouth. Several hymns were sung, tho Mission Band accompanying. Tho attendance was large. The opening address was delivered by Mr. Lewis. He pointed to the fact that science positively affirmed the existenco of a Creator, disposing of the materialistic theory of tho "fortuitous concurrence of atoms." He came with no doctrino of tlio Atonement, but, apart from tho crucified Christ, there was no hope of human salvation. They must come back to tho great truth that God was in Christ and whosoever believed on him would not perish, but havo everlasting life. This belief should coino now, and that was tho message he had to. deliver. Ho would not refer to what were palled tho toraeats

of tho lost; he knew'ho was speaking to an intelligent and modern audience, but whatever a man sowed that would ho reap; thero was 110 avoidance of this. The spcakcr_'recommend his hearers to livo up to t.heir highest ideals and rfest 111 the Father s love. He had heard Charles Bradlaugh speaking on behalf of atheism at the Hall of Science, London, and after mentioning incidents 111 that man's life, Mr. Lewis referred to the brother, W. R. Bradlaugh, who was associated with Charles -Bradlaugh as a sccu'larist, and explained his conversion .to Christianity. Tho man was in doubfc and attended a sermon delivered by Mr. Sankey, in which ho stated that shortly beforo many conversions, the ovent-s of tho past life came vividly beforo tho mind of tho convert, llus realisation came to him, and he rose and went to Mr. Sankey, and after that W. R. Bradlaugh went forth to preach tho Gospel spoke on the text, "Why heodeth tho Master publicans and 6 ' nncrs / Dealing with a future life, lie remarked that thero wero many people to-day who would be pleased if thero jwas 110 hereafter, but they could not alter God's provision.