METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 447, 4 March 1909, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. HOME MISSION WORK CONSIDERED. • Tho Methodist Conference resumed yesterday in tho Taranaki Street Church, the Kev. Thos. Foe presiding. Tho greater part of tho day was occupied with a discussion relating to tho appointment of an organising secretary for Homo mission work. Eventually tho office was constituted, and tho Rev. T. G. Brooks appointed. A motion to elect the president a year beforehand was dofcatcd by a large majority. Ad- • vice was received by cablegram from Victoria, stating that the conforenco thero did not agree to permit the Rev. Charles Tregear to talco up special mission work in Wellington this year. Tho business of "A" committeo was completed, and tho second J reading of the stationing committee will be presented this morning. In the evening a number of members of the conferenco attended tho Children's Musical Festival in the Town Ha)'. The conference will resume at 11 o'clock this morning. HOME MISSION: ORGANISING SECRE- / TARY APPOINTED. The report of the Home Mission Executive Committee was receivod and adopted. In the synod recommendation one clauso gave use to a great deal of discussion. The clause, as moved by the Rev. G. W. J. Spence, was "that a minister in full connexion bo: set ■ aside as organising secretary to work on lines so successfully adopted in the Austialian States." 1 ' « Mr. J. -Trownson, in supporting the recomnendation, referred to the special liesd for organising the mission work on a proper basis. He spoke of what had been accomplished by means of homo missions in England. ' But to have similar results in j'w Zealand they must havo similar missioners— ihe best men that could be secured, men specially fitted for J this special class of work. "Wo don't want an unemployed, said the speaker, "wo want a real live man." Ho then went on to speak of tho battle which they had fought for No-License in Auckland. If they could get such sums for tho NoLicense campaign, surely they could \(lo more for a work like this mission.- He urged the tonference to bo generous and not to spoil the work by stinting the money. A question was asked by Mr. Horbort as to what position the organising secretary would occupy. Would he placed over the heads of superintendents of oircuits? The president replied that the organising secretary .would work with the superintendents of circuits and not go over anybody's bead. The motion was carried. The Rev. G. W. J. Spenco then .moved that a minister - be designated for this office, to tako effect from 1910. As an , amendment Mr. E. Dixon moved that the appointment take place from this year. He thought that if they could havo got to work last year they would have saved thousands of pounds by getting sites on the Main Trunk lino. The amendment was seconded by the Rev. J. N. Buttle. The Rov. T. Trestraill said there was no need for a long interval between the appointment and the date of its taking effect. "We must not imperil the movement by rushing it unwiiely," said the ltev. J. J. Lewis.- He thought they should wait until they saw a suitable man/before they made an appointment. v . Mr. G. L. Blackwell drew attention to the fact that the committees had been compelled to reduce the votes to some places, and thero was still,a deficit. - They must go cautiously in 'regard to finance.

•The. Rev. J. J. Pendray, thought that the work in tho King Country had not been a great success for the want of supervision. ,In Taumarunui the Presbyterian; Church had obtained a strong hold, "and," asked ."where are we? I think it is a downright shame to us." He suggested that they station a missioner at Taumarunui to superintend the v agents round about.

An oversight was ireferrcd to by the Rev. S. Lawry. Ono member had warned them to go slowly and another had blamed them for losing time. At present they had -n promises an amount 'of about £1000, but these promises terminated with this year, and he thought the conference should not overlook the need for making the sum permanently available. The delay in getting to work was also deplored by tho Rev. T. G. Brooko. ,'lho Rev. C. H. Garland said he thought they were all of opinion that something must be. done at onco. He did not think that any additional information would be gained by stationing a man at Taumarunui. All the information desired was possessed by the superintendent of the circuit. "There is not a lot in that proposition," ho said. A Voice: Yes, there is. Mr. -Garland: A lot of nonsense. "We aro of one mind as to tho need for appointing a man," said the Rev. J. G. Cnapman, "but wo are not; as to the date at: which tho appointment should take placo';" He'drew. attention to the fact that they had not delayed in appointing an organising secretary for tho Bible-class movement, and in that they x had done a wiso thing. There was no dnubt that they had lost a great 'many opportunities at Wanganui through not having an organising secretary.

An erroneous improssion regarding the finances of the' fund was corrected by the Rov. : -AV. Slade. He stated that at present there was no deficit,

The Rev. J. Ward thought it was better to wait for another yeqr. 'i'hey could not take money from tho Maori Mission, and they would have to take it from sources which could not stand the strain. He was heart and soul with the movement, hut he thought that a year could be hotter spent 1 )n preparation. Tno Rev. E. .P. Blnmires said he did not Bee how the confercuce could decide whether the appointment should be made this year or next unless they knew whom they were going to appoint, and something about him. lhe amendment was carried, The Rev. G. W. J. Spenco then moved that the location of the secretary ho at Auckland, 'lho reasons ho gavo for this were that Auckland, was the terminus of the Mam Trunk .inp, and the Home mission executive was stationed at Auckland. Mr. J. A. Flesher (Christchurch) moved as an amendment, that the location bo at Wellington. Wellington,' he said, sentral, and was also the terminus of the Main Trunk line. . , The cause of Auckland was advocated by the Rev.. W. Slade. He said that it was shortly intended to place tho Maori mission work north of Auckland in the hands of tho Home Mission, and therefore it would be more convenient if the secretary were stationed at Auckland. "I wish to place myself right with' the sonference," said tho Rev. T. G. Hammond. Ho explained that he had not stated that tho Maori mission wprk north of Auckland would be placed under tho control of the Homo Mission. Ho would not think of doing such a thing, unless he found that tho homo missionary was one of tho fow -men who know how to deal with Maoris. The secretary (Rev. S. Lawry) cave notice of a further amendment that the location bo not yet fixed. Tho residence of the secretary was not a mattor of importance—ho would bo travelling almost all tho time, but tho residence of his family was of importance, for the man they might choose might have mado residential arrangements for his family for tho year, and would have to mako an alteration tho usefulness of which would bo practically nil. Tho amendment was seconded by tho Rov. W. A. Sinclair. A further amendment was proposed by tho Rev. C. Porter, and accepted by Mr. Lawry, to tho effect that tho hendf|uartors of the secretary bo at Atflkland, but that his residence bo left to his own choice.

This was rejected,, mid tho resolution, fixSip: the residence at Auckland, was carried. On the motion of the Rev. G. W. J. Spence, tho following recommendations wero adopted by tho conference with regard to the duties of the secretary:— That ho act undor tho direction of the Home Mission Executive.

That his duties bo —(1) To visit tho different oirouits, Homo Mission stations and Maori mission districts of tho Dominion, by arrangement with tho district chairman and superintendents. (2) To conduct services and public meetings in tho interest of tho fund lor Church oxtension. (3) To take the necessary steps to promote an increased interest in tho work, and to augment the income of tho Homo Mission department by subscriptions and other methods. U) %To Tisl t districts ,whero services are not boing held, with a viow to tho extension of church work, (o) To supply a quarterly report as to tho work to the Executive Committee, and an annual report to tho Synod of Conference. Tho. question of appointing a minister was loft over till the afternoon, the committeo to meet in tho meantime and select candidates for presentation to tho conference. ' Wlien conferenco mot again in tho i afternoon, the Rev. G. W. J. Spence lutmiatcd that the committco recommended -.—(J.) inat tho stipend for tho organising secretary ot tho Homo Mission bo £275. Adopted. (2) That the three following names bo submitted to tho conforenco for ballot:—Revs. W. Slado (Dunedin), T. 'G. Brooko (New Plymouth), S. Lawry (Tapanui). Tho names were piacod by tho committeo in tho order given, and it was recommended i that the olection bo bv absolute majority. On tho first ballot tho voting was a follows :—Brook© 68, Slado 38, Lawry 33. A second ballot was taken, and resulted: Brooke 91, Slade 51. In responso to a request for a speech, Mr. Brooko thanked members for electing him to tho position, but ho regretted that he was to bo taken away from circuit work. He wished that someone more capable had been chosen, but he would do his best to carry out tho work efficiently. Tho Rev. C. H. Garland strongly urged that now that they had- mado tho appointment they should make proper financial provision for supporting the office. _ Ho moved that tho matter of financial provision bo referred to tho Homo Mission Committeo for report to the conference. Tho motion was carriod unanimously. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. The following notice of motion was brought forward by tho Rev. W. J. Williams: — "That this conferenco avail itself of tho right given it by. the General Conference to elect its president a year in advance of, the ,timo when he will be called upon to. occupy tho chair." In speaking to thtf motion, tho Rev. W. J. Williams said that, though past _ presidents had carried out their duties efficiently they would all have been glad to have, had the opportunity of preparing for tho office. Thdre was a standing jest that at every conference there were several members who came with carefully-prepared presidents' speeches in their pockets, each speech beginning "This is a total surprise to mo." But really no man ever anticipated being president, and could not therefore make preparation. The, election of president a year beforehand was also tho general custom 'with other conferences. • , 1 The motion was seconded by tho Rev. G, W. J. Spence. The Rev. C. H. Garland said that it would be distinctly inconvenient for a president to be appointed beforehand, for he would bo worried by all sorts of matters that would be likely to come before tho next conferenco. Because the custom was general was.no reason for its adoption unless the custom were good. The motion was lost by 55 to. 84. In an- , nouncing tho result, the president remarked that the time of. election was immaterial, but if they could do something to prevent touting and wire-pulling they would accomplish an object. WELLINGTON CENTRAL MISSION. A cable messago was received from the Victorian Conference conveying greetings, and intimating that the conference did not agree to tho transfer of the Roy. Charles Tregear this year. This was in answer to the cablegram from the New Zealand Conferenco requesting that ; Mr. _ Tregear be permitted to take up special city mission work at the proposed central • mission in Wellington. DEPUTATIONS TO THE CONFERENCE. A letter was received from the Ministers' Association of Wellington notifying that they had appointed-the Revs. J. Gibson Smith, J. Iteed Glasson, J. Dawson, and J. J. North as their representatives to wait upon the conference. It was decided to invite tho deputation to be present at lunch to-day. Tho New Zealand Alliance also intimated that it wished to wait upon the conforenco. It was decided to make arrangements to receive,the Alliance when the No-Liccy.so Committee's report is being received. ADDITIONAL PREACHERS. Farther recommendations were made by "A" Committee and adopted by tho conference, as follow:— Canterbury District.—That a homo missionary with a suitable home mission grant be appointed for Willowby; that tho northern portion of the Ashburton circuit, which was recommended for abandonment, be detached from the circuit and formed into a separate home mission station with a suitable grant; that a probationer instead of a home missionary bo appointed to Amberley. Otago District.—That a probationer Jbo appointed to 'tho Dunedin' Central Mission' as assistant to the superintendent with a home mission grant of £60 j That tho married missioner bo withdrawn from tho Wellington Suburban circuit and a probationer be appointed in his stead, if possible an ordainod unmarried minister beinsi sent. ' Canterbury District.—That periodical services bo held at Cheviot to bo arranged by the chairman of tho district; that the chairman of tho Canterbury district bo requested to arrongo for services at Kaikoura; That tho order of appointment of probations, outside Wellington Suburban, Christchurch, and Dunedin bo Otahuhu, Napier, Amberley. In regard to the circuits now due to provide for- married instead of single ministers tho following recommendations were mado by the committeo and adopted:— i That tho following be relieved of their obligations for another year: Rotorua, Taihape, Lovin-Otaki, Mosgiel; that Kaiapoi and Dunedin (Cargill Road) bo relieved for a year,' but bo expected to fulfil their obligations next year; that Eltham is propared to support a married minister; that Malvern bo relieved for a year, and tho question of its status i>o referred to the Canterbury Synod for report to next conference; that Cromwell bo changed from a married minister's circuit to a home mission station for a married missioned; that the following be required to support married ministers in the order given: Mot-ueka, Auckland East, Westport, Wnirarapa (2nd.). This completed the business of "A" Committee. AUCKLAND METHODIST MISSION. '' Particulars were given by Mr. H. Schofield on Tuesday of tlip Auckland Methodist Mission, opened at East Street Hall on February 13 and 14. Tho cost of tho half, including site and furnishing, was' about £5465, towards which £2317 had been raised in donations and promises, including tho £500 bequest ot Mrs. Knox. Thero was a mortgage of £2500 at 5J por cent, on the building, so that tho sum still required was £148, which it was hoped to raiso beforo tho final statement. , Tho hall is capable 1200 persons, and more can he accommodated on special occasions. At present the membership of tho mission is 2UO. Great credit, said Mr. Schofield, was duo to tho missioner, tho Rev, J. Wilson, for tho energy, perseverance, and ability which lie had displayed in bringing tho mission to a successful issuo. CHILDREN'S MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

In tho ovening the Children's Musical Festival was held in the Town Hall. Thoro was a largo attendance. As a demonstration of what tho young pooplo can do in choral work when thoy are well-trained, tho festival was a rovclation. Great credit is duo to the conductor, Mr. F. Dillman, who must have taken groat pains and exercised 'great pationco to reach tho high lovel of proficiency which wa3 attained. The choir was not very well balanced, but this was a defect that could hardly bo remedied under tho circumstances. There wero about 500 members, and after all it was the children's festival. In other rospects the work was a great deal more than could bo expected, tile attack, considering tho numbers and youth of tho membors of the choir, being remarkable good. Out of tho choral p#ograuune of seventeen

numbers, "Gloria," from Mozart's 12th Mass, and "Marching Home," a martial air b.v H. Ernest Nichol, may bo selected as the best. Other numbers were: —"The Lord is in His Holy Tomple," "Father, Hear Us Singing" (F. W. Pearce), "Holy Art Thou" (Handel), "Our Heavenly Homo" (Ci. Hill), "Lingdalo" (A. E. Shenton), "The Watchword," "Wo Belong to Jesus," "Marching on Together," "Glad Creation," and 'It Shall Ho Light" (H. Ernest Niehol), "Hallelujah Chorus" (Handel's "Messiah"), "Saving Graco" (D. B. Towner), "Brightly Gleams Our Banner (Win. Lcano Frost), and "Wa Shall Meet Again" (W. Sharrott). The Rev. A. Mitchell sang "The City of Rest" (Lloyd), "Tho King of Kings" (Haddock), (with organ obbligato), in pleasing stylo, and gavo as oncores "Tho Steersman'' (Barnard), and "Tho Coming of tho King" (R-oeckel). Mr. W. J.' Harland presided at the organ with great efficiency, and tho orchestra added greatly to tho effect produced by tho choir.