METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 479, 12 April 1909, Page 6

METHODIST LOCAL PREACHERS.

The annual meetings of the Methodist Local Preachers' Mutual Aid Association were held in the Durham Street Church, Christchurch, ■on Good Friday and Saturday. Delegates were present from Christchurch, Dunedin, Asliburton, and Wellington. On Friday morning a Sacramental service was held in the Durham Street Church, and was led ln r the Rev. S.. La wry (Methodist) and Rev. S. Henderson (Primitive Methodist). At 2 p.m. the association met for business. Mr. W. Watson (president) occupied the chair, aid 20 delegates answered to their names. The lion, sec., Mr. Win. Dobbs, read the annual report, which showed good progress, both as regards membership and finance. The retiring president then delivered tho annual address, and received a hearty vote of thanks for his services during tho year. The election of officers resulted as follows:— President, Mr. W. Harding; vice-president, Mr. G. Andrews; lion, sec., Mr. J. Priest; treasurer, Mr. Wm. Dobbs. The following members wero added,.to tho General Committee Messrs. S. F. Benton, E. W. Dowland, A. T. M'lndoe, T. W. Kerr, G. W. Allan, B. Gott, J. P. Simon, and E. A. Dillon.

The, secretary received a vote of thanks for his services. Reference was made to tlio death of Mr. H. Sanson, and a voto of sympathy was ordered to bo sent. Tho reports from branches showed good progress; A welcome tea was then held in tho schoolroom, tho tables being in charge of the ladies from the Christchurcn branch. After tea tho president of tile local branch took charge, and welcomed tho visiting delegates, and short addresses wero given by tho visitors, Mr. Dillon representing Wellington. A public meeting was then held, and presided over by tho president (Mr. Harding). Short addresses wero given by Mr. S. P. Benton (Dunedin), Mr. F. Thompson (Christchurch), and Mr. E, A. Dillon (Wellington). Tho association reassembled on Saturday morning, when a good deal of business in connection with the rules and working of tho society were considered. It was decided to establish correspondence classes for tho study of English, hoim'lotics, Christian evidences psychology, and Bible study. Votes of thanks wero passed to friends for entertaining representatives; to tho trustees of the church; and to tho quarterly meetings for collections. Tho next annual meeting will bo held in Ashburton at Easter, 1910.