PRIMITIVE METHODIST.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1027, 17 January 1911, Page 2

PRIMITIVE METHODIST.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. OPERATIONS OF THE YEAR. SISTER CHURCHES. The annual conference of the New Zealand Primitive Methodist Church resumed yesterday morning, the Rev. G. H. Mann presiding. FRATERNAL GREETINGS. During the forenoon a deputation from . the Wellington Ministers' Association was introduced by tho Hcv. W. S. Potter. The Rev. .T. K. Elliott (president of the association), speaking for tha deputation, assured the conference that other churches took great interest in its deliberations. Tho speaker did not think the universal panacea for tha world's woes was uniformity. AH the same, he believed tho centrifugal force of the past had nearly spent itself, and the world was not likely to have any new .denominations of the future. In tho future he believed all churches would unite in one body, that would comprehend tho best qualities of all. ' The Rev. A. Macdonald Aspland, representing the Congregational Church, also extended a fraternal greeting, and ex-, pressed pleasure at the fact that the conference was still considering the question of unipn. The Rev. A. Dewdnev, on behalf 'of tho Baptists, spoke in a similar strain of welcome. He dwelt with admiration on tlie fervid spirit of evangelicalism that had always characterised tho Primitivo Methodist Church. Replying on behalf of tlie conference, the Rev. J. Guy (New Plymouth) 6aid the visit of tho deputation, showing as it did that the various sections of the Christian Church had interests in common that bound them closely together, had given great pleasure. ' ■ . . Mr. W. on behalf of lay members, also acknowledged the greeting of the deputation. Tlie Rev. G. 11. Manii (president) heartily welcomed the deputation, and cordially reciprocated the kindly sentiments expressed. The Rey. G. Knowles Smith (General Committee delegate), amidst ipplansc, conveyed, to the conference the friendly greetings of tho Wesleyan Methodist brethren.

SUNDAY SCHOOLS. During the .day a number of lommittee and other reports were received. The Sunday School Committee reported that in some schools successful ■ efforts had been mado towards better equipment and organisation. Of 3GG scholars nominated for the annual scriptural examination, 213 returned their answer papers. "Without .attempting to answer the unnamed and ungenerous critics who found some means of expressing themselves, the report pointed to tile fact that with five less .competitors than iu the previous yoar the prizo money v."as £2 ■ more. The average points per scholar for tho whole Dominion .'had risen -from '61.5 per cent. ,in 1909 to 68.5 per cent, in 1910. The divisiou most, criticised had -shown the most marked improvement, with an increase of 9.75 marks per scholar. The averages per division were: Adult, 77.75; senior, 62; intermediate, 51; junior, 73; infant, 75. In connection with the boys' peace ' scout movement, • the committee recommended 'that tho question of taking it up be. brought prominently before the school officials. ' Sunday School statistics for the year are as follow,:—Teachers, 601, a increase of 12; average attendance, morning 42, afternoon 525; teachers who are also members of Church, 557; scholars,, G275, an increase of Gl. Over fourteen years of age, 11S2. Average attendance, morning 344, afternoon 1213. Income, <£1601: IGs. 6}d.; expenditure, ,£1326 6s. 4kl. Books in library, 11,745. Value of property apart from buildings, .£1364 4s.

CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR. The statistical returns for the year in connection with the Christian- Endeavour Societies are as follow Adult societies •39, an increase of 10; active members 680, an increase of GO; associate members 136, a decrease of -1; active" members ' who are also Church .members 535, an increase, of 164; associates to active'list "15, a decrease of 18; junior societies 32, an increase of 6; junior members 747, an increase of '128; juniors transferred? to. ,senior 11, an increase of 8. The report recommended that those responsible for station returns should exercise more care in detailing the information. Much difficulty was experienced in completing the final returns on account of errors in the figures. '.COMMITTEE REPORTS. The Publishing Committee reported that the income for the year was J5374 Jsl. 8d. t and expenditure .£271 4s; 4d.,' leaving a balance of .£lO3 Oi. 4d. Assets totalled .£l2B Os. 4d„ profit ,£4Ol 7s. 3d. The contingent fund showed an income for the year of. .476 2s. 7d., and an expenditure of J$G Is. sd. It was reported that the-income and expenditure of the children's equalisation fund amounted to ,£327 10s. 6d. There are 37 children in tho fund. FOREIGN MISSIONS. " It was stated by the Rev. G. : Knowles Smith that the Foreign Mission Fund totalled .£2l, as against ■ .£l3 13s. last Year. The first-named amount would be remitted. this year to the. African Mission Fund.