METHODISM

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 54, 5 March 1914, Page 2

METHODISM

THE DOMINION CONFERENCE. TEMPERANCE AND PUBLIC MORALS. (IT TRLSGRA!>H--?RESS ASSOCIATION.} j DUNEDIN. 4th March. At the Methodist Conference this afternoon it was decided that the Wel--| lington South circuit should be relieved of a probationer, and that the staff should consist of two married ministers. It wh6 resolved that tlie second minister in the Blenheim circuit be stationed at 'luu Marina, and that the otiicials be asked to consider tiie matter of engaging a probationer for Piclon. Tlk: liev. C. Griffin requested that his sla-tus should be dated from 1876. This was granted. The Llev. S. Griffith presented the l'uport of the Deaconesses' Committee. Hister Mabel was cordially thanked for hcv devoted work as superintendent of Alia Deaconesses' Institution, and regret was impressed at her retirement. Sister (iraci. 1 , from England, was appointed to tbe chaj'ge of the institution. Regret was expressed at the resignation of bisters Kenneth and Lillian througtyftll* health. A report was received from the committees on temperance and public morals, and resolutions were adopted in regard to Sabbath observance, the liquor problem, and industrial unrest. It waa resolved to express regret that the 'Government did yot afford an opportunity last session for amending the threefifths provision of the Licensing Law, *tnd to ask that steps be taken to have the proposed Bill passed into law as early as possible. Tlie gambling quesi tion was considered, "and a resolution adopted condemning the totalisa.tor and i deprecating the recent attempt to in- ; crease the number of totalisator permits. Appreciative reference was 'made to •the following ministers} whose deaths occurred during the year : — Rev. Chas. E. Beecroft, Rev. William Tinsley, and i Rev. Barton H. Ginger. A suitable hymn -was sung, and the Rev. P. W. Fah v clough engaged in prayer. Reports of tlie welfare of the Church were presented, and many members of 1 the conference bore testimony to the good work of the visiting missionaries •—Rev. Vallance Cook and Mrs. Cook, Rev. V. W. Trigge, and Sister Frances. The Rev. Mr. Flesher spoke of the difference between tlie Church records of Methodist members and numbers returned according to the last census. The Rev. Mr. Duncan said that he had paid a great deal of attention to tliis question, and would suggest v that some means be devised of tracing those not within the influence of the Church. The report showed an -inexplicable decrease of 3669 in tlie number of adherents, whereas, formerly., the Church return approximated to the census figures.