METHODISM

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 47, 23 February 1917, Page 5

METHODISM

HOW IT STANDS IN NEW

ZEALAND

A WAR-TIME REVIEW

Many interesting matters, pertaining more particularly to Methodism but dealing with important problems in genoral, were discussed by the Rev. A. 0. Lawry, President of the Methodist Conference, in his opening address delivered last evening. After paying. a graceful tribute to the number of faithful workers on behalf of the Church, Mr. Lawry stated that the year just past had been one in which a considered policy deliberately followed had been impossible. As with the Empire, so had it been with the Church. . The way through 19.16 had been steep, and the winding path often darkly shadowed. A CALL WELL ANSWERED. Methodists had a painful but proud interest in the world-wide struggle. So I many of their sons, and brothers, and kin had left them, that they were now desolate. From their congregations more than 6200 men, young and mostly single, had gone to fight for the Empire. That was the total when less than 70,<XK) of the First Division had been enrolled by the Defence Authorities. There were not ma-ny of their boys left in the ballot for conscription. There were disquieting rumours front abroad, repeated by unfriendly clerics and other critics in New Zealand, to the effect that the percentage of Methodists among the Dominion's patriots had been absurdly low. The Rev. Mr. Lawry proceeded to quote instances of what he termed endeavours" 1 to discredit the Methodists, and quoted a chaplain as saying that the "treatment of Methodists in the N.Z.E.F. verges near persecution." In view of the conditions mentioned, he had secured from nearly every minister and home missionary in the New Zealand Church a return of enlisted men, and he was proud to say that there could be no i doubt that of the eligible yonng men in the Methodist congregation from 90 to 95 per cent, had gone to the war. "We do not know bow they are entered in the army lists, but we know better than any can how many we have sent from our homes, our schools, and our churches.

.. ... The figures stand thus:—Bi per cent of the Expeditionary Force and over 92 per cent of our eligible young men. If 90 per cent, of the young male frequenters oE the racecourses' had enlisted, conscription would have been un-' necessary. And it might be added that there would have been vastly better enlistment records in Eastern Canada, and no riots in Central and Southern Ireland, if the Church which has the largest influence in those places had sent to the front 90 per cent, of the young men of her congregation." . Six hundred and twenty Methodist lads had. made the supreme sacrifice. SUNDAY SCHOOLS AND CHURCH ATTENDANCE.- ■ The President referred at length to the death of several prominent members .of the Church. Now, what of the living? he asked. They met after another year of toil and found their total of attendants at public worship lower than it was. At this they did not wonder, for it was difficult to fill all the places of 6200 enlisted men and of those whom they, would bring to worship in the churches. They had gained • 162 members, for which increase they were thankful. The absence of hundreds of energetic young men, effective church workers, might have resulted in the decrease without causing surprise. They had eleven Sunday Schools more than last year, but as in the Old World the attendance at Sunday Schools generally was not satisfactory. Conference might be trusted to enquire carefully into the whole question of Sunday Schools, and also church attendance. "To my mind," he said, "these two aspects of religious observances in our time are intimately related. Can we expect children to come to Sunday School when their parents stop away from church? " : Are the boys and girls likely to be in their classes, when older members of the family are visiting, motoring, or on the sea beaches. And when the children have been slack in Sunday School attendance for a few years can we expect them, as they reach adult age, to suddenly develop the churcllgoing habit? No, for habits are not suddenly 'developed." At present many of the excellent day school teachers were more potent allies of the Sunday School and truer teachers of morality than some wonkl acknowledge. This he gratefully recognised. But they must have the parents, too. He did not. say that they were beginning at the wrong end by seeking the child and,training him; but' he did say that they must not neglect the j other end. . ■ . ■ A SUCCESSFUL UNION". Mr. La-wry referred to the great success which had attended the union of the Methodist Churches four years ago. The unity had been complete in all re- j spects. Of the ministers and students on the books when the union was broughit about, fourteen had died. Twelve had gone to other conferences, or had found their life's. work in different spheres of service. The total number of ministers in the ranks of the ministry had remained the same, namely 199. There was an increase of ten home missionaries and deaconesses. There were nine more churches, and over 2000 additions to the junior membership, while the number of senior members had increased from 23,000 to 24,700. Of Sunday school iteachers there had been an increase of 100. In 1913 they had no orphanages. Now they had accommodation for ninety children in two institutions, and a .third institution might soon be commenced. During last year the people of the church contributed £1500 for the work in the camp institutes. In 1913 the Home Mission Fund income totalled £5150, whereas in 1916 it was £6262. The Foreign Mission income had increased, by £1895.

Other subjects dealt with by Mr. Lawry are reported upon under separate headings.