METHODISM

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 52, 2 March 1921, Page 4

METHODISM

MEN NEEDED FOR MINISTRY

MISSIONARY WORK DISCUSSED,

Consideration of Home Mission business was resumed at the Methodist Conference yesterday, the Rev. T. G. Brooke leading the business, with the President (Rev. \V. Grigg) in the chair. An interesting debate took place on tha need of men for the ministry. Principal G. H. Laws consented to do what he could to place the claims of the nmiistry before the Methodist young men of the Dominion. Mr. M. Ayrton pleaded for modern methods in the training of men, and he welcomed the suggestions of newer and more up-.to-date methods for dealing with the problem. The conference listened intently to the speaker, who was accorded a hearty round of applause.

Messrs H. H. Brown, G. A. Buttle, Mid Revs. E. P. Blamires, E. Drake, and W, A. Hay continued the debate. They emphasised the spiritual aspect, and «ontended that the appeal must be the appeal of sacrifice in the interests of the cause of Christ. Mr. Drake pleaded for team work in the interests of the Church, so that loyalty and pride would oausß young men to respond k/ the call of the Church.

The urgency of business prevented a continuation of the debate.

The Methodist Women's Missionary Union was granted permission to elect a representative to each of the district synods upon the formation of district unions to constitute an elective body. In connection with the work among the Maoris, a cordial vote* of thajiks was passed to the General Superintendent (the Key. A. J. Seanier), who made a short statement to the conference in regard to his work. A long discussion on the Maori work followed. The Key. Robert Haddon referred to the coming of Indians into ' certain districts, and said he had no objection to Asiatics coming so long as they brought their wives ■with them, but the crossing of Indian and Maori was a sad business, for the Indian possessed no laughter, no music, and no song.

An addition to the first reading of stations is as follows .-—South Wairarapa, -A. N. Oostain. The" ordination service was held in the Taranaki-street Methodist Church last evening in the presence of a large congregation. The following young ministers, having completed their probation, were solemnly set apart for the work of ■the- Christian ministry:—Revs W TBlight, T. Dent, J. Dennis, J. R. Nelson, F. J. Parker, Robert E. Fordyce E. B. Chambers, and W. S. Neal. The ■president conducted the service, assisted by several senior ministers. A solemn and impressive charge to the newly-or-dained ministers was delivered by the Rev. E. Drake, "ex-prasident of the conference.