METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 14307, 4 March 1910, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE

The Conference resumed this morning, the Rev. C. H. Laws presiding. —Denominational Paper.—

—Denominational Paper.—The following names wore submitted by a committee, for tho position of editor of the Methodist fortnightly to be started shortly :—Revs. L. .Hudson. W. A. binciair, ''and J. X. Buttle. The two lastnamed withdrew, and Mr Hudson was appointed editor. On oehalf of the local eommitteo that conducted tho Methodist part of the 'Outlook,' Mr E. Rosevcar formally recorded his protest against the 'establishment of tho new paper. —Supernumerary Fund. — Mr Fleshor presented a report from a committee appointed to deal with, supernumerary fund matters. Tho principal recommendation in tho report was that provision be made whereby second wives annuities can be purchased either (1) by increasing the annual subscription of tho minister who marries again, .such increase to bo paid during the remainder ot Ins ministerial term, or (2) by purchase by means of a lump sum. An amount of £35 was voted out ot the contingent fund to He v. D. .). Murray, as a compassionate allowance. Rev. \V. A. Sinclair presented the theological institution report, lie stated that the present arrangements for the housing of the theological students wero utterly unsatisfactory". The Committee recommended :—" That with a view to securing continuous supervision our theological students be housed in a building not shared bv other lodgers, and that a minister of "the Conference lie set apart to take charge." Mr Sinclair .explained that this would mean having a residential tutor, who would undertake, tho work now done bv visiting tutors. The expenditure was estimated at £095 for the coming year under this-' proposal (principal and students). The estimated revenue derivable from appropriations, etc. was £960, leaving a deficiency of £35 to bo made up. Tho Committee had not made provision in the estimate of expenditure for furniture for tho building, the cost of which they thought should be met by a special elt'ort. Rev* .1. ,f. Lewis seconded the motion, which was supported by a number of . other speakers. In the course of discussion, Rev. Mr Pinfold hoped that when separation from Australia was secured independence would be signalised by the establishment of a Methodist Theological College. Rev. \\. J. Williams pointed out that it was unreasonable to expect that one minister should bo called on to perform the duties of house-governor, theological tutor, and classical tutor. "liev. V. \V. Faircluugh opposed any notion of erecting a theological hall, as being beyond the present means of the Church. Ho did not oppose the Committee's recommendation, hut was strongly of opinion that a large number of the students could ohtain\ill that they were capable of receiving at present at a, very much cheaper rate than was now the case. In answer to some criticism by Mr Faii'dough, the Rev. S. La wry pointed out that under the terms of one of the educational bequests (that of the Probst trust) none of the money derivable therefrom could be spent outside Auckland province. He advocated requiring all students to pass matriculation before they could enter the college, and outlined a scheme whereby the principal of the col- ' lege would not be called on to give classical lectures, but could confino himself to theological teaching. Mr Ainbury stated that owing to bringing the Probert trust property into "u state of better efficiency, the trustees (of whom ho is one) would be unable to promise any increase in available revenue for some years to come. He nlso stated that if it was proposed to devote the capital of tho Probert trust to the building of a theological hall, all the trustees except one would immediately resign.— (Hear, hear.) Rev. Mr Sinclair, in reply, pointed out . that tho Committeo had not* recommended building a theological hall. The report was adopted, and a large committee set up to draw up a scheme in fuller detail, and the treasurers were authorised to draw not moro than £SOO from the Probert trnst for the training of students.