O.E.M.S.

Evening Star, Issue 14525, 29 November 1910, Page 7

O.E.M.S.

Tho annual conference of tho Church of England Men's Society was held at Bristol, England, in October. In New Zealand there are branches at Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington, Napier, Greymouth, Hokitika, Blenheim, Kaitangata, Motueka, Oamaru, Rangiora, .Reefton, Temuka, Timaru, Westport, and other places. The Archbishop of York presided. The Conference was preceded by Holy Communion at Bristol Cathedral, attended by about 900 men, and at the closo there was a sendee in the cathedral at which the Archbishop of York preached to a crowded congregation of men. In the evening thero was a crowded meeting at Colston Hall. The Archbishop of York referred to Mr Woollcombe's tour in tho colonies, remarking that no more fitting representative of tho movement could have been found throughout tho length and breadth of Britain. Tho Duko of Devonshire, the Bishop of Bristol, and Mr W. Horsley (Bolton) also spoke. Tho annual report showed that the membership bad 'nereased from 81,072 to 10-1,194, and tho number of branches from 2,380 to 3,502. Consolidation had been as marked a featuro as extension, and the number of federations had more than doubled. Several dioceses wero moving towards the adoption of a definite diocesan organisation. Australia had already set the example of a further consolidation and strengthening of tho work by unions of branches which cover a province rather than a diocese, and tho provinces of Brisbane and Now South Wales now had their own constitution and governing body. One notable effort of the year had been the missionary tour wltich the Rev. H. S. Woollcom.be had undertaken at the request of the Council. Six months were spent by him in Australia and three months in New Zealand, and he was at tho date of the report in the midst of a five-months' visit to South Africa. The Council dosired to put on record their deep senso of obligation to him" for his unsparing labors, and to thank God for the exceptional success that had attended them. Clergy and laity aiike had written to testify to the wonderful influenco that his mission had exercised, and many had remarked that the enthusiasm engendered at tho time, and maintained since, had surpassed their most sanguino expectations. In Western and Southern Australia tho work was strengthened and extended. In Brisbane province, where several branches already existed, many places were visited, and a great mission to men conducted. In Tasmania new branches wero started, and a constitution for the diocese adopted. In Melbourne and Sydney the work had been put upon a sound foundation, and diocesan and provincial secretaries had been appointed. Tho Council had been greatly pleased by tho way in which the gratitude of Australian churchmen was expressed in a cablegram despatched to headquarters from Melbourne. In New Zealand the, first conference for branches within the Dominion had been held, and a letter recently received stated:—"lt is no exaggeration to say that Mr Woollcombe's visit has stirred tho men of our Church in every town he has been to in a greater degree than ever before, and thousands of churchmen in New Zealand are feeling very grateful to ttieir brothers at Home for sending such a grand man to inspire us with the C.E.M.S. spirit, and to put us in the right lines of prayer and active service for our beloved Church and its Master." Another secretary said:—"There has been a more lasting effect left by his visit than was at first apparent. The C.E.M.S. movement has had a great impetus, it is true, but, better still, the ordinary man, who does not take too great a stock of religion, has been roused by him. That is the feeling, and it now remains for C.E.M.S. to cultivate it." The report also referred to the heartiness of the send-off which Mr Woollcombo experienced on his departure from New Zealand.