METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 16050, 29 February 1916, Page 8

METHODIST CONFERENCE

TO THE c Stah.’] AUCKLAND, February 29. ® At the Methodist Conference yesterdav morning it was resolved that the Christchurch Central Mission he continued a separate station, and called Durham Street South Circuit. Chaplain-captain Grigg is ' to he reappointed to Leeston with a home i missionary as supply. Chaplain-captains Mitchell and Read are to be left without ■ circuits and suitable arrangements for . House rent, are to be made. A motion was brought before conference that two young ministers who are in the Ambulance Corps at the front should be ; received into full connection. A long discussion followed, in which many patriotic sentiments were expressed. Air E. Rosebear stated that tie had such a high estimate of the ministry that he believed no minister should take up arms. Ultimately it was decided that they pass in their year, and should they return during i the coming 12 months and give the neces- , sary pledges arrangements shall bo made ! for their ordination. j Several probationers having enlisted j during the year, it was resolved that they bo excused from their examinations, and passed on their years. The action of the cx-president in giving permission to some of the young men to marry ere they left for the front was confirmed. The case of Rev. A. J. Seamer (St. Kilda) was referred to the Stationing Committee. It was decided, on the motion of Mr J. H. Blackwell, to send a letter of greeting to all ministers and young men of the Methodist Church who have enlisted. At the close of the discussion conference spent some time in prayer. * The requests of Revs. George W. G. Spence and George T. Marshall to become | supernumeraries (the latter for one year) | were granted. Several delegates spoke of the splendid and faithful work which the brethren had done during their ministry. The application of Chaplain-major Luxford was brought forward by his chairman, who read a letter of eulogy of Mr Luxford’s work, also calling attention to the mention of him in the despatches of Sir lan Hamilton. The president of the conference and others having spoken the application was granted. . A letter of sympathy and appreciation was ordered to bs sent to .Major Luxford. Applications from the Revs. T. F. Jones and Win. Slade to be made supernumeraries for one year were granted. The Revs. J. Bligh and T. W. Newbold are to be continued supernumeraries for another year. It was stated that the Rev. Edward Bandy had resigned during the year, and a resolution was carried requesting the president to withhold letters of clearance to any minister who tenders his resignation during the ecclesiastical year. The Rev, Thomas Trestrai] is transferred to i the South Australian Conference. Many expressions of the good work he had done in the Dorn inion were given, and the conference wished him a happy and successful | future. The Rev. Mr Caust is to come i to New Zealand as exchange. I In the matter of extended appointments, ' it was resolved that 65 per cent, must be obtained for such to take place. The Revs, J. G. Chapman, of Wellington, and Alfred Peters, of Papanui, having each been invited by their circuits, it was resolved that they be regarded as special cases—i.e., that the Stationing Committee he recommended to make the appointments. This important matter, which was, as the secretary reminded the conference, making history, waa oettled in t a few minuter-

The Rev. C. H. Laws brought forward the question as to whether the office of organising secretary be continued. By statistics re finance and general extension, ho amiecl for its continuance. He affirmed that the home mission work was never better than it is to-day. The Rev. A. B. Chappell pleaded, in harmony with the recommendation ol Taranaki-Wanganui Synod, that the office be discontinued fox the present. He pointed out that chairmen of districts are ex-officio now superin tendents, and the Synod onfy asked that the law should be kept. He suggested that a special committee be set up to make recommendations to the conference ol 1917 on the control and policy of the Maori work. He did not think that an adequate return of finance for the past appointment had been received. The Rev, E. 0. Blamires seconded the amendment. He affirmed that in Taranaki there war the heartiest loyalty to the conference and the present organiser (Rev. T. G. Brooke) There was no personal antagonism. In dications showed that the home missioi fund income would have been as great a; it is now had not an organiser been ap pointed. It must not b© forgotten als« that Methodist union had taken place ii the meantime. Mr J. Vealo spoke in favor of the motion. Ho said that on. result of the appointment was that here ii New Zealand there was now a marriec home missionary that received less that £l2O and a house. In some cases they re ceived £l5O. Several personal explanations were given. The question was pm and the amendment was lost by 47 vote; to 111. The proposition was then put and carried, and it was resolved that the Rev. T. G. Brooke be designated for the office, and that the appointment date from the last conference. Theological College matters were next taken. The institution is situated in Auckland. The principal is the Rev. C. H. Garland, and he is doing good work in training students for the ministry. Fourteen w-ere in residence at the beginning of 1915, and there are now 11. The principal intimated that much difficult was realised in obtaining manual help for the matron. The conference reaffirmed their conviction that all candidates for the ministry should aim at matriculation as an educational standard. The suggestion of the Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu Synod that the college be closed for the duration of the war did not find favor, and was ultimately thrown out. In the evening a public questions evening was held. Chaplain-captain Walker spoke on ‘Camp Life and Its Effects Upon Character, the Rev. A. B. Chappell on ‘The Relation of War to Social' Subjects,’ and the Rev. Mr Cocker on ' Modern Phases of the Temperance Question.’ The meeting was well attended and highly successful.