METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 21965, 27 February 1935, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE

ADDRESS BY RETIRING VICEPRESIDENT THIS MORNING’S SESSION The annual conference of the Methodist _Church of New Zealand was resumed in Trinity Church this morning, the Rev. J. H. Haslam presiding. A Communion service conducted hy the Rev. Mr Haslam was held, the Rev. A. 0. Harris delivering the pre-Com-munion address. After an address hy the retiring vicepresident of the Methodist Conference, Mr J. T. Johnson, of Te Awamutu, a series of group discussions took place, the following subjects being considered by the various groups:— ‘ The Methodist Church and its Present Influence.’ ‘ The Methodist Church, its Origin, its Growth, its History in Our Land.’ ‘ The Evangelism of Our Church,’ ‘ Our Church’s Social Message,’ and ' The Outsider and the Insider.’ When conference reassembled leaders of groups reported the results of discussions hy their groups. TRADITIONS AND HERITAGE. In the course of his remarks, Mr •Johnson said there was one aspect of the church life which had given him some concern. This was the apparent task to retain in the church connection for present and future service so many of the young people who had been nurtured in a Methodist home, and had passed through the Sunday schools and Bible classes. All recognised that the hope of the future rested in the young people of to-day, and that the church could only grow and prosper in the measure that they were retained within the connection. Why was it that so often one had regretfully to note a drift of many of the young men and women from fellowship to that of other denominations? Was it because the older members were failing to give them a lead in personal loyalty? Did the older people in a practical way demonstrate their own recognition of the value to themselves of the associations and traditions of Methodism? Was it because the elders failed in their own outlook and attitude to sufficiently recognise the natural aspirations of youth and early adult age for self-expression mid scope in which to render useful service?

Within its presentation of faith in the regenerative and redeeming power of the Lord, the church was filling a useful and necessary, place in the building up and extension of His Kingdom. Tho founder of Methodism, filled with fire and zeal as the result of a deep spiritual Baptism, responded to the call with his proclamation, “ the world is my parish.” With heart and mind sanctified by Divine grace, and lips touched with a coal from the altar of the living God, he set out on his commission, proclaiming the gospel of the grace of God in Christ Jesus “to be the very power of God unto salvation to! everyone who believeth.” The result was that many who had sat in darkness saw a great light. Very soon workers in their thousands broke forth with a new song on their lips and the surge of a new found joy in their hearts.

The people of the church would do well if they used every facility to foster in the minds of the children a deep sense of loyalty to the church of their fathers, with its great traditions and wonderful spiritual heritage. Ho thought perhaps there had been a laxity in pulpit, pew, and home, of conveying to the minds of young people a pride in Methodist traditions. They should be led to a realisation that the church of their fathers was their church, that it had a past of which they might well feel proud, and a future full of possibilities for even greater service and attendant results in extending the kingdom of the Lord. Adventure and real service always made their appeal to virile young life, and in the activities of the church yenng men and women of faith and vision were wanted. There was room for them, there was work for them. There was a work for all who loved the Lord in the wide field of humanity, but especially the call should make its appeal to the young folk. With life before them, and in the bloom and strength of their young manhood and womanhood, Jesus called them. Should they not be shown that within the church of their forbears there was both scope and opportunity for service in a consecrated response to the call, and the challenge of human need, spheres of service, in which they could render their utmost for the Highest? Then would Methodism grow in numbers and influence, with consecrated, co-drdinated effort continuing to worthly fill its place in the great army of the living God, grappling with the forces of evil. Young and old within its ranks consecrated to the purpose of extending the kingdom of the Lord on tho earth, and finding room for selfexpression and service within the church pf their fathers!