METHODIST CONFERENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22892, 25 February 1938, Page 16

METHODIST CONFERENCE

PROGRESS OF MISSIONS [Psa United Press Association-! WELLINGTON, February 24. A- report to the Methodist Conference showed that great progress had been, made with the Bible observance in schools scheme, which had now been extended to eight boards. Over, 300 schools had initiated daily worship during 1937. A resolution was passed affirming continued support of the policy of the Bible-in-Sehools League. Miss Rishworth, Dominion president of the Women’s Missionary Union, presented a report showing that the women’s auxiliary ■ supported five deaconesses in the home mission field. They were doing excellent work, but she would like to see 10 girls working in each district where one deaconess was struggling with many problems. The union was doing its best to raise more funds so that its activities could be extended in the future. The report was adopted after tributes had been paid to the work of the women’s auxiliaries. The report on foreign missions stated that there had been an increase of 28 churches, seven Native teachers, seven local preachers, .17 day schools, and 424 members in the Solomon Islands. Dr Alan Rutter, F.R.C.S., who he’d the diploma of tropical medicine and hygiene, with Mrs Rutter and two highly qualified nurses, would go to the Helena Goldie ■ Hospital this year. Several delegates paid tributes to the generosity of Mr S. Gorman, of Nelson, who had given a further £2,000 towards the medical fund of the mission, and a resolution of appreciation was carried. The report was adopted .and resolutions of greetings to missionaries and of thanks to the workers and donors were carried. SUBTLE EVILS. “ That our people be warned of the subtle evils associated with many public dances and that the matter of indulgence in dancing be laid mi the enlightened individual conscience,” was a motion carried by the conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand to-day after an hour and a-quarter’s discussion in committee. It was resolved also that the conference continue in its refusal to allow dancing on church property or elsewhere under the Methodist auspices. A manifesto on the church’s attitude to dancing drawn up, by the committee was approved. The manifesto (States that in issuing it “ the conference is sensible of_ its responsibility to exercise oversight, not of constraint, but of reason and example. The conference realises that for a large section of the Methodist people dancing is an urgent problem, and feels that, in view of the publicity given the discussions on dancing, the position of the church should be clearly stated.”