METHODISM

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 March 1926, Page 8

METHODISM

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. [Per Presi Association.; DUNEDIN, March A In view of the meeting of the League of Nations an early session of the Methodist Conference was held for the purpose of holding a prayer meeting on behalf of the League and its ■deliberations.

There was a splendid attendance at the opening of the ordinary session of the conference. A solemn hush lell upon the conference when the President announced-that Mr D. W. Jack, of Whangarei, a member of the conference, had suddenly passed away while visiting the Exhibition. A vote of condolence to the relatives was proposed, by Hev. E. * Drake and spoken to by several representatives and carried in silence. The conference then proceeded, to consider the obituary notices of those ministers who had died during the year. Tne names considered were Revs. W. Lee, D. McNicoll, J. G. Chapman, and John Dawson. After the records had been read, several members paid tributes to the worth of those who had passed away. . On the conference resuming its ordinary business, it was decided to reappoint the Rev. G. Eaton as Chief Immigration Officer for the Cliurch. In view of the splendid work of Messrs Eaton and R. G. Denton in connection with migrants, the conference voted them a hearty vote of thanks.

After dealing with immigration matters, the question of Bible-m-Schools was introduced. The conference went into committee upon tne matter, and, after resuming in open session, a resolution was carried requesting Methodists not to slacken their interest in the Bible-in-Schools movement.

A comprehensive resolution on the question of Sabbath desecration was earned unanimously. It expressed the wish that the Protestant Churches should confer to combat the present tendency and bring about a better observance of the Lord’s Day. The conference demanded that t'he Government should eliminate the middle issue and introduce preferential voting in connection with the liquor question, and that a strong deputation be appointed to wait upon the Prime Minister.

The conference protested against the granting of • racing permits, . and the permission for country meetings being held in adjacent cities was regarded as an abuse of the existing legislation. At this stage a deputation was received from the New Zealand Alfuince with Miss Powell, representing the W.C.T.U. Addresses were given by Miss Powell, Mr 0. R. Edmond, Mr C. Todd, and the Hon. L. M. Isitt, M.L.C.

At the afternoon session resolutions were passed against gambling in connection with-- the numerous permits issued for art unions by the Minister of Internal Affairs, which the conference regarded as against the intention and spirit of the legislation. A resolution was passed in the direction of tightening the censorship of kinema films and picture posters. The report of the Foreign Mission Board was introduced by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair, the General Secretary. The financial statement showed that the Foreign Mission income totalled in New Zealand, £4200 in the Solomons, and £750 from the Centenary Fund, making a total income of £17,650, this constituting a record. The Auckland East circuit raised the splendid sum of £733. Mrs W. H. Duke, Mrs A. E. Pacey, Mrs T. R. Hodder, and Mrs West, representing the Methodist Women’s Missionary Auxiliary, were received by the conference. Mrs Duke stated that the missionary income pi the Auxiliary totalled £2053. They maintained seven sisters in the Foreign Mission field, and two deaconesses in the Home Mission field, and were prepared to support a third. The conference expressed its gratitude at the great success attained by the Women s Auxiliary. After a description of the work in the Solomon Islands, Mr Sinclair moved that the estimated income lor 1926 be £13,500. The conference unanimously agreed to this amount. It was decided that the expenditure on the Mission field be £14,500, exclusive of the amounts voted from the Equipment Fund for buildings.

Preliminary arrangements were made for the celebration of the semiJubilee of the Solomon Islands’ Mission in 1927. A resolution of congratulation to the Methodist Church of Tonga on the completion of its centenary of continuous service was carried unanimously.

It was decided that the Rev. W. A. Sinclair represent - New Zealand at the centenary celebrations.

Rev. A. H. Voyce having completed his training at College, was dedicated to the Foreign Mission work in the Solomon Islands. He will proceed to the Foreign Mission field immediately. > In connection with the work at Wesley College, Parata, the Principal, Mr R. C. Clark, gave an interesting account of the present state of the work at "the College. During the past year additions have been made to the College. There is now accommodation for 115 boys and already the full number have applied for entrance. On the scholastic side very satisfactory progress has been made. Mr J. Veale (Chairman of the Board) delivered a statement with regard to the working of the farm of 700 acres attached to the college. Up to the present £33,000 had been spent on the buildings at Parata.