METHODIST CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6319, 23 February 1922, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH.

CENTENARY CONFERENCE

PRESIDENT’S PLEA FOR EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS. .

AUCKLAND, Feb. 22. The Methodist Centenary Conference opened to-night. The delegates number 325, including the Rev. Grainger Hargreaves, cf Oxford, representative of the Methodist Church of England; Bishop C. E. Locke, of Manila, of the Methodist Episcopal Church of America ; and the Rev. A. McCallum, president of the General Methodist Conference of Australia. Tlie presidential address was delivered by the Rev. C". IT. Laws, who traced the history of the church in New Zealand. He said Methodism began in 1522 in the Bay of Islands. The first Christian services were hold at Pert Nicholson, and were conducted by her missionaries. The Rev. James Buller walked 500 miles to welcome the first emigrants to arrive at Port Nicholson, and the Rev. C. Creed welcomed the first white settlers to Otago. A Methodist minister was the first white man to cross the Otira into Westland. The centenary fund now stood at £35,534. He ,spoke of tiie necessity for a church to be alert and evangelistic to meet the increasing needs of a great growing country. He expressed regret at the fact that the Methodist Church alone among tlie larger denominations had not a single educational institution except Wesley College, and drew attention to the recommendations cf the Theological Committee to be laid before conference, that a modern college be erected in Auckland to provide—(l) Thoroughly efficient training for students for the ministry; (2) two years’ preparatory course for such prospective candidates as may be able to attend; (3) to set aside portion of the residential area of the college as a hostel for nontheological university students, with preference for those of their own church. Referring to the lack of candidates, lie said he scorned the suggestion that youths rejected the Ministry because the emoluments of the world were greater. He feared the shortage was due in ho small measure to lack of information and to appeal. The Rev. B. F. Rothwell was elected president for 1923, and Rev. A. Ashcroft secretary. Mr. L. M. Isitt, 'M P. was elected vice-president for 1922.—P.A.

SOLOMON ISLAND MISSIONARIES.

transferred to n.z. CON-

FERENCE

(Received Feb, 22, 9.40 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 22. The Methodist Conference agreed to transfer the Revs. Goldie, Lebinet, *Bens!ey, and Metcalfe, missionaries m the Solomons, to, the, New Zealand Conference. —D.P.A.