METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 10 March 1927, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

EXTENSION OF CHURCH WORK. (BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) AUCKLAND, March 8. It was reported at the Methodist Conference to-night that one of the most promising signs in connection with church extension was the increasing number of young men who were beginning to assist in the services. In such a country as New Zealand-, with its scattered population, it was quite impossible to obtain- ministers to fill every pulpit, so that the encouragement of young preachers should be- fostered.

The financial statement of the home mission and 1 church extension department stated that the expenditure had totalled £12,396 and the receipts £ll,038, leaving a debit balance of £1357. The estimated income for 1927 was £11,003. which would leave an estimated deficiency of £I6OO. Increased activity owing t-p- the substantia I increase in the number of immigrants was reported ini a; review on immigration work. Methodist immigrants arrived by every boat, and a painstaking effort was made to meet them on arrival. The conference passed a- resolution expressing appreciation of the services of the Rev. C. H. Bridge-man, who has been- connected with home- mission work for 39 years. The Rev. E. T. Olds was reappointedfor a further term as assistant superintendent of the -home mission department.

In n. brief address to the conference. Miss L. Hodder. of Palmerston North, secretary of the Young Women’s Bible Class Union, said 21 camps were to be held throughout- the Dominion this ve-ar, and it was hoped to- enlist the support of manv young -women who bad hitherto not been- reached by the church. Tt was hoped to start a special church membership campaign after the ca-m-n, and she did not see why the vonng people- could pot- be- admitted ata service similar to the Church of England confirmation. A errant of £IOO was made to the Y.M.C.A. for its- work in the military comns, on which it has a deficit of £9OO.

The following appointments were made hv the chaplain’s command:: Messrs R. W. Buttle. W. ft. Stone, K. Del low. H. O. Mutton. Major F. C. Soar, and chaplains of the district.. A motion was passed urging ministers and members of the Methodist ChurTi to do all in their power to secure the passing of the Religious Exercises in Schools. Bill during the next session of Parliament. A proposal to hold a national conference on religious education in 1929 was approved. The Rev. Mr Blamires was reappointed general secretary of the young people’s movement for the sixth year.