METHODIST CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15558, 7 March 1911, Page 9

METHODIST CHURCH.

ANN UAL CONFERENCE.

TENTH HAY. The Methodist Conference resumed yesterday at 10. HO a.m., tho Rev H. Bull (ex-president) in the chair. MINISTERIAL SESSION. At tho ministerial session tho following students were received on probation: —Messrs J. 15. Bcccho, L. B. Noale and W. Rowe. Messrs R. KBlackniore, H. J. Marshall and S. G. Worran woro appointed to circuits as probationers for ono year, to go to 00-llego next year. It was decided that Mr Davis Wilcox should remain on probation as a Native minister. Messrs George Kirkwood and Edward Tutuhi were received as Native preachers on probation. No minister was designated for foreign mission work, anti no supernumeraries were returned to tho regular ministry. The Rev T. Fee was granted permission to visit Australia and tho South Sea Islands during tho 'year, and tho Revs L. Hudson and D. J. Murray were given permission to visit England, supply being granted in each case. Mr G. Frost was granted loavo of absence for six months to visit England, and the Rev T. G. Hammond was granted six months’ leave of absence to do foreign mission work in Australia.

OHURCH INDEPENDENCE. A cablegram was received from the Rev I)r Morlov stating that at the Victorian Conference a motion for reference of tho question of New Zealand church independence to the quarterly meetings was defeated, the Conference having unanimously decided to approve tilt' separation. CONNEXIONAL FUNDS.

Balance-shcots of tho supernumerary fund, Plampin bequest fund, children’s fund and contingent fund were presented and adopted. The following resolutions wore carried: regulations of the Australasian fund, as at present existing, shall bo adopted as far as possible consistently with altered conditions.” ‘‘That the present rate of contributions by ministers and circuits, and the scale of allowances now in force, he continued for at least five years after the formation of tho New Zealand fund, and until a valuation of its assets and liabilities has been made by a competent authority; provided, however, that any alteration made by tho next general Conference as the result of tho valuation to be made in 1912 may he adoptod by the New Zealand Conference.” “That tho management of the New Zealand fund be included in the duties of the connexional secretary, who shall have tho necessary clerical assistance and shall act. undor tho direction of a committee consisting of five ministers aud five laymen, to ho appointed by the Conference.” “ That tho connexional secretary and one lay member of the committee bo tho treasurers of the fund, and that, with a view to preparing for future wort, the connexional secretary and Air J. C. Prudhoe be appointed Conference treasurers of the supernumerary fund for 1911.” “ That the following committee be appointod to formulate the miles and regulations of the fund, and to report to next Conference:— Tho Revs AV. Bee, S. Lawry, J. N. Buttio, C. H. Garland, C. rf. Laws, BA., the superintendent of St Albans Circuit, and Messrs J. 0. Prudhoe, J. L. Scott, J. A. Fleshor, C. E. Salter, W. H. Seed and ,W. Dailey.’* “ That the above committee report to next Conferenc© as to tlio transference of the New Zealand portion of the fund from Australia to New Zealand. “That the present Conference treasurers of tho supernumerary fund be appointed treasurer's of the contingent fund.” “ That tho following committee be set up to consider the above notice of motion and any other matters relating to the management of tho New Zoaland. supernumerary fund after its separation from the Australasian fund, and report to this Conference: —Tho president, ox-president and secretary of Conference; Revs J. H. Simmonds, J. A. Luxford, S. J. Serpell, O. H. Garland. H. Bull. D. J. Murray, Messrs Peak, Dixon, Redstone, Oldham, Blackwell, Prudhoe, Flesher, Stephens, Roseveal' (convener).” The balance-sheet of the New Zealand supernumerary fund showed that receipts from circuits during the year amounted to £1530 2s Gd, ministers’ contributions amounting to £1052 11s Gd. The Australasian fund totalled £43,777 3s Id, aud the reserve fund for depreciation of property £17.996 14s 4d. The earning power of tho fund was £4 12s Id per £IOO, and tho properties in possession were yielding £3 12s Sd per‘£loo. MINISTERIAL SESSION.

At n ministerial session held in the aftornoon, tho Rov J. N. Buttle in tho cluvir. the pastoral address to members and adherents throughout New Zealand was read by the Rev A. B. Chappell, and adopted. The report of tho Board of Examiners was also received and adopted. THIRD READING OF STATIONS. The president (the Rev G. IV. J. Sponee) took the chair. The third and final reading of stations resulted ns follows Auckland District.—Auckland—Pitt Street, V,'. Ready; Mount Albert, G. S. Cook; Kingsland, A. N. Scottor; supernumeraries, J. S. Smalley and .1. Thomas; Auckland West, A. 0. Lawry; Theological Institute, AY. A. Sinclair (supernumerary); Auckland East (Grafton Road), G. Bond ; Mount Eden, \V. A. Hay; Epsom, H. L. Richards; H. R. Dewsbury and J. J. Mather, supernumeraries ; Wesley College, Three Kings, J. 11. Simmonds; homo mission organising secretary, T. G. Brooke; Auckland Methodist Mission, J. Wilton ; Auckland (North Shore), AY. H. Beck; J. S. Rishworth and J. Blight, supernumeraries; Auckland (Birkenhead), T. G. Carr; Oneliungu, JDukos; Otahuhu, W. Rowe; Maliurangi, P. R. Paris: Thames, T. Trestrail; Upper Thames, A. J. lteed, two homo missionaries for Morrinsvillo and Marnaku; Waihi, H. A. G. Paerca. ono wanted; Franklin, E. P. Blarnires, and one wanted for AVaiuku; Cambridge, W. Tinsley; Hamilton, J. Wrigley and one wanted; Huntly, one wanted; Paparoa, G. F. Stockwell; Northern Wauoa, J. B. Jorv and home missionary for Itehia-; Whangarei, R. P. Keall and homo missionary for Hikurangi; Rotorua, J. •). M’Arthur; Auckland Maori Mission, W. Gittos. Hopeta. Renata, Davis Wilcox, To Tuhi Heretini, Hamiorn Kingf, Edward Te Tuhi, Piripi Rakona, Hone Hare and one wanted; Coromandel, Helsnsville. Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Whangaroa, To Awamutu, Mangonui aud To luiiti, one home missionary each; Taurnnga, Port Albert, one wanted in each caso; Opotiki, J- "• Boeclie. Wanganui District.—New Plymouth —J. W. Burton and home missionary, W. Gannell supernumerary; AYaitrua, W. AVills; Inglewood AY. S. Bowie; Stratford, C. C. Harrison; ISltham, Raymond Richards; Hawern, F. W. Boys; Manuiu, W. A. Burley; Capo Kgmont, J. W. Griffin and home missionary for Raliotu; Kaponga, AV. BScott; Wanganui, J. A. Luxford; Aramoho, E. D. Putclictt; ltangitikoi, C. Gnftln; Sanson and Rongotea, GFrost; Feikling, A. B. Chappell: Pnlmorston North, G. W. Spenco; Cuba Street, T. T. Thomas; Ashhurst, L. !>• Neale; G. S. Harper, supernumerary; 'l’aihai>e, Allen; AVaimarino, JRichards; Tauniarunni, ono wanted; West Coast Maori Mission. T. G. Hammond, It. Haddon, G. Kirkwood and two deaconesses at Okiawa) Patca,

Kinibolton, Oliura and North Taranaki, homo missionaries. ■Wellington District.—Wellington— Taranaki Street, J. G. Chapman; Karori, J. R. Clark; H. B. Redstone and F. AV. Isitt supernumeraries; Wellington Central Mission, E. O. Blamires; Thorndon, T. Fee, C. H. Olds supply; AVellington South, J. Ward; Kilhurnio, F. Rands; Johnsouville, S. H. D. Peryman; Hutt, B. H. Ginger, S. J. Garlick supernumerary; Petono, A. J. Seanier, AM Kirk supernumerary; South AVairarapa (Featherston), C. Roberts; Carterton, C. H. Standage; Master ton, S. J. Serpell and homo missionary; Napier, H. L. Blamires and A. F. Burchell; Hastings, T. J. AVallis; Gisborne, J. A. Lochoro: Ekctahuna, J. J. Pondray; Dannovirke, J. A. Ilosking; Lovin-Otaki, T. F. Jones and R. B. Blackniore; AVaipawa, AV. G. Maslin; AA’oodville, AA r . Beckett; Pahiatua, AA r . H. Speer; Norsawood, home missionary.

Nelson District.—Nelson, J. .J. Loivis, J. Crump (supernumerary); Richmond, C. Eaton, and homo missionary; Blenheim, T. R. Richards; Tuamarina, AV. J. Oxbrow; homo missionary at Picton; Flaxton, homo missionary; Hokitika, H. Ranston; Greymouth, T. N. Griffin; Runanga, home missionary; Motuokn, one wanted; Itooftou, It. AVilson;' Westport, C. B. Jordan; Havelock, homo missionary; Flaxbourne, nome missionary. Canterbury District.—Christchurch, Durham Street, C. K. Garland; East Belt, C. H. Laws; AVoolston, J. N. Battle; Richmond, A. M'Boan; Durham Street South, N. Turner; supernumeraries, J. Smith, AV. Lee A\’. C. Oliver, H. Bull, D. Al’Nicoll and R. Taylor; connexional secretary, S. Lawry; Sydenham, L. Hudson, E. Cox (supply!; Addington, S. Griffith and homo missionary; St Albans, H. E. Bellhouso and home missionary ; l’npanui, A. Peters; Lyttcltoi*, B. F. Rothwell ; Springston, J. T. Pinfold; Tai Tapu, A. Ashcroft; Leeston. T. A. Joughin; Kaiapoi, A. Mitchell and A. Hopper; Rongiora, C. Abernethy; AA'oodend, J. H. Haslam; Malvern, ono wanted; Timaru, AA r . Baumber and S. J. AA’erran.: Wn.ima.te, C. Penney: Temuka, F. Copeland ; Ashburton, AV. J. Elliott; Willowby. B. J. James; Amberley, J. F. Martin; Oxford, Banks Peninsula and Methven. home missionaries. Otago District.—Dunedin, Trinity, P. AA r . Fairclough; North-East Valley, R. B. Tinsley; Southern Maori Mission, Neho Hemi Papakura; Dunedin Central Mission, AV. Slade; Cargill Road, D. J. Murray, W. J. Enticott (supply); St Kilda, R. H. AVylio; Mornmgton, T. AA r . Bcalie; Roslyn, T. AM Newbold; Mosgicl, 11. H. Marshall; Port Chalmers, F. T. Road; Balclutha, AA r . Groenslade; Milton, A. Reader; Lawrence, liomo missionary wanted; Invercargill, VU Grigg and* C. Blair; Oamaru, AV. J. AYilliams; Gore, M. A. 11. Pratt; Otautau, G. T. Marshall; Nightcaps, home missionary; Roxburgh, AV. H. E. Abbey; Cromwell, Riverton, Palmerston, AVinton and Tuatapere, home missionaries. The South Australian Conferenee cabled that it had approved separation, subject to confirmation by the March quarterly meetings.

DISTRICT CHAIRMEN. The election of chairmen of districts resulted as follows:—Auckland, Rev G. Bond; AA'anganui, Rev G. AV. .J. Sponee; AVellington, Rev S. J. Ser.pell; Nelson, Rev J. J. Lewis; Canterbury, Rev C. H. Laws; Otago, Rev P, AY. Fairclough. Tho Ccnferonco adjourned .at 5.30 till 10 a.m. tho following day.

MISSIONARY DEMONSTR ATION. In the evening a missionary demonstration was held at tho Durham Street Church, Mr E. Rosevear presiding over a large attendance of members and the public. Greetings were forwarded to the gathering by the Ladies’ Mission Auxiliary and were communicated by tho chairman.

The chairman, in opening the meeting, gave details of the financial position of the Home and Foreign Missions of tho Church in New Zealand. He appealed for a more earnest, patient and thorough effort on the part of the Church and its adherents to reach those at homo and in the foreign mission fields who were at present outside the pale of Christianity. He asserted that missions were no longer to bo regarded as “ mother’s hobby.” Missionary work was work for men, and this had been recognised by the initiation of a laymen's missionary movement in the Methodist and other churches in Now Zealand. Tho mission study movement was another sign of tho increased attention that- was being given to progressive and aggressive church work. Ho concluded with an appeal to those present to make greater sacrifices in order to forward mission work, to give up more than mare superfluities, and to devote more time to the study of missionary literature.

£[rs N. K. Gilmour (wife of tho missionary in charge of the New Guinea district) gave an interesting account of some of her experiences during- a ten years’ sojourn in New Guinea, and appealed for help for the work in this field.

The Rev T. G. Burke (organising seoretary of tho Home Mission Fund) gave an address on the operations of the homo mission amongst tho Maoris and in scattered communities of Europeans. He spoke of tho need for young men who would take up duty as homo misfiioners, of tho pressing need for attention to the spiritual requirements of the settlers in remoto country districts, and of the need for adequate and thorough training of home missionaries.

The Rov J. AY. Burton spoke of the mission work in Fiji and the methods employed there. He said that good work bad been done iu educating the women and in giving tho people industrial and agricultural education. Christianity had made considerable headway among the Indians, but Hin-

duisin was getting in. He urged the people of the Church to take a wider horizon and to think always of world conquest. There were still a thousand million non-Christians in tho world, four hundred millions being in China alono, and while Christianity had advanced amongst the simpler races, it had still to struggle against tho great faiths, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Mohammedanism, which were imitating the Christian mission movement. There was a great renaissance looming, and it. would affect two-thirds of the world. China v.as awakening, and in a few years would havo more students than any othor country. At present the Indian universities turned out moro graduates than all the other universities in the Empire. He was pleased that the Church was recognising that tho mission was the best e.olonial policy, and that better methods and a better typo of missionary wore being employed. The mooting concluded with votes of thanks to tho chairman and speakers.