METHODIST CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16493, 7 March 1914, Page 12

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE,

YESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. IPkr Press Association.] DUNEDIN, March. 6. At the Methodist Conference to-day Management Boards for four Central Missions were appointed, and the Conference endorsed a scheme for carrying on the Wellington work, with headquarters at Webb Street. The Conference resolved that the following should be the order of probationers’ circuits:—Waiuku, Waimate, Gisborne, Feilding, Taumarunui, Havelock, Auckland, Westport, Port Albert, Balclutha, Kaitangata. The report of tho Principal, the Rev C. H. Garland, showed that the Theological College opened in March w'th thirteen students. The present number of students was eleven. The report was adopted. The Conference instructed the Principal that no student is to conduct more than thirteen services in any quarter. It was further decided that every student should be required to sign an agreement to repay the cost of training in tho event of his retiring from the ministry- within ten years. The Rev C. H. Garland was re-appointed Principal. The work of the committee in connection with the new Theological Institution, it was stated, had been at a standstill for twelve months. At the meeting a year ago it was decided that no active steps should be takc-n until a site for the University was decided on by the Government, the committee realising that the Theological Institution “Building should be as near the University as possible. The site is still unsettled, it was mentioned that £BOOO was in hand.

A deputation from the Dunedin Presbytery conveyed fraternal greetings to the Conference. This afternoon a proposal relating to lay representation on tho Stationing Committee and also to the size of the Conference was referred to quarterly meetings and Synods, and to the Uonference of ,L 915. An animated Rebate took place on the proposal to extend the term of pastorates beyond five years. It was eventually resolved to provide for suen extension under certain safeguards, the extension to be endorsed in every case by a majority,_vote of 75 per cent before becoming law. This resolution will need endorsement by the various District Synods and approval by the Conference of 1915-

Provision was made for holding special quarterly meetings in the circuits.

.It was resolved to elect secretaries of Synods at the Conference instead of at the Synod. Resolutions affecting the constitution of District Synods, with a view to increasing the number of lay representatives, were adopted. Home missionaries of seven years’ continuous standing were granted seats in the Synod. The establishment of a conference travelling expenses fund was referred to the quarterly meetings, with a view to recommendations being made to next Conference on the subject.

ITINERARY MODIFIED

THE FIVE YEARS’ TERM REPORTED. [From Our Correspondent.]. DUNEDIN, March 6. The .recommendation from the South Canterbury Synod that the law of the Church relating to the appointment of ministers be altered so as to provide that any minister may be appointed to the same - chapel year by year for an indefinite period was submitted to the Methodist Conference to-day by Mr J. A. Flesher, who pointed out that what was proposed was a yearly appointment. Every man would come up year after year. In support of the motion the Rev J. Cocker mentioned that the principle suggested already existed in New Zealand. . The Rev J. Pybus said he remained in a station for sixteen years and did his best work in his last year. The Rev S. Lawr.v said he was prepared to vote for seme measure that would provide for special cases, but he was not prepared to attack the itinerary for ordinary cases. Mr T. Hcdgson opposed the proposal on the ground that it was against the spirit of Methodism. The Rev W. Baumber was opposed to the proposal, which in his opinion was not in the interests of the Church. The itinerary was one of the things that distinguished Methodisin'.. To adopt this scheme would mean that certain ministers by reason of ability or gifts or aptitude for special work would be restricted to certain circuits. The connexion as a whole would lose their services. The Rev C. H. Laws and the Rev P. W. Fairclough strongly supported the motion. Both advocated the annual. invitation and the annual appointment. Mr Laws pointedly asked, where did they find a Methodist minister staying long enough m any one place to take his proper position ? ±ie could mention, only one, Dr Money, who by his prolonged residence m Christchurch became a notable figure and was looked upon as the head or the Nonconformists. The honours of the deoate were with Mr Fairclough. After his whole-hearted support of the motion its adoption became a matter of form.