METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13692, 7 March 1908, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

YESTERDAY'S. PROCEEDINGS

The Methodist Conference was continued at the Pitt-street Church yesterday, the president (the Rev. C. E. Beecroft) being in the chair.

DUNEDIN CENTRAL MISSION

The Rev. W. Slade, of Dunedin, moved

"The Conference rejoices to know that a site has been secured for the erection of premises for the Dunedin Central Mission, and that, immediate steps are to be taken to inaugurate a. building campaign, and it commends the enterprise to the generous consideration of the Methodist Church of this Dominion."

The resolution was passed with acclamation.

AUCKLAND METHODIST MISSION

In connection, with the proposed erection of the new Mission Hall at East-street, Newton, the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee reported that the plans and specifications, together with financial statement, had been received from the Rev. James Wilson. In the opinion of the committee, the proposed building was one calculated to answer its designed purpose. In regard to the financial position, the committee had serious misgivings. The amount received and promised was as follows Cash, £657 12s lud; proceeds of sale ot Union-street property, £393 15s: promises, £300: total, £1351 7s lOd. The proposed expenditure was: Cost of land, £1355; building, furnishing, and sundry expenses. £2075: total, £4310, leaving deficiency of £2958 12s 2d. They had given special consideration to the question of finance, and had asked Mr. Wilson whether, in his opinion, as the result of the canvass and appeal which the committee presumed was being made, there was reasonable expectation.that the sum of at least £700 would be realised, in addition to the amount reported that would bo forthcoming. They had intimated that if this further sum was raised they would probably be enabled to give their sanction to the work to proceed. They regretted to learn, however, that Mr. Wilson had met with much discouragement, instead of hearty co-operation, in his financial efforts. In view, therefore, of the exceptionally heavy debt that would remain if the scheme were carried out at present as proposed, the committee could not see its way clear to sanction so large a. debt (considerably more than two-thirds of the whole amount), and referred the financial proposals; to the Conference for its decision.

the committee of the Auckland Mission reported that they agreed with the Loan Fund Committee that no steps should be taken towards the erection of a building until £700 was in hand. They recommended—(l) that the Conference commend the scheme, to the hearty and liberal supDort of the Methodist people of Auckland: "(2) that the Revs. G. (loud and .1. Wilson, with Messrs. Shackelford, Caugliey, and Schofield, be appointed a committee to raise the £700: and (3) that ii « total of £2000 is raised, to sanction the erection of the building in either brick or wood, with a preference for the former.

Ihe Kev. B. F. Roth well, who presented tiie latter report, trusted that the Conference would see its way to adoot the committee s recommendations, and so help the mission forward.

The. Rev. .1. Wilson called attention "to in- fact that, notwithstanding the many difficulties which had mot it at everv turn tho mission had flourished ever since its inception, five vears ago. Recently thev were turned out. of the Foresters' Hall, anil bad had to seek refuge in a large marquee but the attendances at the Sunday evening service were still satisfactory, there being frequently an overflow gathering outside the tent. heir chief difficulty now was that they were faced with the wilder, and theretore required a now building immediately. i lie recommendations were adopted. ' FOREIGN MISSIONS. The foreign missions report stated that the results of the year's work showed a steadily increasing interest in this department. The financial returns indicated a buoyancy which was most encouraging. It was evident that the Church had not vet. touched high water mark in regard to "its missionary income. The contributions in circuits were gradually improving, each district showing an advance on the previous year,-whilst the receipts from legacies ;v%l other sources brought:up a total of £2601 19s sd, .an increase of £621- 7s 3d over 1906. Eight additional native agents had been allotted to supporters in New Zealand. The total number on the register was 57. Miss Florence Thompson, from Dannevirke, had joined the European staff at Übuia Training Institution, New Guinea. Urgent requests for additional workers had come from all ihe mission fields. Several young missionaries should lie sent immediately.

AUCKLAND MINISTERS' -ASSOCIATION.

.A deputation. Leaded by the Rev. R. L. Walker, was received from tin- Auckland Ministers' Association, and was duly welcomed by the president. Air. ■Walker, in conveying the greetings (Hid well-wishtM of the association to t-» Conference, expressed (lie hope that as time went i.ii they would sec the l'resbvtw iun. Congregational,'/ Methodist, mid "Baptist Churches, all united in one, feeing the problems of the day, and winning victories for Christ. Regarding the spiritual destitution of i ; he great- majority 'of the people of the Dominion he considered that what was the nation'. ; need was not mote Dreadnoughts but the Uospel'of Christ. Not only should they endeavour to maintain the standard, lii: they should do "' th*iv best to raise it up and go forward. lie was aiml 10 see that' 'the Methodist, Church was adopting this polity, end he referred to the increased, membershio in the Methodise Uibie-chissis a, a very hopefed 'sign. Other cpioUious with which the Methodist Church of New Zealand had been honourably associated were the abolition of the drink traffic and the gambling evil. One of the best tilings which the Auckland. Ministers' Association had done in this direction was in using its .influence in putting an end to certain gaslight sports in this city. He was glad to know that the Conference*"generally approved of. the new Gambling/ Act, which lie considered a , distinct, step in advance.

The Rev. C. 11. Garland, on behalf of the Conference, thanked the-deputation for rh'i r greetings and well-wishes, and said fuat though they might differ in certain details they were all working in the one direction— to bring men and women into right relationship with the Infinite. The Rev. W. Ward, editor of the Methodist portion of the Outlook, was reappointed to the position for another year, and was heartily thanked for the able manner in which he had carried out his duties in the past. MISSION FUNDS. The president announced that an anonymous donor had that, afternoon forwarded him a cheque for £100, £50" of which was to go to the. Home Mission, and £50 to the Foreign Mission. The allocations to the different districts. which were £846 in excess of the amount available, were referred back to the committee for further consideration. NOTICES OF MOTION'. Notice was givten by the Rev. P. W. Faircloiigh to move: — "This Conference thanks and congratulates' Sir Joseph Ward upon the Gaming Act, which he courageously carried through Parliament, and hopes and believes that the i.Vct will bo an effective engine of social improvement." The Conference adjourned at 5.50 p.m. , A CONVERSAZIONE . In the evening a successful conversazione was held in the Royal Albert Hail, Albertstreet, there being a large attendance. The president (the Rev. C. E. Beocroft) presided. The musical programme was contributed by Misses Madoleiue Webbe, L.A.8., and Annie Dawson, gold medalist, Mr. W. Aspinalh Miss Millie Peak, A.S.M., Miss Flossie Eddie, Mr. 0. F. Snowden, the Rev. J. Wilson, and the Grafton Road choir. Mr. I'/, ft. Nicholas acted as accompanist. Mr. .1. F. Arnold, M.IP., and the Ren W. Ready gave addresses. A. promenade supper was provided by the ladies. The Conference will meet again at 9.30 this morning. A marine excursion will ho held in the afternoon, and will be followed by a temperance meting at the Grey statue.