METHODIST CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 10

METHODIST CHURCH

DECISIONS OF CONFERENCE. YOUNG PEOPLE'S MOVEMENT 'IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES. The business sessions of the Methodist Centenary Conference were continued in the Pitt Street Church yesterday, the Rev. C. H. Laws presiding. Centenary greetings wore received from the Council of Christian Churches, Dunedin, and from the Rational Committee of the Y.M.C.A., Wellington. ' The Rovs. J. % Parker and T. Skuse were received as ministers for ordination, and Messrs. T. 'Burton,- L. A. S. Brookes, J. H. Allen, and A. H. Cropp as ministers on probation. Tho following were received as candidates for the ministry:—J. H. Allen, J. F. Jack, G. R. H. Peterson, and E, O. Haddon (native ministry). ' The Rev. G. Frost presented the report of A committee, dealing with the alteration and division of circuits. It ■ was agreed that Paparoa be a circuit in charge of a married minister, and that the extension of Pukekohe circuit be held

over for investigation. It was also decided that the present Hamilton circuit be divided to form two circuits", and that the last-mentioned work bo deemed of great urgency; that Tututawa, and Douglas be incorporated m the Stratford circuit; that the Riverton-Tuatapere oircuit be divided, and that Tuataporo bo constituted a now station, each to have a home missionary and a suitable grant,; and that Queenstown be attched to the Gore circuit.

Probationers were appointed to Frankton Junction, Wanganui East, Masterton, Picton, and Sumner," and probationers or home missionaries to Gisborne and Kilbirnie, a married minister to Whakatane, and a home missionor to Wairoa, Hawke's Bay. The following circuits were relieved of taking married ministers; Opotiki, Tauranga, Waimarino, Hokitika, Motueka, Reefton, 6t. Alban'u (Christchurch), and Timaru.

Tho Sunday schoola and young people's department report, presented by the Rev. 0. H. Olds, showed, an encouraging increase in all branches of the work. Some discussion ensued as to the advisability of continuing the office of organising secretary of the movement. Several speakers were. emphatically of opinion that the position should be retained, and that the number of officers should be iricreased rathe? than diminished. Those opposing the appointment stated thai the work as conducted at present was rendered ineffective by being dissipated over too large an area, and that the money expended on the appointment conld be better used in other directions. It was decided that tho office should be retained, the Rev. E. P. Blamires being appointed to the position. Tho matter of financial support for the Young People's Movement pave rise to further discussion, seyeral •speakers urging that all ministers in charge of circuits should make special appeal tjo their congregations for funds to maintain the work. The conference recorded its appreciation of the work of Mr. Olds op his retirement from the position of Organising secretary of the Young People's Department. The Revs. T. A. Joughin, T. R. Clark, and J. Cocker were placed on the supernumerary list for one year for health reasons. The return to ministerial work of the Rev; R. B. Gosnell after a year's absence was reported. Tho Home Mission and Church Extension Fund report, submitted by the Rev. George Bond, showed income amounting to £10,185. and expenditure £10,839, leav. Ulg a debTv balance of £353, The oratorio " St. Paul'* will be given this evening in tho Town Hall by the combined Methodist choirs. To-morrow's services in the city and suburban Methodist churches will be taken by the visiting ministers. The Rev. A. McCallnm. president of the general conference of Australasia, will ocoupy the Pitt Street pulpit at the morning service, and the .'Rev. Grainger Hargreaves, _ of Eneland, will preach in the. evenin?. Bishop C. E. Locke, of America, will preach at the Epsom church in the morning, and at St. John's in the evening.