METHODIST CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18335, 27 February 1923, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. IMPORTANT DECISIONS. LIBERAL SCHEME MOOTED. [bt telegraph.—pbess association.] DUNEDIN. Monday. The sittings of the Methodist Conference were continued to-day.. The affau-B of the Theological College were reported upon by the principal, the Rev. Dr. C. H. Laws. Provision is to be made for a college chapel, and , the Grafton Road Church, Auckland, is to be used .for this purpose. On the principal's return from England provision will also be made for a. Sunday-school in connection with the college, the classes to be taken by students. Large and liberal proposals • were submitted with a view to making the classes serve the students, local preachers, home missionaries, and candidates for the ministry. . A scheme involving the raising of from £20,000 to £25,000 was outlined. Important changes were necessitated, and the Rev. Dr. H. Ranston is to be set apart as tutor to the college. Dr. Ramston's attainments, and the distinction won by him in the department of original research, were warmly eulogised by Dr. Laws. Over £3000 was reported as being in hand toward the cost of the new college. Legislation enabling the trustee® to secure the freehold of the site in Grafton Road, Auckland, had already been securedThe report of the board of the Wesley Training College was The report recommended that a new principal should be chosen from the teaching profession, and gave power to the board to make an appointment. # The conference carried a resolution expressing its admiration for the work done by the retiring principal, the Rev. J. H. Simmon over a period of many years. The balance-sheet of the home mission fund, presented by 'he Rev. George Bona, showed a total expenditure of £11,221, the debit balance being £127. The revised estimates of income and expenditure for the current year disclosed an expected deficit of over £1500. The report of the home mission department, as presented by the Rev. T. G. Brooke, organising secretary, was adopted. Important proposals in connection with the appointment of a successor to Mr. Brooke, who becomes' a supernumerary next year, were discussed at length and adjourned till a later stage of the conerence sessions. " Dr. Laws was accorded the thanks of the conference for his address on the occasion of the ordination of five young ministers on Sunday afternoon. Dr. Laws was also 1 appointed representative to the Methodist Conference of England, for which he leaves shortly. The Rev. T. G. Brooke was appointed to act on the Stationing Committee in place of Dr. Laws. V Support in _ connection with the Deaconess Institute was . advocated by Sister Ruth, lady superintendent. ■ The proposals cover the removal of the institute to more central and convenient premises in Latimer Square, Christchurch.