AUSTRALASIAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12600, 2 March 1903, Page 3 (Supplement)

AUSTRALASIAN METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE. (Fnoif Oun Owx Cor.RESPONnENT.) CHRISTCHURCH, February 26. The thirtieth annual conference of the Methodist Church'of Australasia in New Zealand opened this evening in the Durham Street Church. Four years have. elapsed since this conference was held in Christchurch, and the event is one of great importance to the numerous Methodists in this city. This was exemplified by the fact tha-t the Jorge Durham Street Church was crowded in every portion by those .desirous of witnessing the opening ceremonies. It was <l largest attendance for years past. The "•:loRal«$ have hoen arriving in larg" ni.rwnr 'i'jrintt the past day or two, and ih»ir deliberations are expected to extend <Wt? tj day*

The President (the Rev. J-Murray) opened the conference, and was accompanied on tho platform by the ex-president (the Rev. C. H. Garland) and the secretary (the Bev. S. J. Lawry)." After the devotional exercises the roll was called, when 67 ministers responded, and 69 laymen. • The retiring President (the Rev. J. Murray), in the coureo of his address, which was punctuated by frequent applause, briefly referred to the chief events of tho year> ing sympathetically of tho question of the union of the evangelical churches, - Wlucll Would be brought before the conference by a deputation from tho General Assembly from the Presbyterian Church o£ New ZeaJand. He srooko hopefully of tbo future of tha Methodist Church, and urged: that if the Church was to attract and retain- the olassos it was necessary to have a highly educated minstry. _ The eleotioti of president, all ministers over 15 years being eligible, resulted in tho Revs. J1 A. Lnxford (Lyttelton) being elected on the first count. Tho election o£ secretary resulted m tho present ocoupant (the Rev; S. Lawry, Palmers ton. North) being practically unanimously elected. The Bar. J. A. Luxford has been 27 years in the'"ministry,' mainly in Canterbury and Citago.. Hoi,has always token a high place in, his church, and in the community in which* ;iio llyed. He is a man of culture aud taste, and an a,blo preacher and adminis-trator,-and has built some of the handsomest ohurclics in the colony. His courteous manner and habits of industry will secure him a'happy administration. Mr Luxford represented, Jlis church in South Africa as chaplain of the Tenth Contingent, in which capacity lie . was. much respected.