METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13942, 29 June 1907, Page 14

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

(Br Our Special Correspondent.) UNION* OF THE CHURCHES. The Rev. W. 11. Bealo (New South Wales), convener of the Committee on tho Union of the Churches, reported «t the Methodist Conference at Sydney that negotiations towards organic union had readied points of substantial agreement on doctrine ami polity, and recommended that sectional committees be appointed for the several Conferences to meet committees that might be appointed by any other church or churches, and to report to the next General Conference, and that in all wise ways the spirit of union be fostered among their own people. He also moved that the Conference express its gratification at Iho progrws made, and reaffirm its judgment that ?«ch an organic union was eminently desirable. Objection was taken to tho resolution, it being contended that it said too much. The majority of the sneakers maintained that they were no nearer union to-day than they were three years ago, while some went as far as to say they were not. ae near. It was felt that no strong sentiment wan behind the movement in either the Presbyterian or the Meihodisl Church.

i)r Morley (Victoria) staled that the question had become complicated by recent negotiations in Australia between the Anglican* and Presbyterians. Another speaker said that- the Presbyterian Church seemed to have repented somewhat sine© it a.pproachcd the Methodist Church. The Rev. J. H. Carruthers (New South Wales) called for caution, and considered the terms of the resolution were unnecessarily extravagant, and he thought it was quite sufficient to say "desirable," and not ''eminently desirable," They should not pnt themselves in the position 'of courting the union. There was no indication, either in the Methodist Church or the Presbyterian Church, of any strong desiro for union, and until there was an extrusive movement, among the masses of tho people in those two branches they should proceed no further. Ho moved an amendment— "That the Conference expresses its sympathy with tho proposals, and reappoints the committco to confer with similar committees that might bo appointed by other churches. This was carried by a largo majority. ■ SECOND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SECRETARY. It having been decide to appoint a second secretary in connection with the Foreign Missionary Society, a ballot was taken, and it resulted in the election of the Rev. J. G. Wheen, President, of the Victorian Conference, with 54 votee. Rev. W. Slado (Ditnedin), President Now Zealand Conference, received 45 votes, and the Rev. W. E. Bromilow, chairman of tho New Guinea Minion, 10 votes.

The Rev. .T. G. Whcen was bom in Sheffield, England, and was educated at private schools. His first business experience was gained in the town clerk's offico, and he subsequently occupied the position of secretary of the Sheffield Hospital. Coming to Victoria in 1882, he was at once taken hold of by Rev. .Tohn Watsford, and employed as a home missionary. In 1884 h> was received into the ranks of the ministry. His career has been one of unvarying success and growing influence. He has ''travelled" in the principal circuits of his Conference, and now stationed at Lydiard Street, Ballarat. For two years lie organised and carried out a scheme in connection with Queen's College, Melbourne, which resulted in the reduction of the debt by over £11,500. Whilst in Tasmania he was nble to raise about £9000 in aid of the Launccslon Methodist Ladies' College Fund. He was elected secretary of the Victoria and Tasmania Conference two years ago, and this year he was raised to the presidency of that Conference. Mr Whccn is regarded as one of the most able and popular men in the Methodist ministry of Victoria, with special aptitude for tlio Administration of affairs, and with unusual platform gifts. Mr Whcen's appointment to the mission office is expected to be of great value to the Foreign Missionary Society, especially in relation to the forward movement recently inaugurated. His removalApril, 1908—from Victoria will be very nroch regretted in Methodist circlca of that Stale. The Rev. W. H. Beale and Mr R. 8. Callaghan were unanimously elected clerical general treasurer and lay general treasurer respectively in succession to Rev. Dr Sellors and Hon. W. Itob;on, M.L.C., who retired. MISSION TO INDIA. The President and ex-President of the Conference were associated with the Mission Hoard in the steps to be taken for the selection of the locality in India, in which the proposed mission is to be undertaken, the training and appointment of agents to v.ork the same, and tbe arrangements to b? made with Iho V.'esleyan Missionary Society in England. POSTAL DEPARTMENT AND GAMBLING. The Conference emphatically protested againsM,hc use of the postal, telegraphic, and tclephonic facilities for gambling purposes, and urged upon the Government of the Commonwealth and New Zealand the desirability of taking such action as will effectually prevent the continuance of these facilities. STATISTICAL RETURNS. The following statistical returns were reported to the General Conference:—Ministers, 820; preachers on probation, 139; home missionaries, 169; members .of the Church, 137,410; on probation for membership, 10,465; junior members, 12,4+1; attendants on public worship, 644,183; Sunday Schools, 4042; teachers 24,694; scholars 232,018. Christian Endeavour Societies, 1091; active members, 21,453. Junior Christian Endeavour Societies, 577; active members, 18,797. Connexional Bands of Hope, 455; members, 33,521. Theological Institution*, 4; number of tutors, 12; number of students, 32. Book Depots, 5; Church Building or Loan Funds, 6; capital, £144,152; churches, 3847; schoolrooms, 704; Parsonages, 930; Colleges, 45. REAPPOINTMENT TO A CIRCUIT. It was decided that the jtfriod after which a, minister may bo reappointed to a circuit in which he has been stationed be altered from six to five years. The next. General Conference will be held in Adelaide, South Australia. May, 1910. Votes of thanks to the various Conference officials, press, and Local Arrangements Committees brought to a closo the General Conference of ISO 7 after 14 days' very close sitting.