METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18544, 3 May 1922, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT. Yesterday afternoon, in Trinity Churoh, the Rev. C. H. Laws addressed a meeting of the women of Dunedin Methodism. The chair was occupied by Mrs W. H. Duke, and there was a large attendance. The Rev. €. IT. aLws explained that he was, during his year as president of the Methodist Conference, seeking to conduct an educational campaign with the object of instructing the Methodist ]>cople in the history of their church. He detailed the various aspects of such a campaign and stressed the importance of the position that the womanhood of Methodism occupied. He also requested them to promote one of the main objects they as a church were pursuing in this year in which they celebrated the centenary'of their work in New Zealand —namely, the fostering of true family religion. Emphasis was laid upon the singular opportunity open to womanhood of shaping the ’plastic lives of the children. None- better than women could promote the education of the child in true ideals of citizenship, none had finer opportunities to give right direction to the child’s intellectual powers; and none oould do more than women to mould the soul of the child in Godliness and train it to moral beauty. He called for a renewed consecration of the women of Methodism to the great tasks that lay to hand. The evening meeting in Trinity Church was largely attended. Tne Rev. Rugby Pratt presided, and briefly welcomed the president of the Conference to Dunedin. The Rev. H. L. Richards led the devotional exercises. The first address was given by "the Rev. Clarence Eaton, who stated that in his opinion the time was ripe for a robust and aggressive Methodism, apd that the Centenary, celebrations had been a distinct blessing to the life of the churoh. He also appealed for a revival of evangelical fervour, and in a brief address dealt with some aspects of church life to-day,, which pointed to a need of aggressive evangelism and courageous church enterprise. The Rev. C. 11. Laws, in his opening remarks, mentioned that the 100 years just passed had been the most momentous in the world’s history ,and the changes that had taken place in material things since Samuel Leigh arrived a century ago to plant the Gospel in this dominion, had been unprecedented (in the worldW history. He illustrated this by comparing modern shipping, warships, engineering wireless telephoning and telegraphy with the conditions of a century ago. In one respect there was no change—the heart of man remained the same, and there Was the same need of the Gospel and Christ as the world’s Saviour. The speaker asked, his hearers to remember the messages the old Fathers of the Churoh brought them. Three messages were very pronounced, and he reminded them—(l) “Have faith in yourselves as churoh members agd workers.” He paid a tribute to the grand old man who had founded Methodism. They had confidence in themselves that they could do the work God had committed to them. (2) “Have faith in your church ,and wliilst being sensible of the splendid work clone by other denominations, as Methodists, be loyal and true to your own church, believe in it, pray for it, and support it in every way possible.” (3) “Have faith in God, ‘believing that He is able to use His workers to-day as truly in the conversions of men and women and in the building up of the church, as He did during the days that are past.” With an earnest appeal for a confidence in themselves, in the church, and in God, he concluded an address which was listened to with rapt attention by all present. Druing the evehing a united choir, under Mr H. Blackwood, with Miss Hartley as organist, led the singing and rendered the “Te Deum.” » Prior to the meeting Mr Laws met the local Centenary Committee at fia and conference ip the Central Mission social room. Ho will leave , b ythe north oxnress to-day to continue his visitation of Methodist circuits. His visit to Dunedin has been greatly appreciated by all.