METHODIST CONFERENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18803, 5 March 1923, Page 3

METHODIST CONFERENCE

SATURDAY’S SESSION. Tho Methodist, Conference was continued on Saturday, over 120 delegates being m attendance. APPOINTMENTS. The following new appointments were finally confirmed: Auckland District A. Reader, H. Eord, O. B. Hinton (resting); Auckland (.Avondale) —H. A. Livorsedge, IV .1. Blight (sapor.); Birkenhead, IV. A. Bunley; Onehunga, G. S. Cook; _ PuKckoho Training College. Rev. Paernta; Thames. A. Ashcroft; To Aroint, S. Henderson; Paeroa and Hauraki Plains, A. E. Jefferson; Hamilton, IV. Heady and F. E. Headley; Rotorua, J. IVrigley; Tav.ranga, F. L. Frost ; Opotiki. IV. B. Cuming; Taumarunui, IV. J. Enlicott; To Awamntu, H. White; Chataniata, P. T. Cook; New Plymouth (21 H. P. Battery; Inglewood, H. C. Orchard: Il.iwcra. IV. J. Oxbrow; Manaia, 11. C. Roberts; Wanganui North, IV. Lea; Taihape, E. B. Chambers; Waimavino, H. Spencer; Pahiatua, C. A. Foxton; Palmerston North (Broad Street). M, A. P. Pratt; Palmerston North (Cum. Street), H. T. Peat; Feilding, A. Mitchell; Wellington (Toraaki Street), C. Eaton; Wellington (Central Mission), J. F Martin; Wellington (Kilbirme), E. T. Olds; Recflon, H. Berry: Westport, W. B. Pickering; Christchurch (Durham Street), IV. A. Hay; Now Brighton, E. T. Read; Limvcod, B. Dudley; Ohoka, F. T. Harris; Greendalo, H. O. Burnett; Timaru, A. C. Lawry (1), A. Blakemore (3); Temuka, IV. H. E. Abbey; Oamaru, O. F. Stockwoll; Dunedin Trinity, H, E. Bellhousc; Dunedin (Central Mission), W. Walker; Dunedin (Dundas Street), E. O. Blamircs; Dunedin (Roalynl, A. Hopper: Port Chalmers, B. Jordan; Palmerston (IVnikouaiti), F. J. Parker; Balclutha, W. Gatman; Roxburgh, XL E. Fordyce; Gore, IV. H. Hocking; 'South Island Maori Mission, Neho Nemi Papakura. The following changes in home missionary appointments in the Otago-Southland district were confirmed; —Mosgiel, C. \V. Brown; Lawrence, G. H. Harr; Tuatapere, E. E. I Alexander; Nightcaps, J. W. Bayless. REPORTS. Certain proposed changes having been referred to the Stationary Committee, the Conference dealt with the general report on Church Properties. Some remarks of a critical nature were made in connection with instances of carelessness. The report showed that £19,360 had been expended in the purchase of new buildings, over £6OOO of this being for Sunday school purposes. The district secretaries for church properties were re-elected. The report of the Church Building and Loan Fund showed that the accumulated capital is £13,180. A large number of new loans had boon made, and several older ones repaid. The loans included one of £SOO to the lloslyn Church. —Adopted. The Fire Insurance report showed that the assets had increased by £1257 15s 9d. The total assets were now £14,553 11s lid. The committee recommended the distribution of the surplus revenue among various benevolent Church institutions—Adopted, ana £IOOO added permanently to the accumulated funds. —Permission was given the board to write off a debt of £55 contracted by the trustees of tho Fairfield (Dunedin) Church. Considerable discussion arose on a proposal to give committees authority to consider the erection of a new building in Christchurch in which to house tho connexions! offices. By 75 votes to 25 it was decided, instead of deferring a decision for a year, to consider the question further on Monday.—The Rev. S. Lawry said that tho rooms were not as suitable as they might be while there was every prospect of the rent they were at present paying being raised considerably. CHAIRMAN OP DISTRICTS. Tho following chairmen of districts were elected: —Auckland, Rev. P. IV. Knight: South Auckland, Rev. A. Ashcroft; Tara-naki-Wanganui, Rev. IV. Grigg; Hawke’s Bay-Manawutu, Rev. T. R. Richards; Wellington, Rev. B. P. Rothwell; Nelson, Rev. IV. Greenelade; North Canterbury, Rev. IV. A.‘ Hay; South Oanteibury, Rev. A. C. Lawry; Otago-Southland, Rev. H. E. Bellhouse; Solomon Islands, Rev. T. F. Goldie GENERAL. The Rev. IV. Walker introduced the Military Committee report, which was adopted. A number of naval chaplains were appointed. The Rev. T. G. Brooke advised the Auckland Home Mission Society to interview the ex-president (Dr Laws), who was shortly to visit Britain, on the question of obtaining a_ number of suitable young men for tho New Zealand ministry. Tho suggestion met with every sign of approval. The Rev. S. Lawry presented a report covering tho development of the Connexional Secretaryship Department during tho past 12 years. _ It was shown that the total funds administered had grown from £17,332 in 1911 to £151,300 in 1923. The Conference, which adjourned at 12.30, will resume at 10 o'clock tins morning. A SOCIAL AFTERNOON. Owing to Hid inclement weather the garden party that, was to have been held at the residence of Mr S. Solomon had to bo cancelled, and in its stead a social function was bold in Trinity Schoolroom. There was a crowded attendance, and an impromptu programme was arranged, the chief item of interest and amusement being extempore speeches cn given subjects by certain ministers who were forcibly and compulsorily conducted to tile table., which was used as a platform. Mr E. Rosevcar acted as M.C., and proved to be a licit in himself. Under the circumstances a moat enjoyable afternoon was spent, which ended with thanks to workers, cheers for all and sundry, and the National Anthem. A collection was taken un in aid of the South Island Orphanages. DEDICATION SERVICE. At Trinity Church yesterday morning a solemn and impressive dedication service was conducted by the Rev. B. F. Kothwcll, tho president of the Conference, when six young women were dedicated to the office and work of deaconesses of the church. The president was assisted in the conduct of the service by the Rev. Samuel Lawry, who offered prayer, the Rev. ,R. Borrows Tinsley v who read (ho Scriptures, and the Rev. IV. A. Sinclair, who participated in tho administration of tho Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper to the deaconesses. The candidates for dedication were presented by Sister Ruth, who is superintendent of the Deaconess Institution. These included Sister Common and Sister Saunders, two trained nurses who are proceeding j'i o the Solomon Island Methodist Mission, and Sisters Mildred, Bessie, Jean, and Eleanor, who are engaged in the homo work, the last named among the Maoris. The newly-dedicated deaconesses were addressed by Mrs W J. Williams on tho words, ‘‘Go in this thy might. Have not I sent thee?” (Judges vi, 14). The address was alike beautiful in conception and in expression, and abounded in sago counsel and advice. During the service tho choir sang Mendelssohn’s anthem, ‘‘How Lovely are the Messengers.” BRITISH METHODISM. Last evening at Trinity Church the service was coiidncted by tho Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, and an address was delivered by tile Uov. Isaac Shiinmin, a Methodist minister from London, on “Methodism in iho Motherland.” The address gave a fine description of the strength and influence of Methodism in England, and the story of the rise and expansion of tho church was finely told. Anthems were rendered hy the choir, and solos by the Rev. A. Mitchell and -Ur G. S. Newton.