PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 52

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. AUCKLAND, January 7. The annual conference of the Primitive Methodist Church was opened at the Eden Terrace Church, Auckland, this afternoon. Seventy-six delegates attended, and were welcomed by the retiring president (Rev. John Olphert). The selection of a new president fell on Rev. Robert Raine, of Invercargill, who defeated Rev. John Dawson, of Wellington, in asecond ballot by a single vote. Rev. G. H. Mann was the only other nomination. Rev. H. Holland was unanimously elected vice-presi-dent and Rev. John Southern secretary. The remainder of the afternoon was occupied in the election of minor officials and committees. The conference will continue till Wednesday. / January 8. The Rev. John Olphert, of Timaru, the retiring president of the Primitive Methodist Conference, in. his annual address referied to the splendid victories gained at the no-license poll. He pleaded for more aigga-eirsive methods in mission work in towns, and suggested that the whole work in the cities be based upon a more active and broader basis. It was very evident that the question of the hour was i the social a.nd economic condition of ilie i people. Great unrest possessed the mii rii-iitrial world. Great changes were impending, and if these were not directed by the Church he feared they would run on anti-Christian lines. The Congress passed a resolution of sympathy with Italy in the earthquake. The Rev. J. Dawson was released from circuit work for 12 months to engage in New Zealand ' Affiance work. ° ° The Conference passed a resolution rejoicmg at the progress of the no-license movement. Routine reports were presented, and the following probations were notified as having passed : — ln the fourth year— the Revs. A. A. Sims, B. Metson," and A. Armstrong; third year— the Revs. A. Armstiong, H. Daniel, and A. White; second year— the Revs. D. B. Carlisle, F. Thompson ; first year, the Rev. A. Davis. rr, ~ . January 11. Ihe Primitive Methodist Conference adopted the first reading of stations, as loilows : — Taranaki.— New Plymouth, J. Guy and H. White : Stratford, B. Nilaon ; Inale- £°° d ' A " Davis ' Wanganui, E. Drake ; j East Egmont, to be sun-lied; Eltham, T R. Wooloxall. * , Wellington I— C. E. Ward, H. Sharp, ' and .John Dumbell (supernumerary) • Wellington II— W. S. Potter, A. Thomson, ! and J. Dawson ; Wellington 111, A. Sim i and H. Colton ; Feilding, P. J. Cossom ' and D. B. Carlisle; Foxton and Patea j J. Mairs; Halcombe, J. Clover; West Coast Mission, J. Southern and H. Daniel I Auckland I. J. Cocker and J F ! Doherty : Auckland 11, R. Raine and one ' iiom England: Auckland 111, T. H. i I-yon : Thames, A. H. Harding ; Waihij ' J. Carlisle : Waikoto, J. Benning. Canterbury.— S. Henderson and Walter Harris (cm.); Timaru. J. Olphert; Ash- ! burton. T!. J. Liddell ; Gieenvale, B. Dud- '■ ley; WainiPle and Oamaiu. J. Harris; Gerald. up, G. 11. Mann; Temuka, T. ! C'oatsuoith. I Otago.— Dunedin, G. K. Smith, S. I Bailey, and A. Armstrong. I Inveuargill I. W. Laycock : Invercar- ! dH TI. T. A. Pybns; Bluff, G. P. Hunt; ' Waikouaiti. J. Featherston : EdendaJe, ! J Sharp : visiting England, Rev. G. Clement. | Tanuary 9. j The Pi-native Methodist Conference was i continued to-day. | Surdpy school and Bible clats woik was , rincu- ed at length. .n New Zealand Primitive Methodist Bible Class Union ! n « :orms.d, with Mr H. Holland as : pt-e.Mduit. the Rev. E. Drake vice-presi- '■ rl -ni.. and Mr A. Yarney secretary and tn-a-mor. Th-eK-e officials! with the Rev. ! Me--r~ J. Guv and P. J. Coesum ar<3 Mr ' J. Lptoii, \rere appointtd to ?ct as an i -xocutivs r-omraitt.ee. ncadquaitcr? were ;ixej at Wan^nui. and tLe Rev. J. Daw- ' : on Tvaa fleeted Sunday school and Bible •, ilzta agent. ' . Tbe Bui'din^ Commit LeeV )eport sl.owed ' the nuuiber of churches to be 77 and i «MdenL?s 42. Tha total cost was I 366 601 18s 2d, ard the rvcsnt value ! 369.322 10s- Bd, while the number -A ■ i°c:or? was 10.228. ! \ The English Conference delegates (Per. , , J. CciL.:r and ilr H. Hollsnd) a:tci- .

| esting addresses, referring to their impressions of the recent Conference. A mass of general business -was trans- , acted. i =