THE METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 19

THE METHODIST CHURCH

. ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The Methodist. Conference resumed its sessions in Trinity Church on the sth, the president presiding. THE WORK OF GOD. The session commenced with a conversation on tho work of God. . Owing to tho change of the election ot the president the year before he assumes office, the Rev. T. A. Joughin (president) was confined in his public utterances at the conference to the address which he gave in introducing this. conversation. He said that that was not an occasion for fine periods of for a stilted essay. lney wanted rather to try to recover the apostolio life and experien.ce the Church lacked in Divine driving force. The ex-president had brilliantly diagnosed the evils of the world and the deficiencies of the Christian Church. They wanted to discover the i' ern cdy. Reality must be their watchword. ™<& wanted to have a heart to heart talk. What was the work of God? Was it building churches, preaching sermons, working circuits, attending conferences, or members to the various rolls of the Church? Jt was possible to be trulv busy, to be doing all this, and) yet not bo carrying on tne work of God. The Jews asked Jesus: "What must we do that we might work the work of God?"He answered: "This is the work of God that ye believe in Him whom He hath sent." The questioners wanted a law of life. . He gave them an objeot of faith. . Let the faith of Christ become. rooted in the heart, and the fruit of Christ would come forth. The hardest work was to truly believe. Faith was not awakened or sustained without struggle and effort. Nothing was so worth struggling for as this faith. That kept the spirit alive. Sir D. Haig frequently said, "It is the spirit which giveth life." God could only impart Himself to them through this faith. A renewed faith in Christ and the Chu'rch would mean a re-equipment. . The Rev. W. Walker, who has been engaged as a' chaplain at the front, spoke of his experiences and the lessons they had taught him for future guidance.. He ontreated his fellow-clergy to get into touch with the men who were, coming back. The Rev. H. L. Blamires, another returned chaplain, said that the authority and influence of a chaplain at the front were in proportion to the way in which he attended to the comforts of the men and was to be found in the forefront, Buffering the dangers and hardships of bis charges. The men in high command in general were very sympathetic, and set the best of examples, and sectarianism was hardly known. He had come back with less and less sympathy for denominationalism, with less and less time for the bigotry that sometimes characterised church work in New Zealand. At the same time, he had come back more and more proud of Methodism. People were apt to think of them in New Zealand as members of a very small body, because of the relative smallness of the Church in New Zealand, but with America now in the war there would be more Methodists at the front than any other English-speaking Protestant Church.' The work he had seen revealed the Methodist Church as one of the greatest and most God-blest Churches in existence.^ The Rev. 'Oswald Burnett, a member of tho conference who went to war as a private, and was badly wounded, had a stirring reception. He spoke strongly upon the spirit of unity among the men at the front, though they were men of all creeds and all habits, good and bad, and of all degrees of intelligence. After this experience it hurt to come back and find quarrelling in community and Church upon trivial matters. He agreed that they could not go wrong in appealing to the highest in the " boys" who were coming back. From his experience he knew they would respond. STATISTICAL RETURNS. The report of the Welfare of the Church Committee presented the following returns: Number of full members, 22,953, being an increase of 290; junior members, 641 —an increase of 516. There were also 227 members on probation,! The Rev. R. Raine (Cargill Road) referred to the largo number of persons who never attended church, and recommended constant and personal appeal to these, and he was Bure their members would be largely added to. The report of the committee was adopted. SUPERNUMERARIES. No fewer than four ministers applied to become supernumeraries—the Revs. W. Baumbcr, J. Blight, L. Hudson, and T. N. Griffin. While due recognition was made of tho work of all, special reference was made to the Rev. W. Baumber. Probably one of the best sunrmings up was in the descriptive phrase "an alluring personality." He was a man who had greatly influenced others for the highest and best. THE LOYAL ADDRESS. A loyal address to his Majesty was presented, and adopted with fervour, _ the whole assemblage singing the National Anthem. OBITUARY. the session in ieyie.wing the life and ministry of those ministers who had died during the year. These included tho Revs. P. W. Fairclough, S. J. Garlick, C. Penney, and O. W J. Spenco. While every man re-

ceived hh crown of laurel, the Rev. Mr Fairclough was specially eulogised. FOREIGN MISSION COMMITTEE. The Foreign Mission Committee recommended that the conference reaffirm the decision to postpone the allocation of a separate field for foreign mission work until after the war; that the appointment of the Rev. W. A. Sinclair as organising secretarv be oostponed to 1919; that the Rev. G. 'T. Marshall be reappointed, foreign mission secretary, and that he receive an honorarium of £75; that for the ensuing year we aim at raising £15,000 for foreign missions.---The proposal to raise £15,000 was carried by /a large majority. MISSIONARY TEA AND DEMONSTRATION. The tea in the Art Gallery Hall at 5.45 p.m. was very largely attended. Tho meeting in the Octagon Hall at 7.45 was attended by a large crowd. The chair was occurred by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair. After singing by the Central Mission Choir, a couple of hymns were sung by.tho gathering, and the Rev. Mr Garland engaged in prayer. The Chairman, in the course of an address, said: The New Zea\and representatives at the Mission Board were able to reooft that during the year the church in this Dominion had raised over £IO,OOO for the foreign missions.—'(Applause.) A few years ago the contribution was £2000; last year it was £5000; in the year just closed it was £10,556; and that day it had been decided bv 'a large and hearty vote in the conference to raise £] 5,000 this year.—(Applause.). . The Rev. A. H. Scriven (from Papua) mentioned that the Papuans had known the Gospel for 27 years. It had worked a great improvement in them —in their morals, in their happiness, and in other ways. He felt very keenly about the question of workers. It was tragic to go to station after station and see a church falling to ruin, to see the class membership going back, and to see the schools that had been organised and the children who had 'begun to learn something of the glory of Christ running wild. Why? Because there was a shortage of workers. There was a need of men: there was an urgent call, and vet the young men of Methodism were not offering for the Imperial cause of missions. The work could not go ahead as it ought to until men came forward ready to pay the price involved in going among these people. . They also wanted sisters for tho work In New Guinea just now they had three, and they ought to have seven. . A collection was taken up, which is _to be divided between the homo and foreign missions. Tho Rev. T. G. Hammond (Maori missionary from Rotorua) gave an interesting account of the manner of life of the Natives in the north. Manv of them were as lawabiding and' devoted to the cause of Jesus Christ as any of the white people. He asked his audience not to give up their interest in the Maoris. These people were affectionate, kindly, and loving, and were ready for a work that would gladden _ tho missionaries' hearts. Referring to Sister Edith, he spoke in terms of high praise of her work among the Maoris. He wished there were a dozen girls like this sister working among the Natives The speakers were thanked for their addresses. ' FIFTH DAT. The Methodist Conference was resumed on Wednesday morning. EDUCATIONAL TRUST. The Rev. G. Frost (Ashburton) presented the report of the Wellington Methodist Educational Trust. The value of the trust is £13,549 19s 7d, and the trustees reported having bought land at Masterton (£1721) for an orphanage (the third in New Zealand). The Conference recommended that, Deriding building operations on the new site, the trust be advised to secure a temporary building in or about Masterton to start the orphanage. LIBERTY OF SPEECH. The Rev. W. Ready moved—" That this Conference desires to place on record its high appreciation of the prompt and just action of the Minister of Justice in giving instructions that those cowardly men who brutally attacked clergymen in the dark, after a publio meeting, should be brought before the Supreme Court of Justice. It trusts alao that, in fairness to our liberty of speeoh, of politics, and religion, that the men guilty of such mean and dastardly conduct, whatever their creed or politics may be, shall be taught a wholesome lesson in British fair play by the law of the land." He was not an Orangeman, and he was not a member of the Protestant Political Association. Several members rose to points of order, urging that the matter was sub judice. Tho Rev. W. J. Elliott (Dcvonport) moved that the Conference proceed to the next business, and another member moved tho previous question. The Rev. Mr Hay said there was no reference to any particular men. The motion was "those men." There wa3 considerable disorder, a number of members speaking at the same time. The Rev. Mr Ready said that at present they did not know who was beforo the court. It was not known whether there would be six or seven or eight. All they knew was that two men had been arrested, and they had not been found guilty yet.

In a confusion of voices, someone was heard to move—" That wo go into committee." The Rev. Mr Ready: I don't want to go into committee. I want it above-board. I am not an Orangeman, nor am I am membre of the P.P.A. I cannot stand conduct that is detrimental to religious liberty, and 1 would be down on a Protestant as much as I would be on a Roman Catholic The Rev. T. G. Hammond rose to a point of order, but his words were not audible to tho reporters. ■ The Chairman (tho Rev. S. Lawry): We ought to go into committee to decide what is our position—to see whether we are in order in discussing a matter that some say is sub j ud ice. Tho Rev. Mr Ready: I will not proceed with the motion if wo go into committee. If the matter cannot bo discussed in open Conference, I will discuss it on platform and pulpit wherever I oan. —(Applause.) Tho motion to go into committee was carried. It is understood that Mr Ready's motion was to be redrafted by the mover, with the assistance of a solicitor and a pressman who are members of the Conference. FOREIGN MISSIONS COMMITTEE. Further consideration was given to the recommendations of the Foreign Missions Committee. It was intimated that a valuable property in Devonport (Auckland) has been donated for the benefit of foreign missions, and is at present let at £3 a week. The donor also gave £2OO to cover expenses of transfer, etc. The President announced that a cheque for £IOO had been received from "0. W. O.'' (understood to be a Dunedin gentleman), to be equally divided between home and foreign missions. _ > An envelope with a £lO note in it, had been handed in on the previous night at tho Octagon Hall. A little discussion took place a*, regards its allocation, the treasurer of'home missions getting possession of it amidst much laughter, but ultimately it was decided that the amount should be equally divided between the home and foreign mission funds. It was resolved that of the £15,000 to be raised for foreign missions in New Zealand this year £3OOO be allocated to the New Zealand capital fund, £9OOO to the general fund, and the balance to the suspense account to be used by the Australian Board of Missions after consultation with, and approved by, tho New Zealand Foreign Mission Executive. District 'committees were set up. It was-HL-eported that the Mission Board in Sydney desired to allocate £SOO of New Zealand's foreign mission contribution in 1917 to a George Brown Memorial Home for the training of missionary sisters, but as New Zealand has such a home in Christchurch, and as there is great need for training missionary sisters in the dominion, in view of taking over a separate portion of the foreign mission field." the Mission Board was asked to use the £SOO for general mission purposes, and not for the George Brown Memorial Home. The Rev. J. W. Burton, formerly of New Zealand, but now Victorian foreign mission secretary, wrote in reference to his coming visit to New Zealand for a period of two months to do deputation work in various parts of ' the dominion; and it was determined that he should be at liberty to discuss missionary study schools in some of the centres. . On the motion of the Rev. W. A. Sinclair it was resolved that the great effort to raise money for missions be inaugurated by special meetings for prayer in all circuits and home mission stations; and that monthly meetings for prayer and study be also held. HOME MISSIONS. The Rev. T. G. Brooke, general secretary, introduced the report as regards the future status of senior home missionaries. The committee brought forward a modified scheme, whereby home missionaries could take an abridged course of study, and under which those who manifested educational fitness and capacity to study, ability to teach, and aptitude in conduct of circuit affairs, might receive admission into the ministry. . , In connection with the aggressive policy, it 'was decided that to make better provision for the ministers and home missionaries of the Church, the conference appeal to New Zealand Methodists to raise the gross annual income of the home mission fund to a sum of not less than £10,500: that all grants to aided circuits (city missions excepted) and home mission stations be made with a view of assisting thorn to' pay a minimum stipend of £225 to married ministers and £l6O to married home missionaries, and to pay £l4O to probationers and £l2O to unmarried \home missionaries ; that all circuits and stations be earnestly urged to pay the above as the minimum stipends; that the circuits and stations paying' less than the minimum be encouraged to make application for such grants as will assist them to reach it. A scale of grants was also arranged. Part of the scheme comes into force this year, and the whole as early as practicable. Mr Brooke remarked! in connection with this scheme that he had received an offer from a gentleman to contribute £ICO a year for three years towards its accomplishment. The following motions were agreed to: " That the question of the designation of a successor to tho Rev. T. G. Hammond as the general superintendent of Maori missions be again remitted to the Home Mission Executive; that they take into consideration the further question of the possibility of amalgamating the positions of the principalship of Wesley College, Three Kings, with the general superintendency of Maori missions, and that they report to next conference." " That the matter of Maori representation in Synod and conference be again remitted to the Hope Mission Executive for further consideration." "That as a war measure the Native ministers working among the Maoris be refunded all the moneys which they raise in their stations above certain amounts, in addition to their salaries." YOUTH OF THE CHUECH. The report of the young people's department, dealing with Sunday school and young men's and young women's Bible classes, was received and adopted. The statistics showed that there are 422 Sunday' schools, 3162 teachers, and 29,035 scholars on the roll. These figures show an Increase for the year of four schools, 34 teachers, and 252 scholars. There was a decrease in the cradle roll department and also in the homo department members. As a whole tho report was encouraging. GENERAL. It was decided that the matter of celebrating the centenary of the Church's opera-

tions in New Zealand be referred to a large Auckland committee. Further steps are to be taken to preserve the early records of the Church. It was resolved, without discussion — "That the matter of church union or iederation with other churches bo referred to the Committee of Privileges, situated in Wellington, which will report to next conference." Mr J. Stevenson (Wanganui) brought forward tho matter of forming a special fund in order to give aid, during the period of the war, to supernumerary ministers whose incomes aro exceedingly small. He rropounded a scheme, which was accepted by the conference, and, moreover, ho undertook to put It into operation during ihe year. The scheme waa commended to the liberality of the church members. A committee was set up to consider some method whereby more work and responsibility could be given to the district synods, and thus .lessen the work of the conference, tho committee to report to next conference. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair (New Plymouth) moved: " That in tho case of any unmarried minister desiring to enlist,' no objection be offered by the president, except in such urgent cases as may be decided upon by him and his Committee of Advice." A discussion followed, and. two amendments proposed were rejected, the motion being eventually carried by an overwhelming majority, only a few voices being raised against it. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair reported that in his dealings with the military authorities during the past year he had met with nothing else but courtesy, and in practically every instance tho desires of the Church authorities had been acceded to: He particularly mentioned the sympathy and help ho had obtained from Sir James Allen in connection with different matters. It was reported that Chaplain Luxford had strongly urged the appointment of a chaplain to Egypt, as there was a great lack of such "workers there. —The matter will go before a committee. SEVENTH DAY. Tho Methodist Conference resumed its sessions on Thursday morning. WAR CHAPLAINS. A cablegram was received from Chaplain Luxford announcing that Chaplain J. R. Sullivan had been declared permanently unfit, and that employment for him was uncertain. Th© message asked conference to take some action, as his pension was held in abeyance. It was resolved to cable ,£SO at once from the Contingent Fund. The Conference also decided to cable £IOO to tho Rev. J. A. Luxford for the use. of the chaplains of tho Methodist Church, especially those in the front trenches CHURCH BUILDING, ETC. The Rev. S. Lawry, secretary of the Church Building and Loan Fund, presented the 1917 report. This stated that £1285 had been loaned from tho general fund and £659 17s 2d from the special fund. The report showed that, owigg to the smallness of the capital, many loans applied for could not be granted, though trustees were prepared to observe all the conditions. The loans were without interest unless the repayments were overdue. CHURCH PROPERTY. The report ■ on church property was presented by the Rev. S. Lawry. The properties reported to have been sold realised £2555. New erections and purchases reported cost £6560 10s. Enlargements and improvements reported cost £3959 lis sd. The enlargements and improvements reported were: Auckland. £416 12s lOd; South Auckland, £246 10s sd; TaranakiWanganui, £796 18s lid; Hawke's BayManawatu, £l9l 10s Id; Wellington, £516 8s 8d; Nelson, £lB 18s; North Canterbury, £283 18s sd; South Canterbury, £248 18s 9d; Otago, £833 6s 3d; Southland, nil. The total trust income reported, including credit balances brought forward the preceding year, amounts to £44,706 8s Id. This is more than £I2OO in excess of the amount reported last year. The total expenditure reported, including debit balances brought forward, is £50,920 18s 4d. The total indebtedness to the loan fund and on other securities is reported as £111,745, being a reduction during the year of £4576. But to these debts must be added the net debit balances (£6460),. which makes the total debt £117,205. Tho report was adopted. - SUNDAY-TRADING IN MARBLE BARS. A letter from the assistant-secretary of the Hotel Employees' Union to a member of the Conference- was read. The 'writer referred to the question of Sunday trading in marble bars, and said the union would try to arrange its protest to the Government so that any action bv the Conference could also be brought at the time. The Rev. F. W. Boys (Palmerston North) moved:—" That in view of the decision of the Chief Justice respecting Sunday trading in marble bars, this conference urges the Minister of Justice to see that the Act be so amended as to close these premises upon the Sabbath Day." The motion was carried, only the Kev. Mr Elliott voting against it. It was further resolved to make representations to the Minister by deputation. LIBERTY OF SPEECH. The Rev. W. Ready brought forward his revised motion, as follows:—" That this conference notes with satisfaction tho expressed determination of the Minister of Justice to prevent any improper interference with the principles of free speech, politics, and religion, and to bring to justice any persons guilty of any attempt to interfere with those liberties.' Mr Ready said conference had been very anxious on "the previous day to be safe, and had voted him out of court. In moving this modified motion, he wished to say that religiously he had not a bit of bigotry in his composition, and he hoped tho time would not come in this beautiful dominion when they would have to fight militarv Romanism with military Protestantism. He hoped, rather, that they would be able to glorify God as various regiments, of the great army of the Omnipotent. But there seemed a tendency abroad to interfere with free speech, and the free gatherings of people for thought and meditation, and that those who did so gather were subject to attack when they came out from their meetings. In view of this, it was time that tho Protestant community should show to the world that it would not tolerate any interference with liberty of thought, speech, or religion. Ho was not an, Orangeman or a member of tho Protestant Political Association, but if there were anything that would mako him a member it was the kind of thing he bad read about and was now referring to. He had lived in a friendly way with bishops of tho Catholic churches, even visiting their homes, so that ho could not bo said to have anything against the Church of Rome.

He was not necessarily driving at that Church now, for it could not be said yet whether the assailants were Catholics or Protestants. But, whether the ono or tho other, ho was sure that it must not bo tolerated. The Rev. J. Cocker (Christchurch) expressed the hope that the resolution would bd put without debate. The meeting concurred, and the motion was carried without dissent. THE STATIOXIXG COMMITTEE. The final reading of the stations sheet, which fixes tho location of ministers for the next connexional year," commencing in April, took place late in the morning session. Tho following are the alterations from the first reading (already published): Auckland District. —Avondale: Second minister, B. E. Sage. South Auckland District. —Hamilton i Second minister, J. D. M'Arthur. Taumarunui i R. E. Fordyce. Taranaki-Wanganui District.—Wanganui North: N. Turner. Taihape: W. H. Hocking. Hawke's Bay-Manawatu District. —Saneon and Rongotea: B. J. James. , Wellington District.—Kilbirnie: F. T. Read. Nelson District.—Richmond: W. Willi Reefton: T. Dent. North Canterbury District. —Christchurch East: Second minister, W. Walker. Rangiora: Second minister, C. B. Jordan. The following is the final reading of tho stations in the South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland districts:— South Canterbury District. Tirnaru (Banks Street): Thomas A. Joughin and Gr, W. Jackson (supply), John Dennis. Joseph R. Sullivan (C.F.). Tiinaru (Woodlands Street): Ralph J. Liddell. Waimatoi Adolphus N. Scotter. Temuka: John W, Griffin, a home missionary. Geraldine: George P. Hunt. Ashburton: G. Frost, one wanted. Willowby: S. Bailey. Oamarut] J.-y A. Lochore. Otago District—Dunedin (Trinity): W. Arthur Hay, J. R. Nelson, Thomas W, Ncwbold (sup.). Dunedin (Central Mission) : Clarence Eaton. Dunedin (Dundas Street): W, J. Oxbrow. Dunedin (Cargill Road): Robert Raine. Dunedin (St. Kilda)-: Arthur Hooper. Dunedin (Caversham) : S. Griffith, A. Allen (C.F.), a home missionary. Dunedin (Morniiigton): Wm. Grecnslade* Dunedin (Roslyn): T. Arthur Pybus, Frederick T. Read.(C.F.). Mosgiel: O* Burnet. Port Chalmers: Samuel H. D. Peryman. Waikouaiti and Palmerston} One wanted, a home missionary. Bait clutha: F. Greenwood. Milton: J. Feather* ston. Roxburgh: One wanted. Southland District.—lnvercargill /Leet' Street!: Alfred Peters. Invercargill (Tevioi Street): One wanted. Invercargill (Don. Street): Charles H. Olds, W. Slade (supply). Bluff: T. Skuse. Gore: G. H. Mann. Otautau: T. Coatswortii. Eclendale: On» wanted. . ! GENERAL BUSINESS. A large amount of business was transacted at the afternoon session. The results of the election of chairmen of the various synodical districts resulted as follows:—Auckland, the Rev H. E. Bellhouse; South Auckland, the Rev. J. Dukeaj Taranaki-Wanganui, the Rev. W T . A. Sin-clair;-Hawke's Bay-Manawatu, the Rev. iTi R. Richards; Wellington,, the Rev. E. Drake; Nelson, the Rev. B. Rothwell; North Canterbury, the Rev. A. C. Lawry; South Canterbury, the President (Rev. T. A. Joughin); Otago, the Rev. S. Griffith; Southland, the Rev. A. Peters. The Rev. Messrs Bellhouse, Dukes, and Rothwell, having been elected chairmen for the first time, spoke in appreciation of their election. The final reading of the home mission station sheet was agreed to. The followingare the appointments in South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland: -? South Canterbury.—Temuka. one wanted; Ashburton, J. Belshaw; Methvcn, J.Tyson; Maylield, F. P. Kellow. . ►, " ■ Otago.—St. Kilda. T. Roseveare (supply;; Roxburgh, T. W. Featherstone; Kaitangata, O. S. Pearn; Lawrence. S. Keen; Cromwell, A. L. Witheford; Caversham-Abbrfts-ford, one wanted; Waikouaiti-Palmeraton, one wanted Southland. —Invercargill (Kcnnington), on© wanted; Edendale, W. E. Sleep; RivertonTuatapere, L Field; Winton, one wanted; Nightcaps, E. J. Pcaples. - The next conference, which is to bo held in Christchurch, will open on February 27, 1919. ' ■ • T v Tho Committee on Military and Naval Affairs recommended the appointment of a chaplain to returned soldiers in each of tho chief centres, and that ministers, wherever possible, should get into touch with tho returned men.—The recommendations wero agreed to. '.",,.. ± The Rev. S. Lawry introduced tne report of the Board of Management of the Supernumerary Fund. The table showed the phenomenal" progress of the fund from 1911 to 1917. At the end of 1911 the total amounted to £60,413 16s (the sum transferred from tho Australasian fund), and at the end of 1917 it was £92,344 5s 2d (including £10,733 paid into the fund for the purchase of benefits on behalf of ministers joining the fund from the Primitive Methodist Church). Mr Lawry said that in all the valuations mado for the~fund 10 per cent, on the incomo from circuit levies and ministers' subscriptions had been allowed for working expenses. During the past year tho working expenses had been 7 per cent, on the incoma named. Since January. 1914, a bonus of 15 per cent, had been Added to tho annuities payable, and this had absorbed about £2350. The average rate of interest for tho pas* year had been nearly 5£ per cent.—The report was adopted. " - ■"•■: "■ . The conference adjourned until 10 o clock this (Friday) morning. " FINAL SITTING OF CONFERENCE. The Methodist Conference resumed its sittings in Trinity Chureit on Friday. The President (the Rev. IV A. Joughin) occupied the chair. Letters of greeting to the Wesleyan Methodist Conferences of Great Britain wero received, and passed for despatch. It was resolved that the home mission fund pay the contingent fund £125 on behalf of military matters. The Rev. J. B. Suckling (Caversham) presented the report of the Sunday Schools and Young People's Committee, and tho following recommendations wero agreed ta: —• " That conference approve of the appointment of one of the chaplains who has served with tho Expeditionary Forces as an oiyanising secretary for young people's work, with a view to the establishment or resuscitation of Bible classes and kindred institutions attached to tho Church; and that the connexional Sunday School and Young People's' Board be instructed to consider the bestf method of financing such an appointment, and to report at the next conference.' " That conference discourage the growing

custom of closing Sunday schoolsfor lengthy periods during the Christmas holiday season, and recommends, where such holidays obtain, the superintendent make suitable arrangements tor a children's service." A resolution was also passed urging the more general adoption of the homo department. It was announced that by the will of Mrs M'Larcn, of Paimcrston, £IOO had been bequeathed to the Palmerston Methodist Church, to be used in the discretion of the officials. The Rev. S. Griffith reminded the conference of the question of establishing a Methodist college or colleges in New Zealand for the higher education of Methodist young people. By not having such colleges the Church was apt to lose touch with some of its best youths.—A short debate followed, in the course of which reference was made 1.0 the success of Methodist girls at Columba College.—lt was' resolved to remit the matter to the committee dealing with the institution of the centenary thanksgiving fund. Votes of thanks and appreciation were heartily accorded the president, ex-presi-dent, vice-president, , the hosts of visiting delegates, the secretary and assistants, the Committee of Arrangements, the ministers and officers of Trinity Church, the trustees of the church, and of the Octagon Hall, and the press.