METHODIST CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3495, 8 March 1921, Page 21

METHODIST CONFERENCE

FINAL READING OF STATIONS. WELLINGTON, February 28. At the Methodist Conference some discussion took place on obtaining a site for the erection of a Theological College. The Principal, the Rev. C. H. Laws, explained the situation, and the Conference expressed approval of the action of tha committee in negotiating for a site in Graft-on road, Auckland. A report presented by the eonnexional secretary, the Rev. S. Lowry, on the church building and loan fund, showed that the new loans advanced during the year totalled £4020. Trust accounts showed an income of £80,492, and the expenditure amounted tc £69,696. Debit balances carried forward totalled £8134, but the credit balances aggregated £10,796. There was a considerable reduction in the church debts, in some circuits amounting to over £II,OOO, but the increases in other circuits amounted to £5600. March 1. The first reading of stations adopted bv the Methodist Conference took place today. The report of the Connectional Fire Insurance Fund presented to the Methodist Conference to-day showed that the past year was the most successful in the history of the fund. The income totalled £2105, and the expenses £560. Accumulated funds are new £12,771. New risks were accepted during the year aggregating £46,765. The balance sheet of the home mission funds showed the income to be over £IO,OOO, and the expenditure £9555, leaving a credit balance of £1023. The announcement, cf a record year was received with applause. The estimated income for 1921 is £10,859, and the estimated expenditure £10,831. The Rev. T. G. Brooke made an urgent call for men for the Christian ministry. The constant repetition of “one wanted” in tne station sheets had, he felt, been detrimental to the best interests of the The shortage of men had compelled the Church to send men into the work without the needed special training. He appealed to the Church to provide men for the work of the ministry. The most interesting feature from the discussion which followed was an address by the Rev. Robert Haddon, the well-known Maori missionary. Referring to the corning of the Hindus into certain districts, he said he had no objection to Asiatics coming, so long as they brought their wives with them, but the crossing of the Indian and "the Maori was no good. Referring to Ratana, the miracle worker, he said Ratana was his second cousin. Rotana’a grandfather was a Christian man. The call came to Rat.a.na to surrender himself completely to God and to isolate himself. He fasted six days, living on prayer, and then power came. He went to a sick child and prayed, and immediately she was healed. The Maori sought more of mana than of Christianity. Yoii must put away this mana idol, said Ratana : it is tohungaism. Have faith, and T will have faith, and God will heal you. When they did this at Ratana’s request they were able to say : My eyes can see, or I can walk. It was. declared Mr Haddon, out and out Christianity. . Ratana was fiffairist pvory thing’ Umt lied the Maori down. To accept Christ as his personal Saviour was the only way to build the Maori up. Ratana had said to him: “I get the people; vou ministers feed them on the Word.” Ratana. he declared, was on the right lines. Ratana declared: “I am only a finger-post pointing you to God.” —(Loud applause.) March 3. Returned chaplains and members of the N.Z.E.F. present at the Methodist Conference at Wellington tendered a -compli-

mentary dinner to the President, the Rev. W. Grigg, and Mrs Grigg to-day. The Rev. H. L. Blamiree presided, and after luncheon voiced the diggers’ congratulations to Mr Grigg on Iris election to the presidency. The President, in responding, thanked those present for the promise to stand by him to the last. Three rousing cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Grigg. It was decided before the gathering dispersed to form a N.Z.E.F. Association, with the Rev. W. Grigg as the first president and the Rev. E. T. Olds as secretary. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair, general secretary of - foreign missions, and Mr J. W. Carr, lay treasurer, told a story of their recent visit to the Solomon Islands in connection with the inauguration work of the New Zealand Methodist Church in the group. Mr Sinclair gave a graphic description of the change wrought by the Gospel. The field of mission work was extended over a thousand miles of ocean, * and great war canoes tjiat once carried head-hunters on forays now carried the Gospel mission. The staff consisted of four missionaries, five sisters, and 50 native teachers. The speaker quoted the Commissioner at Tulagi as stating that the missions had done much in tlie Pacific station in civilising and Christianising the people. The cry of the old chiefs: “Be quick with your help,” must be the keynote of mission work in the Solomons, because the Bougainville population of ICO,OOO was still heathen. Mr J. W. Court (Auckland) paid a tribute to the magnificent work of the staff, but said that more white missionaries, many sisters, and Plunket nurses were required, also at least 300 native teachers, a doctor, a head nraster. a technical instructor, a Y.M.C.A. secretary, and at least two plantar tion managers. Mr M. Moxham afterwards offered his services for mission work in the Solomons. The Rev. A. C. Lawry reported that Mr J. Trounson (Auckland) had donated £IOOO to the New Zealand Methodist Centenary Fund. The Rev. S. Griffith and Mr H. Held were elected treasurers of the fund. The date of centenary thanksg'ving Sunday was fixed for March 19, 1922. It was decided to allocate £SOOO from the centenary fund to establish a school of domestic economy, home nursing, and hygiene for Maori girls, the natives themselves raising £2OOO towards the object. Fifteen hundred pounds will be set aside for the erection of a memorial church at Whaiigaroa. the site of the establishment of the mission in 1822. March 5. At the Methodist Conference yesterday the final reading of .stations resulted in the following changes Inglewood, E. B. Chambers ; Woodville, N. Turner; Pahiatua, A. Harding; Sanson, W. Wills; Otaki, R. P. Kean; Richmond, J. R. Nelson; Woolston, T. J. Wallis; Woodend, G. A. Fuston; Waimate, W T . Beckett; Ternuka, F. T. Harris; lialclutha, C. B. Jordan. The election of chairmen of districts resulted:—Auckland, P. N. Knight; South Auckland, S. Henderson; Hawke’s Bay and Manaw&tu, T. R. Richards; Taraneki and Wanganui, W. Grigg (President of the Conference) ; Wellington, E. Drake; Nelson, W. Grcensjade; North Canterbury, T. A. Joughin; South Canterbury, W. A. Hay; Otago and Southland, B. F. Roth well. The. report of the Supernumerary Fund Committee showed a total income of £126.766 12s Id. After expenses had been paid a balance of £109,741 11s 3d was left.