METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 3556, 9 May 1922, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

THE PRESIDENT’S VISIT. On Tuesday afternoon, in Trinity Church, the Rev. C. H. Laws addressed a meeting of the women of Dunedin Methodism. The chair was occupied by Airs W. H. Duke, and there was a large attendance. The Rev. C. H. 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 Metirodist people m the history ot 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 oi 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 could 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. The Rev. Rugby Pratt presided, and briefly welcomed the president of the Conference to Dunedin. The Rev. 11. L. Richards led the devotional exercises. The first address was giVen by the Rev. Clarence Eaton, who was followed by the Rev. C. H. Laws. The speaker asked his hearers to remember the messages the old Fathers of the Church brought them. Three messages were very pronounced, and he re- ! minded them—(l) "Have faith in yourselves as church members and 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 whilst being sensible of the splendid work done by other denominations, as Methodists, be loyal and true to your own church, believe in it, pray for it, arid 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 irt God, he concluded an address which was listened to with rapt attention by all presen t.