PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 8134, 18 January 1895, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph,; WELLINGTON, January 18. Yesterday’s session of the Primitive Methodist Conference was taken up in considering various reports. The report on the book room showed a balance of £2OO. The furnishing fund report showed an increase of £9l, with a balance in hand of £7l. From the report of the superannuated ministers,widows, and orphans fund, it was seen that the fund was m a flourishing state, having a balance m hand of £863. The Primitive Methodist Magazine fund showed an income of £258, leaving a balance of £47 on the working of the year. The children s equalisation fund showed an income for the year of £351 Os 3d, which left a credit balance of £lB 5s 7d on the year’s transactions. The balance to credit of the fund is £22416s 4d. The fire insurance reports showed that 63 separate risks had been takfen, to the extent of' £10,200. The assets were very satisfactory. Replying to a deputation from the local Good Templars, the Rev. J. Cocker said that the Conference stood shoulder to shoulder with temperance work. In two years the greatest struggle which the colony had ever seen would be fought at the ballot box. In the meantime, the temperance party must educate, organise, and agitate. . Yesterday afternoon the Conference was engaged in making arrangements for missionary meetings, and the election of officers and committees for the coming year. . . , , , An appeal to the Conference for help on behalf of the jubilee loan funds, was made. Promises were given amounting to about £3OO. .... Legislation from different stations was considered. It was decided that the Conference meet at Timaru on January 10th, 1896. It was resolved this Conference renews its oft repeated testimony in favour of local option by the direct vote of the people at the ballot box; also, that the Conference, believing it. to be the duty of Christ’s Church to bear its testimony against all unrighteousness, and recognising in the increase of gambling a grave peril to the Church and nation, enters its solemn protest against _ the vice. The Conference trusts that ministers will denounce the evil from the pulpit, and recommends members of the churches to discourage lotteries, and urgespupon school officials the duty of safeguarding the young under their care by warning them of the sin and danger of gambling practices.”