THE METHODIST MINISTRY.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12484, 10 March 1909, Page 2

THE METHODIST MINISTRY.

(Special to "The Colonist.") Christchurch, March 9. In a leading article on the Methodist Conference, which is sitting in Wellington "The Press" -says :— One of the chief administrative acts of each Conference is the fixing of the stations of such of the ministers as are due to move to fresh fields, and naturally great importance is attached to this part of the business, ihe itinerant system imposes hardships on the senior ministers, ana some self-denial on - the^ more able. Wesley, who instituted the system, no doubt had an eye to the maintenance of authority by Preventing his preachers from taking Toot, and gaining local influence but many modern Methodists, and especially the ministers, contend that what the autocrat deprecated is precisely what the democrat should desire, ihe^cumulative local influence and respect which grow out of long and good service, certainly do not appear to be things -btat any church can attord to deny to its ministers. These are its true riches. Laymen may value and enjoy the periodic patronage that the system affords them, and they may very properly desire a ready means of ending an unsuccessful pastorate. it would not, *° w f e %£v ei ?,u ?«" cult to devise a system that would do that, without involving the calamity of terminating good ; pastorates _ too The trend of things is undoubtedly m the direction of modification of this characteristic Methodist rule. The time limit has already gone by the board in America, the chief centre of Methodism. The Primitive Methodists of New Zealand appoint .i&eir ministers from year to year as long as is mutually satisfactory to minister and people. One of ,the consequences of the proposed legislative (separation of the Wesleyan Church from Australia will probably be union with the Primitive Methodists. When that is- accomplished, it is scarcely to be doubted, that the abolition of the time limit will speedily follow. The punishment for drunkenness in St. Petersburg is to make tbe offender, no matter what his sowa] | position, sweejj the streets., Well-attired f-.en- '.. tlemen,some of : them- in dress suits, Re ociisioiially se?ii &weet>\ng the . streets after a night's carouse; :