MINISTERS’ RETREAT

Taranaki Daily News, 19 July 1933, Page 9

MINISTERS’ RETREAT

ADDRESSES AND DISCUSSIONS. SECOND DA Y OF THE SESSION. The Methodist ministers’ retreat at Stratford for ministers and home missionaries of the Taranaki and Wanganui districts was continued yesterday. Addresses and discussions occupied the day, proceedings being. presided over by the Rev. J. Copeland, New Plymouth. The Rev. R. Dudley, M.A., and the Rev. E. P. Blamires lectured at a public meeting in the evening. ■ - / “The Preacher’s Message” was the theme of an address given by the Rev. R. Dudley , (Wanganui), who urged that underlying, the apparent materialism of the times Was a' real, though-often inarticulate, hunger of the people for the spiritual 'realities •' of ’ life." The features of a message that would relate itself to both the social and spiritual welfare, of men and women would include appeal, experience of and unflinching witness for truth, simplicity not lacking profundity, the emphasis of the practical value of religion in every-day life and difficulties, its relation to social needs, its power to confer happiness and to subdue evil, and its insistence on judgment, though not always according to preconceived ideas. He said the preacher must passionately believe and feel and urge his message if it were to prove effective. In the afternoon there was a general discussion on Sunday observance. Special reference was made to • organised sport on and while it was felt that a broad view should be taken it was also emphasised that there should be definite teaching as to the right use of Sunday as a factor in the welfare of the nation. It was desired not to be narrow-minded but to discourage the present trend to minimise the place of worship in the life of the ' community. The balance of the afternoon was taken up with a discussion on church membership and standards governing admission to the church. Group discussion of the address was followed by an address by the Rev. E. P. Blamires on “The State and the Child,” in which he urged that the cooperation of the home, the State and the Church was essential to that religious education, which was the only true foundation of character. - To-day’s activities will commence with a communion service followed by a discussion on preaching methods, and an address by Mr. Blamires on “The Relation of the Church to the Child.” Those attending are: Rev. R. Dudley, M.A. (Wanganui), Rev. W. J, Henderson (New Plymouth), Rev. W. H. Wilson (Patea), Rev. E. P. Blamires (Wellington), Rev. J. ” Grocott (Fitzroy), Rev. A. Penn (Opunake), Rev. B. Hames, B.A. (Taumarunui), Rev. J. W. Grindley (Okato), Rev. J. R. Nelson (Kaponga), Rev. H. Utting (Inglewood), Rev. W. B. Cuming (Waitara), Rev. J. Hall (Marton), Rev. F. Copeland (New Plymouth), Rev. G. P. Hunt (Wanganui), Rev. C. W. Brown (Wanganui), Rev. B. Metson (Hawera), Rev. H. Spencer (Wanganui), Rev. H. Cottom (Manaia).