THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 11702, 11 March 1902, Page 3

THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, March 10. At the Wesleyan Conference this morning, business relating to the training and. examination of students was dealt with. Various regulations were adopted, and lecturers appointed for theology, elocution, ecclesiastical history, Methodist polity, homiletics, and Bible exegesis. Examiners on several subjects-were appointed, and a-pas-toral address to the churches was read and adopted. The. third reading of stations is as follows -—Auckland, Garland, Ready, Griffith, Thomas; Wesley College, Simmonds ; Freeman's Bay, Harrison ;. North Shore, Chapman, Greenslade; Grafton Road. Lewis, Pinfold ; Maori mission. Gittos; Mahurangi, Marshall; Thames, Smalley ;Upper Thames, Abernethy. Keall, Belton: Manakau, Griffin ; Franklyn, Penny: Cambridge, Gibson; Hamilton, Blamires; PaT>aroa, Read'-; Northern Wairoa, Taylor; Whangarei, Griffin; Tauranga, Roget; Coromandel, probationer from Victoria; New Plymouth, Serpell ; Waitara, Garlick. Ashcroft; Stratford, Lochore; Hawera, Porter, Oxhrow; Opunake, Ellis; Wanganni, Dewsbury, Eaton: Rangitikei. Keall; Sandon and Feilding, Lawry, Vealie: Palmerston North, S. Lawry; Newbold ; Kiwitea, James Thomas ; Wellington, Oliver, Elliott. Scotter; Wellington South, •Bond; Hutt, Marten, Tuck; Greytown, Pendray, Godbehere; Masterton, the President (Murray): Napier, Beecroft; Hastings, Wrigley; Gisborne, Rothwell; Eketahuna, Worbovs; Otaki, Peryman: Dannevirke, Cook ;" Waipara, Bowie; Woodville. Hounsell ■ Pahiatua. Burnett: Nelson, Williams: -Richmond. Carr ; Blenheim. Spence; Hokitika, Richards ; Greymouth, Trestrail; Motueka, Wills; Reefton, Grigg:Westport, Blamires; Christcbnreh, Baumber, Laws, Jones, Murray, Pratt, connexicmal secretary (Bull); Sydenham, Lee, Griffin; St. Albans, Parsonson ; Papamii,, Dawson ; Lyttelton, Luxford; gprineston, Mather, Haslam ; Leeston, Beck ; Kaiapoi, Dukes, Bellhouse; Rangiora, Peters, Joughin; Oxford, Wallis ; Timaru, Buttle; Waimate. Tinslev; Temuka. Blight; Ashburton, Fee; Willowby, Jory'"' Malvern* Reader; Dunedm. Fairclough; Central Mission, Sinclair; Mornington. Brooke, Wilson ; Cargill Road, Ward; Port Chalmers, Thomas; Balclutha, Mitchell; Milton, Standage; Gm-

.coll.; Gore, Beggs.; fiiv.er.tan, Bows; Roxburgh, Beckett; Cromwell, Hosking. Tne following, were elected chairmen of districts :—Auckland, Garland.; Wanganui, Dewsbury ; Wellington, the President; Nelson, Williams; Canterbury, Lee; Otago, F.airclongh. It was decided that ministers should meet some days before the opening of the next ! Conference for consideration of business in jpastoral session, thus saving the time of the laymen. The report 'of the Native Training Institution (Auckland) was presented. The committee of management appointed to rejporfc on Prince Albert College also presented a report, special mention being made of Ernest Chitty, a blind student, who had passed the matriculation examination. An evening session was held to consider the work of God in the churches. Statistical -returns were given as follows :• — Churches 288, other preaching places 365, ministers 118, home missionaries 25, local preachers 546, class leaders 145, church members 12,494, on trial 400, communicants 1268, junior members 1598, Sunday schools 276, teachers 2154,' scholars 19,996, attendants public worship 6781. Addresses were given by the Rev. Messrs Laws, Ward, Blight, Orchard, Sister Eleanor, and Sister Jean. The returns show an increase •of 741, including 261 Maoris.

It was decided to hold the next Conference at Christchurch.

It .was agreed to appoint a commission for-each district to visit the circuits paying less than the minimum stipend, to confer with local officials with the object of securing an. increase. . An interesting point was raised regarding the name and legal designation of church counsels. The opinion indicated the neces-. sity of a short Parliamentary Act to secure the required change. A deputation was appointed to interview the Premier relating: thereto.

Satisfaction was expressed that several sisters of the people were employed in connection with the churches. The Rev. Mr Lewis moved a resolution aproving of the <Jjiily reading of the- Bible in public schools, a text book.with the necessary explanations being provided- Resolutions were carried dealing with the questions of Sabbath observance and gambling.

The rejort of the connexional fire insurance committee was presented. It showed that 304 trusts pay levies, and that there were two small losses during' the year. The financial statement showed amount on deposit £sl, credit balance current account £ll7. The report of the committee appointed to enquire concerning the establishment of an orphanage was adopted, and resolutions carried dealing with the question. The Rev. Mr Slade was appointed the foreign mission deputation to the Soutb Island in May and June, and to the North Island in January and February. The Bey. Mr 'Baumbsr proposed resolutions relating to appointing chaplains to volunteers and the permanent, forces. The. Conference agreed to a committee beiritr appointed, and also authorised that if a Tenth Contingent is "sent to South Africa, to arrange with the Government to provide a chaplain. • . . The committee on extension of Methodism in Wellington presented a report. The committee was reappointed, and instructed to report at an earlv stage of next Conference. 'The official signing of the Journal takes place to-morrow. ■**