METHODIST UNION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10770, 16 May 1913, Page 3

METHODIST UNION.

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS,

The local cele Orations in connection with the consummation of Methodist Union have been marked by great enthusiasm, On Sunday last there was a general interchange of pulpits among the Methodist ministers and local preachers. At the Durham Street Church, the Rev W. Laycock preached in the morning and the Rev S. Lawry, president of the Conference, in the evening. On Thursday evening a united tea meeting was held in the Durham Street schoolroom. The building was crowded to excess with several sittings at the tables. Subsequently the spacious Durham Street Church was tilled for the after-meeting. The Rev S. Lawry presided. The singing was led by a large united choir drawn from all the churches, and led by Mr E. Firth. Addresses were given by the president of the conference, on " The Call to Evangelism in the United Church " ; the Rev C. H. Laws, on " The Contribution of Methodism to the Life and Thought of tho World " the Rev J. Cocker on " Methodism and Social Reform," and Mr H. Holland, Mayor of Christchurch, on " The Layman's Place in the United Church." During the evening a vote of thanks passed by the recent Conference to Mr J. A. Flesher, convener of the legal committee appointed by the General Conference to carry out the proce-. dure to secure New Zealand independence, was presented to him by the president of the Conference. The resolution was suitably illuminated and handsomely framed, and was acoompanied by a framed photograph of the first independent Conference. The president in making tho presentation referred in complimentary terms to Mr Flesher's gratuitous and able work in connection with the passing of the various Acts of Parliament in Australia and New Zealand necessary to assure independence and to the great value. of his services to the Methodist connexion. Mr Flesher suitablv replied. The Declaration of Union, being the formal document signed in "Wellington bv the leaders of the uniting churches, and witnessed by his Excellency the Governor, the Prime Minister of the dominion, the Rev Drs Youngman_ and Morley, and others was on exhibition, and was the centre of much interest. The Union celebrations will conclude next week, when on the Friday night a great young people's gathering will be held in the Durham Street Church.