METHODISTS AND CELIBACY

Waipa Post, Volume 45, Issue 3251, 5 November 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

METHODISTS AND CELIBACY

A FOREIGN MISSIONS SUGGESTION. "VOLUNTEERS" TO STAY SINGLE. The question of a celibate order in the Methodist Church was raised at a Wesleyan Conference at Manchester recently. During a discussion on foreign missions the Rev. A. E. Whitham, of Bournemouth, referred to the expense involved in regard to missionaries who had wives and families, and said they should consider whether they could riot appeal to the young men in their colleges to volunteer to remain single, first of all for ten years. They could then renew their vows every five years, and be prepared to go everywhere and anywhere for their church on the smallest sum of money possible. He was convinced that 25 to 40 per cent of them would rise to the appeal. The Rev. W. H. Armstrong said that there were miany ministers whose wives had been a tremendous help in the foreign field. He hoped it would not go out that they were sympathetically considering a celibate ministry. The Rev. C. Ensor Walters, of London, pointed out that it should be clearly understood that what had been said represented the remarks of individuals and not the view of their great church. The chairman, Dr C. Ryder Smith, said that the conference had endorsed nothing and had in no way committed consideration of the subject to any committee. Mr W|. R. Hesketh, on behalf of the Wesleyan Methodist Trust' Insurance Company, handed the chairman cheques for £IO,OOO as a<gift towards the Aged Ministers' Fund.