METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12166, 6 March 1909, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

(Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, March 5. At the Methodist Conference to-day a : resoltion was carried that continued efforts be made by the committee to secure early Sunday morning services on board the men-of-war wnen visiting New Zealand ports. A recommendation that the Military and Naval Affairs Committee suggest to the Minister of Defence the appointment of more Methodist ministers as chaplains of volunteer forces was withdrawn. The following resolution was carried : That this Conference views with alarm tlio vapidly increasing number of billiard saloons throughout the Dominion, and know.i.££ the amount of gambling connected with them and their injurious effect upon young men would respectfully urge upon the Prime Minister to have the present law amended so that local bodies will have full control of such saloons. The second draft of stations, as agreed upon by the Stationing Committee, was I read. Wanganui District. New Plymouth: Rev. J. G. Chapman; one wanted. Waitara: Rev. F. T. Read. Inglewood: Rev. W. S. Bowie. i Stratford: Rev. C. C. Harrison. , Eltham : Rev. F. Copeland. Hawera : Revs. F. W. Boys and W. W. Avery.. Cape Egmont: Rev. R. P. Keall. Kaponga: Rev. W. B. Scott. Wanganui: Rev. J. A. Luxford. Aramoho: Rev. A. E., D. Patchett. Rangitikei: Rev. C. Griffin a6d homo missidnary. Sandon: Rev. G. Frost, Feilding: Rev. C E. Beecroft. Palmerston North: Revs. G. W. J. Spence, T. T. Thomas, 8.A., and one wanted. Taihape: Rev. R. B. Tinsley. Waimarino: Rev. J* F. Martin. West Coast Maori .mission: Revs. T. G. Hammond, R. Haddon, home missionary and two deaconesses. Patea, Kimbolfon, Taumarunui, Ohura, North Taranaki: Each home missionary. A VOICE FROM CHINA. During the afternoon the conference received- a visit from Mr Yung-liang Hwang, the Consul-General for China. He was introduced by the Rev. W. J. Williams, and cordially welcomed by the president, who intimated that the delegates would be very pleased to hear an address from him.

Mr Hwang, who was greeted with hearty applause, said that he was more than glad to be present at a meeting of such a nature. It was not his intention to detain them long, but he ju&t desired to tell them how it was that he became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He described how, when a boy, he had come under the influence of a missionary of the iVletho'liso Episcopal Mission, and how he had hcea baptised by him. That mission had ;i,mo great work, especially educational wcrk, in China, and many men now lijliliti;; sponsible positions in the Empire L'-iU received thei reducation at- the .schools founded by the Methodist and 'other missionaries. In fact, the missi sauries' had been taking a leading part in ei'u cational work even before China herself realise dthe value of it. Persvini^'y, he had the greatest sympathy and love for Christian workers—-(applause)—esp-jciil-ly for those noble ones who were <:hn>£; their lives for the good of others, labouring as missionaries. He t;id not know how long he would be staying here —it would be as long as his Government permitted—but he,always vouH be glad to hear from them of anytiutig that would be of advantage 1o tlw people of China. \ The ex-presidetrtr,: the Rev. C. E. Bee croft, moved-!- >.'"V. That this CQn,|,e^B?iSe_'sincerelv reciprocates the expressions of esteem vnd Christian regard to'which it has 'ijyvneil with so much interest: and pi 3a vi-o fr mi the lips of Mr Hwang; It i-ejoicoi to welcome him as a son of the Methodise :Church, and assures .him that any service within its power—'or. in that ;t .ts representative—for the furt'i'Mn^e o\ his responsible wctfk in this Dominion, will be most Cheerfully rendor-;d. y ;; Th.a motion was carried by :u:<;l;i n\ tibhand cohveyedStp Mr Hwang by-the president. . ; .