CHURCHMEN MEET.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18339, 27 May 1931, Page 8

CHURCHMEN MEET.

C.E.M.S CONFERENCE. MOVEMENT'B SfEADY GROWTH. FACTOR IN CHURCH LIFE. The business session 6f the 19th annual Dominion Conference of the Church of England Men’s Society was hold in St'.-Peter’s' Hall to=day f Right ReV.- C. A.- Che'rrington, Bishop of Waikato, presiding. A hearty Welcome to all visiting delegates' was voiced by the president ofl Maif Of the Diocesan Council and the tjathedral bi'SHCii Of the sooiety. CohfergtiCe was meeting under vastly' different cirfhirnSt&iice's from the last conference held' at .Gamdrti tW ffotf ago. He felt sure they Were’ all deeply conscious of the prevailing depression and the distress under Which many people laboured. Personally fts believed the depression was a good deai mere seriotis than most people seemed td realise; While they were firmly ol , bpiriiojl that a solution must be reached they oouid net at present see the way clear to that solution. It had been hoped that more branches' frdffl other parts of the Dominion would be represented at the conference. Though their numbers’ were net large he ; - expressed the hope that their deliberations Would be productive of the Utmost benefit to the church and the society. ..... “Clergy's’ Right Hand."

"lil this diocese we do not understand the mental calibre of any clergyman who does not use this sooiety as his right hand,” continued His Lordship amid applause. He added that he desired in no way to reflect on the devoted work of the vestries and lay readers,- but' there was still room’ for Such a society which had such simple ihiles, It was impossible for . him to estimate the good which had been accomplished In actual works, spiritual tone and general uplift by the: St'. Peter’.s branch. He concluded by hoping that the conference' would ensure that .!£' Was possible for the C.E.M.S.' still to remain one of the .strongest forces In church life. (Applause). , ..... Archdeacon J. Dv Russell (Oamaru) said it was gratifying to know that the C.E.M.S,' was such a. sacred heritage in New Zealand. Everything possible should be dohe.tO keep it so. He congratulated the Waikato Diooede. on thfr great activity shown over the lash two years. It was regrettable that little had been done in the Auckland Diocese, and it was hoped that; a new lease of life would develop there. . Extracts from the report -of .the Dominion secretary (Rev. W. Rairie) stated that reports to oOnferehCO showed that the movement in Wellington and Waikato was more than maintaining its position. In both dioceses there had been' a certain amount of progress. In Auckland the diocesan organisation remained, but with little effective help in the way of branch activity. Except for the existence of- one or two isolated branches in other dioceses the movement had lost force there. It would be the' duty of the conference to see what could be done to revive the movement in those centres. The Dominion treasurer’s report showed a satisfactory financial position. Alihough the general position' 6’f the s’o’ciety could notbe considered encouraging, nevertheless the existence of several branches which were a real help to their parishes and an invaluable means of helping add developing men ill the spiritual life was an indication of what could be achieved if the society received any, general measure of support from the clergy and laity of the church as a whole. A very' encouraging and full report of activities in the Vtaliington Diocese was read by Mr R. Liggins. Great progress had been shown, and there were now eight city and three country branches.

Waikato Development. The Waikato Diocesan report, read by the Bishop, stated that since last Dominion , Conference .four new branches had been formed, and there was another in process of formation, bringing the total to .8 in the diocese. This was considered satisfactory ■in view that four years! a’go there was n‘ot an active branch in the diocese. The membership vMs approximately 125 The report then dealt In detail with the work of the following branches; *—- Cathedral, Matamata, Taumarunul, Te Awarnutu, and Te Kuitl; : The report together with the financial statement, were adopted. Now Officers. , The election of officers resulted: — Vice-presidents, Archdeacon J. D. Russell and Mr J. Snell; secretary, Rev. W. Raine; treasurer, Mr J. W. Hendferson; auditor, Mr R; M., Sunley; central executive, Messrs J. Snell and R. Liggins; Dominion Council, Revs. F. C. Long, G. C. Blathwayt arid N. S. Barnett (Wellington), and Rev. R. de Lambert (Christchurch), Messrs F. H Glaphaip and D. Hay (Hamilton), W. Nash. M.P., (Palmerston North) and W. F. Rayner (Auckland): Rev. A. J. Beck (Auckland) said he had wished some of the Auckland clergy had been present to hear the adverse reports of the lack of activity in that diocese. Only a few were keeping the torch burning, but he could assure conference that a revival of Interest was Imminent In the near future. The promise of renewed activity justified the Auckland executive inviting conference to meet at Auckland next year.

The invitation was accepted. A discussion arose on the question of whether members should retain their badges when they cease to become. members and the matter was left to the discretion of branches. Rev. G. E. Morton (Auckland) drew attention to the work of the church army and expressed the hope tlifit the movement would be .fostered in New Zealand by the C.E.M.S; As } an old member of the Brotherhood of m Andrew he was delighted to be present at the conference. Tfie, Brotherhood was not entirely dead in New Zealand, two branches being still in existence. Archdeacon Bell considered the spirit of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew should lie a fundamental activity of the C.E.M.S. Every effort to bring at least one man nearer God should be made. Mr W. JL Brabant said he was impressed with the object of the C.E.M.S. in Waikato in assisting 'Candidates before and after confirmation. That the religious instruction af tlie young should he concentrated upon was emphasised by Mr 11. Scdddn Hills.

Conferencc adjourned with prayer

This afternoon addresses on .“The Lambeth Conference” and “Tlie Fu-

ture of the C.E.M.S.” were given by the Bishop and Mr R. Liggins respectively. Delegates were entertained to afternoon tea by lady parishioners and members of the St. Peter’s Badminton Club. List of Delegates. Following 1 IS the list of delegates attending the conference: —The Bishop of Waikato, Archdeacon J. D. Russell (Oamaru), Rev. A. J. Beck (Auckland), Rev. O, E. Newbould (Te Kuitl), Rev. W. Rhine (Wellington) and Messrs W. F. Rayner (Auckland), W. H. Brabant (Auckland), ft, Liggins (Wellington), J. Snell (Wellington), H, Seddon Hills (Taumanpnui), C. D, and G. K. Storey (To Awamutu), J. W. Henderson (Wellington), F. H. Clapham (Hamilton')', D. Hay (Hamilton), W. G. Caltchedn (Matamata), G. Lindsay (Auckland), T. H. Prowse (Matamata), Archdeacon F. W. Chatterton and Mr C. W. Ellis (Rotorua). Conference Events. To-day.—Public meeting. Speaker? Ven. Archdeacon F. W. Chatterton); subject: "The Church and the Aged” St. Peter’s Hall, 8 p.m. To-morrow. —9.30 a.m. to 10.30 a.rri.: "Impressions of the C.E.M.S; in’ England.” Speaker: Ven. Archdeacon J. D. Russell; 11 a.m. to 12 nooft: " A Final Message.” Speaker, Air J, Snell.

CATHEDRAL SERVICE, IMPORTANCE OF SOCIETY. •STRESSED. BY 'REV. A. J. BECK, A most Impressive service was held in St. Peter’s Cathedral last evening l in connection with the Dominion Conference of the Church of England Men's Society. The service was conducted by Very Rev. G. R. Barnett, Dean of Hamilton, and the lessons were read by Archdeacon Bell and Rev. C. E. Newbould, vicar of Te Kuitl. An Inspiring anthem, “Shout for Joy” (Caleb Simper) Was sung by the Cathedral choir,, assisted by the' choir of SL Ge’orgff sl;> Frankton^ Taking, his -text, from Corinthians 1-3, verses 9-11, Rev. A. J. Beck, of Auckland, emphasised the importance of the C.E.M.S. 4 Never before wet-e men needed so much as in the world} to-day to take the lead, men of faith and courage. In the saying, Do unto others, etc.," was the keynote or the C.E.'M.S. Throughout life there was one aspect whloh never changed lil Its effect —the personal touch. This was especially needed in all seasons of praying, and this was now a season for praying for missions. wa were all missioners—in the street, office and workshop. Most, if not all, Of us were doing something for the kingdom of God and many brothers of the society all over the world were doing their share. Members oould do a great missionary work 'by gathering those now outside the- Church into the G'.E.M.S. ..... . After the service a‘ pleasant conw versazione Was’ held’ in the parish Hall, when visiting members had' the opportunity of meeting each- other and the Hamilton members. Alessrs R. Bralthwalte and G. Wheeler sang, and a supper was served by the wives ana lady friends of the local branch mem'lyersv t , s The Bishop’, 6’f Waikato took the .opportunity of welcoming members, and extended every wish for a successful conference.