METHODIST PROGRESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 231, 30 September 1929, Page 5

METHODIST PROGRESS.

A short history of Methodism in New Zealand during the past half -century was provided by the Rev. S. Griffith, who spoke at the Epsom Methodist Church last evening on his 50 years' experience in the Dominion. On September 2S, 1879, Mr. Griffith and a fellow student were farewelled at the Wesleyau Chapel, Bromley, Kent, and sailed for New Zealand a few days later in the ship Western Monarch, arriving at Wellington on January 2, 18S0. After a short term under the late Rev. Thomas Buddie at Three Kings College, Mr. Griffith had six month of student work in Wellington. His first charge whs at Pahnerston North, in 1882, when that town had a population of only 2000. Then commenced . a ministry which extended over 3S years, in various circuits of both the Xorth and South Islands. Mr. Griffith became a supernumerary in 1020. and came to reside in Auckland. For five year.- he has been secretary and treasurer of the Auckland Methodist Orphanages. In his early years in 2s ew Zealand. Mr. Griffith said, he had worked with such pioneer stalwarts as the Revs. J. Buller, T. Buddie, Alexander Reid, W. J. Watkin, W. Morley and G. Bond, and he now had the satisfaction of seeing several young men who had worked under him received into the ministry. In a comparison of Methodism of 50 years ago with that of to-day, Mr. Griffith said that there were many losses, such as the class meeting, but at the same time, there were many signs of progress. A higher standard for the ■ ministry was now demanded and young ministers received excellent groundwork from Trinity College, with its fine staff. A great advance could be seen in foreign mission enterprise and in the work of the homo mission department. There had also been an advance in the social activities of the Church. The Church, concluded Mr. Griffith, was thoroughly alive, and there was no reason to fear the future.