PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11478, 10 January 1903, Page 9

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

At the Primitive Methodist Conference at As-burton, the official sermon was preached on Thursday night by the Rev. Henderson from Revelations, chapter 6, verse 16. He referred to the danger of making a name for a church rather than the church being made a great spiritual power.. The best of a church s life was the influence ft exercised on. a community. Primitive Methodism could only live by saving men. Ping-pong parties and catch subjects would never save men, nor would paring down dogma awaken conscience."- The world could not be spiritualised by secularising the church. The church must bring the world up to Christ. It was unanimously decide- not to divide the Auckland staiion. Yesterday trial sermons were preached by Mr Campbell (candidate) and the Rev. Dudley (probationer), who has finished the four years' course. it waa decided to open a mission on the East road, near Stratford, and station a minister at Petone.

The following is the first draft of Ministers and stations:—< New Plymouth, Rev. J. Nixon and one wanted; Wellington (L), Revs. Bailey and Robinson; Wellington (II.), Revs. J. Dawson, U. P. Hunt, and J. Liddell; Auckland (I.), Revs. w. Laycock; *. Southern, and T. Boatsworth; Auckland' (II.), Revs. W. S. Potter; Invercargill, Rev. R. Hall; Timaru, Rev. G. Clement; Thames, Rev. Ji. Drake; Green'Me, Rev. T. H. Lyon; Christchuroh, • .v. C E. Ward and one wanted; Ashbuftou, Rev. R. Haihe; Fielding, Rev. S. Henderson and one wanted; Geraldine, Rev. G. H. Mann; 'Dunedin, Revß. J. Guy _ud " Rams-bottom; Invercargill (_l.), Rev! T. A. Pybus ; Stratford and Eltham,Revs. J. Glover, T. B. Woolloxall; Foxton, Rev. W. Harris; Halcombe, Rev. B. Tmdley; Waimate, Rev. J. Sharp; West Coast, Revs. J. Featherston and J. Carlyle; Itiglewood, Rev. tJ. Buchanan; Bluff, Rev. ° C. Cossum; Waihi, xvev. J. Olphert; "" anganui, Rev. J. Cocker; East Road Mission, Mr J. Hams.

Last night Mr C. M. Luke, the retiring President, delivered an address to a crowded congregation. He denounced gambling and legalising the totalisator and Sabbath desecration. He regarded the increase in the No License vote as a matter for thankfulness, and trusted the church would make a more vigorous effort against the evil and for. a fresh extension of the Kingdom of Chr*_t.

"slr Luke was presented with a cabinet copy of the Scriptures. __c Mayor welcomed the Conference to Ashburton on behalf of the Borough Council.