RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 9

RELIGIOUS ACTIVITY.

BASIS OF CHURCH MEMBERSHIP. WESLKYAX CONFERENCE RESOLUTION. Mr. Waller Runciman, the Minister foi Education, was one cf tlie sneakers at tlit Wsslc.van Jietliodist Conference at Cardiff. Ho tool: part in a debate en (lie basis nl Church membership on a resolution proposed by Iho Rev. Dr. \V. T. Davison as follows "All persons are welcomed into nieinb,:r?lii|) in Iho Wosleyau Methodist Cinirch who sinreitly desire to lia saved firm I heir sins lii faith in the Lord .Testis Ciirist and who seek In have fellowship with Christ ami liis followers ill this particular command." Dr. Davison said there was at present a considerable difference of opinion anil practice, as well as laxity of administration, in regard to the subject.-' The motion -having been seconded, Sir Robert AY. I'orks said lie laid no claim to be ail extremist, but ho would point out that during the. year. 20,000 person: had "ceased lo meet," and 10,000 could no! bo traced, having dropped nut through removals. In eighteen years 510,000 people had ten in and gene out of membership, and there were 200.001) children in then Sunday Schools over 15 years of ugc outside membership. Tho Rev. W. Russell Ma.llbv moved a; ail amendment that (ho whole question be remitted to a committee to report upon next year, and (lie Rev. !■>. Chadwicli seconded the amendment. Mr. Rtmciman, ill opposing tho amendment. said lie was no enemy of Ills class meeting, for his deepest spiritual cxpericrces were received ill a class of younf men at Newcastle years ago. lie was lie advocate, either, of sloppine-s in administration There were somo who gloried ii: tho indcfinitcness and undogmatic character of certain proposals; but. if Mctlicdisir ceased io be dogmatic sho might as well put up her shutters. After Dr. Sentt Lidgett had spoken, tin voln was taken, and tho amendment w;is losl. The resolution proposed by Dr. Davison was then carried by an overwhelming majority. A letter wan received frcm Dr. Thomas Allen (Harrogate) stating that ho and Mrs. Allen had decided, instead of leavins a sum of money io tho woru-out ministers' fund, lo pay it during their lifetime, and ho enclosed* a cheque for XIOOO.