METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1384, 9 March 1912, Page 10

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

HOME MISSION STATIONS. Illy Telegraph—Prea« Association,! Auckland, March 8. At the Methodist Conference to-day, the first reading of home mission stations contained the following:— Wellington District.—Wellington Soulh (Island liny), one wanted; Ma>terlon, E. T. Olds; Oisburne, J. A. Jones; Norscwiiod, li. l!ridgman. Canterbury Di-triel.—Addington, A. E. Havne-ii M. Albany A. H. Couch; Malvern, S. Keen; East Oxford, W. 11. Wise; Ms-thven, J. li. dimming; Mayfield, C. Niehotls. Otngo District.—Otauhiu, W. E. Sleep; Lawrence, W. Watson; Cromwell, O. Duncan; Rivcrton, C. C. Bottomloy; Palmerston South, W. T. Hooper; Winton, C. A. .Foston; T'autapere, .1. Tyson. The balance-sheet of the contingent fund for the year ending December 31, 11)11, showed receipts amounting to .£11,712 15-:. 7d. (including circuit levies .CICS3 17s. •id.), and expenditure .EISG7 !K Id., leaving a credit balance of .£145 Cs. 3d. Tho iWlance-sheet was adopted, and it was decided that the levy this year be 71 per cent. Owing to tho late arrival and incomplete condition of some of tho property schedules the general secretary reported that it was impossible, to present a full and accurate report of the church properties. Th« committee strongly supported tho recommendation of the Canterbury Synod that complete returns should bo 'asked for 1912. The report showed that during the year 1C freehold sites had been purchased, 16 new churches erected, 5 new parsonages built, and 5 organs installed. Land had been presented to the. Church at Epsom, Tehorn, Scddon, and Dunsandel. The report was adopted. It was resolved that the chairman of the district should be instructed to arrange for the attendance of chaplains at all military camps. Tho conference was visited by Professor W. T. Mills, who was welcomed by the president. Mr. Mills delivered an address upon tho part the Church should play in the Labour movement in New Zealand, which sought to lift the life of New Zealand above and beyond the fight for a bone. That .was a dog's fight nnd not a man's fight. THE SPIRITUAL CAMPAIGN. Further, particulars regarding tho organised spiritual campaign by tho Methodist Church in New Zealand to celebrate the entrance of tho Church :-!upqn 'independence from Australia, and tho consummation of tho Methodist T'nion in tho Dominion, show that the conference has confirmed arrangements for a campaign by the Rev. Vallanco Cook and Mrs. Cook, and proposals for missions by two suitable missioners from Australia, supplemented by a scheme for holding missions in every circuit and home mission station. The conference of 1911 constituted a committee to make the preliminary arangements for a Methodist "mission of inspiration and appeal," with which it was intended to associate an effort to unite the ministers and tho members of the Church in a spiritual movement throughout the Dominion. The chairman of the committee (the Rev. C. 11. Laws} submitted a report to the conference, stating that with a view to promoting a general spirit of expectancy nnd co-operation, an outline of the committee's proposals was submitted by circular to the June quarterly .meetings. Tho committeo learned that there was no prospect of Gipsy Smith being able to visit New Zealand for a long time, and then he could come. only, for-; an .interdenominational; ,inissiori. v The. v £counmtteo then connnufticatedwith'Hho'Rev.. Henry Haigh, president of tluVWesleyan Conference, with a view to securing a visit from tho Rev. Thos. Cook, or failing him from his brother, tho Rev. Vnllnnce Cook, or other suitable evangelist, Reply was received that tho Rev. Thomas Cook was unable to accept tho invitation, and the committeo then received a reply from the Rev. Vallance Cook, intimating his willingness to visit Now Zealand in 1913. Tho committee also resolved to recommend that the mission should be organised for 1913 instead of in 1912, as proposed by the Christchurch Conference, but that all circuits and homo mjssion - stations ■ should be urged to. igiv.e....them- | solves this year,,,to., local 'evangelistic activity. '" " Mr. Laws said the Rev. Vnllnnce Cook was a brother of the Rev. Thomas Cook, whose work was remembered in New Zealand. (Hear, hear.) He had a record that showed him to be in overy respect the tvpe of man that was greatly needed in New Zealand. Mrs. Cook had special ability in evangelical work,'and possessed remarkable gifts as a public speaker. Tho Rev. L. Hudson (Christchurch) urged that the idea of inviting Gipsy Smith should not bo abandoned, as ho was tho finest evangelist in the world to-day, and had achieved marvellous sucsess. Mr. . Hudson also emphasised the importance of approaching the campaign with a spirit of optimism: and hopefulness., ■ ■ " '''-, '■ : -.'.'.. '■■','.-■ '.-'-, "■■ Tho advisability ,; : oi engaging, ...an evangelical-soloist to; accompany: .Mr. and Mrs. Cook was'discussed, .and it was decided to refer the .question to the Central. Committee and the' inissioners. . ORDINATION SERVICE... ........ On Wednesday evening. several candk. dates for the . ministry., were ordained, namely, Messrs. Edwin .Cox, Charles B. Jordan, 8.A., J. Frederick Martin, Frederick Raiids, William H. Sneer, Robert B. Tinslev, and Nicholas Turner. The Rev. W. Ready, who is president of the conference, occupied the chair. The lessons were read by the Rev. C. H. Laws, and the Rev. S. Lawry presented tho candidates for ordination, after which the impressive ceremony of "laying on of hands" took place, quite a large number of the senior ministers present taking part in it. The sacrament of tho Lord's Supper was then administered. The ordination address was delivered by the Rev. George W. J. Spence (ex-president of conference), who, in a thoughtful, timely, and inspiring speech, pointed out to the newly-ordained ministers the duties and serious responsibilities resting upon them in the carrying through of tho vocation upon which they had entered.