METHODIST CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1669, 8 February 1913, Page 9

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE, CONFERENCE.

AN APOSTLE OP PEACE.

Tho oonforcnco of the Methodist Church of New Zealand was resumed in Wesley Church, Taranalti St root, yesterday. , Tlio president (tlio Itov. S. Lawry) was in tho chair.

The president intimated that he had received a. letter from tho Moderator of tho General, Assembly of tho Preslytorian Church (tho Rev. Andrew Cameron, of Dunedin), oonvoying good 'wishos on behalf, of tho Presbyterian Church to tho conference.

Mr. Alexander, representing tho • Society of Friends, was permitted to address tho_ conference 011 tho' subject of international peaco. Ho said ho came as a deputation from the Friends' Conforenco, held recently in Manchester. Thai conference had thought, and it was his. opinion, that enough was not being dono to Christianise tho policy of the nations, so that tho ddeal of, universal pence might bo realised. It was no unattainable idoal, for peace had been'maintained for very long periods of years between neighbouring countries, and ho instanced Canada . and tho 'United StaUs. Duelling had been declared illegal, and mado unpopular, chiefly through tho opposition to it of tho Christian Churches. Now there was' no reason why international strife and violence should ba made as impossible as ' strife between individuals Wcro..thcy all doing their, best to bring about that Kingdom of God which would teach men to live a 9 brothers? lTie president assured Mr. Alexander that tho confercnco was dn perfect sym-~ pathy-with-tho ideal of universal peace. What practical step tho oonferenco would, take in tho Way.of passing a resolution ho oould not predict. ' Ho understood that the matter would como teforo tho conference at- a later ' stage, I when consideration would bo given to it. , Invitations to members > of the conference were received from the Newtown and '.Thornton Bowling Clubs to make use of the club's'greens while they are visiting Wellington. . . _ The confercnco accorded a unanimous voto of thanks to tho Hew Dr. Youngman and tho Rev. Dr. Morley, the.delegate from the Australasian - Conference, for their services in assisting at the opening of tho conference. It was decided to send letters of greeting to tho aged supernumeraries unable to be present, and also to Mr. James Taylor, of Tawa Flat, and Mr. J,-Gordon (sen.), of Mastcrton, both former members of conferences and honoured workers in tho church. ■ Tho conference decided, on the motion of Mr. J. A. Fisher, that,tho Declaration of-Union document .be lodged' for safe keeping with the Custodian of Deeds, and that a suitable portfolio bo prepared for it. ":' ' On the motion of the Rev. C. H. Laws it was resolved that tho Departmental 'offices of the Methodist Church be continued in the United Conference, : vizi, tho office of Conneiional Secretary, of Organising Secretary of Home' Missions, and;'of Principal of the Theological Institution. ■ Ministers were instructed to be in their new circuits by tho third Sunday in Anrilk and all' circuit .and station authorities to close their accounts as from March 81. . , Seme discussion occurred on tho method to be' followed .by tho confercnco. in stal.tioninjr this year. -The Eov. G. Bond, of Auckland, moved that there bo three readings:of the station 'sheet as usual; but that,there jdiould'be no. discnssion on the third reading. Tho Rev. C. H. Laws • moved by way of amendment that there-be only two readings, but that tho second reading lie. not. considered until the day after the committee furnishes its .report,.. : The amendment was carried by 117 votes to 70. . • ' ■ Tho conference adjourned until 9.45 a.m. to-day. . , . . : This afternoon a picnic is being held at'Dny's Bay, at which' members of tho conference ,'will .bo' tho principal guests. ™ — ' 811 j a7r.MS.ra ' . SUNDAY SCHOOL IrALLY. .A' meeting .described as a "Sunday School' Rally" was held in Wesley Church' 'last.evening..' All the body of the church was filled with pupils;and'their teachers, and the' gallery bf tho'church was occu-pied-by parents/and elder folk, and by. mnny of tho ministers at the conference.,Addresses were "delivered to the children Uv tho Rev. G.' ICnowles Smith, tho Rev. W. A. Ha'y, and tho Rev. B. Melson, and, Miss Eunice Wy&tt 6ang a solo.' .