METHODIST CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1672, 12 February 1913, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH.

——«—— THE CONFERENCE. THE FIRST READING OP STATIONS. The conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand was continued yesterday. The Eev. H. Bull presided in tho morning, and the Rev. S. Lawry in tho afternoon. SUNDAY SCHOOL BOARD. The report of the Sunday School Advisory Board was adopted. It contained the following:—"At the time of writing tho complete /statistics are not available, but the figures relating to the number of scholars, church and junior membership, and othor matters will receive the close attention of the board early in the year. We feel that the 1911 statistics emphasise the urgent need of giving earnest and serious consideration to tne matter of membarship and junior membership. Out of every five scholars who pass out of our Sunday Schools, only one joins the Church.' If wo could reverse the figures, and retain instead of lose four out of five, our Church membership would bo doubled in ten or fifteen years. According to the returns sent in last year, 826 scholars were received into Church membership, but this number was reported by 50 circuits, making, an average of six for each circuit, - or about one in four of those passing through their sohools. According to the returns in 1813 conference minutes, in 70 or more circuits representing about 10,0wJ scholars, not one..- was received into Church membership. According to these returns, city and town circuits with 330, 944, 536, and 391 scholars received not ono of. them into Church membership during the year, while the 6amo remark applies to scores of other circuits with from 15 to 243 scholars each."

The report of the committee was adopted, on the motion of tho Rev. F. T. Read. The following recommendations by the committee were agreed to;— That the scheme of organisation of Sunday Schools and young people's departments, recommended by tho United Committee, be adopted. ■-.•••- That the following be appointed members of the boards-Messrs. W. C. Allnutt W.'Paris, ,R. Bagshaw, A. H. Williams, C. H. Virtue, W. Parker, J. Davidson, W. Kaler, and A. Roberts. That to meet its expenses the Advisory Board bo granted a sum. not exceeding .£2O for the contingent fund, and that' no. sums for travelling expenses of-mem-bers, bo paid out of tho grant for tho board's expenses. ; That the Rev. A. C. Lawry, -together with any other Sunday School' workers trho may be visiting the Homeland, be appointed our representatives at tho World's Sunday School Convention at Zurich: in' July, 1913. That Young People's Day be observed on tho third Sunday in May, and that the, third Sunday in October be observed as the universal day of prayer for Sunday Schools.

.That, a quarterly Temperance Sunday be observed in all our Sunday Schools on the day of the temperance lesson. That all schools dovote at least one Sunday per quarter to missions. That the attention, of superintendents be drawn to tho-Sunday school returns for the past year, wherein a number of circuits show, large returns of adult members and scholars in tho Sunday Bchool, yet have no Teturn of junior membership. In-the opinion of the conference this is far from satisfactory,. and we urge all ministers to devote more time to definite :Christian work among'the young'people and children of our churches and Sunday schools. -.'-.'.■■■..

That 0, Dominion convention be held during the year, the timo and place to be left to the board. ; .. .- ; ' ; ; ''EXAMINING COMMITTEE.', The Teport of 'ho Examining Committee .presented by the Rev. H. E. Bell-' houso'--recommended that the , present Board-of -Examiners should bo reappointed, with:the following alterations:—Substitute the.Rev. A. Ashcroft for tho Rev. W.; J.. Williams, in' Section A for candidates; the Rev.'J. W.'Burton for the Rev. J.- T. Pinfold, F.G.S., in English Bible,' New Testament; the Rev. F; W>. Boys for the Rev.'W. Grigg, Wesley's sermons; the 1 Rev. W. J. Williams for the Rev. W. Slade, Lindsay's Early Church; the Rev. W. Grigg for the Rev. A. Ashcroft, Book of Laws; tho Rev. W. Slade for the Rev. A. C. Lawry, Fisher's History, 2nd and 3rd years. . Various alterations in the regulations regarding examinations were adopted. It was recommended and agreed that probationers of Methodist and ex-Primitive Methodist sections of the Church follow their respective courses of study as per the 1912 minutes, and that a committee of six be appointed to .submit-a suitable curriculum to tho conference of 1914. A committee was set up to deal, with this work.

THE STATIONS. FIRST READING AGREED TO. Following aro tho suggested new. stations for ministers. The first reading was agreed to, and the second reading will be made towards the end of the week. ' Amendments may yct.be made. ;■'"'■ AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Auckland Central—William Ready, John Olphert, Colin C. Harrison, J. B. Suckling, H. A. Sharpe (Alexander Street), Joseph S. Smalley (supernumerary), James Thomas (s.). , Auckland West—A. C. Lawry, Robert Raine, W; A. Burley (supply), and - a Home Missionary. . . Avondale—C. E. Beecroft (Mount Albert), W. A. Watson (Avondale), and a Home Missionary. ■*" ■ Auckland East—George Bond, William Hak.G. B. Hinton (Epsom), H. R. Dewsbury (s.), J. Smith (s.), and a Home Misjiionary. Training .College—J. H. Simmonds (principal).

Home Mission Fund—T. G. Brooke (organising secretary). ' • Theological Institution—C. H. Garland (principal); Auckland Methodist Mission—Nicholas Turner and J. Wilson.

North Shore—T. Trcstrail, a Home Missionary, J. S; Rishworth (s.), J. Blight (s.), W. Gittos (s.). •'.••■' Birkonhead—F. F. Jones and J. D\ Jory («•)-, ■■■' ' Onehunga—John Dukes. Otabuhu—R. B. Tinsley and a'Home Missionary. ..'••■'■ Franklin—E. P. Blamires.

Mahurangi—C. A. Sims. Paparoa—W. H. Bpeer. Northern WairoaMV. S. Bowie and a Homo Missionary.' Whangarei—R. P. Keall and a Home Missionary.

Port Albert—Home Missionary wanted. Northern Maori Mission—Hapeta Renata (Kaea), Davis Willcox (Waikare), Te TMhi Herctini (Whirinaki), Hamoroa Kingi (Maneungu), and Edward Te Tuhi (Rewiti). Under tho direction of the organising secretary (T. G. Brooke), with W. Gittos. Coromahdel—A Home Missionary. Helensville—A Home Missionary. Bay of Islands—A Home Missionary, HoKianga—A Homo Missionary. Whangaroa—A Home Missionary. Wanganui—A Homo Missionary.

SOUTH AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Thames—G..W. J. Spenco and H. C. Orchard. Upper Thames—P. R. Parris and T. N. Griffiths (Jforrinsville). Waihi-J. W. Griffen. Paoroa—R. B. Gosnell. Cambridge—AV. Beckett and a Homo Missionary. Hamilton—J. Wrigley, J. Clover, and a Home Missionary. Huntly-M. J. Evans. Rotorua—C. B. Jordon. Tauranga—One wanted. Waikato Maori Mission—Piripi Rakena (Kopua), Hone M. Hare (Te ICuiti), and ono wanted. To Awnmutu—A Homo Missionary. Wairaana—A Home Missionary. \To Puke—A Homo Missionary. Matamata— Ohura—A Homo Missionary. Opotiki-l\ Battey. To Kuiti-W. Lea. Taumarunui-rOne wanted..

WANGANUI DISTRICT. Now. Plymouth—J. W. Burton, R. J, Liddlc, H. T. Pent, nud Vi. Caunell (s), Waitaro—J. Shftrpo. Inglowood— C. Qrifflaj

Stratford—Amos Reader and E- Bandy. Eltham-H. White. Hawera—E. O. Blnraires. Manaia—J. B. Beach. Cape Egrnont—W. Wills and a Home Missionary. East Egmont—Ono wanted, and a Horn* Missionary. Kaponga—P. Rands. Wanganui—J. A. Luxford, B. Metson, and a Home Missionary. Arainoho—W. B. Scott. . Rangitikei—J. J. Mather. Taihapth-J. E. Parsons. Waimarino—A. A. Bensley. West Coast Maori Mission—Thomas G. Hammond, R. T. P. Haddon, G. Kirkwood, three Homo Missionaries, and two deaconesses. Uriti—A Homo Missionary. Mokau—A Home Missionary. Patea—A Home Missionary.

HAWKE'S BAY-MANAWATU DISTRICT. Napier—H. L. Blamircs and W- Walker. Hastings—T. J. Wallis. Gisborne—J. A. Lochore, and a Home Missionary. : Waipawa—W. G. Maslin. : Dannevirke—J. A. Haskln, . Woodville-W. Tinsley. Pahiatua—One wanted. Palmerston North (Broad Street)—F. W. Boys,. W. Howe, and Leslie B. Neala (Ashhurst), Palmerston North (Cuba Street)—J. Haslam and T. T. Thomas. . Feilding-A. 18. Chappie, M.A., H. Daniel, P. W. Jones (s), and ono wanted. Sanson and Ilongotea—G. Frost, and Home Missionary (Rongotca).' Foxton—T. Coatsworth and N. Hyde (Shannon). Kimbolton—Home Missionary. Norsewood—Home Missionary. WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Taranaki Street-J. G. Chapman, W. S. Potter, John Dawson (without charge), and a Home Missionary. Central Mission-G. Knowles Smith. Thorndon-G. S. Cooke, P. J. Cossum, and J. Diimbell (s.) . ' Wellington 1. South—Josiah Ward, . J. Southern, C. L. Carr, and W. H. Beck (s.). . ■ 1 Johnsonville—S. H. D. Perryman and A. O. Harris. ' ' Hutt-B. H. Ginger and S. J. Garlick (8.). Petone—J. J. Lewie and W. Kirk (s.). South Wairarapa—A. Hopper. . Carterton-C. H. Standage; Masterton—S. J. Serpell and a Homo Missionary. Eketahuna—A. M'Bean. . Levin-Otaki—H. Cotton and T>. G. Carr. NELSON DISTRICT. ' Nelson—W. Baumber. Richmond—Clarence Eaton and a Home Missionary. Blenheim—T. R. Richards, W. J. Oxbrow, and a Homo Missionary (Picton). Hokitika— C. Roberts. Grey mouth—A. Ashcroft. Motueka—J. D.M'Arthur. Heefton—R. Wilson. Westport—E. T. Cox. Denniston—R. • Richards and a Home Missionary. •. Awatere—A Home Missionary.. ■ Murchison—A Home Missionary. Runanga—A Home Missionary. ~'.'■

NORTH .CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Christchurch (Durham Street)—C. 'H. Laws, 8.A., H. Bull (s.), D. M'Nicoll (s.), and T. Fee (5.).. " . Connexional secretary and authorised representative—S. Lawry. ■' . • • l • Christchurch ■ Central Mission—J. Cocker.

Christchurch East—W. A. Sinclair, C. H. Olds, A. H. Scrivin, W. C. Oliver (s.), R. Taylor (s.). and J. A. Buttle (s.). . Christchurch (Cambridge Terrace)—G. H. Mann and C. E. Ward (s.). Woolston—C. H. Laycock and W.Lee (s.). .-. • . ■ -■■ Sydenham—A. N. Scotter, B.A. Addington—S. Griffith and a Home Mis* sionary.

St. Albans-H. E. Bellhouse and L. B, Neale.: ' ■'■,' . Papanui—A. Peters. Lyttelton-B. P. Rothwell. Springston—C. Penuey. 1 '• ; Tai Tapu-H. Ranston. , Lcestbn—T. A. Joughlin. ■.'■■■• Kaiapoi-rA. Mitchell. • Ohoka'-J. F.Martin." ■•■-■■> '■:■

Rangiora—J. R. Clarke and D. J. Murray. - ■•' ■- :■

Greendalo and Malvern—J.. Harris and avHome Missionary. Ambcriey—A. -F. Burchell..-, Oxford—A Home Missionary. SOUTH CANTERBURY. .. Timaru (Bank Street)—L. Hudson and A.Allen, Timaru (Woodland Street)—J. Featherston. Waimate—G. F. Stockwell and a Home Missionary.'. ' Temuka (Main Street)—C. Aberheathy. Tomuka (Denmark Street)—A. Harding; ' Goraldine—J.»Guy. ■. Ashburton-W. J. Elliott.and T. R. B. Woolloxall. Willoughby—B. J. James. Oamaru—W. J. Williams. ' Methven—Home Missionary. Mayfield—Home Missionary. OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND DIS- . TRICTS. Dunedin, (Trinity)—p. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S., t..W. Newbold (s.). South Island Maori Mission—N. Hemi Papakura. Dunedin Central Mission—W. Slade. Dunedin (Dnndas Street)—T. A. Pybns and-H. L. Richards. Dunedin (Cargill Road)—F. T. Read. St. Kilda—A. J. Seamer and a Home Missionary. • Dunedin (Kew>—E. Drake and F. Frost. Mornington—T. W. Vealie. Roslyn-J. T. Pinfold, B.D. Mosgiel-C. Blair. Port Chnlmers-G.'T. Marshall. Waikouaiti and Palmerston—J. Benhing and a Home Missionary. Balclutha—W. Greenslado.' Milton—E. D. Patchett. Irivercargill (Leet Street)—W. Grigg and F. G. Lawrence. Invercargill (Don Street)—G. Henderson, and one,wanted. '-': Invercargill (Biles Hoad)-G. P. Hunt. Bluff-B. Dudlev. F.R.A.S. Gore-M. A. R. Pratt. Otautau—S. Bailey and a Home Missionary (Nightcaps). Edendale—Geo. Clement. Roxburgh-W. H. E. Abbey. • ' Missionary. Cromwell—Home Missionary. ■ Winton—Homo Missionary. Riverton—Home Missionary. Tuatapere—Home Missionary,