METHODIST CHURCH.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1674, 14 February 1913, Page 6

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE CONFERENCE.

The conference of tho Methodist Churt.h of Now Zealand continued its sitting yesterday, the Hon. C. M. Luko, M.L.C., presiding. THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. The Rev. Mr. Drake presented the report of the Theological Institution Committee. The report stated that week by week, in company with tho principal, the students attend/ an evening service to hear ono of their number jjreach, and on tho following morning a criticism class is held, in which all take part in dealing with the preacher's sermon and conduct of tho service. The students aro busy on the Sunday in tho Auckland mid adjacent circuits, and aro well received by the congregations. Tho nine students in residence have taken more than 300 cervices

during tho last 6ix months (May to October)'. "I am of the opinion," said Mr. Drake, "that it is not to tho advantage of students to preach so frequently, and that the number of appointments next year should bo reduced."

The Rev.. C. H. Garland (principal) and Mrs Garland wero thanked by the conference for their services, and Mr. Garland was reappointed. Tho conferenco decided that students be not required to preach more than 13 times in any quarter. RECOMMENDATIONS. Tho following recommendations were dealt with:— Auckland Synod.—"That conference be recommended to set up a "committee to consider tho whole question of establishing a connexional removal expenses fund." —Not enrried. Wanganui Synod.—"That tho present basis of. levying connexional charges is most inequitable, and that such charges be based upon tho number of members on the roll of each circuit, instead of upon the stipend paid, and that in all cases where tho membership cxceeds. (say) 150, a graduated increase of levy be made."— Not carried. Wellington Synod—"That in- all matters, of importance involving reports being presented to Synods, this Synod recommends conference to direct that printed copies bo sent to members of the Synod, thus enabling them to become' familiar with the • details sufficiently to deal .'intelligently with them."—Not carried. ■ Canterbury 'Synod.—"That conference be recommended to act on tho provisions of par. 113, Book of Laws, and appoint a financial • secretary for each district,, so as to relieve the chairman of this part of the . exacting duties of his office."— Carried. ILLUSTRATED SOUVENIR. It, was decided that the United Conference arrange for a Souvenir - of tho Union; in the form of an illustrated booklet, prepared and published by a committee to bo appointed. Tho Revs. J. Guy and J. W. Burton were appointed editors. ' • CHILDREN'S FUND. 'A report giving particulars of a revision of the rules and regulations of .the children's fund was submitted by the' Rev. Mr. Ginger., The conference adopted the rules, and Mr. Gingor was'thanked for his services, and was reappointed treasurer. The Hon. C. M. Luko was appointed joint treasurer. CONNEXIONAL LITERATURE. ■ Tho recommendations of tho Union Committee' to tho Conference respecting connexional literature were discussed at some length. It lVas decided that the present papers be amalgamated and that tho new. paper bo called "The New Zealand Methodist Times," and be published fortnightly. Tho two present paper? are respectively the official organs of the Methodist pd Primitive Methodist Churches of New Zealand. Inquiries nro to'be made as to the possibility of the new paoer being a weekly publication. REPRESENTATIVES ON SYNOD 3. The following representatives from the Sunday schools, on the Synods, wero nom-inator-Auckland, Mr. T. E. Price; South Auckland, .Mr. J. H. Longe; TaranakijVanganm , Mr. 11. V. ,S. Griffiths; Haw.kes Bay-Manawatu, Mr. E.'H. Billons; Wellington, Mr. T. Sims; Nelson, Mr. G. M. Spencci Canterbury, Mr. 11. Chapman; South Canterbury, Mr C P r ,xo "> °tnso, Mr. A. H. Reid; Southland,' ■air. \Y. Dickson.

MISSION COMMITTEES. The Wellington Central Mission Committce for 1913-14, was elected ns follows' Messrs. J Lomas, W., E. Howe, A. E Moss, ,T. W. Carr, ,W. Moxham, W. C. ■£ ur ?' ' C -®- Macintosh,' E. Tonks, R. 13. fitted Eaine > E - K ««». «. Kershaw, Rothenck, E. Dawson, S G Hoare, C. A. Piper, the: Hon. C. M. Luke, and the local officers of the misMILITARY MATTERS. i The following motions, dealing with military matters submitted to tho conferadopted':— Committce were unanimously Tho committee begs to report that it considered several matters affecting the interests of the church and the status of ten 1 ?*" an<l "WoinW « sub-commit--oio wut »pon General Godlev 3 , en** same. The General met the sub-com.' ™ tK S ZtiT Tteous ' y , md as a resu it -its **& t"i »' nominate chaplains for the forces D ' operating with the Y.M.C.A. w h a vW n°, iOT - P/ ovision fOT the social "n ™mp"' SpmtUal Eecds of troops

WESLEY TRAINING COLLEGE ™i miual rflpor , t °? tha Lesley Training C6llege was submitted to tho conferT?'«r t" V tt c .P r:ilcl l la J of the college (the ti,„ Slm ! no ' uls ,). The report stated that the rear just closed (1912) has been ono of the best in the history of the rollege. It has been a year of successful work for all concerned. In the'ordinary school work the scholars and students have shown stead/ progress .throughout the .year. The numerous industrial duties required of all scholars and students at tho college hove been carried out cheer-' fully and intelligently. The life at the Ihreo Kings gives the scholars weight stamina, and self-control; and in the field of athletic effort, as well as in the more serious realm of industry, these qualities' help them to success.

then deals at somo length with the Trust Estate, and the negotiations regarding, the proposed new college. A block of some GOO acres, about 2G to 27 miles from Auckland, adjacent to the main South Railway,' has been purchased by three members of the board oft management, who are holding it under offer for the purposes of tho collego. The total cost will be between ,£12,000 to .£13,000.

■ NEW THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE. The committeo on the founding of a Tiew Theological College stated that they had nothing of a satisfactory nature to report. Tho committee met last year, and passed a motion to tho effect that it was necessary for the Theological College to be as near as possible to the University College at Auckland, and as the site of Jho Univorsity is not definitely fixed they consider it expedient to delay building. Since then, though there has been much controversy in the public press, no further light has been thrown on the problem of tho University site, and the committee can do nothing moro than 1. wait. Meanwhile tho purchase of the site at Epsom, to which the committeo was ipledged before tho last conference, lias been completed. Tho cost was .£SOOO, and of this .£3OOO is left on mortgage. Tho property is bringing in an incomo of .£75, but tho interest and rates aro « little more than doublo that amount. This liability will ceaso as subscriptions already promised aro paid in. Tho contingency of a possible chango of silo need not occasion subscribers any anxiety concerning tho Epsom section, for the'committee anticipates that the sale of it would involve no financial loss. • CONTINGENT FUND. The statement of receipts nnd payments in connection with tho Contingent Fund was unanimously adopted. Tho conference decided that tho levy for the year bo "J per ceiit., the samo a's last year. Tho l?-3v. P. W. Fairclough and Mr. Ernest Kosevear were thanked for their services, and reappointed. OTIIEII .BUSINESS. The conference decidcd to present a special tlckct to all church members and to junior members,-13 years of one and

upwards, to commemorato the consummation of the union.

It wns resolved that the following appropriations for tlio collego expenses for 1913 be made:—Probert Trust, XGOO;.Contingent Fund, ,£430 j Home Mission, .£150; Prince Albert Collego Trust, =£150; Emsly Trust, «C9O; and JOI2O from tho Primitive Methodist Education Fund.

Tlio conferenco then discussed the oompulsory military training' question and the Biblc-in-schools question, as reported elsewhere in this issue.

Referring to our report of yesterday's proceedings, and especially to the paragraph' referring to the Education Trust Board, the phrase, "the matter of tho administration of the tinst," does not, it is pointed out, clearly explain tho matter. There cannot be any question, it is explained, of varianco between the conference and the board ro administration, for its affairs aro conducted under the provisions of a Supremo Court decree, which is adhered to in tho closest degree possibe. The conferenco could not possibly find any fault with the administration, which the paragraph must lead 601110 people to imagino, was the ease. "There is no question as between tho conferenco and the trust board in regard to administration, but merely in regard to tho relationship which should exist between tho two.