METHODIST CHURCH

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3011, 23 February 1917, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH

FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The fifth annual conference of the Methodist Church in New Zealand was opened l in the Wesley Church last evening under the presidency of the Kev. •A. C. Lawry. The church was well filled by delegates ■ and church members. .. '

The Rev. A. C. Lawry, the retiring President, in his address, thanked those associated with him in the administration of the affairs of the Church. "This has been a year when a considered , policy deliberately followed has been' impossible," he said. "As with the Empire, so it has been with the Church. The way through 1916 has been a steep and winding path, 1 often darkly shadowed. On the third successive Christmas the thunder of the titanic war has alirost drowned the angels' song, and the foul reek .of battle dimmed the shining Star of Bethlehem. But the song persists. The earth shall yet be full of its music. And the Star has not set. It will shine till it pales in the splendour of that day when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war-any. more." "Methodists," continued the Rev. A. C. Lawry, "had a painful but proud interest in the war. So many of their sons and brothers and kindred hadl left ,them. Prom the Methodist congregations more than, 6200 men, young and ■mostly single, had gone to fight for King and country. This was the total when less than 10,000 of the First Division had been enrolled." There were not many of their hoys left for the ballot. Continuing, the 'speaker said that the total attendance ' at public worship was less than it was, but they did not wonder at this, for it was difficult to-fill up the places of 6200 enlisted men. The Church had gained 182 members. There was an addition of eleven to the number of Sunday schools, but as in the Old World, the attendance at Sunday schools was not satisfactory. The speaker referred appreciatively to the work' done at the front by the chaplains and others, and made special mention of the noble activity of the Y.M.O.A'. The speaker also referred to the liquor question. In six weeks, he said, two million signatures had been obtained in England to a petition against Strong drink, while the British Wesleyan Conference had passed a resolution in favour of Prohibition. In the ght againet the liquor traffic the battle was turning in their favour. In the straggle against impurity they couldl not speak so confidently. The need for an active and considered campaign against this foe was bemg more emphasised each day. The speaker was glad to observe that this much-avoided subject was now being dealt with in a restrained and decorous but wise way by the leading daily papers. The Defence Department was also doing good work in this respect. Election of Officers. Tho following were elected officers for the ensuing yoar: —President, the Rev. W. A. Sinclair (Christchurcb); vicepresident, Mr. J. Vealo; secretary, Rev. E. Drake. ' . The President-elect was then inducted to the chair and! presented with the insignia of office He then delivered a short address, and tho meeting closed. Fox .Ciioflig _.,Qiest ;j£o.mp]ajnis,...