ORDINATION SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 137, 5 March 1919, Page 6

ORDINATION SERVICE

SOLDIER CANDIDATES FOR METHODIST MINISTRY. By Telcßraph—Press Association. Christchurch, March I. There was quite nn unusual feature about the- ordination of &ix candidates for the Methodist ministry at the Durham Street Church to-night, inasmuch as fon,r of them have been on active service, one of them king still in khaki with' his arm in ii sling- Tho candidates were Oswald Burnett (Mosgiel), Percy J. Cooke (Birkenliead), Francis T. Harris (Gore), K. Thomas Olds (Cliristchurch), A. J. l<. Minifie (AVaimarino), ami William G. Slade (Invercargill). The firstnainr<l four were returned soldiers. The ordination was conducted by the president of the conference (the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse), assisted by the Revs. T. A. Joughin, S. E. Lawry, and W. A. Hay. The candidates gave their testimony of faith, those who had been on aclive service stating that when they asked for light it had never failed then). The Hew Mr. .Toughin m his charge said the candidates would exercise their ministry at a timo when religious unrest was never more acute. The encouraging feature about it. was that it was discontent with the micliristianlike aspect of modern life and thought. It was unreality and insincerity that nauseated. They must givii those' things no quarter.- The problem of industrial unrest must !>o grappled with if their ministry was (o be really effective. In the name of the conference and of the Methodist people he welcomed them into the :nature<l rank of Hie ministry.