Primitive Methodist Conference.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 159, 7 January 1897, Page 2

Primitive Methodist Conference.

Yesterday morning tbe Conference was formally opened at 9.30 by tbe retiring president, Rev James Clover, of Waimatp, and tbe general committee delegate, Rev J. Olphert, of Ashburton. Tbe following delegates answered to their names and were received :—Special Officers— G CD., John Olpbert ; missionery committee, John Coad, loan fund committee, Edward Drake; Sunday school committee, Henry Williams ; station delegates, New Plymouth, W. S. Potter ; Wellington, J. Guy, J. Embury, M. A. Wright ; Auckland 1., CE. Ward, P. J, Hawkins, R. Herbert ; Auckland ! 11., R. Raine, T. Booth ; Invercargill, G. | Hoggatt ; Timaru, J. Sharp ; Thames, F. W. Boys ; Greendale. T. H. Lyon, J. Jebson ; Christchurcb, J. Dawson, E. |W. Hall, N. Dobbs ; Ashburton, H. Robinson, G. Aston ; Feilding, J. Cocker, J. Gould ; Geraldme, W. Harris, A. Sherratt, M. A. Sherratt ; Dunedin, W. Laycock, J, King, J. Graham ; Foxton, S. Barnett; Halcombe, G. Grindley, W. Fergusson ; S. Invercargill, no delegate ; Stratford, J. W. Hayward, J. Clement ; Waimate Oamaru, J. Clover ; WestportDenniston, T. A. Pybus ; Hunterville, J. M. Bourne ; Cheviot, no delegate ; Inale wood, no delegate ; Bluff, no delegate ; Waibi, F. P. Hunt. The following are the Conference officials : —President, Rev T. H, Lyon ; vice president, Mr J. Clements ; secretary, Rev H. Williams ; assistant secretaries, Revs J. Sharp and F. W. Boyds ; reporters, Revs S. Barnett, J. Cocker, and G. Grindley ; letter writers, Rev J. W. Hayward and W. Dobbs; timekeeper, Mr G. Aston ; door keeper, Mr J. Gould ; complaints and appeals committee, Revs Gny, Ward and Mr J. Embury ; committee to receive monies, Rev W. Laycock and Mr J. Embury ; readers, Revs Guy and Dawson ; precenter, Mr J. Hawkins. Hours of session, 9.30 to 12 30 ; 2 to 5 p.m. At 11.30 the ex-president, Rev. James Clover, gave his retiring address, but as he was suffering from hoarseness it was rend for him by Rev. W. S 1 Potter. He said : Mr President, fathers, brethren and sisters. The wheel of time having performed its annual revolution, we are brought, through the loving kindness of God, to meet face to face again in annual conference, and to exchange Christian greetings. The address then proceeded to treat upon events occurring during the year, both of general and special interest to the cause of Christianity. The Ar> menian atrocities, the Turkish question, and ibe Brunner disaster were specially referred to. The result of the local option poll was spoken of as being no cause for dismay, but simply a revelation of the numbers and reserves of the trade. The Bible in schools was briefly touched upon and the action of the Legislative Council in rejecting legislation bearing on public morality was animadverted upon. No deaths nor sickness in the ranks of the regular ministry had occurred, although in the memberehip of the church the usual number of deaths bad eventuated, special reference being made of MesdauiPS Harris and Kerr. Reference was made to the lamented death of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The remainder of the address was occupied with the Methodist Union question, and the allied question of tbe church's policy for the future. It was insisted that in regard to these que* tions the church's decision and attitude must be defined and faithfully adhered to, and aggressiveness must be on wise and well thought out lines. The concluding sentences were expressive of tbe wish that the conference might be a record in all the elements of spiritual goodness and worth. A vote of thanks was tendered to the speaker tor hia address. The conference did not entirely endorse bis views on all points. The address was ordered to be printed. The Rev J. Olpbert, G.C.D., discoursed upon " Power for Service " to a full church last evening. His introduction was a beautiful word-picture of early Christianity, and from it be deduced some straight applications to modern Christianity. In order to make successful Christian works, self-examination, meditation and prayer were essential. At the conclusion of the sermon tbe first draft of stations was read, and this was followed by Holy Communion Service, in which over one hundred participated. FIRST DRAFT OF STATIONS. New Plymouth ; Re?. W. S. Potter. Wellington : Reve. J. Dawson, G. H. Mann, T A Pybus ; supernumeraries : J. W. Dean, J. Dumbell. Auckland, I. : Revs. C. E. Ward and R. Hall. Auckland, II. : Rev. J. Sbarpe. Invercargill : Rev. T. H. Lyon. Bluff : Rev. J. Nixon. Timaru : Rev. P. W. Jones. Thames : Rev. F. W. Boya. Greendale : Rev. J. Clover. Christchurch : Rev. J. Guy. Asbburton : Rev. J. Olphert. Feilding : Rev. J. Cocker. Geraldine : W. Harris, CM. Dunedin : Revs. W. Laycock and E. Drake. Foxton : Rev. J. W. Hayward. Halcombe : Rev. G. Grindley. South Invercargill : R«v. H. Williams. Stratford Eltham : Revs. G.Clement and S. Burnett. Waimate- Oamaru : Rev. R. Raine. Westport-Denniston - Mokinui : Revs. W. C. Woodward, S. Henderson, Merrit. I Hunterville: J. M Bourne, H.M. Inglewood: Rev. W. Woollasa. Waihi : G. P. Hunt, H.M. To -Day's Proceedings. There was a good attendance at the morning service, 8.30 a.m., when Rev. S. Baruett, a fourth year probationer, preached his trial sermon. It was based on John, 1, 11 and 12. The service finished at 9.30, when the Conference resumed its sessions. Tbe morning was occupied with tbe Executive report, and was being considered as we went to press this afternoon. The social question will be discussed at a meeting this evening, tbe questions to be dealt with beiup " Gambling," Rev C. E. Ward ; " The solving of the social question," Rev E. Drake ; " Christian citizenship," Rev T. H. Lyon ; 11 Youthful sins," Rev J. Clover. This meeting will be open to tbe general public _____________