Primitive Methodist Conierence.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 163, 12 January 1897, Page 2

Primitive Methodist Conierence.

U The Conference Committees sat yesterday morning, and the afternoon was devoted to receiving deputations. The first was the representatives of the VVesleyau District Synod consisting of Rev Keall, Messrs Sanson and Cobbe ; Rev Bond telegraphed his regret for not bein j present. Rev Keall referred to his early days among Primitive Methodism. He assured the Conference of a warm regard personally and connexionally. Overlapping was more in appearance than reality and seeming competition was sometimes real co-operation. Whatever else they were, both bodies were Methodists, and happy, cordial, fraternal greetings were necessary to prevent them drifting further apart. He paid a high compliment to the ingenuity, enterprise and daring of the Primitive Methodist Church. It was fashionable to respect doubt and to slight deep convictions. Primitive Methodists were noted for their profound convictions and go-ahead-ness, hence he had pleasure in conveying the greetings of the Wesleyan Church, wishing them all peace and prosperity. Mr Sanson coiaveyed greetings on behalf of the Wesleyan laymen. It was a matter for regret that they existed at all, as a better front could be shown as ono than as two. Division meant a few feeding on good things while others were starving. Wesleyan laymen regarded the Primitive Methodists as democrats, possessing many points Wesleyanism might adopt. Nine-tenths of the Wesleyan laymen would go for such a liberal platform Primitive Methodism possessed. He called attention to the good of fixing conferences in the smaller cities and towns. Mr Cobbe regarded the Conference as representing the intelligence and devoted ness of the most devoted branches of Christendom, and the President's position was a tribute to his personal ability and a compliment to an ex-pastor of this town. Rev W. Laycock responded and said he reciprocated the kindly sentiments expressed. He trusted that heedless overlapping, especially in small settlements would be avoided. As c. church Primitive Methodists operated largely on and found their best friends in the country districts. They should receive credit for sincerity. Possibly union would yet come ; they all desired it on certain lines. When a liberal basis was found, such a one a* that of 1882, when almost to a man they were prepared for union. He saw nothing in the New Testament to condemn their policy, or curtail the lib-erty-given to laymen. They must always guard the church against priestly assumption, and always meet on perfect equality in church matters. During the last five years the Primitive Methodist Church had increased 34 per cent. This was from no doctered reperts, but from the people themselves. They had put themselves down as Primitive Methodists. The policy must be to work kindly and harmoniously, and raise no needless barriers, but as far as was possible, consistent with principle, reducing differences until there was but one grand Methodist Chnrch in New Zealand. Mr T. F. Gibson, Fox ton, also responded on behalf of his lay brethren. He owed a deep debt to Wesleyanism. It had given him his training and his wife. Circumstances had made him a Primitive. The laymen here had indeed great privileges. The President thanked the deputation. As Methodists they were too nearly related to quarrel. His personal relations, and even his wife were Wesleyans, but she thought Primitive Methodism was better. However, that was the best church which turned out the beat Christians and no church had a monopoly of that art. Both bodies possessed robust Christians. True charity, sympathy and prayerfulness must; role them all. In conclusion he playfully reminded the deputation that it had come unconsciously on a real Primitive basis, viz., 1 minister to 2 laymen. Mr Gould referred to his connection with other churches. He got his education in an Episcopalian Sunday School and his wife from the Anglican com* munion. He wished God speed to every denomination, and on behalf of the lay delegates, reciprocated the kind welcome offered. Mr J. Greenwood and Mr W. G. Shearer appeared on behalf of the local Prohibition League. Both spoke hopefully of the situation and complimented the Conference on the earnest and vainable work its people had riven to the temperance cause. Mr T. Booth and Rev. J. Dawson suitably replied. The trade made money at the expense of men, Christianity made men at the expense of money. The Primitive Methodist Church was unfalteringly allied to Prohibition. Next followed a deputation from the Feilding ministers in the persons of Revs Innes Jones and C. C. Harrison. The Rev Mr Jones, welcomed the Conference to Feilding. He referred to the waste of energy through the divisions of Christendom and he enlarged upon re-union and hoped to live to see the day when all Protestants should be one. The Rev Mr Harrison said in early life he was much associated with Primitive Methodism in the north of England. He eulogised the earnestness and deiiniteness of the social subjects. Rev W. S. Potter in response, said he took it as a sign of the times and a promise of Christian union to see the ministers their present. • Sometimes truth was best served by outward division, yet it was significant to see the unity of feeling on the great topics of Christion life. The Conference resumed its business at 4 o'clock. The report of the bookroom wa3 received, showing an income in the year of £126 3s 7£d ; balanco to credit oh year's transactions, £21 2s 9Ad ; total balance to credit, £226 11s 2d. It was decided to hold the next Conference at Dunedin. At six o'clock a large number of people sat down to tea in the Volunteer Half. The Hall was well filled for the public meeting afterwards, when Mr Froggatt, of Invercargill, was in the chair. The speakers wero the Revs. C. Fi. Ward, W*. Harris, J. Olpbert, and J. Clover. The Bubject of the first speaker was somewhat general. He said that strength was a glory when they wpro iv tonclj with the living Christ. Mi: Hams spoko of the Bible and its criticß. Mr Olphert took as his subject ' The Ideal Church,' and Mr Clover gave reminiscenses of his early work on the old Man;iwatu station. Suitable songs and anthems were rendered. The meeting was closed with votes of thanks to those who had helped to make the social a success and the various friends who had entertained the delegates so royally.