METHODIST CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1928, Page 1

METHODIST CONFERENCE

INDUCTION OF PRESIDENT. omusTCiirpoH. Feb. 17. The opening session oi the annual conference of Die Methodist Church oi Now Zealand was held in the Durham Street Church last evening. There was a crowded attendance and the singing was led hy the comhined choirs. The principal business was the induction ot the new president, the Rev. M. Elliott, who afterwards delivered his inaugural address. In introducing Mr Elliott to the re. tiring president, the Rev Dr H. Houston. the Rev IT. K. Bellhousc- said that NTr Elliott was one of the low native horn New Zealanders who had risen to the office of president. He had. during his thirty-five years as a minister, shown himself possessed of scientific, journalistic and litctai> ability, and was also a theological thinker. Mr Elliott would he a worthy president during the present times of unrest and difficulty for the Church. Dr Ranston welcomed Mr Elliott to the office of president and handed him the signs of the office, a Bible and an album containing the photographs of former presidents. APPRECIATION OF honour. Mr Elliott expressed his thanks for the high honour that the Church had conferred on him in electing him as its president. He congratulated Dr Ranston on the splendid service he had rendered to the Church during his term of office. Tt was thirty-five years since the speaker had entered the ministry of the Church. Thirty-eight years ago lie preached his trial sermon as a candidate for the ministry in the Durham Street schoolroom, at 7 o’clock in the morning, and at that early hour there were forty ministers and' forty lay brethren present. The memory of that ordeal had stood him in good stead ever since. He esteemed more highly than words could possibly express the great ■honour that the conference had conferred upon hirm

Tlio Rev .A. X. Scotter was inducted by the president as secretary of i]ie con fereiice. in responding to the president's welcome Mr Scotter said they were entering upon a conference that was going to bo a unique and outstanding conference in the history of the Church. The president then delivered his address. ■ELECTION' OF VICE-PR ESTDEXT. The nominations of Messrs AV. Shackelford (Auckland) and T. P. Hughson (Opiumke) were received for the office of vice-president for 1928. A ballot was held and Mr Shackelford was elected. Mr Shackelford was welcomed by the president, and the retiring vicepresident. Mr J. A. Flesher. Mr Fleslier said that one of the greatest joys of bis life had been in his service to the Methodist CEurc-h. He wished Mr Shackelford every success in his year of office. He handed his successor nil allium of photographs of past vice-presidents. Mr Shackelford said that lie had firit. attended - the Durham Street.

C iiureh in IPSO. On more tlmn one ievasion he iuul walked to the church from Lyttelton. He was proud of being a Methodist and of being able to serve the Church. KLECHOX OF PHKSJDKXT. Tht Hov .J. F. Goldie, a missionary at the Solomon Islands, and chairman of the Solomon Islands District Synod, was elected president for 1929. securing an absolute majority of votes. The conference adjourned at 9.4 d p.m.