METHODIST CHURCH.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16486, 27 February 1914, Page 9

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE DUNEDIN CONFERENCE [From Our Correspondent.] DUNEDIN, February 26.

The Methodist Conference opened in Trinity Church this evening. There was a crowded congregation and about two hundred delegates were, present. The Rev S. Lawry, in his retiring address, stated that the result of the Union of Churches had been generally satisfactory. An Act of Parliament necessary to place properties in a proper legal condition had been passed. He affirmed that the increases in membership were largely due to the winning of children, though the outsider must not be forgotten. Church union was an ideal to be devoutly cherished, but the practicable was more important. So far union had become a fact amongst those' akin, in doctrine and order, , but no church should approach another when it closed its own pulpits and regarded the other ministry as an inferior order. He exhorted all to close up their ranks in relation to the Bible in Schools question and work for that which could be gained. With regard to social unrest, he said ? the causes were not local nor occasional. A deep religious influence was at work, and the Fatherhood of God was recognised in novels, magazine articles and newspapers. The duty of the church was not to take either side but to declare the brotherhood of man, and to bring all classes into right relations to each other. The Competition system was doomed. Social environment must harmonise with the moral requirements of the New Testament. On temperance, gambling and other social evils Methodism was solid. Public opinion must be instructed till ■ it . became enlightened public conscience. The greatest need of the church was a revival of spiritual religion. The Rov S. Serpell was elected president, . and Mr E. Roscvear vicepresident. The Rev C. H. Laws was appointed secretary of' the Conference, other secretaries were appointd as fqllows:— Assistant secretaries, Revs Sinclair and Drake; minute secretaries, Rev A. B. Chappell and Mr F. Penn; journal secretaries, Rev F. ’J’. Read and P. J. Cossum; corresponding secretary, Rev A. Ashcroft. The Rev T. A. Joughin was appointed precentor. The retiring president vacated the chair, which was taken by the Rev S. J. Serpell. He said he felt very keenly the position they had placed him in. That ho had won the esteem of members of the conference was proved by their vote. He would do ■ his best to guard the trust reposed in him. Whatever of body, brain and heart ho had would, be given to the church.

Standing Committees will be elected to-morrow morning and the conference will then adjourn until Saturday to enable the various committees to discuss the work to bo done.