PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8347, 6 February 1913, Page 10

PRIMITIVE METHODISTS

.FINAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED. The Primitive Methodist Conference met in the Webb street Cliuch in the rooming and sat throughout the day. At the opening the chair was occupied by tho Kev. C. Knowles Smith, tho retiring president. A resolution was carried expressing sincere sympathy with Mr D. Goldie, of Auckland, general committee secretary, in the bereavement ho had suffered by the death of his youngest son. OFFICERS ELECTED. The Hon. C. M. Luke, M.L.C., was elected president of tho conferenco without opposition. It was remarked by his proposers that it was peculiarly fitting that he, a layman, should preside over the last conference of the Primitive Methodist Church in New Zealand, particularly as it was generally understood that later he would be elected a vice-president of the new United Church. In installing tho new president, tho Rev. Knowles Smith said that there was no brother in the church to whom he could hand over the office once again with groater joy. Mr Luke's election on this historic occasion was -«r happy augury of what was to follow—his appointment to the highest office that the United Church could give to a, layman, that of vice-president. Addressing the conference, the, new president said that he had taken part in the union movement because he had believed that tho conditions in _Ncw Zealand did not warrant a continuation of the separation of two branches of the Christian Church, the differences between which were really so very ■mall. He would far rather that someone else had been~ elected to tho presidential position, but ho accepted the honour, not so much,as one.done only to him, but to the great democratic principle which permitted a layman to occupy the highest offico in the-gift of the church. With tho help of the conference he trusted to be able to. discharge the duties devolving upon him with credit to the conference ' and to the church. (Anplause.) The Rev. C. E.. Ward (Wellington) was elected vice-president of the conference on the motion of the Rev. J. Cocker, who said that it was only in accordance with the' fitness of things that the son of the church's first missionary in New Zealand should occupy the position for the last time. Otbcr officers elected for the confer-,-:ico included tho following: Secre-V-irv. Mr T. Moor (Auckland); assisting secretaries, the Revs. J. Feather-

ston (Timaru), T. B. Woolloxall (Ashburton), and R. J. Liddell (New Plymouth): letter-writers, tho Revs. R. Rainey (Auckland), and B. Dudley (Bluff). EX-PRESIDENT’S BRIEF ADDRESS The ex-president, the Rev. G. Knowles Smith, briefly addressed tho conference and thanked it for the honour and pleasure of the last year’s work. It would always bo a joy to him to have • occupied tho presidential position during the twelve months prior to their entry into the great Methodist Church of New Zealand. (Hear, hear). Mr W. Kill, the retiring vice-presi-dent. also addressed the conference briefly. The usual sessional committees were appointed. THE HISTORICAL RECORDS. The Rev. Knowles Smith moved: “That we cordially express hearty approval of tho proposal to amend the historical record of the ministry of the United Church by crediting every brother with the full number of his years of service in either branch, and request the G.C.D. to receive any such alterations; such added years shall, however, bear no financial implication.” Tho motion was carried. REPORTS FROM VARIOUS COMMITTEES. It was reported by the G.C.D. that the membership of the Church now totalled 3336. The figures for the respective districts were : Taranaki, 378 ; Wellington, 697; Auckland, 660; Otago, 8; Southland, 887; Canterbury, 734. At Inglewood the congregation had practically coalesced with the Methodists and at Waihi a number of members had been lost owing to the industrial troubles. In the report of the youth of the Church committee, it was stated that the total membership had decreased in one or two directions, but increased in others, notably the Christian Endeavour Department. Under ordinary circumstances the individual figures would have been most disappointing, but the transition period through which they had been passing must be largely responsible for the smaller returns. Despite the additipnal inducements held out, tho number of candidates for the scholars’ examination had fallen away a little. There were now 97 Sunday schools, with a staff of 668 teachers and a roll of 6170 scholars. There were 33 junior and 36 senior Christian endeavour societies, with 764 active junior, members and 724 active senior members. ■ The building committee reported that tho church property now consisted of 80 churches, 81 other preaching places, and 46 houses, of a total value of £80,346, with a debt of £21,890 11s. It was stated in the report of the fire insurance committee that during the past year it had suffered the largest loss ever experienced by the destruction of the Foxton church. But for this fire the profits for the year would have been a record (£221). The actual profits were £l2l. Tho value of the assets of the fund, all interest-earning, was £2275, as against £2153 last year. The amount of premiums and interest outstanding was small. The publishing committee reported that the income was £332 18s, and that a profit of about £ls had been made during the year. On the recommendation of the Auckland Synod £lO of this was voted to tho editor, tho

Rev. J. Cocker, in payment of expenses incurred by him in connection with the church magazine. The report on the superannuated ministers’, widows’, and orphans’ fund showed that the increase during the year was £553, and that the excess of assets over liabilities was £5420. Greater progress had been made than in any previous year. It was reported that the income of the home mission fund had been £763 X4s 6d, and that the income of the unified fund was £795 13s sd. The jubilee loan_ fund was reported as standing at £1532 7s. RECOMMENDED FOR ORDINATION. The examining committee recommeued, and it was agreed, that the followiim students be passed in their respective years : —Fourth year—Harry Cottom, 524 marks; Joseph B. Suckling, 529 marks; Edward Bandy, 031 marks. Third year—Archer Hams. 433 marks; Harold Sharp, 512 marks. Second year , Frederick Frost, 513 marks; James Charteris, 419 marks. The three students who passed in their fourth year were recommended for ordination, SPECIAL CASES FOR STATIONING. The stationing committee recommended that the following cases of invitations to ministers be deemed .special cases and referred as such to the stationing commitee to bo set up by the united conference: Wellington District.—Wellington 1., Rev. J. Cossum. fourth year. Wellington 11., Rev. W. S. Potter, fifth year. Feilding, Rev. J. Sharp, fourth year. Auckland District.—Auckland 11., Rev. R. Kaine, fifth year. Canterbury District. Geraldine, Rev. G. H. Mann, ninth year. Otago and Southland District.—Dunedin 11., Rev. E. Drake, fourth year. It was stated that the recommendation was necessary to prevent any difficulties being put later in tho way of : acceding to the wishes of the cougrega- | tions concerned. THE ENGLISH CONFERENCE. I The Rev. G. H. Mann, delegate to i the recent English conference, reported upon the proceedings at which he was present. He said that he had, fortuI nately, been able to remove quite a i number of serious misunderstandings in [ respect to the work of the church here. Indeed, he was satisfied that if what he had been able to do had been done many years ago it would have prevented a great deal of trouble and misconception. Ho was particularly struck by the enormous leakage in church membership which occurred on tho journey between England and New Zealand, and was certain it would never be stopped until some statesmanlike plan for dealing with it were involved. A motion was carried specially thanking Mr Mann for his report and for his very valuable services at the English conference.