METHODISTS

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

METHODISTS

MESSAGES FROM AUSTRALASIAN CONFERENCE. The Methodist Conference assembled in Wesley Church, Taranaki street, last evening. The retiring president, the Rev. W. Ready (Auckland) was in the chair. With him on the platform were Dr. H. Youngman, president of the General Conference of' the Methodist Church of Australasia, and Dr. W.

Morley, another representative of the General Conference. RETIRING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS In addressing the conference, the retiring president said that the Methodist Church appreciated greatly the generous and hearty manner in which it had been set free from the Australian Church and invested inth legislative as well as administrative power. The union of the two branches of the church in New Zealand had been brought about not by force, but by both churches manifesting the true spirit of Christ. Both had a past ot which they might well be proud, and now their union was about to take place. It would, he trusted, mean a new church with the best elements of both sections welded into one close organisation. He hoped also that it would mean they would got far away from contention, controversy, and competition, and that they would live for the future in the zone of brotherly love. Ho urged that though the sit© of the new theological college building was not yet fixed, and could not bo fixed until the site of the new university at Auckland was determined, people should not relax their efforts jr lessen their sacrifices for the good object of building u suitable college. He was glad to be able to announce that the orphanage committee had some definite proposals. Methodism was not dead yet, and it never would be dead as long as it was evangelical in , spirit, as long as it was aggressive, and as long as its people showed such a fine spirit of liberality. Commenting upon the recent renewal of controversy on the Biblo-inTSchoois question, lie said that the ranks or those opposed to tho introduction ot the Bible into the schools were a strange conglomeration • of interests. Tho Church did not want the fight to become one between Roman Catholics and Protestants, but she was determined to oppose any interference with the national system of education or State aid to any particular denomination. The relations of the Church and Labour had to be most carefully considered. Labour must be brought to recognise that social injustice or ■wrong could never be settled by violence, it must i-ather be settled by applied Christianity, The spiritual problems were not to be settled by social methods, social wrongs could be solved by spiritual pov er living and voting. He deprecated the increasing practice of church members to criticise and _belittle what the Church was doing. The Church, he was sure, had not failed in her mission, but had done real good. She still, led the van of progress. He was not in the least afraid of the outlook of the Methodist Church, for she was a living and growing force. The Church could not afford to stand still; if shei did not get on she must, get off. It was their duty to make aggressiveness the first feature of the new constitution. (Applause). NEW PRESIDENT ELECTED. On a ballot the Rev. S. Lawry (connexional secretary, Christchurch) was elected president -by an overwhelming majority. _ _ Having been installed in the chair, the new president acknowledged the honour done him by the conference. His elevation to the position of president was due no doubt to the fact that ho had been called upon to take some part in the movement for independence. They had not all been unanimous on that question all tho time, but his position in tho chairj was an evidence at

least that if they had not always agreed with him. they had respected his motives. GRATIFICATION AT SECURING INDEPENDOENCE. The convener of the legal committee, Mr j. A. Flesher, submitted a formal report upon the steps taken to secure the constitution of the New Zealand conference as an independent conference. He also moved: “That this conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand desires to express , its gratification at the successful terniination of the efforts put forth during a great number ot years to secure independent legislative powers for the Methodist Church in the Dominion of New Zealand. It appreciates the manner in which matters connected therewith have been facilitated by the General Conference and annual conferences of the Methodist Church of Australasia, whilst feeling the great responsibility cast upon the church in consequence thereof, this conference confidently believes that increased public influence and spiritual power, greater glory of God and more rapid advancement of Christ’s Kingdom in this Dominion will result therefrom. It believes the movement has been of God, and would record its devout thankfulness to the Almighty for the measure of success He has been pleased to give.” The Rev. W. J. Williams seconded the motion, which' was carried. The Rev. C. H. Laws was elected secretary of the conference. GOODWILL FROM AUSTRALIA. Dr Younzman addressed the conference and conveyed to it the earnest prayerful goodwill of the Australasian General Conference in the step now about to be taken. The General Conference trusted that it would prove to be a movement divinely guided. But though the church in New Zealand was parting from the Australasian Church, the latter still hoped to have w;r* kindly ‘fraternal relations ithe one with the other. Whatever they could do to help New Zealand would be very freely and gladly done. Dr Morlev also conveyed the cordial feelings of the Australasian Conference, and said that New Zealand had been given her independence without fea» or misgiving of any kind. The conference will proceed with its business this morning. ■