METHODIST CHURCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8352, 12 February 1913, Page 10

METHODIST CHURCH

CONFERENCE BUSINESS. STATION SHEET SUBMITTED FOR FIRST READING. Throughout yesterday the Methodist Conference continued its deliberations in Wesley Church, Taranaki street. In the morning the Rev. 11. Bull (expresident) presided, and for the afternoon session the Rev. S. Dawry (president) was in the chair. EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES. In the report of the examining committee, presented by the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, it was recommended that the present board of examiners bo reappointed, with the following alterations: Substitute Rev. A. Ashcroft for Rev. W. J. AV'illiams, in section A for candidates; Rev. J. W. Burton for Rev. J. T. Peufold, F.G.S., in English, Bible, New Testament; Rev. F. \V. Boys for Rev. W. Grigg, Wesley’s sermons; Rev. W. J. Williams, for Rev. W. SI a do, Lindsay’s Early Church; Rev. W. Grigg for Rev. A. Ashcroft, Book of Laws; Rev. W. Blade for Rev. A. C. Lawry, Fisher’s History, second and third years. Various alterations in the regulations regarding examinations were adopted. It was agreed that probationers of Methodist and ex-Primitive Methodist sections of the church follow their respective courses of study as per the 1912 minutes, and that a committee of six be appointed to submit a suitable curriculum to the conference of 1914. A committee was set up to deal with this work. The Rev. Mr Bellhouse was thanked for his work, and reappointed secretary' of the examining committee. SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK. The report of the Sunday school advisory board stated that though nothing had been done during the year in the direction of getting the new scheme of organisation adopted, it was expected that an energetic forward movement could now be undertaken. The new Sunday school schedule enabled the board to get into more direct touch with individual schools. It Was felt by the committee that the 1911 statistics emphasised the urgent need of giving earnest and serious consideration to the matter of membership and junior membership. Out of every five scholars who passed out of the Sunday schools, only one joined the church. If they could reverse the figures, and retain, instead of lose, four out of five, the church membership would be doubled in, ten or fifteen years. According to the returns sent in last year, 326 scholars were received into church membership, but this number was reported by 60 circuits, making an average of six for each circuit, or about one in four of those passing through their schools. According to the returns in 1912 conference minutes, in seventy or more circuits, representing about 10,000 scholars, not one was received into church membership. According to these returns city and town circuits with 330, 944, 536, and 394 scholars, received not one of them into the church membership during the year, while the same remark applies to scores of other ..circuits with from 15 to 243 scholars each, “Are wo going to look these, facts seriously in the face, or simply take it for granted that nothing more can be done? Are we doing nil wo can to atop this tremendous leak?” asked the committee. “We know that most of the ministers are already overburdened, and that the Sunday school teachers and officers are amongst the most devoted band of workers in the church. The question arises whether it would not be better for the minister and Sunday school workers to see whether some less important duties cannot be laid aside for the vitally important one of keeping in touch with the young, and leading them into active service and fellowship with the church.” RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED. The' report of the committee was adopted on the motion of the Rev. F. T. Read. The following recommendations by the committee wero agreed to, among others: That the scheme of organisation of Sunday schools and young people’s departments, recommended by the united committee, he adopted. That the following be appointed members of the hoard: Messrs W. C. Allnutt, W. Paris, R. Bagshaw, A. H. Williams, C. H. Virtue, W. Parker, J. Davidson, W. Kaler, A. Roberts. That to meet its expenses the advisory hoard be granted a sum not exceeding £2O from the contingent fund and that no sums for travelling expenses of members he paid out of the grant for the board's expenses. That the Rev. A. O. Lawry, together with any other _ Sunday school workers who may be visiting the Homeland, he appointed our representatives at the world’s Sunday School Convention at Zurich in July, 1913. That Young People’s Day he observed on the third Sunday in May and that the third Sunday in October bo observed as the universal day of prayer for Sunday schools. That a quarterly Temperance Sunday be observed in all our Sunday schools on the day of the temperance lesson. That all schools devote at least one Sunday per quarter to missions. That the attention of superintendents be drawn to the Sunday school returns for the past year, wherein a number of circuits showing large returns of adult members and scholars in the Sunday schools yet_ have no, returns of junior membership. _ In the opinion of the conference this is far from satisfactory, and we urge all ministers to devote more time to definite Christian work among the young people and children of our churches and, Sunday' schools. That a Dominion convention be held .luring the year, the- time and place lr: be,left to the board. FIRST DRAFT OF STATIONS. On the recommendation of the stationing committee the following was adopted as the first draft of stations. The use of the letter "s” within a rent hoses, thus (s) denotes a supernumerary; Auckland District. Auckland Central.—William Ready, John Olphert, Colin C. Harrison, J. B. Suckling, H. A. Sharpe (Alexander street), Joseph S. Smalley (supernumerary), and James Thomas (s), Auckland West. —A. C. Lawfy, Robert Raine, W. A. Burley (supply), and a home missionary. Avondale.—C. E. Beecroft (Mount Albert), W. A, Watson (Avondale), and a homo missionary. Auckland East.—George Bond, William Hay, ft. B. Hinton (Epsom), H. E. Dewsbury (s), J. Smith (s), and a home missionary.

Training College. J. H. Simmonds /principal). , Homo Mission Fund.—T. G. Brooke (organising secretary). Theological Institution.—C. H, Garland (principal). Auckland Methodist Mission.—Nicholas Turner and J. Wilson. North Shore. —T. TTestrail, a home missionary, J. S. Rishworth (s), J. Blight (s), W. Gittos (s). Birkenhead.—X. G. Carr and J. D. Jory (s). Onehunga.—John Dukes. Otahuhu. —R. V. Tinsley and a home missionary. Franklin.—E. P. Blamires. Mahurangi.—C. A. Bino. Paparoa.—W. H. Speer. Northern Wairoa. —W. S. Bowie and a home missionary. Whangarei.—R. P. Keall and a home missionary. Port Albert.—Home missionary wanted. Northern Maori Mission.—Hapeta Renata (Kaea), Davis Willoox (Waikare), Te Tuhi Hereteni (Whirinaki), Hameroa King! (Mangungu) and Edward Te Tuhi (Rewiti). Under the direction of the organising secretary, T. 6. Brooke, with W. Gittos. Coromandel.—A home missionary. Helensville. —A home missionary. Bay of Islands.—A home missionary. Hokianga.—A homo missionary. Whangaroa.—A homo missionary. Mongonui.—A home missionary. South Auckland District. Thames.—G. W. J. Spence and H. C. Orchard. Upper Thames.—P. R. Paris and T. N. Griffiths (Morrinsville). Waihi.—J. W. Griffon. Paeroa. —R. B. Gosnell. Cambridge.—W. Beckett and a home missionary. Hamilton.—J. Wrigley, J. Clover, and a home missionary. Huutly.—M. J. Evans. Rotorua. —C. B. Jordan. Tauranga.—One wanted. Waikato Maori Mission.—Piripi Hakena (Kopua), Hone M. Hare (Te Kuiti) and one wanted. Te Awamutu. —A home missionary. Waimana. —A home missionary. Te Puke.—A home missionary. Matamata.— Ohura.—A homo missionary. Opotiki.—P. Battey. Te Kuiti. —W. Lea. Taumarunui. —One wanted. Wanganui District. New Plymouth.—J. W. Burton, K. J. Liddle, H. T. Peat, and W. Cannoil (s). Waitara.—J. Sharpe. Inglewood.—C. Griffin. Stratford. —Amos Reader and E. Baudy. Eltham.—H. White. Hawera. —B. O. Blamires. Manaia. —J. B. Beach. Cape Egmont.—W. Wills and a home missionary. East Egmont.—One wanted, and a home missionary. Kaponga.—F. Rands. Wanganui.—J. A. Luxford, B. Metsou, and a home missionary, Aramoho. —W. B. Scott. Rangitikei.—J. J. Mather. Taibape.—J. E. Parsons. Waimarino. —A. A. Bensley. West Coast Maori Mission. —Thomas G. Hammond, R. T. P. Haddon, G. Kirkwood, three home missionaries, and two deaconesses. Grit). —A home missionary. Mokau, —A home missionary. Patea. —A home missionary. Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu District. Napier.—H. L. Blamires and W. Walker. Hastings.—T. J. Wallis. Gisborne. —J. A. Lochore and a' home missionary. Waipawa.—W. G. Maslin. ■ Dannevirka. —J. A. Hoskin. Woodville. —W.. Tinsley. Pahiatua. —One wanted. Palmerston North (Broad street) — F. W. Boys, W. Rowe, and Leslie B. Neale (Ashhurst), Palmerston North (Cuba street). —J. Haslam and T. T. Thomas. Feilding.—A. B. Chappie, M.A., H. Daniel, P. W. Jones (s), and one wanted. Sanson and Rongotea.—G. Frost and home missionary (Rongotea). Foxton. —T. Ooastworth and N. Hyde (Shannon). Kimbolton. —Home missionary. Norse wood. —Home missionary. .Wellington District. Taranaki street.—J. G. Chapman, W. S. Potter, John Dawson (without charge), and a home missionary. Central Mission. —G. Knowles Smith. Thorndon. —G. S. Cooke, P. J. Cossum, and J. Dumbell (s) ; Wellington South. —Josiah Wajd, J. Southern, C. L. Carr, and W. H. Beck (s). Johnsonville. —S. H. D. Perryman and A. O. Harris. Hutt. —B. H. Ginger and S. J. Garlick (s). Petone: —J. J. Lewis and W. Kirk (s). South Wairarapa.—A. Hopper. Cartei-ton. —C. H. Standage. Masterton. —S. J. Serpell and a home missionary. Eketahuna. —A. Mcßean. Levin-Otaki. —H. Cattom and T. G. Carr. , Nelson District. Nelson. —W. Baumber. Richmond. —Clarence Eaton and a home missionary. Blenheim. —T. R. Richards, W. J. Oxbrow, and a hlome missionary (Picton). Hokitika —0. Roberta. Greyxnouth—A. Ashcroft. Motueka—J. D. McArthur. Reefton—R. Wilson.' Westport—E. T. Cox. Denniston —R. Richards and a home missionary. 'Awatere —A home missionary. Murchison —A homo missionary. Runanga—A home missionary. North Canterbury District. Christchurch (Durham street) —O. H. Laws, 8.A., H. Bulla (s), D. McNiooil (s), and T. Fee (s). Connexions! secretary and authorised representative— S. Lawry. , . Christchurch Central Mission—J. Cocker. _ Christchurch East—W. A. Sinclair, S. H. Olds, A. H. Scrivin, W. C. Oliver (s), R. Taylor (s), and J. N. Buttle (s). Christchurch (Cambridge terrace)—G. H. Mann, and C. E. Ward (s). Woolston —C. H. Laycock and W. Lee (s). Sydenham—A. N. Scotter, B.A. Addington—S. Griffith, and a home missionary. _ St. Albans —H. E. Bellhouse, and L. B. Neale. Papanui—A. Peters. Lyttelton—B. F. Rothwell. Springston—C. H. Penney. Tai Tapu—H. Ranston. Leeston—T. A. Joughin. Kaiapoi—A. Mitchell. Ohoka—J. F. Martin. Rangiora—J. B. Clarke, and D. J. Murray. • . Groendale and _ Malvern—J. Hams, and a home missionary. Amberlev—A. F. Burchell. Oxford—A homo missionary.

South Canterbury. Tiraaru (Bank street)—L. Hudson and A. Allen. Timaru (Woodland street)—J. Teatherston. Waimate—G. F. Stockwell. and a home missionary. Temuka (Main street,—C. Abernethy. Temuka (Denmark street)—A. Harding. Geraldine—J. Guy. Ashburton—W. J. Elliott, and T. R. B. Woolloxall. Willoughby—B. J. James, Oarnaru—-W. J. Williams, Methven—Home missionary. Mayfield—Home missionary. Otago and Southland Districts. Dunedin (Trinity)—P. W. Fairclough, F.R.A.S., T. W Newbold (s). _ South Island Maori Mission—N. Hemi Papakakura. Dunedin Central Mission—W. Slade. Dunedin (Dundas street) —T. A. Pybus, and H. L. Richards. Dunedin (Cargill road) —F. T. Read. St. Kilda—A. J. Seamer. and a home missionary. Dunedin (Kew) —E. Drake, and F. Frost. Mornington—T. W. Veaha. Roslyn—J. F. Pinfold, B.D. Mosgiel—C. Blair. Port Chalmers—Q. T. Marshall. Waikouaiti and Palmerston—J. Penning and a homo missionary. Balolutha—W. Greenslade. Milton—E. D. Patchett. Invercargill (Leet street)—W. Grigg, and F. G. Lawrence.' Invercargill (Don street) —G. Henderson, and ono wanted. Invercargill (Elies road) —G. P. Hunt. Bluff—B. Dudley, F.R.A.S. Gore—M. A. R. Pratt. Otautau—S. Bailey, and a home missionary (Nightcaps). Edendale—Geo. Clement. Roxburgh—W. H. E. Abbey. Lawrence—Home missionary. Cromwell—Home missionary. Winton—Home missionary. Riverton—Home missionary. Tuatapere—Home missionary. TRAINING DEACONESSES., The conference continued its work in the evening, when the first business taken was the report on the training of deaconesses. This showed that the work of the institution had been steadily maintained during the year; that the students had been industrious in their studies and successful in their examinations. The Rev. A. C. Lawry was appointed representative to the British Conference and to the missionary centenary celebrations. Air Watkins was appointed lay delegate. CITY MISSIONS. In connection with the reports upon city mission work, a committee of management was set up to control the Auckland mission. On the recommendation of the Canterbury Synod, it was agreed to establish a central mission in Christchurch, and to appoint a married minister. Gratification was expressed at news of the completion of a new mission hall in Dunedin, and the Rev. \V. Slade, was heartily thanked for his valuable services in this connection. CHURCH PROPERTY. The connexional secretary, the Xiev. S. Lawry, presented the report on church property for 1912. A summary of the current trust accounts showed that the receipts totalled £38,385 17s 6d and the expenditure £39,904 13s 9d. The debt to the loan fund was £9151 9s, and on other securities £63,730 12s lOd. The amount insured was £252,134 Bs. During the year sixteen freehold sites were acquired, ten new churches were built, five new Sunday schools were put up, three new parsonages and three new vestries were built.' Four donations of land and one of-an organ had been received. DISTRICT SECRETARIES. District secretaries were appointed as follow; Auckland, Air W. D. Buttle ; South Auckland, Air F. C. Daniell; Taranaki-Wanganui, Mr L. Bassett; Hawke’s Bay-Alanawatu, Mr T. R. Hodder; Wellington, Mr J. R. Kauderson; Nelson, Mr J. Boon; Canterbury, Mr C. E. Salter; South Canterbury, Mr C. Howard; Otago, Air E. Rosevear; Southland, Mr A. S. Froggatt. THE LOAN FUND. The report on the church building and loan fund was submitted by the Rev-. S. Lawry. It showed that loans amounting to £2145 had been issued during the year. Final payments bad been received from fifteen circuits. The fund sustained its first actual loss during the year through a solicitor absconding with the proceeds of sale of a section at Urenui. In explanation of the report,. the Rev. S. Lawry said that very serious attention should be given to the position of certain loans. Some of them had been current for ten or fifteen years, without a single penny having been repaid. On the motion of Mr J. A. Flesher, the loan funds committee was requested to consider the advisability of taking legal steps to enforce repayment in certain cases. The report of the authorised representative showed that during the year twelve new trusts had been registered and that a large number of existing trusts had been revised. There was still a large amount of work to be done before all the trusts were in a satisfactory condition. The Rev. S. Lawry was reappointed authorised representative for the coming year. CONNEXIONAL FIRE INSURANCE. Reporting upon the operations of the fire insurance fund the old Methodist committee stated that the business continued to increase. The total risks covered by the fund amounted to £174,860. Of this reinsurances had been effected amounting to £62,177 11s, leaving the net risk of the fund at £112,682 9s. The total insurances on connexional properties amounted to £252,134 Bs. The capital of the fund amounted to £4477 los. Of this, £3*so was invested on mortgage, £650 was deposited at 4 per cent., and the balance was in the- current account at the bank. During 1552 the connexion was absolutely free from loss by tire. The report on the old Primitive Methodist fund was published last All the reports submitted during the year were adopted. The conference rose at 10 p.m. nntil 9.45 this morning.