HOW DOES IT FARE?

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8355, 15 February 1913, Page 13

HOW DOES IT FARE?

CAUSES FOR WEAKENING OF SPIRITUAL LIFE. Tho Methodist Conference continued its deliberations at Wesley Church, Taranaki street, throughout yesterday. The president, tho Rev. S. Lawry. was in the chair. Permission was granted tho Hon. C. M. Luke to withdraw from the position of joint treasurer to the _ children s fund, to which he was appointed the previous day. The former joint treasurer, Mr E. Kellow, was elected in Ins place. “WELFARE OF THE CHURCH.” A report upon tho welfare of the church was presented by the committee set up at the previous conference. It dealt only with the membership of tiio former Methodist Church. The renort showed that there had been an increase of 539 in church members and 119 in junior members. There had been a decrease of 3608 in tho number of adherents, which now stood at 67,699, tne lowest since tho year 1901. If the return were reliable this required attention, while if the return could not bo relied upon it should not further .bo published. The membership in the various districts was given as follows: Auckland, 4312; Wanganui, 2571; Wellington, 3103; Nelson, 1320; Canterbury, 4034; Otago, 2361; Maori members, 2052; total, 19,753. (The membership of tho old Primitive Methodist Church was 3291. making a present tototal membership of 23,044). Tho Sunday school returns showed a decrease of eight schools and of 44 scholars. The increases in tho number of scholars becoming junior and senior members and m the membership of both young men’s and young women’s Bible classes were gratifying. During the year the facts of the last census were brought before the quarterly meetings and evidently evoked much discussion. The committee was persuaded that there were many signs of wisely directed activity in the churches and that they did themselves an injustice when they spoke as, though no effective work wero_ being done. They needed the most scientific analysis of preoent-day conditions and the most thorough consultation as to how best to use them where they might prove helpful or to overcome them where they stood in the way. DRAGS ON RELIGIOUS LIFE AND PROGRESS. From the informcStvo replies received from the quarterly meetings the chief causes Operating against religious lue and progress might bo detailed as beIng: “The increase in luxury and self-in-dulgence consequent upon easier conditions of life had produced an age largely marked by indifference to the spiritual appeal, by youthful absorption in pleasure arid by adult preoccirEation in money-making. In tho vivid inguage of the Old Testament, Meshurun waxed fat and kicked.’ ” “The theological unrst resulting from failure of old modes of expressing truth to satisfy the modern mind and the hesitancy of the pulpit to adapt itself to the new vocabulary and to provide a sufficient answer to the questions that are clamouring for settlement among all thinking men, had resulted in a wide distrust of tho church as a candid and competent teacher. ' ‘Tho overflow ’of Christian activity into non-church channels had reduced tho status of tho church in the eyes of many, as a necessary institution in the community. Once the church was the leader of all philanthropic movements; now there had. grown up outside her walls a new social propaganda of which she was largely fearsome and uncertain. “Spread of education, diffusion of literature, and growth of culture have brought in an age which demands a more uniformly high standard of ministerial equipment than wa supply and perhaps a more dignified and reverent form of public worship than is common among us. . “The absorption of ministerial time and energy in mere routine, in carrying on circuit finance and especially in the cities in answering tho innumerable calls of connexional committees and public demands has lowered the effectiveness of many ministries.” SUBJECT FOR ANXIOUS THOUGHT. The committee reported that without associating itself with all these statements, it felt that there was in them matter for anxious thought. But these matters must not be discussed as mere academic subjects, nor in the spirit of criticism and pessimism, but in reliance upon the resources of spiritual enlightenment. Tho committee submitted the following recommendations: NECESSARY STEPS. “That in all circuits steps bo taken to restore to the membership of the church its fullest significance. To this end the conference urges that young people coming forward for membership be instructed in preparatory classes in the duties and privileges of church lito; that the means of Christian fellowship be amply provided in every circuit, and that the people be constantly urgeu to avail themselves of the same, and to participate regularly in tho communion services, that tho whole membership of tho church be consulted in all important developments of church work, and kept in close touch with what is going forward in our official courts; and that tho roll of membership bo faithfully revised from quarter to quartey, ajid the names of any who, after affectionate advice, decline to fulfil the requirements of membership m the church, bo removed. iS That in view of the fact that the lay pastorate has been effectively established in some of our churches, and has commended itself as a valuable assistance to the minister, aid a source of stimulus to the people, tho conference urges that it should be more widely adopted, and requests tho welfare of the church’ committee to bring tho matter before ail leaders’ meetings, and In so doing to suggest how it may best bo introduced and made successful. . , . “ The committee is strongly of opinion TNit the attention of teachers meetings and loaders’ meetings should bo concentrated upon the bringing of our young people into touch with the church as junior or senior members, and recommends to the attention of tho conference tho resolutions of the Canterbury Synod thereupon. “That in view of the fact that some ,)f our members and adherents are lost sight of through removals, tho greatest caro bo taken to prevent such leakage. That a new and more useful removal note be provided, furnishing fuller information, somewhat on the lines or that used by the British Methodist Brotherhood, and that the note he in duplicate, one part to be retained by the member removing, and the other to bo sent to tho minister of tho town where tho member is going. The conference deems it of importance that ‘ absent members ’ who are residing without the bounds of a Methodist circuit, or in remote parts of constituted circuits, should bo kept in touch with

the church by having their membership tickets forwarded to them. “ That with a view to promoting Christian work and bringing the church into closer touch with tho people, workers’ guilds or visiting bands be organised to undertake systematic visitatem, the sectional oversight of neighbourhoods and tho dissemination of Cnristian literature. “ That the following committee be Set up to consider the advisability of establishing a Christian literature department in tlic church, having as its inject tho Issuing of leaflets on evangelical, apolcgaic, and social topics, suitable for general distribution among our young people and others, such committee to report To next conference: Tno Revs. W. J. Williams, S. Lawry, W. Laycock, H. E. Bcllhouso, C. H. Laws, \V. A. Sinclair, A, B. Chappell, J. W. Burton, with Messrs E. Itosevear, J. E. Purchase, L. M. Isitt, F. Christian, J. R. Sinclair, and T. Sharp; convener, Rev. Laycock. “ That wherever possible deaconneses bo employed in connection with our churches in tho cities and larger Towns.” NEED FOR WORK, BUT NO CAUSE FOB FEAR. The Rev. C- H, Laws, who presented tho report, said that tho committee had not been able to do all the work fit would have liked during tho year. There were questions such as tho relations of tho church to workers, growing Sabbath desecration, and tho form of worship that should bo taken up. The state of the church at present gave need for work and prayer, but not for craven fear. They were coming into an ago when they would have greater opportunities for noble work than ever before. The indications were for a fuller, larger, and freer conception of the kingdom of God than ever before. Tho pendulum was swinging from materialism to spiritualism. Every department of thought was making for the recasting of ideas on a spiritual basis. They had to fear now, not materialism, but the swing of tho pendulum in the other direction. It was the duty of the church to interpret this ago to itself, avoiding both tho fascination of neiv and ill-directed heresies and unrea-. soned conservatism. The church should endeavour to meet the workers of today with knowledge and sympathy and full, free, and frank discussion. It was impossible for tho Christian church to bo anything hut a democratic institution. She was the people's church, or else she was false to her Lord and His gospel. Tho discussion was continuued by a number of other speakers, special reference being made to tho need for more efficient w'ork among children. All the recommendations of the committee were adopted. It was decided that arrangements be made in all circuits for holding regular open-air services. It was also resolved that the address delivered by tho Rev. C. H. Laws be published in the connexional magazine and also in pamphlet form. HOME MISSION WORK. The schedule of income and expenditure of home mission stations and circuits requiring aid for the year was laid before the conference by Mr J. Veale. The estimated income was £5090 11s, and the grants asked for totalled £5590 16s 6d. With the deficit of £2lO from 1912, tho year’s expenditure was estimated at £SBOO 16s 6d. . After considerable discussion the estimate of grants was referred back t: tho committee for further consideration. The Rev. T. G. Brooke presented the report of the home mission executive. It was stated that the business of the year had been of an especially trying nature. First, there had been an inadequacy of funds to meet the pressing and ever-growing claims of the work. This fact had compelled the executive to refuse some special grants whore they were badly needed. Then the labour unrest had seriously increased its difficulties. Two circuits for several months had been practically without local income, and the president, by tlyo exigencies of the case, was compelled to appeal to the circuits instead of to the executive. The staffing of the home mission stations has created a further difficulty. The executive was glad to bo able to report there had been considerable activity in the matter of church buildings. Churches had been erected at Waima, Hokianga, Waikare, Bay of Islands, and Moerangi, in the Waikato. The conference placed on record its grateful appreciation of the efficient services of tho Rev. T. G. Brook© and Mr J. Veale, secretary and treasurer respectively, and reappointed them for another term. Tho following executive was appointed: The home mission organising secretary, tho Rev. S. Lawry (corresponding secretary), the ministers of the Auckland and Onehunga circuits, Messrs J. W. Shackelford, T. McMaster, T. W. Jones, P. Crowe, J. C. Allen, J. Veale, T. Caley, A. Read, J. Purnell. J. C. Trounson, J. E. Astley, W. Hotherington, H. E. Pacey, J. Tyler, J. E. Wheeler, W. Ambury, J. W. Court, D. Wright, J. Robbins. J. Watkinson, V. Moore, D. Goldie, A. Trenwith, E. Dixon and P. J. White. It was agreed that no homo missionary bo allowed to marry during his year, without the consent of the home mission executive. MINISTERS’ STIPENDS. The stipends committee recommended through Mr L. M.'lsitt, and it was decided: (1) “That the conference urges the establishment of the envelope system in all our circuits; (2) that while recognising the liberty and right of our members and adherents to contribute to the support of the church in any way they think fit, and not wishing to force upon any individual any special method, this conference is of opinion that the most probable solution of tho financial difficulty that faces ns will be found in the general establishment of systematic giving. For this reason oho conference directs that in all our circuits tho opportunity shall at least be given to those who wish to adopt the envelope system to do so.” It was also agreed to raise a fund of £3OOO in order to increase the minimum stipend of .married ministers to £2OO and that of probationers to £l4O. District stipend committees were set up. and it was decided to request all circuits to donate the whole of the col’•ections on a certain date (to be fixed iator) to a supplemental stipend fund. The money to be raised is to be allocat'd to circuits unable to raise the minimum stipend in a proportion to be lx ed. INSPIRATION AND APPEAL. The report of the central committee et up to plan the mission of inspiration and appeal was presented by the ilev. S. Griffith. It stated that the missionaries would commence work at Invercargill on May 6th and, in a mries of eleven missions, work their ./ay northwards, closing the Auckland mission on November 3rd. On tho recommendation of the committee, a number of arrangements for the conduct of the mission were made. A special votq of thanks was,passed

/o Mr Griffiths for the work done by aim in connection with the mission. SUPERANNUATION FUND. On the motion of tho Rev. J. Dawson it was decided: “That £IOOO of the OS-Primitive Methodist fire insurance fund be voted to the cx-Primitive Methodist superannuation fund as agreed upon by the Methodist union joint committee and by tho Primitive Methodist Conference.” The conference will continue its work this morning.