METHODIST CHURCH

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8356, 17 February 1913, Page 11

METHODIST CHURCH

CONFERENCE WORK DECISIONS ON TEMPERANCE AND PUBLIC MORALS. On Saturday the Methodist Conference proceeded with its deliberations in Wesley Church, Taranaki street. In tho morning tho chair was occupied by tho Kov. J. A. Luxford (an ex-presr--dont) and in the afternoon by tho Rev. S. Lawry (tho president). HOME MISSION STATIONS. The first draft of home mission stations was submitted by tho Rev. T. G. Brooke, chairman of the home mission committee, as follow : Auckland District.—Auckland West, one wanted; Auckland East, one wanted ; Avondale, W. Gatman; North Shore, E. E. Sage; Otahuhu, H. Benny; Franklin, A. Laybourne; Northern Wairoa, A. E. Haymes; Whangarei, G. C. Laws; Port Albert, C. Strand; Coromandel, F. W. Trcby; Helensville, A, J. Leach; Bay of Islands, C. H. Pain; Hokianga, J. W. Parker; Whangaroa, E. H. Taylor; Mangonui, A. N. Costain. South Auckland District. Cambridge, L. Green; Hamilton, W. A. Porter ; Taumarunui, one wanted; To Awamutu, J. A. Lamond; Wairnana, W. B. Cuming; To Puke, one wanted; Mutamata, 0. W. Brown; Ohura, J. H. Combes. Taranaki-.Wanganui District.— Capo Egmont, T. W. Featherstone; East Egmont; P. J.-Hairs; Wanganui, F. 1. Kellmv; North Taranaki, one wanted; Patea, G. Bridgman; JVLokau, one wanted. Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu District. — Napier, one wanted; Gisborne, one wanted; Sansou-Rongotea, one wanted; Kimboltou, J. Oliver; Norsewood, H. Spencer. Wellington District. Taranaki street, J. H. White; Masterton, G. B. Sheridan. Nelson District.—Richmond, C. H. Kendall; Blenheim, A. McLachlan; Dennistou, R. IV. Todd; Havelock, C. Aker; Awatere, one wanted; Murchison, J. Common; Runanga, M. Ayrton. North Canterbury District.—Christchurch East, S. Cross; Addington, one wanted; Greendale Malvern, S. Keen; Oxford, one wanted. South Canterbury District.—Waimate, one wanted; Methven, A, H. Couch; iVlayfield, E. Nicholls. Otago District.—St. Kilda, one wanted; Waikouaiti-Palmerston, W. J. Hooper; Lawrence, C. Duncan; Cromwell, J. Weir; Queenstown, one wanted. Southland District.—Otautau, W. E. Sleep; Rjverton, W. Watson; Winton, C. A. Poston; Tautapere, J. Dennis; Invercargill (Don street), one wanted. Tho committee reported that there were in all sixty stations, sixteen of which had not been filled. The draft of stations will he discussed and approved at a later stage. TEMPERANCE AND MORALS. The committee charged to consider various questions in regard to temperance and public morals submitted' its report through! the' IJev. J. Southern. On the committe’s recommendation , the conference reaffirmed the resolution of the previous year deploring the increasing desecration of the Sabbath. It was also decided: “That the conference expresses its pleasure at the action of the military authorities in endeavouring to prevent Sabbath desecration by discontinuing unnecessary drill, oarades and breaking camps on Sundays, and cherishes the hope that weekend camps will be abolished and that the sanctity of the Sabbath will be carefully preserved.” PARTY AND CLASS FEELING.' There was considerable discussion On a clause in the committee’s report which stated: “Wo deplore the rapid growth of a spirit of antagonism, suspicion, and even of hate between different sections of tho community over social questions. The old spirit of fair play for all sides, and tho capacity to diifer without quarrelling, which has been the boast of our race, seems to be passing away. In its place is arising a most un-Christian and un-EnglisH party and class spirit, which is most injurious to social well-being and good neighbourship, as well as destructive of church life. We advise the conference to direct its ministers to inculcate, especially in dealing with the young, moderation in temper and speech, and charity in judgment.” Tho Rev. T. G. Carr moved that tho clause .he deleted. Mr L. M. Isitt seconded the motion. He denied that class feeling was growing more acute. . The Rev. T. Trestrail disagreed with Mr Isitt. He said that not only was the spirit referred to displayed in Waihi, but it came to Thames and was so bitter at times that it was not safe for some men to walk the streets. Mr Isitt; The resolution will be taken distinctly as a reflection on Labour. The Rev. J. H. Simmonds said that the resolution was not wrong, but it might be misunderstood. The K ev. J. J. Mather said the clause should bo revised. He knew of no age in which the workers had received fair play. No decision was arrived at. MORBID REPORTS. A clause adopted on the recommendation of the committee was: “New Zealand ' may justly be proud of its secular press, which by its high tone becomes a strong buttress to good citizenship. We, however, look with anxiety at the reports of domestic and morbid tragedies that are gathered from every part of the world, and which serve no healthy, wholesome purpose. The double crime of murder and suicide is certainly becoming more frequent, We believe this to .be largely due to the suggestions with which the morbid aro daily fed. Wo would respectfully suggest to our public press tho wisdom of eliminating all information calculated to affect injuriously the mind and morals of tho people.” THE LICENSING POLLS. On the recommendation of the committee it was also agreed: “That the conference strongly protests against the unfair handicap of a three-fifths majority imposed on the no-license voters of this Dominion, and. undertakes to assist tho New Zealand Alliance in its strenuous endeavour# to have this handicap removed or materially reduced.” In supporting the motion the Rev. J. Dawson, secretary of the New Zealand Alliance, stated that a great campaign was in contemplation to secure th© desired end. The alliance hoped to have 600 workers on the platform between the present time and June next. CONFERENCE ADDRESS. ■The annual conference address, jf>repared by the Rev. A. C. Lawry, was read by the Rev. T. H. Joughin. It traversed a number of the happenings of the year and exhorted the church to further effort in the future.’

On the motion that the address be adopted and printed in the conference minutes, a number of delegates complained of its “many sins of omission and commission.” It was declared that the whole thing lacked in dignity and ivas not suitable as an expression of the mind of the conference on tho great issues brought before it. It was moved and seconded that the address he referred' to a sniull committee for revision, but discussion of the motion was hold over pending decision on a notice of motion that the address in future be dispensed with altogether. CONNEXIONAL PAPER. The committee in charge of the connexional paper was requested to take into consideration during the present year the possibility of arranging for a permanent paid editor to devote his whole time to the interests of tho paper. TO SAVE TIME. The following committee was set up to take into consideration the question of how best the time of the conference can be curtailed to a reasonable length for tho efficient carrying on of the conference work: President and secretary of tho conference. Rev. W. A. Sinclair, Hon. G. J. Smith, Messrs J. A. Flesher, J. C. Prudhoe, and W. H. Seed, Revs. J. Cocker and Dobbo. METHODIST IMMIGRANTS. On the motion of the Rev. H. L. Blamires, it was decided to appoint the Revs. G. H. Mann, W. S. Potter, J. G. Chapman, and E. 0. Blamires a committee to recommend names of suitable ministers to attend to tho well-being of immigrants. CONGRATULATIONS. It was agreed that a suitable letter, signed by the president and secretary of the conference, be forwarded to tho Primate of the Church of England in New Zealand congratulating that church on the attainment of its centenary, and wishing it prosperity in tho extension of Christ’s kingdom in tho Dominion,, SECOND DRAFT OF STATIONS. The stationing committee presented the second draft of stations for the ensuing year. The draft will be discussed by the conference at its session this afternoon.