METHODIST CENTENARY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 12 March 1919, Page 4

METHODIST CENTENARY.

PROPOSED CELEBRATIONS. At the Methodist Conference on Mondav night a deputy committee was set up* in connection. with the centenary of the Methodist Church in New Zealand: It was recommended that the centenary of tap introduction of Methodism info New Zohland should be celebrated by suitable religious services and public gatherings, and by raising a suitable thankgiving fund. Among the recommendations were: That a conference bo held in Auckland in 1922, with a great thankgiving service on "February 22nd, and that the conference consider the advisability of establishing a Methodist museum in New Zealand.

Conference decided to "celebrate the centenary in Auckland in 1922, and adopted the various suggestions made by the committee in their report. The committee was recommended to secure the famous Gipsy Smith to attend the centenary conference and take part in the subsequent gatherings.

Dealing with the financial aspect of the centenary, the committee recommended that an effort be made to raise a thankgiving fund of £35,000 .to bo allocated as follows: £IO,OOO to a new theological college, £IO,OOO to increase the capital.of the church building and loan fund,'£lo,ooo -for higher education, and £-3000 %o the new Wesley Training College. .

After considerable discussion it was decided that the whole matter, of the sum to be raised and of its allocations be referred back to the committee, payments to be completed by the conferonce of 1923.