PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2809, 15 January 1908, Page 30

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

FffiST DAY. The annuargatheruig repTesentatives V> tW fifteenth, annual conference of tbe Primitive Methodist Church was opened inf the 9th- mat. in the Dundas Street Ohurch. The^Rev. O. E.lW&rd-tpremdent), >f Wellington, presided; anttthe following delegates were present :— Officials : Rev. j> H Lyon (General Committee Relegate), Mr D. Goldie (^strict secretory), Mr J. Walkinson (treasurer M.C.KFX Mr-W. ting- OPumishmg -Fund), Mr H. Holland ■Sunday School Committee), Rev. J. Dumbell (Building Committee), Rev J. Flanaf' an (English Conference. -Delegates: aranaki- district— Rev. A.: Armstrong, Messrs. W-. Chaiterton and . C- E. Bellringer; Stratford— Messrs G. Colhngwood, B. S. Robinson, and Mrs Parker ; . Ingle•wooi—Rev. H. White ;_. Wanganui— Rev. U. Drake -and Mr A. Varney; East Egmbnt—Mr A. Davis; Eltham— Rev. J. T. Benning, Miss S.- Mills.- Wellington district r Wellington (I)— Rev. C. E." Ward, Mr I. Clark; Wellington- (U)— Rev. J. Dawson, Mr G. Hoare; Wellington (III)— Bey. J". Cocker," Mr M. TS. Feltham; FeiLding—Rev. P. J. Cossum, Mr J. C. Glover, Mt T. Cokerl; Foxton— Rev. J. Southern, Messrs' G. H. Stiles and W. Harris ; Hal-edmbe-rßev. J. Glover; West Coast Mis■lon—Rev. D. B. F. Carlisle, Messrs A. Hooker and j. Clarke. Auckland district: Auckland (IJ-rMessrs F. C. Taylor and P. J. Hawkins; Auckland., (II)— Rov. G. Clement, T. Booth and W. -Thomp^ son;- Auckland (Hl)— Rev. T. H. Lyon, Messrs T. Moor and F. Hitchcock ; Thames —Mr W. iDanby; Waihi— Rev. T. B. Woolloxall. Mr T. Snow; Waikato— Messrs P. Maire, E. Watkins. and G. Read. Canterbury district: Christchurch— Rev. J. Guy, Messrs E. W. Hall and W. Dobbs; Timaru — Rev. J. Olphert and Mr J. E. Chiles; Ashburlon — Rev. R. J. Liddell, Messrs W T. Lill and J. Lloyd; Greendale—Rev. B. Dudley, Messrs C. Rudd and M. Lee : Waimate and Oamaru — Rev. J. Harris ; Geraldine — Rev. G. H. Mann ; Temuka— Rev. T. Ooatsworth, Mr G. J"reddy. Otago and Southland di«t>i»ii;

Dunedin— Rev. W. Laycock, Messrs W. M. Roberts and O. White; Invercargill (I)— ' Rev. R. Raine, Mr J. Colwill; Invercargall -(n)— No delegates;. Bluff— Rev. G. P. 1 Hunt,; "Waikouaiti— Rev. J. Feathersttone ; Edendale— Rev. J. Sharp. Other dele- | gates will arrive during the progress of the conference. • : The -proceedings were opened with singing, .prayer, and* the reading of Scripture. The President, in' formally- welcoming the delegates, said he was quite sure they would all heartily agree in their deliberations to do what was best for the cause of God. He extended a cordial welcome to their distinguished visitor, the Rev. James Flanagan) of England, and moved that reverend gentleman named received as a delegate to the Conference . with all the powers appertaining thereto. The .motion was carried with applause, and the Rev. Mr Flanagan acknowledged the compliment extended to bim, and ex-*- • pressed a hope that the presence of God j would- be with them in their deliberations. SEECTIDN IF PRESIDENT AND VICEPRESIDENT. On "the motion of the Rev. J. Dawson (Wellington), Mr D.- Goldie (district 6epretary) -waa unanimously elected president for the incoming term. Mr Goldie, -"who was absent from the room at the time of the ©lection, on being informed of what Jiad been done, expressed a strong desire, for various reasons, to be relieved of the responsibility attached to the office, and after a short discussion, deference was paid . to Mr Goldie's request, and his -resignation as president was accepted. On the motion of the Rev. J. Cocker (Wellington), the Rev. J. Olphert (Timaru) was. then unanimously elected president of the conference. . ° Mr 0. Rudd (Greendale, Canterbury) was" iraanimouEly elected vice-president, and took his seat on the dias beside the newlyelected president. OTHER OPFICEHS. Other officers were elected as follows: — Secretary, Rev. J. Southern (Foxton) ; general secretary. Rev. J. Featherston (Waikouaiti : assistant general secretaries, Rev. [T. B. Woolloxall and Mr T. Moor (Auck-

land); letter-writere, Revs. Raine, Liddell, and Mr Varney; reporter to connexional paper, Rev. J. Cocker; reporters to Outlook and assistants to press representatives, Rera. G. Hi Mann (Geraldjne) and E. Drake - (Wanganui) ; auditors, Rev. C. Clement and Mr Dobbs ; receivers of con- [ nexional funds, Messrs Holland and Robineon, GENERAL BUSINESS. It was resolved thac telegrams of condolence and sympathy be sent to the Rev. J. Ellison (Wellington,) who met with an accident orf the way to the^conference ; aleO to the Rev. E. and Mrs Warburton (Auckland), on account of sickness. CONFERENCE SERMON. The Rev. J. -Flanagan, from the English Conference, preached the Conference seri mon in the Dundas Street Church -in the i evening to a crowded congregation. The I subject of the .sermon was " Prayer 1 ," and | the rev. gentleman, who speaks clearly and : eloquently, and imparts considerable 'force" and -deep sincerity to his utterances, was - listened to attentively throughout, and at the close of the service the sacrament was partaken of. | The preacher took" for his text Luke ix, | 28<30 : "" And it came to pass about eipjht [ days after these .sayings He took with Him Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as He was praying the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment became white and dazzling. And, behold, there talked with Him two men, which were Moses and Elijah." I Secojto Dax— Friday. ! The conference resumed its sittings at 9.30" a.m. -on the 10th, arid, after singing. and prayer the business was proceeded with. Among the new delegates who were in attendance in addition to those present on the previous day were Messrs R. Horsley (Wanganui), E. Edward, and T. Dyer (Geraldine), and Rev. T. A. Pybus (In vercaxgill) . GENERA! BUSINESS. Mr Goldie, the secretary, presented the fire insurance fund report, which showed [ that at present there are 171 risks taken, j

involving^ £28,1f15. Of tnis amount *iioc is reinsured. The total premiums paid tni« year amounted to' £215 se. The net profit* from same amounted to £14-7. The preseni value of the fund is £1452 -10s 7d. EX~PBEBIDENT'S CBNTENAET ADDRESS. The retiring President (Rev. C> E. Ward Wellington) delivered the retiring, presi dential address, which eonsmenced with ai acknowledgment of t3ie ihonour done to Mj Ward by electing him president of th< Conference, and then wept on to review thi leading events an the history of the Cnurcl during the year. In I#M- the Primiti7! Methodist Connexion decided" to missioi Australia and New Zealand, whei New Zealand iad just been forme* into , a -British colony. New Zea land began its career as a colony 'J 184 L J*rom 1832 to ,1841 it was a part o New South Wales. It began an indepen dent existence on May 3, 1841. Jin 184the Eev. Robert Ward -was sent ,to th< young colony to represent the Primiiivi Methodist ChurcE- Hi» $*& service wae fl the -onen air at Taranaki. The rev, gentls man "then traped the Bistory of the mtro ducfcion of Christianity "into- Australia ani the New Zealand Dominion, and reviewed afc length historical, social, and many othe; events and -went on to "say that when Nev Zealand was created a Dominion it wai intended that it should be a separate conn try independent of the countries surround ing it— it was a call to the people to b« loyal, aelf-re»pecting, iself-reliant, sell masters, and for them to rise to a nigx etacdard of manhood and womanhood Eulogistic reference was made to the sturdy early settlers, and to the men of abiUtj who had controlled the political historj of the Dominion from its foundation on wards After reference 5 to the discovers of gold," the Maori War, and other earlj events, Mr ~Ward said:— Ouir Veterai local preacher in New Zealand 84 years of age, and for 63 year! a local preacher, is an old soldier. Jonr Clements in his young manhood preachec before Hugh Bourne and William Clowes His first sermons preached in New Zealand were delivered in his soldier's red coat. Mj Clements last year was a delegate to the Conference. Our people don't know his worth, or- recognise that he is a. link with. th«

;olden past, and he himself is true gold—* A carat. Jamea Beliringer, as Englishnan by birth, a soldier by training, carried nto his civio and religious life all the finer qualities of the aoldier— discipline, ortituds, loyalty, enterprise^ -He was as lourageous and zealous for the town of Isew Plymouth, of which he-, "was many rears mayor, and in the service of the Primitive Methodist Church, as he was iaierving his country. Soldfers haye played in interesting and important part in MethoHsm. Think of the influence of Captain fifebb in America. The first Bible society bunded in the world was established in L 779. It was a Methodist society for supplying soldiers with pocket ■ Bibles. This naa 25 years before the great British and foreign Bible Society was formed in 1814. Beliringer the soldier, Baesett the carpen;er, Bailey the faa-mer, men x like these rocked the cradle of JPnimitive Methodism in New Zealand — these, ""and woment withi the quiet earnestness and intelligent attention to the infant societies. The early ministers of the Primitive .Methodist Connexion sent out to the cokmies-wer.© a noble jift to the3a young lands. Robert Hartley, Michael ClaTk, John Sharp, Joseph Long, George James, Joseph -JBucMe, Henry Green, Hugh Gllmoxe, Ttobert Ward, I' - net -Kenny. These, and other. ; good and! ' strong men, helped to mould the moral andi . lational life of these young- lands. - Th^ manhood of " New~ Zealand, norfcf* md. south, lias been good — the " best; Chis city of Dunedin will soon forgefc ;he Rev. Dr ' Stuart. -What a* splendid man he was I Over" six feet in height', big framed, weell made, upright, aiert; strength in every line of his body; a, strong, kind, brave face — a good face — with just- a touch of pxicte in it; -clear, honest eyes; a heart* 1 of pure gold; and a> mind how noble! He showed nothing* mean, nothing that was not. massive and strong. His whole- bearing was unique. A grand figure in thiH city and throughout the -province; mightier than any politician or merchant or la-wyer or scholar. And you have had— these, and good ■ men, ' too — sterling men. Dr Stuart was one of the highest types of robust manhood. He was a great and good man. He had - top Large a nature to dp a little or mean thing. Hs lived a vigorous, kindly, helpful life ; and lias left _an abiding impression for goodness, ability, strength,- high manhood. A stranger seeing - Eim would say " That man is somebody, and a , good sort, too. He's all white,, and has the heart of a. gentleman." He was a. man well liked "by all classes, and liked to"" bo well liked. A big-soulod, humane man, - superbin courage, the- salt of the" earth, It is" well' in a new land that .manhood counts. Dunedin honoured herself when she erected a monument to Dr Stuart. I like to remember -feat.- Sar-«.;Williani- Fox-^sa*i under .JtoSert ~W&c&&- ministry -at - SydneyStreet, Wellington, .and^there^TeoexTed someof the mspi.ra.tioß. of .his last, fruitful years. How. very fi-e was the late autumn of Sir William's life-! His manhood enriched the colony and . his old Age ~ beautified his own. life and gave added glory to his career. It was a handsome finish -to & handsome life." What a r noble thing Fox did .'—this able lawyer, this cultured man, this statesman, this three-times. Premier of' thp colony — gathering together his great experiences, his- influences, 'all the pressige of 'his sociaLand publio life, -and placing them on the side of the drink-sodden ones! Ha lived for men, and they the most needy, with a heart true as steel. ..The ispeaksr ■went on to, refer to the drink traffic -m. scathing tei-ms, andj&fter paying a tributeto the work of Bishop Selwyn among the Maoris, concluded: — "We want in the coming year what our founders had — a perpetual revival. We must grip life and work, honour, faath, and duty. The Church must be in -vital .union *mth God and man— lovMg God in man — God as the centre and man as the circumference, touching it on every side. We waa* a faith that -will remove mountains and fill collection -plates - and keep our spirits cheerful with half -filled churches, a. faith that -no failure can da-unt and . no discouragements can depress. The world demands * lived gospel as weir .as a. i*eached gospel. We have a Ohuroh with 100 years of history to inspire us, in which there are" the elements of enthusiasm and- reality and intensity of religious life, and an indomitable spirit which refused to accept defeat. We have a (jreat character .to maintain. There must be no oscillation of dootrine or practice. We must hold, fast to faith and truth and all that is' good and wire. I call upon you f earlessly. and faithfully to go forward- We must move on. We can*not recede without disloyalty and disjpsaee. It was decided to have" the address printed ia the Church' organ, and also the report of the Rev. James Flanagan's Conference sermon; and on the motion of the Rev. J. Glover: a hearty vote of thanfea -was passed' te the retiring president for his interissting- and instructive address. MUSICAL FESTIVAL. - A musical festival, which was largely attended,- was .held in the evening 0 Dundas Street Sunday School Hall. The programme included anthems by the combined choirs, selections by ■ & qwartet party, vocal eolos by Miss ML Mitchell, an*l -Mr "James Jago, and recitations by Mr Osborne. The Rev. B. Dudley give an appropriate address, and Miss P. Bennett officiated as organist. Third Day— Sattjbdat^ • The Conference resumed its deliberations at 9 a.m., the Hon. C. M. Luke/ M.L.C., being associated with the delegates in attendance. ■ FIRST DRAST OP STATIONS. The Stationing Committee" submitted th;e first draft of stations, as follows, ihe draft as submitted being approved .and ordered to lie on the table:— -. ~ Tftranaki Distxaofc. — New. Plymoutn, xieTO» J. Guy. A. R. -Morrison; Stratford, Benr. D. Campbell r loglewood, Hot. H. White; Wanganui, Rev. E. "Drake -„- East Egmpn*, Alfred Dover (candidate) ; 'Eltham, Rev. J> Benning^ " ' . _ 1 Wellington' District. — Wellington ' T (Sydney streets-Revs. 0. E. Ward, B. Metson, J. Dumbell; Wellington II (Webb street), JRev. " J." Dawson and one to be obtained; 'Wellington in oonald M/Lean street), Rev J. Cocker and H. Dame! (candidate) ; Feilding— Revs. P. J- Uossum, D. B. F, Carlisle, P. W. Jones; Foxton, Rev. J. Sharp; Haleombe, Rev. J. Glover $ West Coast Mission, Messrs P. J. Maira (H.M.) and J. F. Doherty (H.M.). Auckland District.— Aucklamd I (AiG^aa> der street)— Revs. W. S. Potter, E. WarWton, and one to be obtained; Auckland II (Franklin street), Revs. G.- Clement anq P. A. Thompson; Auckland Ht (Eden UA

race), Rev. T. H. Lyon; Thames, Rev. A. Harding; Waihi, Rev. T. R. B. Woolloxall; Waikato, Rev. S. Henderson. Canterbury District. — Christchurch, Revs. J. Nixon and W. Harris (CM.) ; Timaru, Roy. J. Olphert; Ashburton, Rev. R. J. Liddell; Greendale, Rev. B. Dudley; Waimate and Oamaru, Rev. J. Harris; Geraldine, Rev. G. H. Mann; Temuka, Rev. T. Ooateworth. Ota-go and Southland District. — Dunedin -r-Revs. W. Layeock, S. Bailey-, and one to be obtained; Tnvercargill I (Don street), Rev. R. Raine; Invercargill II (Elles road), Rev. T. A. Pybus; Bluff, Rev. G. P. Hunt; i Waikouaiti, Rev. J. Featherstone ; Edendale, Rev. J. Southern. - GARDEN PARTY AT NTTHDAbE. A Conference garden party was held in the - afternoon at the gardens and grounds of Mr R. Glendining, North-East Valley. Although the weather at times was not inviting a very large number of persons were present a.t- the function, which was in aid .of the home mission funds. The tropical houses, vineries, and extensive gardens on the property .were thrown open to -the visitors, and facilities were given for the preparation of a liberal afternoon tea and refreshments. The Mornington Band ■was in attendance and played selections. In connection with the garden party a home mission meeting- was held at the Drill Hall, North-East -.Valley, where addresses were given by the Rev. James Flanagan and the home mission . treasurer (Mr W. WatMnson). Mi D. Goldie presided, and a sum of over £7 was %ontributed in the collection. STREET AND CHURCH SERVICES. On .Saturday evening a number of memTbers- of the Conference, clerical And lay, assisted at open-air services at the Octagon, and also at Car gill road corner f and yesterday morning and evening, in city and suburbs, the visiting ministers conducted the services in .a large number of city and suburban churches- The Rev. J. Flanaigan (English missionary) . took the service at ■fee Dundas Street Chursh in the morning /md addressed a large congregation at ICnoac Church in the evening. Fotjbth Day— Monday. . The Conference resumed its sittings in the - Dundas Street Church Buildings on the 13th inst. There was- a full -attendance of delegates, and the president (the Rev, J. Olphert) presided. METHODIST OECUBOH GBEETINGS. The Revs. W. Slade, C. H. Laws, J. Ward, 'and Mr J. Phillips waited on ihe Conference for the purpose of conveying greetings from the Methodist Church of Australasia. ' The deputation was formally introduced by the Rev. "W. Layeock, and was heartily welcomed by the President, the members of Gonfearence standing and greeting the visitors with applause. The _ President said the Conference recognised the great work the Methodist Cfexcrch was doing in -Ehe Dominion, end paid' a^ special. "tribute -to- the : Central ' Mission-ieffoTts fhafc . were - being • put- forwaid. DEPUTATION FHOM- THE COUNCIL OF CHUHCHES. * The Rev. ' W. , Hay (President of ~ the Council of -Churches),- in conjunction -'with the previous -deputation, also~ welcomed the Conference to the city. ~ . The President, in -welcoming the deputa- ~ tion, said -it was a significant sign of the times '"that the churches were drawing closer together. - The free church councils in the Dominion had been the means' of etemmnnj the tide of Sunday desecration end many other evils. The Rev. "W.~ Hay remarked that it -was the custom in other lands for the mayor end corporation- to formally 'welcome a church Conference to the city, -but he felt it was also fitting that such conferences Bhould be welcomed* by representatives from other churches and workers in jhe cause of righteousness. Although sections^ of the ~Chaueh could' not see their way for various causes to go into organic union, there was ample room for a. closer union in 'a. uu 'ted "opposition to evil. ' The Rev:- C. E.- Ward (Wellington) replied briefly .on behalf of the Conference, &nd reciprocated the good wishes of both deputations. . ThVHon. *O. M. -Luke. MX.C, ako re~|3£ed,~ and said the Council of Churches -•was shaping T;he policy of Great Britain <jri-£he great education question 'much more than any. political party. The churches ■were -jalso.^Joroing. lipon "public attention :sn&ny great social evils that required to be "swept a-way. -The" Dominion Council of iChurches- waa also " doing good work .in combatting two evils — drink--and gambling. On the subject* of Church, work generally he sometimes wondered whether the , dhruTcii-es were nut too oonsearcatiTre in Jceeping up .barriers which prevented 00-opera--tion with philanthrophic workers who were without ihe Church gates. — (Applause.) . TEMPEEAKTOE DEPUTATION. , <' Messrs J. A. D. Adams, J. Phillips, D. Gain, -G. Blakeley. and the Rev. Davis waited ' on the council as. a deputation representing- the temperance bodies of •Dunedin. HEPOBTS, ETC. Mr G. Froggatt (treasurer) presented the report and balance sheet of the New Zealand Superannuated Ministers, Widows, and O-rphane' Fund. The income for the y«ar amounted to £439 8s sd, the. profits for -the year £274 12s. while its total value was reported as £3621. It was. reported that a bequest of £200 had been received d'Bffmg -the year, and this would be placed 'to the credit of the fund. — Received and Adopted. Mr G. Fro^gatt was complimented on the manner in which the account had been administered, and the raport was adopted. The remainder of the ' session was occupied by tho -reading' 'of the mission Teport, the debate on which is to be taken in Sections. ' ; YOUNG PEOPLE'S .RALLY. -j A young peopled rally was held at night in the Dundas Street Church. The chair was occupied by the president of €ha Conference (the Rev. J.^Olphert), who ©o^raiulated - the -, church on possessing spldodid properties for .Sunday school work. - The Rev. E. Drake " (Wan^anui) spoke on the moral heroism Christianity. Mx.A. Varney (director of technical educ'ati6h "in. Wanganui) ga-ve'an interesting ad'draEß on the 6plrit of knighthood. 'Mr H. Holland (secretary -of -theSunftay School Committee)- also addressed the meeting on the importance of Sunday school work, £sp«oially.- -as to ' work among- the very young, -r "He urged that all Sunday schools fchould have a. cradle roll. " The concluding , iiJdzess wa« pivea k? the Rev. J. Flanagan* _

I who spoke on n variety of subjects, and made special reference to the origin and development of the great Scarborough revival. He also referred to the racial distinctions in America^ and predicted that these distinctions at some future time would shake the foundation of the American Constitution. ; Special singing was rendered by the children and choir, under the direction of Mr Millier, Miss Bennett presiding at the piano.