METHODIST CHURCH

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 38

METHODIST CHURCH

— — ANNUAL CONFERENCE. (Fbom Oxtr Own Cokbxsfokdznt.) FIRST DAY. AUCKLAND, February 28. The thirty-fifth annual Conference of the Australian Methodist phuroh in New Zealand «iet in the Pitt Street Churoh ihis evening. There wo& a very large attendance of ministers «,nd lay representatives. During the past week they have been gathering from &U parts o£ the Dominion, and 77 ministers and 74 laymen answered to the roll-call. When all have arrived, it is-expected that nearly 200 will be present. In addition to many members of the various Methodist congregations m the city, visitors and others were present, the church being crowded. The chair was taken by the Rev. W. Slade (the retiring president), who was sup.ported by the Rev. T. G. Brooke (expresident) and th«k.Rev. C H. Laws, B.A. (secretary of the Conference). THE RETIRING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The Rev. W. Slade, the retiring president, made feeling reference to the deatfas of the Rev. R. S. Bunn, Mrs <sittos, Mr Millar, of Auckland, and other laymen. After dealinjr with the work of the General Conference held in Sydney, the New Zealand Gaming Act, and other matters, he took up his main subject, the enormous disparity between the people inside and ! outside the churohes, remarking:— The entire population of New .Zealand is, in round numbers, 900,000. Tie nNimber of people for wliom accommodation is provided in tfll the churches and meeting houses is 375,808. Here we bave ■& differ^ enoe of considerably over half a million, which means that if -on any day the whole population wished to attend Divine service, more than Jialf a million could not get inside the places where service is held. But this does not express all the facts. . When we ask what number of people the Churches themselves return as attending their various Tjlaoee of worship, we find the number is 220,263, which leaves a still . greater disparity batween -our total population and churoh attendants. It is 1 an unwelcome truth that not a quarter of the ' people of the Dominion are ever found within the walls of the churches. When we look closely at the masses of men several facts appear: (1) The deep and «,wful cleavage' that exists "between the working classes and the Christian. Church. Not only -do comparatively few of the great army ot toiling mem and women attend the churches, 3>ut there exists in their minds an intense hostility to them and, through them, to religion itself. The causes of iki^are not har,d to explain, but we will not spend time now in stating them. "We are concerned with the faeb. Walk down our central streets at the hour when the factories and workshops begin to empty themselves of their workers, and 'try to .reckon how .many -of - their faoes .are -ever seen from a pulpit; or disguise yourself and spend a few hours with them during their meal time, it will surprise and pain you to hear with what contempt they speak of ministers and of church members. Or at church time on Sunday, either morning or -evening, visit a populous street inhabited by working men and notice how small a number iSQBX .street contributes to church congregations. To these ppracwis .churches are associated with political -disabilities, with distinctions, wiiih eoonomio injustices, with pride «jf purse «and pride of place. To them religion has seemed to be always the privilege of ihe -rich 1 juid the strong. > ~Vve cannot -wonder at this. In recent times the churches iaye waemed to the working tdasses -to be .nrdifferent fa "their needs and sufferings. They think of -the churches <as institutions which «ay, "l»ive in * mice house, wear nice clothes, havemoney in your .pocket, and we will "welcome you." They -think that the chwrehesj are- mot -only out of Bympathy with them, but are actually ■opposedvto their efforts to 1 -secure fair wages for themselves, betterhomes and environment for their families, ' and to %c able to live without the dread presence of ijhe wolf always a* the door. They think the xiburches iave always been on the side oif the big battalions, of the capitalist, of the landowner, of the manufacturer, and of the monopolist. We who have read history know how mistaken all this is^ we know* that in .spite of Tier many shortcomings and mistakes the '"-Christian Church has done infinitely more $han any other half-dozen institutions put together for the amelioration of the suffering <>f mankind ; we know that the Church is still the -great backbone of all the benevolences of life, that -shß is directly Hh& fountain of all that is best in life. But tfce multitude of whom I speak have net read the etory of the past and are not capable of looking dispassionately at the present; to them the «haff seams larger than the grain, the shadow looms larger than the light. They are one-sided, and are led by men. many of whom are antagonistic to religion, and who teach their disciples that men get better things in the life which now is by disregarding the claims of the life to come. The President then wont on to deal with/ possible solutions of the .problem, how to get the ten 3of thousands of persons outside the churches to come inside. The first 6tep, lie thought, was to rightly appreciate the true meaning of the present condition of the world. The loss and waste of strength involved in the divisions of Christendom should be terminated. A revision of ihe present method of preaching the Gospel was advocated. It was not a new evangel that was needed, but a jiew evangelism. A revision of the methods of work and of the methods of training and equipping ministers would also be advantageous. Before an advance could be made it was necessary for members of the Church to understand mere clearly~ the^Christian usa of money. At the point of giving most of their Christiaaoitv brofca down. In conclusion -fcho Preeident v «aid: — ' My brethren the laymen, i beg you.^to have, larger view* of your responsibilities, wider ambitions for your CSiureh, greater love for your Lord, and mod* far-reaching pity for humanity. At that great missionary ■** love-feast " of the English Conference *a couple of -years ago a -rery eminent 'layman said h*» had been led to •, reconsider his £ifts to foreign missions; he had hitherto given £10 a year ; he had \ decided in future to give £500 a year. , Ir would revolutionise the work of the t Churches if all Christians regularly and

conscientiously reviewed their offerings to <Jod. " - I am most anxious tfiat our section of the ©hurch of ' Christ shall fulfil her high destiny. I believe she is destined to act a great part in the "Dominion and in the world. I do not want her to live a commonplace life. Ido not want her to lose her candlestick because she is found not worthy "to retain it through boing' blind to the limitless opportunities which hedge her round. I want her to be in the van of the great advance. ' lam anxious that we shall hear the 700,000 voices outside the fold calling us to greater sacrifice, to greater efforts, to more- vigorous life. I am anxious -that we sTiall examine our methods and our machinery, that we may be sure that they are adapted to modern needs ; that we shall test -our preaching to make sure that it is -the right expression of the Saviour's mind arid heart, and that it is set in language which is rightly attuned 1 to the ears of modern men; that we "shall be willing to pay fhe price of* obtaining for ourselves and our Pentecostal power over the consciences of men. Above all, I am most anxious for the Methodist Church to be found ready when her day of visitation ELESOTION OF QiTJCERS. After the delivery <rf the retiring address the election of the new president took place, the Bey. G. E Beeeroft being elected. To the .position of secretary the Rev. S. Lawry -was elected. He nominated the following assistants: — Assistant secretaries, Revs. S. Griffith and A. B. Chappell, MJL ; journal secretary, Hey. H. L. Blamires; corresponding secretary, Rev. T. F. Jones. Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to the retiring president (flev. "W. Slade) and the secretary (Rev. C. H. Laws) for their services in the past year. A number of important notices of motion were tabled. FIRST BRAfT OF STATIONS. The 'first draft of stations was read by tlve secretary, as follows! — -Auckland District.— Auckland (Pitt Street): J. A. liUxford, *W. C. Oliver, A. N. Scotter, 8.A. ; supernumeraries, J. Law, J. S. Smalley, and J- Thomas. Auckland West: Gr. Bond. .Auckland East: G. W. J. Spence, W. H. Tuck, M.A., E. Cox. "Wesley College, Three JKings, and Governor of Theological Institution : J. H. Simmonds. Auckland Methodist Mission: J. Wilson. Auckland (North Shore): S. J. Gibson; supernumeraries, J. S. Itishworth and W. G. Thomas. Auckland (Birkenhead): G. S. Cook. Maori Mission (Auckland): W. Gittos, A. J. Seamer. Manukau: T. fee; supernumerary, W. J. Watkin. Mahuran^i: X D. Jpry, a home missionary. Thames: J, Blight. Upper Thames: J. Dukes, T- W. New bold, A. J. Reed. Franklin: J. J. Mather, one wanted. Cambridge: W. H. Beck, a home missionary. Hamilton: S. Griffith. . Huntlv: G. Snadden. Paparoa: R. P. Keall. Northern Wairoa: W. Wills. Whaajgarei,! C. C. Harrison, a home missionary. Hotorue: H. A. €k Keck. Tauranga, Ooronutndel, Helensville, Bay of Islands, Kokianga, and Whangafoa: Home .missionaries. Wanganui District.— New Plymouth: T. G. Brooke, C. B. Jordan; supernumerary, W. -Cannell. Waitara : F. -f. Head. Ingle- ; wood: E. D. Patohett. Stratford: W. S. Bowie. Eltham: F. Goprland. Hawera: F. W. Bovb, W. H. E. Abbey. Cape Egmont: J. W. Worboys, a home missionary. Kaponga: W. B. Scott. Wanganui: J. G. Chapman. \Aramoho: M. A. R. Pratt. Rangitikei: T. G. Carr. Sandon: D. M'Niooll. Feildiner: C. E. Beecroft. Pahnereton North: J. J. Lewis. H. Begsrs, a home missionary ; -supernumerary, G. S. Harper. Taihape: R. B. Tinsley, a home missionary. , Wainoarino : A home, missionary. West Coast Maori Mission: T. G. Hammond, A. Haddon. Patea. Kimbolton, Taumarunui. Tomjaporutu, Main Trunk Line: Home missionaries. / Wellington District^Wellingion (TaranaJd Street): S. J. "S^pell. C. E. Porter; supernumeraries— H-. B. Redstone, F. W. Isitt-. ■Orssanieiitr «ecretarv Bible class movement, JK. 1a Blamires. Wellington South: W. It. Williams. Welliruartrm Suburban : E. JSlaanires. J"obnßonville : C. Eaton. Hutt: B. F. Rothweil. H. Wilson; supernumeraries—W. Kirk. S. J. Garlick. South Wairarapa: W. J. Elliott. W. W. Averv, a home missionary. Masterton : J. N. Buttle. Napier: A. Gv T-awry. Hastings: W. Tinsley. Gisborne: O. Griffin. Eketahuna: J. J. PenSray. Dannevirke: T. T. Thomas B.A. Levin *nd Otald: T. F. Jones, C- Blair. Waipawa: G. Frost. WoodviUe^ B. H. Ginger. Pahiatraa: W. H. Speer. Kbrsewood: J&. home missionary. Waipukuxau: A. liame missionary. Nelson District.— Nelson : C. H. Garland; Rupermjme*ary, J. Crranp. Richmond: "S. H. D. Peryman. Blenheim: C. Penney, H. Sanston, and a home missionary. Hokitika: J. G. W. Ellis. Greymouth: T. W VeaKe. Motueka: B. J. James. Reefton: W. Beckett. Westport: C. Roberts. Rnmai-a. Havelook: ,Homp misfiionaries. Canterbury District. — Christchuroh (Durham street): H. R. Dewsbury, W. Ready, T. R-. Hichards, A. M'Bean, and a home missionary; supernumerary, J. Smith; Connexional P^nrvtarv fl"d Authorispd Representative, H. Bull. Christchurch Method >st Mission (Durham Street South): P. W. Fairclough. Christchurch South : L. Hudson. -T. A. lA>ehore. St. Alban? : W. A. Sinclair. Papanui : S. Lawry. Lvttolton : A. Peters ; supernumerary. W. Loe. Snrino-ston • C. Ahcmfthy. Tp* T«nu: G. T. Marshall. Leeston : T. E. Thomas, Af. 4., with a suoplv. Kaiapoi : T. Tr*>strail W. G. M*slin. Ran«riora : J. T. Pinfold, A. Ashcrofh Malvern : J. R. Clarfc. Timaru: W. Bauirbpr. end a home miesiomry. Waitnafe: A. B. Chap- I pell M.A. Tenuika: R. Tavlor. Ashbiirton: H. E. Beilhou=e, R- Richards. Willowbv: C. H. Standaee. Oxford. Amber- , lev. BanV* PcT>. ; nsula : Fome *niseionaTies j Ota^o District. — Dunpdm : Trinity. C. H. T<aws. B_A.. 'E. O. Blamires supply), B-. H. Wylip. Dunedin Central Missions W. Slade. * Southern Maori Mission : T?ebo Hemi Papakakura. Carstill road: W. Clri&e. F Pj»nd«; Vb"i;«o+on: -D. J. Murray. JRoslyn : T. J. WalUo. ( Mosgiel: ' A.. O. B««derson. M.A. >*ort .phalir^rß.: J. Ward. B»lrJutha.-: J. A. "BLwhintr. Milton: 'J. "W. Griffin. |LawTence : W. J. Oxbrw. '■ InvercarpiM:- -A. MftpMl, P. H. Parin. O^rn^Tii: .T. N. Qore- J. Wrip-ley. Oti>iitan : W. Rot- \ -y^ixs^t J- |BL 33asl«n. . Cromwo.il: A. R«afl©r. Hiver*o*>. - Pplmerston. and l?ni. \ ton : Home missionaries. * \ .SECOND DAT. r AUCB3LAND. F*&narv 29. # j Business was resumed this morning -in ,j session. Greetings wer« an,- s

Bomicefl ftom tlie Presidents of the Net* South Wales aad West Australia Confer* ences, and these were reciprocated. Messages of condolence were directed to be sent to Revs. W. Gittos, W. L. Blamiras, A. Peters, and other prominent members of the -Church who had been bereaved duTing the year. The resolution was carried by -a standing vote. Amidst much applause the following resolution was paesed — " That under th« Permissive Legislation of the General "Conference of 1907 this Conference resolves that the question relating to inter-conferen-tial exchanges and the question ' How artt our minietere and probationers on trial ] stationed for the ensuing year?' be at onca transferred from the Pastoral to the Representative session." A similar resolution was passed "by the Ministerial session. The Rev. Mr GMhnour, of New /Guinea, and lormerly of New Zealand, was present, and was a^ked'to take part in the deliberations of the Conference. Mr Gilmour, in a brief address, outline*? the work of the missionaries in New; Guinea. It " was, lie said, no great sacrifice to carry ori the missionary work in Ne\f! Guinea— it, would be a sacrifice to leave it. The . peqple .most to be sympathised with were those .who worked at home and «on-» tributed. to. mission funds without naving the opportunity of witnessing the glorious «ucoess which was being achieved. Many of the missions, he • «aid, were crippled foB want of money, and there was a cryiiw need in this respect. The speaker added that he had heard a lot about the East advancing on tKeV "West, and he thoujflrC there ww -some truth in it ; but he believed that the East would come to march with the West in the progress of Christianity. Mr Gilmonr is accompanied by Mrs Gilmouß and a New Guinea native. The election of laymen on the Stationing Committee resulted aa -follows: — Auckland: Messrs J. W. Shaokkrfordv S. J. Amtrary. and T. Allen. 'Wanganui: Meeart B. T>ixon and J. G. Cob Mb. WeHinfirton.si Messrs J. Prouse and G. Tillef. Nelson* Messrs A. A. Xuoas and T. A. Harris. B.A^, LLJ). Canterbury: Messrs H. H. Turner, J. A. F-ksher, and W Harding. .Oimgoi. Messrs E Roeevear and J. F. Arnold, M.P* The R»v. C. E. Beecroft, who has just been elected president of the Conference, is ««ie of the most popular .ministers in the Church> He is a native of Norfolk,^ Enfr« land, and entered the Wesley an. ministry in the Old Land 39 years ago. After! labouring for 19 years' in ■& number of prominent English circuits he came out to New Zealand in 1868, and since then ho has held the «uperintendency of the Hastings, Onunake, Tima.ru, Devonport, Napier 1 , and Feeding -cdrcuits, the last-named being; his present charge. He is a very winsome preacher and lecturer, and as^ a writer hd has won a good name. He is a frequent contributor to the Outlook. The Rbv. C. H. Lawry. thY Oanferenoß secretary.- came out to New- Zealand when; a small ijoy, 46 years -apo. He entered the> New Zealand ministry 31 years since, and during -this period •has-been minister of some of the most impprtant churches ii* the Dominion. Be has also done a great deal -ef commercial work, -liaving, vmontc other positions, filled" those ©£ secretary and president of the Conference. He i» o> tlibughtful preacher, a keen debater, ana an excellent administrator.