METHODIST CONFERENCES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8714, 14 January 1907, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCES.

Per Press Association. |S New Plymouth:, January 13|fl At the Primitive Methodist ConfiH euce to-day the retiring President, Mil C. E. Bellringer, delivered an addrejS He remarked that the year in soiil respects had been fraught with matte® of vital interest to, tho whole Church® God, none more deeply touching hill than the union of the various branchljl and tho passing away of everythi*! that savours of tho spirit of intolaM ance. A growing feeling of brothejH hood in Christ, a wider and full® recognition of their oneness had hrokil down prejudices, overcome restraint® and brought them nearer to each otheiij During the rear there had been amaiCl vellous desire for unity moving thronchil out tfio world. In the Qld Hand bill union of the New Connexion and : thll Bible Christians had been happily con® s animated. In America there liacl been the union of two branches of the Presbyterian Church, and Canada fell the influence of this spirit. In our own colony the Presbyterian General Assembly reappointed a committee to| confer with their and sister evangelical churches-to discuss matters" affecting the welfare of the churches withavietf to ultimate reunion. There wpra foes to combat. The spirit of- insatiable!! materialism, which loved neither Godl nor man, was abroad on the earth.:! When one heard the depths to which| men descended in America in sacri-T fieing their little ones to the goldea calf every feeling of fatherhood rose in: hot rebellious protest, and. demanded, in the name of God, who made them,! that never in this favoured home should like things be. The great curse of the gambling evil even now cast a dark shadow upon us, threatening ihs highest and best ideals. The drink traffic still reared its hideous head', devouring victims day by day. The fins of impurity threatened to poiidn the very fountains of young national life. Earnest, tinswcrying, and persistent effort mqst be made to dis no those evils, r