PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8809, 10 May 1907, Page 3

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

The Primitive Methodist Church commences the celebration of its centenary this S year. Its origin is connected with the English camp meeting movement, and the first caißß meeting was hold on May 31st, on Mow Cap, a small mountain situated near tho boundary line between the countries of Staffordshire and Cheshire. This camp meeting and others that followed were conducted upon tho American plan, and were productive of groat good, many being reached by this form of evangelising agency that were untouched by other means. Three years after the first camp meeting was held the first class meeting was organised of Christians unattached to any other denomination. This first class of ten members was tho small nucleus out of which _ the present Church under tiro British Conference has grown. The latest statistics are:— Members, 210,173; ministers, 1153; schools, 4209; teachers, 01,275; scholars, 500,000; value of church property, *£o, os3,ll4; hearers, 007,082. The yearly turnover at the book-room in London is £35,000. The Church at Homo is entering enthusiastically into centenary celebrations. One important item is that of raising £350,000 for different objects. In New Zealand it is proposed to raise in the 33 Stations in both islands £IOOO at least to assist candidates for the ministry in their studies. June 2nd is fixed upon as Centenary Sunday for the Halcombc church, and May 20th for Bcaconsfiold and IVa i r.ua. Some of the old tunes will be mug and other things reminiscent ol tho early days of the church will be imported into tho services.