METHODIST HOME MISSION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9003, 16 November 1907, Page 2

METHODIST HOME MISSION.

koine Mission meetings and services in connection-- with the Methodist 'Church of’ New Zealand are at present being conducted throughout the Wanganui Church District. The Key. H. Beggs is now in Marton in the interests of this branch of the church wprk. The Rev. S. G. Brooke, chairman of the district, will visit Marton on Tuesday and lecture on tlic claims of Homo Missions in the Methodist Church. ’The prime objeet of the Home Mission and Church Extension Fund, the annual meetings of which are now being held, is the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to effect this object includes the support of the Ministry to the Maoris, financial help to circuits that cannot support their ministers ■without assistance, to Homo Mission stations in outlying districts, and amoug' populations, cluvrcli extension in flio larger cities of the Dominion, and the Gstablishniont and up-keen of a homo for the training of deaconesses whoso work is confined to largo towns ami to work among the Maori wo men in tiie country. . To 'show the importance of tins fund in the Methodist Cliruch it will only be necessary to state briefly the work accomplished in the year ended Sept., 1908. During that period three European and seven Maori Ministers were maintained in active work among the Maoris pt both islands, fifteen separate Home Mission stations wore assisted; - Contributions wore made to nine circuits in which Homo Missionaries are employed to assist Ministers in large districts. Twenty-six circuits have been helped in the support oi the ministry in more settled parts. In several circuits where ministers have been indisposed through illness or have died the homo Mission Fund supported ministerial supplies. It is encouraging to note that the Methodist Church, in common with many others, has not forgotten its duty to the back block settlers and the native races. Throughout the whole of the Australasian church this has been evidenced by the large contributions given at the Mission gatherings in connection with thq General Conference, the Stats Confereuces, and the New Zealand Conference of last year.