METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 78, 8 March 1916, Page 7

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

1 FINAL READING OF STATIONS. Tek ess Association, I T . j *. : Auckland, March (j. 1 At the Methodist Conference the him! reading of the Stationing Committee’s report was submitted and the following alterations were'made! in the list of stations first published (the minister appointed in the first reading is given, followed by the name finally substituted):— Te Aroha (E. H. Mann), John Dukes; Te Awamutu (C. A. Sims), John Olphert; Inglewood (one wanted), R. Richards; Cape Egmoat (R. Richards), R. B. Gosnell; Aramoho (T. N. Grifiin), Chus. A. Sims; Waimarino (one wanted), R. E. Fordyce; Dunedin, St. Kilda (J. Guy), Arthur Hopper; Dunedin, Caversham (J. D. McArthur), A. Allan; Waikouaiti and Palmerston South (Alex. Allan), Win. Eea; Port Chalmers (J. V. Griffin), S. H. D. Perryman; Gore (W, Lea), G. H. Mann; Timaru, Bank Street (Robt. B. Spiers), one wanted; Ashburton (one wanted), John D. McArthur; Lyttelton (S. H. D. Perryman), J. Erncst-Parsons; Rungiora (Win. Mills), Jas. Guy; Gisborne (J. Olphert), Win. Mills. OTHER BUSINESS. At the Methodist Conference the report of the special committee on central missions was submitted. It stated that each mission was hampered by burdensome debts, and in some cases also by the want of suitable buildings and in all cases also by the lack of sufficient funds for the establishment of aggressive agencies. At the same time the committee expressed its coneviction of the value of strong and vigorous missions in> all the large cities.

! It was decided that a deaconess, to work among the poorer classes, was essential to the staff of each mission. The committee also regarded that at ■ every mission there should be a definite evangelist effort—open-air preaching, organised work amongst men, and social as well as philanthropic agencies. The conference resolved that in order to promte the interests of Maori work, Maori Sunday schools, with teachers and scholars, should be reported upon; that the conference will give its most earnest heed to the needs and claims of the Native department of church enterprise in New Zealand. The following were elected chairmen of districts :—Auckland district, Rev; S. H. Garland; South Auckland, Rev. S. J. Serpell; Taranaki and Wanganui, Rev. T. G. Hammond; Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu, Rev. G. J. Murray; Wellington, Rev. J. G. Chapman; Nelson, Rev. W. Baumboi ; South Canterbury, Rev. Thomas A. Joughin; North Canterbury, Rev. A. jC. Lawry (president of the conference),;. Southland, Rev. W. Ready; Otago, Mr Griffiths. | The following were appointed district secretaries :—Auckland, Rev. C. 'A. Harrison; South Auckland, Rev. T. J. Wallis; Wanganui, Rev. A. B. Chappell; Hawke’s Bay and Manajwatu, Rev. J. H. Haslam; Welling- | ton, Rev. W. Beckett; Nelson, Rev. •A. Ashcroft; South Canterbury, Rev. ' J. J. McArthur; Otago, Rev. S. H. D. : Perryman; Southland, Rev. S. Henderson.

THE SWORD AND THE CHURCH

I The question as to whether ministers should volunteer as combatants was discussed by the Methodist Church I Conference on a motion by Mr Rosovear; “That as from ministry and theological colleges and homo mission fields so large a number of men have enlisted in the forces that the Church is unable to cope with present urgent requirements, in the judgment of this conference our Church has contributed from these sources every man it can possiblv spare.” A number of delegates opposed the motion. The Rev. C. Bond said that whilst ho deplored the large number of men who had gone from the ministry, ho would not raise a finger to stop anyone from going who felt that he should go. The Rev. S. Lowry said that like 'some business people, the Methodist j Church might say, “Wo cannot carry| on our business if you take away our men.” On the other hand, he, too/ felt that it would he a wrong thing to say to a minister, “You cannot go unless you resign.” It was unanimously decided that the, motion should not be put to the conference. t