THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 20 June 1907, Page 4

THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.

| FOREIGN MISSIONS. ' We are indebted to the Rev. T. G. Brooke for further particulare of tlic Methodist Conference. He writea:—One of great questions occupying the attcn tiou of the General Conference and touching the imagination of its members is that of Foreign .Missions. 'J lie scale of Us operation* on the mission fWd lias hitherto been confined to JV!y hesia and it is around that work the first discussion circled. Six years ago it was proposed to alter the constitution of the Fijian Mission by bestowing upon it the rights of native lay representation in its Synod and thus take another step towards constituting it a self-governing church. Three years ago the Conference adopted a new constitution, embodying these principles, and definitely decided to put it into operation. There was, however, very earnest protest against this course by the missionaries on the field. Not that they were opposed to the principle of lay representation, but they contended the Fijian Church was not ripe for it. They said the laymen had not asked for it, neither were they sufficiently advanced to use the power wisely that would be conferred upon them. When the Board of Missions endeavored to give effect to the Conferential instructions, it was discovered that some clauses of the new constitution were contradictory, and the upshot of it was the matter has had to wait for new directions. This opened the whole question for re-discussion, and the pros, and cons, brought the gladiators of the Conference into wordy conflict. It has probably never had a more earnest debate upon nay question, nor one that has taken higher ground. In view of the difficulties it was known would emerge, a few months ago a special commission was sent to Fiji to take evidence and their report was before the Conference to help it in its judgment. The ultimate decision was in favor of the new constitution with a Blight modification suggested by the Rev. W. Slade and it was resolved that it be put into operation in 1908. This closes a controversy that has caused the Church much anxious thought through all these years. What remains now is to have the decision arrived at sympathetically worked.

A VETERAN'S RESIGNATION. Another phase of Foreign Mission work was the question of a successor to Dr Brown, the general secretary. Early in the year the doctor announced he intended to tender his resignation, so that the presenting of it was no surprise. Still, it was a time of intense feeling when the veteran rose in his place to do so. A man who has given between 47 and 48 years of his life to the work of the Christian ministry is certainly deserving of respect and honor, even if his public life had been lived within a comparatively narrow circle. Dr Brown, however, has lived one of the largest lives in the whole of Austalasia. All the years of his long ministry except three he has been a missionary either in active service or else as filling the office he has so greatly filled for so many years. As a missionary he has had the unique honor of being the pioneer in at least three new missions, and has had the pleasure of seeing those missions become conspieuouly successful. In additionto this he has won a high position in the world outside, and was the honored guest of last meeting of the Australasian Association for the Promotion of Science. The Conference could not but be profoundly moved on such an occasion. And the heart of the doctor was certainly equally moved, both when he resigned his office and when he' listened to the handsome testimony borne to the success of his past. Many were the speakers who followed one another to do the doctor honor. Among those who thus spoke was Dr. Morley and he called attention to some facts that are of special interest to New" Zealanders. Dr. Brown himself is a New Zealander, and a product of Now Zealand Methodism. It was in Auckland that he became a candidate for the Ministry, and from that city he went to the mission field. It was in New Zealand, too, that he found the lady who became a missionary with hiin. and who made an even greater sacrifice for the work than her husband. Another remarkable fact mentioned is that Mrs Brown was v a missionary's daughter, a missionary's sister, and a missionary's aunt, as well as a missionary's wife. To find a successor to Dr. Brown was the business that then followed. The Board of Missions nominated three names to the Conference from whom to select, and the Conference promptly nominated three more. Then the matter went to the ballot and the Rev. D. Danks was elected. There is yet a second secretary to be elected, for two are required for the ofllce.

THE IKDLA MISSION. The great feature of the Foreign Mission enterprise of the Conference is its determination to undertake a mission in India. This is a matter that has been upon the hearts of many of the leaders of the Church for some years. Again and again the matter has been urged that something should be done by Australasian Methodism outside of its present wide operations in Polynesia. The matter which probably stirred the Conference into action was the report by Dr Fitchett that English Methodism offers to hand over the plant of one of its Indian missions if the Australasian church would only find the men and the money to carry on and develop the work. There was smne splendid Bpeakine upon the subject, notably by Dr. Fitchett, Dr. Morley and Sir Frederick Holder. The carrying of the resolution was not only marked by enthusiasm of speech but by the greater enthusiasm of the £.s.d. In about half an hour members of the Conference promised between seven and eight hundred pounds. Then in the evening there came the Conference missionary meeting, and this, instead of the set Speeches that had been prepared being delivered, it was turned into a financial lovefeast. Four speakers, representing as many Conferences had been advertised to take part iu the meeting, but none of them "got a show." Directly after the meeting commenced the president made a brief statement of the new policy adopted and of the outburst of liberality which followed. Then he asked the audience to endorse their action by laying their gifts upon the altar as well. The response showed that both the imagination and the heart of the people had been captured, and they poured their gifts into the treasury. For two hours it continued, and no one seemed to grow weary. At last, when it was found necessary to close, the Church's immediate response in cash and promises was £2350. Though the Board of Missions were opposed, and the new policy had to be carried by an amendment, on their proposition, it should be said they were among the first to lead the Conference in noble giving. (A further instalment willl appear in our next issue).