METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 29, 27 February 1909, Page 2

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The annual conference of the Methodist Church was continued to-day in the TaranaM Street Church. The Rev. J. Fee, whoi wasi elected president last night, occupied the chair. The business ul the morning was the election of various committees. The following laymen were elected to the stationing committee:—Auckland district: Messrs G. Winstone and J. Wheeler; Wfliigauui district: Messrs E. Dixon and 0. li. Bennett; Wellington district: Messrs •). ti. llarkncss and G. Tiller; Nelson district: Messrs E. 11. Penny and A. A. Lucas; Canterbury district: Messrs G. 11. Blackwell, R. 11. Turner and .1. A. Flcshcr; Otago district: Messrs J. F. Arnold,

M.P., and E. Kosevear. A special committee met this afternoon to consider a proposal to establish a central mission in Wellington. I The first business to-morrow morning will be the consideration of the balance sheet by the stationing committee. I The Rev. Thomas Fee, who was elected president of the conference, was born in Ireland in 1850. After a brief expert-1 ence in business he entered the teaching profession, and taught for some years in Ireland. He same out to New I Zealand in 1873 and carried on for a time his profession as teacher, until he was called into the ministry. He was trained for his new work at the Methodist institution, "Throe Kings,"

Auckland. Since then he has labored in I T the ministry. Last year he devoted t himself entirely to promoting the no- n license movement, of which he is as strong, staunch advocate. Mr. Fee is a r very wittv and iluent speaker. The Rev. S. Lawry, the secretary, has had much experience in connection with conference work. Four years ago he ' was president of the conference, and ' for two years prior to that was secrc- ' tary. La"st year he was also secretary ] ' to 'the conference. Mr. Lawry is a ; well-known minister, having occupied ? some of the most prominent circuits in the Dominion. The practically unanimous -vote that re-elected him secretary was a recognition of his strong character and sound judgment. A special committee met during the afternoon to consider a proposal for the establishment of a central mission in Wellington. The matter will m all probability be discussed in open confer-

once on Monday. A conversazione was held in the W eslev Hull this evening. So large »™ the attendance that seating accommodation could not be found for everybody. The Rev. 1). McXicol (Siindlmm) occu-, pied the cliair in the absence of the ' president, who was engaged on lire stationing committee. The Rev. S. .1. Serpen (Wellington), chairman of the conference committee, delivered an address of welcome to the visiting delegates. The Rev. H. E. Bellliousc (Ashburton) delivered a most excellent address in the interests mainly of the younger members of the, Church. He sai I the air was electrical with challenge. Problems of every kind had to be solved, moral, social and spiritual. The Christian Church was really standing on its trial. Challenges were being Hung at the Church and the trumpet calls were ringing in '. its ears. Great responsibilities were being imposed upon it, and every member of the Church, especially the younger ' members, should do something to show themselves worthy to discharge more completely the responsibilities which devolved upon them. He exhorted youn« mombers to endeavour to realise Hit t enormous obligations to their splendid heritage of the past of which they ' should be proud.