PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 227, 19 January 1911, Page 5

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH

LEGISLATION REQUIRED.

By Telegraph. —Press Association. Chriteliurch, Last Night,

Revs. C. H. Laws and H. Lawry waited on Sir Joseph Ward at noon to-day, and asked his personal assistance in promoting legislation to secure the independence of the Methodist Church in New Zealand, which they explained would require Parliamentary sanction. Sir Joseph Ward assured the deputation that he would be happy to ussist the movement. He saw no difficulty in the way of providing the necessary imv cuinery. DOINGS AT THE CONFERENCE. Wellington, Last Night.

At the Primitive Methodist Conference to-day the building committee's report was adopted. It showed that the numbers of churches in New Zealand waa 81; preaching places other than churches 70; total number of hearers, 10,485; houses, 48. The total cost was £72,354 14s. The present value of the churches was £54,092 12s 3d, of houses £25,371 15s 3d, musical instruments £3172 12s (id; land not built upon £4041. Insurance on these was £38,320. The debt at present was £21,910, and the debt paid off during the year was £1037. The gross income \va"s £8,531 3s 7d, and the gross outgoings £7,940 0s 7d.

The afternoon sitting was devoted to a discussion on the work of God and work in the Sunday Schools. It was resolved "that we rejoice in the increase of' 118 members for the year, and also the immense amount of good accomplished through the ministrations of our church, but we have to record the sad fact that we fail to reach the lapsed masses to any appreciable extent. We recommend our church to pay more attention to week-evening and Sunday night prayer meetings, and also open-air work, more family religion, and the cultivation of personal piety. We pledge ourselves to use every endeavour through the coming year to bring aboui a revival of God's work."

It was also resolved "that we express our thanks to Almighty God for the measure of success, spiritual, numerical, and financial, that has attended our efforts during the year in connection with the young people's movement ot our church. We are pleased to note that increases are shown in numbers of Sunday schools, scholars, and teachers, also of junior and senior Endeavour members; and further that a liberal response has been made to our financial needs, so that our working expenses are assured, and our orphanage subscription has increased by 110 per cent. By introducing a "decision day" and giving public opportunity to our scholars to show their allegiance to Christ, we believe that great, impetus has been given to our spiritual work."