CHURCH CONFERENCE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 77, 21 September 1911, Page 4

CHURCH CONFERENCE

HI SHOP CROSS LEY'S VISIT. A conference of church workers in the Archdeaconry of Taranaki was opened in the (iood Templars' Ilall lust night. There was a very good attendance, and much interest was evinced in the various papers discussed. His Lordship Jiishop Crossley presided, and there were also present 011 the platform, -he Revs. Wilkinson, Keinpthorne, Butler. Harrison, Addenbrooke, Houchen, and Miss Wilson.

The proceedings were opened with the hymn, "Thy bund, 0 (iod, has guided," followed by devotional prayer. The Bi*hop, in his opening remarks, stated tliat it was a pleasure to visit New Plymouth again. This pleasure was enhanced by the knowledge that they were about to try an experiment. It was now the day of new things, and the conference, which was in the nature of a miniature church congress, should be productive of a considerable amount of awakened interest and zeal. A very attractive programme had been arranged, touching on many points of great interest to Christianity and to the work of tiu* church. He hoped as a result that it would be productive of great activity in church work in general throughout Taranaki, and that those who already were working hard would take fresh courage and spur themselves on to greater effort. He was pleased to see such a good attendance, which augured well, and lie hoped tlmt the conference would result in awakened zeal and .ui increased sense of responsibility that would .be lasting. He also cordially invited all present to a solemn service of ordination, which would take place at St. Mary's Church at 8 o'clock this morning, 'when two young Maori ministers wouJd be ordained. He referred to the troublous times that Taranaki had passed through in previous years with the natives/ and hoped that unity in church would mean unity in race. I The first subject discussed was the C.IRLS* FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

Miss Wilson read a very interesting paper, in which she dealt at length with the work of the Society and its aims, pointing out that its objects were to band together women and girls for mutual help (re)igiou#and secular) for sympathy and prayer; to encourage purity of life, dutifulness to parents, faithfulness to employers, temperance and thrift; to give members an introduction from one church to another. The rules of the Society were also given. She pointed out that its ideals were prayer, purity and friendship. Those who entered the Society must be of virtuous life and character. It did not pretend to work out all problems of Christian work, but it had certain ideaJs to uphold, and the greatest was purity of life and living. She stated that the Society, which had been in existence for two years, now numbered 33 associates, 59 members, and 50 candhlates, and was a real power for good. She outlined the work done by members and its proposed extension by opening a clubroom for the use of the girls, where they can assemble during luncheon hour and at other times. A suitable house had been obtained for the purpose 011 favorable terms. This work for the present would of necessity be carried on by voluntary labor of associates and elder members. As soon as funds permitted, the scope of the institution would be extended to provide lodging for country girls travelling from one situation to another. The extern ioir of this work should appeal. In conclusion, she emphasised the fact, that the aim of the G.F.S. was to set before its members a high ideal of purity and thought, word and deed, to help thcin in every possible way to be true to that ideal, to be a witness to the possibility of purity of life and conduct for every woman and girl, and to guard from acknowledged dangers girls who arc growing into womanhood. Surely the .Society had a strong claim 011 general sympathy and support - from all those who recognised the need that existed in the community for the work it strove to do.

•Mrs. Pope read a paper in which she pointed out that a club that was only an educational or social affair failed in "its main object, and that was where a thoroughly earnest motherly superintendent would be invaluable, and she strongly urged that an effort be made to provide for the appointment and payment, of such a person, and not endeavor to run the club by voluntary help.

The Rev. Houchen felt sure that ladies in the country districts would t>c very pleased to en-operate in its formation. Other speakers were Mr. Hirst, Revs. Wilkinson and Addenbroke, who spoke in favor of the scheme.

The Bishop, in closing the discussion, referred to a club of a similar nature which he had visited in New York, where 500 girls lunched every day. lie, however, advised them to be cautious

about expenditure, and pointed out that the (i.F.S. in Auckland was paying £3OO yearly for rent. He congratulated New Plymouth in obtaining a. house on sueh terms. The larger and stronger scheme was the greater ambition, but of course it was a matter of finance. He felt sure, however, tihat this would be forthcoming for such a philanthropic work, which would appeal to every parish in Taranaki. He urged them to start .the club, and this would bo the first result of the Taranaki Conference.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND MEN'S •SOCIETY. iMr. Harry Fookes gave a strong paper on the C.K.M.S.. in which he referred to the tremendous help a good active branch of the Society could he to the clergy and the various church bodies, and to the work as a whole. It was, he thought, of mipreine importance that every member should undertake some definite chinch work, and make the rule "to do something'' not a mere empty, meaningless expression, but a real obligation to take an active part in helping forward the work of God's church. As Mr. Woolcomlie was never tired of telling them during his recent visit here, it was not numbers that were wanted, hut workers, and it was much better to have a small liand composed entirely of faithful workers than lie able to boast of a large body of men, many of whom might be Slackers, and possibly, quite unintentionally, through their own inactivity and indifference and carelessness in their conduct, actually inimical to the true aims of the Society. lie thought it was a generally admitted axiom amongst church people that directly one was given a definite work to do it created in that person a more lively interest- in everything connected with the church. There was always some avenue of usefulness open to each one cf them. There were missions to work for, teaching in Sunday School, lay reading, visiting, looking after strangers (especially immigrants), keeping church grounds in order, and a vast number of oilier ways in which members could prove their zeal in promoting the Society's work. The C.E.M.S. was capable of becoming, and indeed it is, a great world-wide power for good. But there must he unity. Mr. Fookes then spoke "f the help and inspiration gathered from pravcr. regular and devout. Under I he heading of "Missions." he referred to the need for help in the Maori, Melancsiati and backblocks. Then every member could, bv bis life example, be a missioner amongst his fellow-men and fellow-workers. In their work, their sports and' recreation, in their homes,

let tliem sec that their sayings won; clean, their actions inspired by fresh motive.'-', and tlmt they were above board. Pravtr and missions he conceived to lit' two of tin* greatest subjects with which the C.E.M.S. was concerned. After touching on the other heads mentioned in the opening, Mr. Fookes refilled to the important duty to tho Society's', hand in interesting itself in t!:e lads of the parish, especially thosn preparing for confirmation, and those who had already been confirmed. The Boy Scout movement was deserving of all the support they could give it. Members might occasionally visit the clubroom on open night and show a personal interest in their work. Could the liideoiisnes» of gambling and betting be too emphatically instilled into the minds of our boys? Teach them to take an interest in and take part in pure sport, but tc shun all that tended to contaminate it.

The Rev. Butler gave an interesting account of the C.E.M.S. in Stratford. Without the assistance of his lay-read-ers he would not be able to do the work of his parish. The Sunday School workwas also in the hands of the C.E.M.8., who also prepared the church for service, etc.. and did necessary repairs. Like, measles, the C.E.M.S. in' Stratford was infectious, and its membership and sphere, of operations were, increasing. (The Rev. Houchen stated that it was not always given to promoters to see anv results from a movement, but the C.E.M.S, hail already been productive of good results. The Rev. Wilkinson said the C.E.M.S. was a great brotherhood united in one common bofid, viz., love to God and num.

'Mr. \\ eller said that they were very anxious for the C.E.M.S. to be the spiritual body among men in New Plymouth, and no work tackled with such an aim had ever failed. He also spoke on the various ways in which members could assist.

The ISisliop stated that although lift longed to speak on the subject he would not. but would call on the Rev 1 . C. F. R. Harrison (Waitara), who read ft paper on LAV READERS AND THEIR WORK. The rev. gentleman pointed out the antiquity of the name 'Hector," ur reader, used us fur back as the year 250 A.D.. Julian himself being a lector iii the church of Xieodemia. Orthodoxy, faithfulness and blaraeleasness were necessary. The office was revived during the Great Reformation. Tho office had at times lieen.a paid profession, and readers performed the duties of ordained clerics in their absence. When the revival came it was understood that the church was the whole body of the baptised people, and that ministration might not be wholly efficient without the addition of aealous work by others than ordained clerics. The reader, often a village schoolmaster, read the solo Bible chained to the church lectern, tothe people, and thus disseminated the glorious gospel. The colonial lav reader occupied a higher position than his English confrere. There are hundreds of readers 111 New Zealand, and 150 activelyengaged in this diocese. It wtmld lm impossible to carry on .without them. The necessity of earnest preparation for God's good work was obvious. To be an example in right living was an honor; to win souls for fiod was noble. It was a great privilege to train young men for the high office, and it was necessary that those undertaking the duties should thoroughly understand the noble services of the church. Reverent and understanding reading, and the saying of prayers, conveying their essentials to a congregation, curried conviction to the people. It would be helpful to arid' to the training of teachers a knowledge of some of the principles of the church. There was 110 reason why more of the O.E.M.S. men should not take up the work. Parish officials set the standard of conduct to be followed by members. A Lav Readers' Society, the speaker respectfully suggested, should be established in Taranaki.

The Rev, Kempthorne spoke strongly in regard to licensing o'f lay readers, 'mere were some who refused to lie licensed. ITe considered they were unfaithful to their bishop, the vicar and the church. As regarded a conference of lay readers, lie did not think that it would he much use. He would prefer that the lay readers should' take a definite course of reading. Mr. R. \. Remind considered that the Hisliop should rcconnnend books of sermons, so that lay-readers would be able fo get sermons that would be acceptable. It was very difficult indeed to obtain' sermons suitable to ba delivered by laymen so as to be understood in an'int"!ligible manner.

The Rev. Harrison referred to the success of lay readers' conferences in the Waikato.

Mr. Hirst stated that authorised sermons. should be read by lav readers, and should not be home-made compositions. The Rev. Butler suggested that lav readers should re-write the sermons the'v delivered.

The Bishop said that the conferencn had been intensely interesting. It had oeon marked 1 by definite characteristics, although perhaps it might be a little too parochial, and he wanted the conference to be lifted out of that. If it produced nothing else than the, manly, heftlthv ,>;< per by Mr. Fookes, it was worth coming from Auckland to hear. H# was grateful to the laymen and lay-women for their assistance. They had'spent a profitable evening, and had a lot to think about. He pointed out that 110 one was allowed to act as lav-reader unless licensed by the Bishop, and he hoped that lay-readers recognised the lovaltv and lielp that the Bishop's sanction gave them. He would be pleased to recommend suitable books for sermons. In •'(inclusion he said that lie felt that the conference would do good, and that all would get inspiration and help from it. The meeting closed with the Benediction.