PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 107, 13 January 1912, Page 8

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. THE QUESTION OF UNION. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. At the, Primitive Methodist Conference to-day the basis of union with the Methodist Church was discussed. The Rev. G. Knowles Smith, president, presided. The union secretary (Mr. C. E. Bellringer) reported on behalf of the Committee on Methodist Union, appointed by the last conference, that the committee approached the important subject karing in mind the very earnest and long continued consideration it had received at the hands of the conference as shown by the many resolutions passed from time to time. The Dunedin conference of lftoß had passed a resolution in favor of union, and the Wellington conference of 1911 had reaffirmed it. The committee had met the committee of the sister church at -Wellington on June 7 last. The proceedings all through the sessions were of the most harmonious nature, the points of difference were discussed freely and fully, and at the end a basis of union was unanimously arrived at. The basis of union is now, laid before the conference. The secretary | moved the adoption of the report, and that the basis of union be received to be considered seriatim. The principle of union, he said, had been agreed to, and: it was now for the conference to discuss the basis. * Mr. W. King (Dunedin), who seconded the report, said the question had been before the Methodist churches for 28 | years, and it was time' it was settled, j Mr. D. Goldie (Auckland) opposed union on the ground that it had not been | a success in Canada or Australia. He quoted extracts in support of his remarks. He had been connected with the church for 4&'/ 2 years. Hon. C. M. Luke (Wellington)' spbke strongly in favor of union. He answered many of 'Mr. G oldie's arguments against union. Rev. J. Dawson (Wellington) considered there were a hundred reasons, why once more there should be one Methodist Church in New Zealand. Whatever reasons there might have been why they should remain separate churches those reasons did not exist now. Union meant better work in several places in New Zealand. Where there were Primitive Methodists there was no Primitive Methi odist Church, and the result was these Primitive Methodists attended the Methodist Church. They were asked to join a church which had shown the way in several of the largest branches of services. Mr. T. Moore (Auckland) said that a hundred years ago, before the church had secured a more settled position,"' it had secured far better results. He objected to the of union. Their sister church was at present not at all progressive, and they wanted to know whether they were going to improve themselves by joining the Methodist Church. In the Auckland churches the union spirit was not very strong. There were a big body of people in the church whose desire was to see the Kingdom of God prosper, but still they did not desire union with the sistef church. Mr. W. Dobbs (Christchurch), advocated union. They would find a great many concessions had been made by the other side. Rev. M. Hyde (Auckland) opposed union. The Primitive Methodist Church had not received assistance from the Government as the Methodist Church had; otherwise it might have done as much work as the Government. It was not a bit of good a minister coming, to i the conference and voting for union and trying to shove it upon his people without their desiring it. The president said he did not wish to interrupt their young brother, ' but he was departing from the business of the

union, l>i re]>]_v to a question -by Mr. J. Pugh (C-1 ■'.stchurcli), as to whether the basis sli Id be submitted to a referendum of nn iibers, or merely to the quarterly me. Lings, the president said it was to be submitted to the quarterly meetings. The Rev. W. Sprott (Wellington) said. Methodism had increased 75 per cent, in 13 years in Queensland, as a result of union. In view of this/ they would hardly regard union as' a failure. He felt confident that the readjustment of forces consequent upon union would have a stimulating effect upon Methodism. The Rev.-E. E. Ward (Christchurch) considered that they would lose much of the effect of their useful work by union. He hoped that if a union were; brought about, it would not be the means of closing up the small churches.' Personally, he preferred to live and die' under the Primitive Methodist flag. The Rev. G. Drake (Dunedin) advocated union. They were not to be absorbed, but were to be united to a great church to make a greater church. The Rev.G. H. Mann (Geraldine) advocated union, which meant increased efficiency. president said he was under no conditions prepared to enter into Wesleyan Methodism. He was also not prepared to enter Wesleyan Methodism with the autocracy of their ministry, which 1 was greater than some of them desired, but they were not discussing the ques-' tion of joining Wesleyan Methodism, butl the creating of a new church from the two churches of put on him the coat of Wesleyan Meth-j odism nor on his .brother the coat of the! ranter, but it would have the effect of creating a democratic church. I Mr. (i. Froggart (Invercargill) was in favor of union. Mr. J. Hawkins (Auckland) was opposed to union. The Rev. J. Guy (Waimate) said the pioposed basis of union was according to the New Testament teaching. The Rev. J. Benny (Waikouaiti) and the Rev. S. Henderson (Christchurch) believed in union. The Key. J. Cocker (Wainganui)' ' strongly upheld the proposed basis. It ' would take the church many years to recover from the Mow if it thiew out the : basis agreed to affer many conferences. The president said there had been eighteen speeches, eighteen for and four against union. If any further nonunionists wished to speak would 1 they get up mow? Otherwise ,he would calll ■pon Mr. Bellringer to reply. There was no response. |

MOTION FOR UNION CARRIED.

DRAFT OF STATIONS. . Mt. Bellringer, in reply, urged that the needs of the Dominion would be more fully considered by accepting the basis of union. He had no doubt it would be accepted, but he hoped it would be accepted in a whole-hearted manner. The motion was then put to the meeting and carried unanimously. The basis of union was then gone through seriatim' and the various sections adopted. The conference then adjourned. The first draft of stations was read* as follows: — ' f New Plymouth, Ralph J. Liddell, and Harold A. Sharp; Inglewood, one wanted; Stratford, Basil Metson: Eltham, (J. Clements; Wanganui, Samuel Bailey; East Egmont, ,Fred Frost; Saddle Bag Mission, one wanted; Wellington (first), Percy J. Cossum, Harold Cotton, and John Dumbell (sup.); Wellington (second), William S. Cotter,... 0. Harris and John Dawson (wi'thojJ pastoral charge); Wellington (thirdjYjohn Sotheran; Foxton, Thos. Coates Worth, and one wanted; Feilding, JosephjSharp and Ernest T. Bliss (H.M.), andi Peter W. Jones (sup.); Halcombe, Herbert Daniel; West Coast Mission, Chalks A. Sims and Peter J. Mairs (H.M.) ;|Auckland (first), James Cooker andlledley White; Auckland (second), Robertfßaine and John F, Doherty (H.M.) j Aabkland • (third), John OLfhert and Thos H.„Lyon; Thames, Geo. F. Hunt; Watyi, Bred A. Thompsan; Hamilton, Jas. doytaf Cambridge, Herman Foster (H.M;-)'f Christchurch (first), Samuel Hendemson, C. E. Ward (sup.), and Walter Harris (C.M.); Christchurch (second), one wanted; Greemdale, Arthur Harding; Ashburton, Thos. R. D. Woolloxa'll; Geraldine, Geo. H. Mann; Waimate and Oamaru, Jas. Guy; Timaru, Jacob Featherston; Temuka, John Harris; Dunedin (first), G. Kfiowles Smith, J. D. Suckling, and James Charteris; Dunedin (second), Eftward Drake and Edward Bandy; Havercargill (first), William Laycoek; Irivergill second;), Arthur Pybus; Bluff, Ben Dudley; Waikouaiti, J. Benning; EdenIdale, Norman Hyde.