METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 March 1916, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

FINAL READING OF STATIONS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, March 6. At the Methodist Conference the final reading of the Stationing Committee's report was submitted, and the following alterations were made in the list of sta tions first published (the minister appointed in the first reading is given, followed by the name finally substituted): To Aroha (E. II .Mann), John Dukes; Te Awamutu (C. A.' Sims), John 01-. phert; Inglewood (one wanted),R.Richards; Cape Egmont (R. Richards), R. B. (Josnell; Aramoho (T. N, Griffin), Chas. A. Kims;' Waimarino (one wanted), R, E. Fordyce; Dunedin, St. Kilda (j. Guy), Arthur Hopper; Dunedin, Caversliam (J. D. McArthur), A. Allan; Waikouaiti and Palmerston .South (Alex. Allan), Wm. Lea; Fort Chalmers (J. V. Griffin), S. H. D. Perry man; Gore (W. Lea), G, H. Mann; Timaru, Bank Street (Robt. B .Spiers), one wanted; Ashburton (one wanted), John D. McArthur; Lyttelto'n (S. H. D, Perryman), J. Ernest-Parsons; Rangiora (Wm. Mills), .Tas. Guy;, Gisborne (J. Olphert), Wm. Mills. OTHER BUSINESS. At the Methodist Conference the report of the special committee on central missions was submitted. It stated that each mission was hampered by burdensome debts, and in some cases also by the want of suitable buildings, and in all cases also by the lack of sufficient funds for the establishment of aggressive agencies. At the same time the committee expressed its conviefion of the value of strong and vigorous missions in all the large cities. > It was decided that a deaconess, to work among the poorer classes, was essential to the staff of each mission. The committee also regarded that at" every mission there should be a definite evangelistic effort—open-air preaching, organised work amongst men, and social as well as philanthropic agencies. The conference resolved that in order to promote the interests of Maori work, Maori Sunday schools, with teachers and scholars, should be reported upon; that the conference will give its moat earnest heed to the needs and claims of the Native department of church enterprise in New Zealand. \ The following were elecW chairmen of districts: —Auckland district, Rev. S. H. Garland; South Auckland, Rev. S. J. Serpell; Taranaki and Wanganui, Rev. T. G, Hammond; Hawke's Bay and Manawatu, Rev. G. .1. Murray; .Wellington, Re\< J. G. Chapman; Nelson, Rev. W. Baumber; South Canterbury Rev. Thomas A. Joughin; North Canterbury, Rev. A. C. La.wry (president of the conference); Southland, Rev. W. Ready; Otago, Sir. Griffiths. The following were appointed district secretaries: —Auckland, Rev. C. A. Harrison; South Auckland, Rev. T. J. Wallis; Wanganui, Rev. A. B. Chappell; Hawke's Buy and Manawatu, Rev. J. H. Haslam; Wellington, Rev. W. Beckett; Nelson, Rev. A. Ashcroft; South Canterbury, Rev. .T. J. McArthur; Otago, Rev. S. H. D. Perryman; Southland, Rev. S. Henderson. THE SWORD AND THE CHURCH.

The question as to whether ministers should volunteer as combatants was discussed by the Methodist Church Conference on a motion by Mr. Roeevoarj "That as from ministry and theological colleges and home mission fields so large a number of men have enlisted in the forces tlrat, the Church is unable to cope with present urgent requirements, in the judgment of this conference our Church has contributed from these sources every man it can possibly spare." A number of delegates opposed the motion. The Rev. C. Bond said that whilst he deplored the large number of men who had gone irom, the ministry, he would not raise a finger to stop anyone from going who felt that he should go. The Rev. S. Lawry said that like seme business people, the Methodist Church might say, "We cannot carry on our business if you take away our men." On the other hand, he, too, felt that it would be a wrong tiling to say .0 a jninister, "You cannot go unless you resign." It was unanimously decided that tiic motion should not be put to the cmference. '