METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, 4 March 1927, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

LIFE OF TO-DAY. MANY DISQUIETING ELEMENTS. AUCKLAND, March 3. The New Zealand conference of the Methodist Church opened here this evening, when the Rev. Dr. H. Ranston was installed as president and later delivered his presidential address.

Dr. Ranston said the Great War had falsified many expectations in that it did not beget a regenerated world. Signs were, indeed, not wanting of an increasing social passion and the growth of spiritual idealism. There was also abundant proof of the existence of a great deal more real goodness than some people believed, and immense forces were being released which made for spiritual reconstruction and regeneration. Nevertheless, many elements in the life of to-day were disquieting. All round was a swirl cf rising dissastisfaction. From the Christian point of view, international affairs were disturbed. At Home there was growing unrest, a passion for low pleasures, a loosening of moral restraints and an increasing distaste for the simple pleasures cf home life. Dr. Ranston said the church was not a spent force and r.ever were there opportunities so numerous as to-day for the church which really meant serious business. “A revival is needed of high churchism, that is of faith in the allsufficiency. of God working within,” continued Dr. Ranston. They knew that compromise with lower ideals spelt certain disaster, so that to-day to yield to the spirit of the age meant a lost campaign.—(P.A.) OFFICERS ELECTED.

Mr. J. A. Fletcher, of Christchurch, was elected vice-president. The following officers were elected for the 1928 conference: President, the Rev. W. J. Elliott, Cambridge; secretary, the Rev. A. N. Scatter, Wellington.— (PA.). #