METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Wairarapa Age, 9 March 1927, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

A PROMISING SIGN. YOUNG MEN ASSISTING IN SERVICES. AUCKLAND, March 8. At the Methodist Conference it was reported that one of the most promising signs in connection with church extension was the increasing niimber of young men who were beginning to assist in services. In such a country as New Zealand, with its scattered population, it was quite impossible to c/b--tain ministers' to fill every pulpit, so that the encouragement of the young preacher was desirable.

The financial statement cf the Home Mission and church extension department stated that expenditure had totalled £12,396 and receipts £11,038, leaving a debit balance of £1357. The estimated income for 1927 was £11,003, which would leave an estimated deficiency of £l6OO. Increased activity owing to a substantial increase in the number of immigrants was reported. Tn a review of immigration work, it was stated that Methodist immigrants arrived by every boat, and painstaking effort was made to meet them on arrival. The Conference passed a resolution expressing appreciation of the services of the Rev. G. H. Bridgeman, who has been connected with Home Mission work for 39 years. The Rev. E. T. Olds was re-appointed for a further term as Assistant Superintendent of the Home Mission Department. In a brief address to the Conference, Miss L. Hodder, of Palmerston North, secretary of the Young Women’s Bible Class Union -said that 21 camps were to be held throughout the Dominion this year, and it was hoped to enlist the support of many young women who had hitherto not been reached by the church. It was hoped to start a special church membership campaign after the camps and she did not see why young people could not be admitted at a service similar to the Church of England confirmation. A grant of £lOO was made to the Y.M.C.A. for its work in the military camps, on which it has a deficit of £9OO.

The following appointments were made to the ‘Chaplain’s Command: Messrs. B. W. Buttle, W. S. Stone, K. Dellow, H. C. Mutton, Major F. C. Soar, and the chaplains of the district. —(P.A.)