METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2751, 4 March 1910, Page 5

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

GENERAL BUSINESS. fPun Punas Association. | DUNEDIN, March 4. At the. Methodist Conference the Pro_ sklent announced that the New South Wales Conference had accepted the Rev W. W. Aveny for foreign mission work, probably in New Guinea. At the close of the morning session, which had been carried on in committee, a. deputation from the Presbyterian Church waited upon the Conference. The Revs. D. K. Fisher (Moderator), E. R. Davis, and W. Scorgie addressed the Conference in complimentary terms. The Rev. J. J. Lewis and Mr. C. S. Howard l responded on behalf of the Conference in felicitous terms. The following were elected representatives to the General Conference, which meet® in Adelaide next May:— The Revs. C. H. Laws, S. Lawry, W. Baumber, and Mr. G. H. Blackwell (being members ex officio), Revs. Fairclough, Brooke, Lewis, Garland. Williams, Slade, Sinclair, Ready, Buttle, and Messrs Flesher, Rosevear, Stephens, J. H. Blackwell, Prod hoe, Hasset, Dixon, Penny, Veale, Lucas, and Tiller. Substitute representatives were also elected. The afternoon was chiefly occupied in committee. When the Conference resumed, it was reported that it had been decided to establish a fortnightly oonnexional organ as from Julv next. A church com. mittee was appointed to carry this resolution into effect. Mr. E. R. Rosevear, convener for many years of the Methodist “Outlook,” and the Rev. J. Ward were enthusiastically thanked for their

services. The Rev. S. Lawry received permission to visit England “in 1911, providing suitable arrangements could be made. The evening session was specially devoted to conversation on tlie work of God The general returns were T lo ' sentorl. Those showed that there wo-o in'the European work 335 churches >.nd 41-i other preaching places, 136 nr lusters and probationers, 15.98 S church members, (an .increase, of 516), St udav School scholars (an ’ncrease ot 531). total attendance upon i üblic worship* 71,695. Tn the Maori work H ere are 14 churches and 148, other preach-in,-r places, 8 ministers and t "obaticners 1803 members. 839 Sunday Sclxol scholars; and 7870 attendants tip on public worship. The conversation was introduced by the Rev. W. J. "Williams, Wellington, and engaged in by several ministers and laymen.