Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 8th July, 1932 

WESLEYAN REFORM UNION  

84th ANNUAL CONFERENCE AT WOMBWELL 

Hearty Yorkshire Welcome 

Denominational interests affecting a wide area have been focused on Wombwell this week in connection with the 84th annual conference of the Wesleyan Reform Union.  Opened on Monday, the conference continued until yesterday, the last day being devoted to problems affecting particularly the spiritual life and outlook of the young people.   

The conference was attended by a hundred and fifty delegates representing more than thirty circuits.  The northern element predominated and the great power of the Union in Yorkshire was adequately reflected. 

Among the visitors were the President (Coun. J. T. Waterhouse, of Bradford), the President-Elect (the Rev. G. A. Metcalfe of Sheffield, the Rev. Dinsdale T Young D. D., of London; who preached the Conference sermon; The Rev. F. Townley Lord D.D. of London the Rev. E. Bromage of Sheffield; the Rev. E. Cartwright of Yoseki (Congo); the Rev. J. G. Bowram, Harrogate; the Rev. H. T. Wigley B.A., D.D. Oldham; Mrs. F. L. Scroggie, London, an ex-President of the Baptist Women’s League. 

Third Time at Wombwell 

This is the seventh time in 58 years that the Conference has accepted an invitation to the Rotherham and Mexboro Circuit, and the third time the Conference has been held at Wombwell. The last occasion was in 1920. 

The arrangements for the conference were made by a committee under the direction of the circuit president, Ald. T. Tomlinson, J.P., of Elsecar; Mr. J. Keightley, Wombwell (secretary), and Mr. J. W. Fairhurst, Wombwell (steward). More than forty pulpits in the nonconformist churches of the district were filled by delegates on Sunday, and on Sunday evening an open-air rally in Wombwell Park was addressed by the Rev. E. Bromage and the Rev. W. S. Goodwin. with Coun. T. Newsome in the chair. The singing at this demonstration was accompanied by the Wombwell Salvation Army Band, and collections were taken for hospital funds. On Tuesday afternoon delegates and friends enjoyed a motor outing to Wentworth Woodhouse where, by kind permission of the Earl and Countess Fitzwilliam. they were able to view the lovely gardens. The Wombwell Urban District Council accorded the conference a civic welcome, and the town assisted in every way toward making the visitation a happy and successful one. Delegates with long conference experience spoke in high terms of the excellent manner in which the arrangements were planned and carried out. 

WELCOME TO WOMBWELL.  

A notable feature of the reception on Saturday night was the demonstration of unity of interest among the various denominations in the circuit. The Anglican Church was represented by the Rev. R. T. Jones. Members of the Wombwell Urban District Council entertained the delegates to tea in the Wesleyan Reform School, and afterwards marched in procession to the reception meeting over which Mr. Tomlinson presided. On behalf of the Circuit. Mr. Tomlinson extended to the conference “a very hearty welcome and Christian greeting.” He said they felt they were honoured by the presence of the delegates in Wombwell. As the conference handbook mentioned, Wombwell was a mining town. Some of the delegates had visited Wombwell before, but others were making their first acquaintance with it and would be eager to gather impressions of a mining community. Wombwell had promised to take them in—(Laughter)—and they were going to do it in the real Yorkshire way. It should be noted by those who were to enjoy Wombwell’s hospitality that the coal industry was in a very depressed state; many were out of work, and a great number were on short time. However, when homes for the delegates were asked for, more homes were offered than were necessary. (Applause.) They hoped the delegates would feel really “at home.” “These conferences,” said Mr. Tomlinson, “are not altogether intended as opportunities for talking. They are held for the definite object of extending Christ’s kingdom. The problems you have to consider in the next few days will call for the highest thought and the greatest courage. You are going to consider such great problems as gambling and peace. I am pleased the Church has taken its stand on these problems, and I hope your voices will be heard throughout the country. (Applause.) The Church should be at the front in challenging the evils that beset and undermine our national life. (Applause.) “We talk about God’s resources. We are the resources of God, and He is trying to use us. If we will only cheerfully and thankfully allow ourselves to be used for God’s purposes our perplexing problems will soon be solved.”  

WOMBWELL’S RELIGIOUS “ATMOSPHERE”  

Mr. Tomlinson said they were not a great’ circuit, but they had many churches, and it was pleasing to see the representatives of the various denominations present. The spiritual life of Wombwell was not to be despised. Wombwell churches were always prepared to unite on such occasions of testimony and witness. Referring to the presence of an Anglican minister, the Chairman “I feel like raising my hat when I see peeping through the trees in the remotest village symbols of spiritual life in the towers and spires of our parish churches. And the same can be said of our little Methodist places of Worship. The church is making its presence felt in the tiniest of communities.”  He was filled with reverence when he thought of the great work accomplished in the bygone days. Are we to despair?” he asked; and the Conference answered in one voice—”No!” “The work of God can never cease. He will fulfil His great purpose. He commands us as He commanded the children of Israel through Moses—’Go forward!’ (Applause.) “We shall only get out of this Conference what we put into it. Nothing that is worthwhile can be achieved in this world without determination. half-heartedness reaps failure. If we are to receive the ‘Well done’ we shall have to earn it by honest toil of heart, arm, and brain.” (Applause.) They hoped the Conference would be one of inspiration and joy, and that the delegates would return to their homes realising that God had been with them, and that in the power of God they would continue to dare and do for Christ’s sake. (Applause.)  

ANGLICAN GREETING.  

Speaking on behalf of the Church of England, the Rev. H. J. Jones said the Rector was absent on holiday; nothing would have delighted him more than to give a hearty welcome and to wish great spiritual success for that Conference. They sincerely hoped that the deliberations would be of great weight and influence in the Wesleyan Reform body, to the strengthening of the common cause. 

Mr. Jones referred playfully to the Conference handbook’s reference to Wombwell as “a town with a definitely religious atmosphere,” and said he was glad that Conference delegates were respectable people, who went to bed early. (Laughter.) Mr. Jones said he stood among them in a unique relationship, because for thirteen years he was a nonconformist minister. He hoped he would not be considered presumptuous when he entertained the thought that there might be a link between Nonconformity and the Church of England. He was very happy among his Nonconformist friends, and had already been made president of the Sunday School Festival and of the open-air campaign of the united churches. ‘These things could not happen unless the spirit of brotherly unity was genuine.” “I bring you,” said Mr. Jones, “a sincere and most affectionate Christian greeting from my rector and the people of the parish church.” (Applause.) The Rev. W. If. Wade offered greetings on behalf of the Wesleyans. In reference to ‘the obliteration of denominational distinctions, he said it would be left to the Wesleyan Reformers to retain for a while a distinctive designation. Ile had no doubt they would sustain it worthily. He was glad to be able to offer expressions of interest and affection. Too much perhaps had been made of distinctions. A layman once remarked to a Roman Catholic priest—”Father, I have been studying different religions for sixty  years, and I cannot see any difference in them.” “My friend,” replied the priest, “you will not be in the other world sixty seconds before you know the difference.” (Laughter.) “In my own name.” said Mr. Wade, “and as a representative of the Wath Wesleyan Circuit and the Wombwell Wesleyan Church, I offer you the very warmest welcome to the district and the most earnest hopes for a successful and triumphant Conference.” (Applause.)