ANNUAL SOCIAL.

Press, Issue 14828, 20 November 1913, Page 10

ANNUAL SOCIAL.

The annual Synod social was held last evening. The Rev. C. H. Laws, who presided, welcomed the delegates from the various circuits.

The Rev. J. Harris, of Waddington, gave an address on "The Church and tho Social Question." "Wo should not," ho said, "be alarmed at the facts of present day social life. There are critics outside the Christian Church and clitics inside, and frequently we have more to fear from the latter than from the former. Still the Church has the solution of all social and economic questions. The difficulty is that on tho one hand tho worker scarcely tinderstands the Church,. while the Church frequently fails to appreciate the worker and his problems. If a better mutual understanding could be arrived at the triumph of the Church would be assured.

Mr J. H. Blackwell, on behalf of tho laymen of the Synod, thanked the chairman for the welcome extended. He hoped that during the current year the formation of a Laymen's Missionary Society would bo effected, also that such society would givo special attention to tho Maori work of the.Church.

The Rev. W. A. Sinclair read a statement of the progress made with regard to tho establishment in the South Island of a Methodist Orphanage. During the evening a pianoforte trio was given by the Misses Kay, a recitation by Mrs Hindle, and songs by Miss Twos© and Mr J. Olds. Mr Ernest Firth, F.R.C.0.. acted as accompanist, and refreshments were provided by the Ladies' Gnild of the City.