METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18229, 13 November 1924, Page 7

METHODIST CHURCH.

SOUTH CANTERBURY SYNOD.

(sriciAt to "*#* ywus.")

, TIMARU, November 12

The representative session of the Methodist Synod of South, Canterbury was opened in Timaru to-day. The chairman, the Rev. A. C. Lawry, in his opening address, touched .upon the > outstanding problems of the - day which, to thoughtful minds, were becoming of ever-increaaing urgency. Methodist congregations throughout the district showed a marked increase over those of the past year. Prominent citizens everywheite were (identifying themselves with tko work of the Church, a circumstance' hopeful in view of the engrossing lure's that were weakening respect for the Sabbath day. Problems of social'reform, now much to the front, were arousing too little attention among the young men of today. This was a circumstance perhaps to be regarded of evil portent. The motor-car was encroaching rapidly on the observance of the Sabbath day, and in other directions influences were at work that threatened to weaken tlve social fabric by encouraging the steadily growing disregard for the mare settled conventionalities of past days. Every effort should be made to establish the Bible in 'the State Schools. Children were growing up in entire ignorance of sacred truth and of the facts of religion. TJiis was an alarming state of affairs, but fortunately was counteracted to a large extent by many aggressive movements among young people in the opposite direction. The Rev. A. H. Fowles, the statistical secretary, reported increases in the number, of preaching places throughout the district, and in attendance at places of worship. A noteworthy feature of the report was the increase m the number of lay preachers. . A change in the form of reception of new ministers to their circuits was approved. Their welcome should be characterised by more spiritual earnestness and less prominence should be given the event as a purely social function. A minister's duties were dignified and responsible, and should be inaugurated in a new sphere in a dignified manner. The suggested modification of Methodist doctrine to bring it in line with modern thought, met with no encouragement from the Synod. The host, mindfe were showing a recoil in the direction of more conservative thought. The old truths were reasserting themselves.'and the New Zealand Methodist Church should take its lead from the Methcdist Ecumenical conference which represented the thought of the great world-wide Methodist Church. The Synod reaffimed its allegiance to the cause of Prohibition, and expressed vigorous disapproval of recent legislation in which added facilities were given to the destructive gambling mania.

A letter of sympathy is to be sent to the Rev. John Dawson on account of his reoent severe illness, with an earnest tope for a speedy recovery.