METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19160, 17 November 1927, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH.

NORTH CANTERBURY SYNOD.

The annual Synod of the Methodist Church of the North Canterbury district was opened in the Durham street Church parlour on Tuesday, when the ministering session was held. The Rot. W. Greenslade (chairman of the district) presided over an attendance of •10 ministers.

A welcome was extended by the Rev. John Haines (Synod secretary) to the chairman, after which the chairman cordially welcomed tho new members of the committee. In a few words he set before them a high spiritual ideal for the Synod. He urged the ministers to be men of faith and courage, and he hoped these characteristics would bo displayed in the Synod session. Reference was made by the chairman to the passing during the year of the Revs. C. Aborncthy and W. Laycock, and the wife of the Rev. J. Guy. Several members spoke in eulogistic terms of the exemplary lives and faithful work of the two late ministers, and resolutions of smpathy were passed with their relatives and also with the Rev. J. Guy.

Reports were received on the trial sermons, book lists, and circuit work of the Revs. 0. S. Pcarn and Athol R. Penn. probationers, and an oral examination on the book lists and in theology was conducted by the Rev. H. Fowles. The reports were all satisfactory, and the Rev. 0. S. Pearn was recommended to the Conference for ordination. The Rev. Athol R. Penn was reronimended to be advanced a year in his probation.

The afternoon session was devoted to the discussion of pastoral work. An introductory address was given by tho Rev. W. Baumber on "Pastoral Efficiency." A lengthy and helpful discussion followed.

Afternoon tea was kindly providrd bv the ladies of the Durham street Guild. Representative Session. ._ The full representative session of the hyncd was opened in the Durham street Lhoreh yesterday, when about SO ministers an U, 'ay representatives were present. The Rev. W. Hay extended a welcome, on behalf of the Synod, to the chairman, lie Kev. W. Greenslade. The chairman briefly returned thanks, and extended a welcome to the representatives. . The Rev. W. H. Speer was electnd asKistant secretary, and the Rev. A II rowles journal secretary.

On (he motion of the Rev. K. V, Blamires, it was decided to send the fraternal grect- \ nFS °\. the s - vnod - 'o the Presbyterian General Assembly, now in session in Christchurcli, and congratulations to the.Moderator on the inch standard of his inaugural addr"=s The T f' J?.- Grecnf,li,de and S. Lawry and Mr '.v. ;- . wcro a PP o 'ntcd a deputation to the General Assembly.

Reference ivas m;irie to the passing of the vtV « Abc r»ethy and TV. Lnycock and -ur \\. a. Seed, and motions of condolence with the relatives were passed. The application of the Rev. T. J. "Wallis to become a supernumerary minister at the end of this year, after 43 vearr' service, was recommended to Conference to be granted. Conference was also recommended to grant the application of the Rev. W. A. Hay to become a sitpernumcrarv minister for one year, and of the Rev. wi H. Spccr to rest for one year. Statistical Keturns. The Rev. W. H. Speer, district statistical secretary, presented a comprehensive report, v.lnch revealed .a very satisfactory position. The totals showed the following items.:— Churches tiS, other preaching places 18, schoolrooms 27, parsonages 27, ministers and probationers :i6, home missionaries 3, local preachers 10,=. members on roll .183:1, junior members 10G7, attendance at public worship 10.235. Commenting on the report, Mr Speer said the membership returns showed the largest number in the district siiu'o Church Union. The position was regarded as encouraging, and the report was adopted. Young People's Work. The district secretary for the Young People's Department, Mr \V. A. Bascand, presented the statistics for the district for the year. The number of Sunday schools was shown as 61, teachers 513 (an increase of 14), scholars. 4552 (an increase of 191), Bible class members 879, Band of Hops members 459 (an increase of 70). Speaking to his report, Mr Bascand said a drive for new-scholars organised in the district by the Sunday School Union during the quarter ending September had resulted in 354 new scholars being gained. Over 400 scholars this year sat for the Scripture examination. He felt that more ought to be

done to increase infant and junior church membership in the Church. The Rev. E. P. Blamires, in a forceful spoecb, stressed the importance of this aim.

The annual report of the Young People's Department, to be presented to the annual conference in February, was before the Synod for consideration. The Eev. ■E. P. Blamires drew attention to the reports of the young women's and young men's Bible elass movements, which showed these to be doing excellent work. The increased interest in the Easter camps was particularly gratifying. Ten years ago three camps were held. This year there were 38, with a total of over 2000 campers. Socials and Recreation. A lengthy discussion took place on recommendations from the Young People's Board on the subject of social and recreational life. Finally the following recommendations of the Board to Conference wVe adopted by the Synod:— (1) ' 'This Synod appreciates the larger and truer conception of Christianity which relates it to the whole of life, and thus includes physical education, sports and amusements, and social relationships. It is the task dt- our religion to cultivate body, mind, and spirit in the interest of complete' Christian personality." (2) "The Synod approves the action of the Y.W. and Y.M. Bible Class in their appointment of a committee to apply its attention to raising the standard of programmes at church socials, and trusts that steps will be taken to train a special leadership for social and recreational life. .We value the steady development of healthy outdoor sports, and desire to see in social evening programmes a wise use made of pageantry, drama, and rhythmic games that are free from the evils of modern mixed I dancing." (3) "In these days of the new freedom of youth and multiplied opportunities for pleasure, a great responsibility rests upon all who are associated with organisations for sport and amusement to use their influence to promote by these means a clean and healthy citizenship. We are concerned that there exists in the community a spirit of vulgarity and greed which is strongly organised to exploit the passions of human nature for monetary gain, with the result that multitudes of young people, innocent and unwary, become the victims of potent temptation almost before they have become aware of its presence and their peril. AgainEt all such subtle and powerful perversions of true sport and recreation our Church stands in uncompromising opposition."

(4) "Wo respect the rights of individual conscience in the matter of conduct. At the same time we stress tho need to educate the Christian conscience. Every such right of conscience should be exercised by Christians as in the presence of their Lord, weighing the effect upon their plans and purposes as professed servants of His. They should art also with a sense of social responsibility, considering the well-being of others, especially those younger than themselves." (5) "We recommend all Christian parents to encourage an open and frank relationship with their children in adolescent years concerning their social problams, that by reasonableness, sympathetic understanding, and active participation they may win their confidence and help them to choose ever the way of the Christian ideal."