METHODIST MINISTERS' SALARIES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1000, 15 December 1910, Page 5

METHODIST MINISTERS' SALARIES.

-j • AN INCREASE; SUGGESTED. A discussion took place at the Methodist Synod yesterday morning, regarding the salaries paid to ministers. It arose, out of a recommendation from the General Conference of Australasia. Mr. B. -Lynneberg (Johnsonville) • said that God's work was often hampered'by the minister having 25 per cent, of his time occupied bv financial work. 'It was the duty of the circuit stewards and quarterly meetings to take this burden off the ministers' shoulders. He deprecated the .dependence of tho church upon bazaars and similar efforts. He favoured direct, and. systematic 'giving to tho work of God. He recalled from personal experienc-2, More arriving in NewZealand, a case where bazaars were held by which to T'aiso mission contributions. Sad circumstances one year led to a discontinuance of this method,- and Christmas Day was set apart for special contribntion service. Two thousand- five hundred people assembled/ headed by the .Mayor and councillors. The outcome was a direct contribution of five times the amount previously given. He moved:—. "That owing to the increased cost of living, the quarterly boards throughout New Zealand be urged to take into consideration a corresponding increase in the stipends of ministers and Home missionaries, and,' further,' that when less than the minimum stipend is. paid, the chairman of tho district together with one or . two laymen visit and confer with th® chu'rch officials."

Mr. W. E. Redstone seconded the .potion, which was carried.