METHODIST SYNOD.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1001, 16 December 1910, Page 10

METHODIST SYNOD.

HOME MISSIONS. The Methodist Synod met yesterday to consider home mission affairs. The recommendations of the Home Mission Executive were discussed. The following were affirmed:—That resolution 11, passed by last conference, and that reads—"That grants for the support of the Native ministers and Native home missionaries be made. on the same principlo as that applied to the European departments of tho work, and that the ministers and office-bearers of the Maori stations l>e notified that this will be put into operation in 1911"—bo rescinded, the executive considering the time has not arrived to put such a rule into operation; that there be no' further increase in the cost of tho Maori work without the express sanction of conference; that all grants to circuits and home-niission stations be made with a.view to enabling themto pay fheir missionaries (if married) not less than JSI2O in addition to a furnished house, and (if single) not less, than .£IOO, and tho circuits to pay their ministers not less than ,£IBO, and probationers <£120, but should the total grant available' bo insufficient to meet this requirement, each grant shall be reduced pro rata until tho ammmt voted be brought within the possibilities of the fund; that all grants to circuits and home mission stations'be subject to their raising the conference homo mission estimate, should the estimated amount' not be in" the hands of the general treasurers by tho end of December, it shall tie deducted from, the grant for the December quarter. Tho Rev. 'f. G. Brooke (the organising secretary) submitted, his report. His reappointment was recommended. It was decided, to recommend Mr. J. Veale's reappointment as treasurer. INCREASED CONTRIBUTIONS. The organising secretary's report stated that visits had been paid to Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Whangaroa, Mangonui, Port Albert, Paltnerston South, Cromwell, .' Rivc-rton, Tuatapere, Colac Bay, Opotiki, and" North Taranaki home mission stations, and the circuits had also been visited. Considerable increases in contributions to the home missions were reported. The greatest satisfaction was expressed at the report of the Committee of the "New Zealund Methodist Times." The new venture in journalism has proved successful. The Rev. It. L. Hudson, the editor, was warmly commended for his. work. In view of his prospective absence, it was recommended that an acting-editor be appointed for next year. The report regarding tho Training Institute ,for Deaconesses was received. Miss Fawcott has completed her course of training and is available for 'appointment... .Vacancies for,two additional probationers Will be open in January. The Kev. J. It. Clark (secretary of tlie Bible. Class movement) moved that the circnits in' the district be urged to raise their , proportion' o fallocation of the deficit on the movement's finances and send in tile amounts before January 31.

THE PUBLIC CONSCIENCE. Tile Svnod carried unanimously a motion of the Rev. B. P. Eothwell (Hutt) : to the effect that the members of the Synod "express our thankfulness to God for the advance of the causc of righteousness as indicated in tho temperance legislation which has been placed upon the statute boik of the' Dominion, and tin: quickening of the public conscience in reference to the evils of gambling; at the same time pledging "ourselves ' to renewed and increased efforts to secure the settlement of' tho liquor question by a democratic majority-; 'he abolition of the totalisato.- and every other form ot gambling. Wo express our gratitude to God for the steady prosperity which is indicated by the increase revealed by' the - .Statistical returns of our Church. We urge /our people to do all in their power to counteract the growing evil of Sabbath desecration. Recognising the importance of Bible-teaching in the development of national character, wo express our conviction that there should be some definite form of Bible-teaching in connection with our educational system. In a spirit of humble consecration we pledge ourselves to renewed efforts to extend the kingdom of Jesus Christ." '• OTHER MATTERS. A discussion took plaiio over a remit from conference concerning .the number of readings of stations at conference. A motion to rcduee from threo to two was thrown out,-and tho present number, upheld. _ ' . ' Theincrease of membership for the district was reported as 107. It was recommended that conference bo urged to commend to miiiiiters home missionaries, Sunday school superintendents,

and young people's workers the practice of encouraging the:children of our people to participate in tho Sacrament of the Lord's Supper. _It was decided that. Ihe next sessicm o," s3 - nod should bo held at Napier, upon the invitation of Mr. Williams, in about twelve months' time. Mr. Baillie (Eketahuna) moved a comprehensive vote of thanks, including appreciation of the hosts of the delegates fur hospitality dispensed Tho officers of the synod and the press wero heartily thanked, and after the reading and confirmation of the synod journal liie synod v.as brought to a conclusion. DISTRICT BOUNDARIES. At Tuesday's meeting one of the questions considered concerned the alteration of district boundaries. There was a consensus of opinion that tho present division rendered the districts unwieldy. A proposal to divide tho Auckland district, including the Thames, Hamilton, and adjacent circuits, as passed by the Auckland district, met with favour. It was decided to recommend to conference tho following rearrangement:— Auckland district, from Huntly northward; South Auckland district, from Hamilton to Taumarunui, down to East Coast to Opotiki, and 1 the West Coast to Ivawhia. Wanganui district, comprising the New Plymouth, Waitara, Inglc.wood, Stratford, Eltham, Hawcra, Cape Egniont, ICaponga, "Wanganui, Aranvoho, Raiigitikei, Sandon, Rongotca, Feilding, Taihape, YTaimariho, West Coast Maori Mission, Patea, Kimbolton, Ohtira, and North Taranaki circuits and home mission stations. ' Wellington district, comprising. the Wellington, Central Mission; Thorndon, Wellington South, Jolinsonville; Hutt, Petone, South Wairarapa, Masterton, Palmerston North, Napier, Hastings,. Gisborne, Eketahuna, Dannevirke, Levin, Otaki, Waipawa, 'Woodville, Pahiatua, Norsewood, and Waipukurau circuits and home mission stations. When developments of the. district warrant the alteration, it will be arranged for tho Gisborne circuit to be transferred from the Wellington to the.South Auckland district.' The Rev. C.'H.' Standage.suggested.-the division, of the South AVairarapa circuit, and it was resolved,that an alteration in circuit boundaries should be recommended so that Carterton be. the northern circuit, to include Carterton,-Dilefield, Belvedere, Clareville, Parkvale, and Waihakiki, the southern circuit] to be calied Featherston (or South AVairarapa), to include Featherston,' South Featherston, Kahutana, Cross Creek,. Greytown, and Morison' Bush. - The transfer of the ICaiwarra Church from Thorndon to Johnsonville circuit was considered, but the recommendation was thrown put on the voices. Levin, Otaki, and South AVairarapa circuits requested* to' be relieved from obligation to take a second married minister for the coining year. .This request , was recommended to..conference.