METHODIST SYNOD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2935, 22 November 1916, Page 4

METHODIST SYNOD

DISTRICT MEETING AT THE LOWER IiUTT The annual meoting of the Methodist Church Synod (Wellington district) was opened ab tho Lower Hutfc yesterday afternoon. The Rev. J. G. Chapman, president of the Synod, occupied tho chair. The following were present:—Rev. H. White and Mr. C. Crabb (Otaki), Rev. Abby, Mr. Prouse, and Mr. H. 'Sorenson (Levin), Rev. C. B. Jordan and Mrs. Jordan, and Mr. J. F. Baillio (Ekctahuua), Rev. A. M. Beau and Mr. J. Jacobson (Pctonc), Rev. Reckitt, Mr. Armitage, and Mr. W. Watter (Hutt), Rev. J. A. Hosking and Mr. C. E. Danioll (Masterton), Rev. Ward and Mr. G. A. Ordish (Carterton), Rev. J. Dnmbell (Wellington),. Rev. A. Reader, Rev. Standidgo, and Mr. W. A. Clark (Thorndon), Rev. Knowles Smith (Central Mission), Mr. Moncrieff (Central Mission), Rev. J. G. Chapman and Messrs. W. and E. Redstone and I'. Chinchin (Taranaki Street), Rev. E. Drake, and Messrs. J. Richard, J. P. Shand, and M. J. Cable (Wellington South), Rev. L. B. Nealo (Trentham Camp), and Messrs. J. W. Bayliss and J. A. Hutton (Greytown), Revs. J. Evans, 0. S. Pearn (Johnsonvilhe), Rev. Read (chaplain-captain). In tho course of his opening address, the President said that it was not his intention to reviow at length the various church activities of the past year. What was possible to record would be presented to them in tabulated form by the statistical secretary. Much of the work done, however, was not reducible to tabulation. Tho war had seriously depleted their ranks of workers. Moro than fifty ministors, students, and homo missionaries had gone as chaplains or combatants; some of theso had been wounded, and one, Lieutenant Sheridan, a most prominent student, had been killed. He referred to the statement recently made by Bishop Averill that only 5 per cent, of Mothodists had onlisted. Whatever tho official enumeration might be, he could inform them that over 12 per cent, was nearer tho truth. As a synod they deeply sympathised with tho relatives of the many Methodists who had been wounded or had given their lives for humanity's cause. The Rev. Luke Wiseman, ex-president of the British Weßleyan Conference, made tho significant statement that more Mothodist soldiers were fighting at tho front to-day than tho number of soldiers which comprised the British Army before the outbreak or war. He referred to the good work that was being done by Methodist chaplains at the camps, and stated that the Methodist institution at Trentham was behind none in equipment and comfort. Funds were provided for tho chaplains from which to purchase comforts for the men in hospital, and at tho last social entertainment given in Wesloy Hall, Taranaki Street, moro than 100 soldiers wero* present. One effect of the war was the growing feeling on the part of the churches for closer union. Bishop Sprott -recently gavo sympathetic uttoranoo on the question. The Congregational Union at its recent meeting in Wellington devoted time to discussing tho question, and sot up a committee to _ negotiate with other churches.in the direction of organic union.' Tho Wellington Presbytery had tabled a motion requesting tho General Assembly to discuss tho question. As for the Mothodist Church, ho could confidently say that it had been willing for years past.to consider any proposals on tho matter which might bo submitted to it_ from other churches. The great denominations now stood apart from each other on grounds which, by their own'general confession, did not touch tho individual character.' Speaking of tho questions to be submitted to tho synod for their decision, he drew attention to two of outstanding importance, for which ho asked their earnest and prayerful consideration. One was the Sunday school problem—how to stop tho leakage, of scholars from their schools: the other was the designation of a Minister to the position of organising secretary for foreign missions. At tho oloso of the war the Australasian Mothodist Conference will transfer to tho New Zealand Conference a portion of tho mission field to be worked under tho auspices of the latter conference. Two names are submitted to the synod for designation, to this office. It was quite competent for tho synod to submit other names. His own feeling was that whoovor the man might be, ho should ',o a representative man, of.proved ability and worth, with largo powers of initiation and of sound judgmont, with a burning enthusiasm for missions.. It would be his duty to outline and largely carry out the future foreign mission policy of the church. It was not a canvasser for funds that was needed, but a statesman—a man with a largo soul and an Imperial outlook; Tho Chairman stated that before long a Mothodist orphanago would be established in the district; the trustees of tho Wellington Methodist Charitable and Educational Trust had several proposals under consideration.