METHODIST SYNOD

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 54, 26 November 1937, Page 14

METHODIST SYNOD

Sessions of Hawke's BayManawatu JPistrict WORK OF THE CHURCH The sessions of the Hawke'a Bay Munawatu District Methodist Synod commenced oa Wednesday with a Communion service in the Cuba street Church, Palmerston North. The service was conducted by the Kev. H. J. Odell, chairman of the district, assisted by the Eev. E. B. Gosnell, district secretary, an.d the Eev. A. Blakemore, Synod host. The pre-Communion address was deli.vered by the Eev. E. E. Fordyce. The chairman, the Eev. M'r Odell, welcomed the Tepresentatives, and thanked the ministers of the district for their loyal co-operation during the year. He had.something serious to say to the Synod, he added. Jesus claimed to have a message of redemption for the world. They w&e faced wi,th the fact that the -world had not been saved. Some were wondering whether it ever wquld be saved by religion as it was practised to-day. The world was "demonridden by the demon of fear, The Church was called upon to face this situation as never before. They had an idea that only bchind a wall of security would the Church continue. They must face the fact that for many people religion had fafled the world, and they were inelined to jettison it altogether. Dancing, Music and Motor-cars.

Most churches reported a decline in membership and attendance, the speaker added. They must Tealise that the dance and the radi.o and the motorcar were not the real problem of the churches to-day. The problepi lay deeper. They must recognise :that Jesus was the power of God unto salvation. The decline in church attendance was an indication that they had been busy about secondary things. "God has too much at stake in this world ever to be defeated. We can share with Him the work of winning this world to His purposes. " A full discussion concerning affairs at Norsewood, Waipawa and Waipukurau res-alted in a resolution to set up a commission to take all relevant evidence, and report through the next Synod lo the conference. In connection with Woodville, the following resolution was passed: "That the conference be requested to make a special grant of £45 from the Natural Calamities Eehabilitation Eund to the Woodville cireuit, in view of the expense in which the circuit was involved owing to damage by earthquakes ' Wairoa was recommended to be relieved from the rsponsibility of taking a married man for a further year. The Napier circuit asked to be relieved for one year from its responisibility to take a second married minister. - Circuit Pinances, Circuit credits in the district totaUed £92 2/11, and the debit balance* totalled £710 19/5, an. excess uf debit? over credits of £618 16/6. The district funds were £159 better of? than in 1936, and £382 better of? than in 1935. Over a period of five years the debit balances had decreased -by 50 per cent. This was a position to exeite no little satisfaction, and it was to be hoped there had been a corresponding inerease in the spiritual life of our people, it was stated. The following resolutions were then passed: — "The Synod rejoices that during the year a great step forward has been taken by the permission of the daily Chrxstian observances in the schools of six education districts. It regrets the opposition that is evident in some quaxters, and is convinced thav when the benefits of the daily worship are realieed such opposition will disappear. ' ' 4 4 That Conference be recommended to direct that circuit quarterly meetings give special attention to the facilities now available for the Bible in schools." The report concerning peace called forth discussion. The following resolution was passed: "Eecognising the peril of the international situation to the peoples of the world and the almost universai prayer for peace, this Synod, believing that war is a fiendish crime against humanity and contrary to the highest Christian principles, urges officials and members of the Methodist Church to humble penitence before Almighty God, seeking divine guidance in the determination to foster a more brotherly spirit in every relationship of life and to encourage the will to peace among all men. The Synod also urges that members o£ our Church should make every endeavour to study and search out the causes that make for war in order that they may help to prepare the way for a more Christian organisati.cn of international society. ' ' Temperance Work, Concerning temperance, the following resolution wa$ passed: "That the Synod affirms the need of stres§ing the definite temperance work of our Church and recommends to Conference that a committee be iset up specifically to carry out that work, without having it submerged as one objective among many." Statistical returns were presented by the Eev. Mr Gosnell. There had been an ^ inerease of eight local preachers during the year, and o£ 47 seuior members. There had been an inerease of 150 in senior membership during the five year period. Junior members had decreased by 68 The Eev. C. M. Eoberts presented the report of the principal of the Trinity Theologieal College. Synod .passed the following resolution: "In reviewing the reports of the principal and the college council, Synod desires to place qn reocrd its pleasure and satisfaction. Tlie students*are evidently taking their task seriously and we are glad to loarn that not only .in tlieir studies but alsp ili practical worlc, they are showing commendable zeal and ability. We consider that the principal and his staff have earned the best of tlianks of the whole church for their efficient labours during the year." Church Trust Fund. The district secretary of thc church property, Mr C. B. Taylor, reported that trust fund debit balance* had been

reduced by £700 during the year, and mortgages had been reduced by over £300. The general position of trust funds throughout the district was regarded as encouraging. _Mr Taylor was cordially thanked for his services and was recommended to conference for re-appointment. Mr J. H. Oldham presented the report of the District Youth Committee. There are 44 Sunday sck„ols in the ' district with 1703 scholars, 80 men teachers, and 137 women teachers. The Cradle Eoll totals 446. Young Women's Bible classes have a membership of 398 and the young men's classes have 351 members. It was recommended that the District Youth Committee should be stationed in the Manawatu for the coming year, and the Eev. M. A. McDowell was recommended for appointment as District Youth Secretary in place of Mr J. H. Oldham. Synod placed on record its appreciation of Mr J. H. Oldham's splendid work.