METHODIST SYNOD.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1923, Page 1

METHODIST SYNOD.

GREYMOUTII, Nov. lfi Dor the past three days the Nelsor District Methodist Synod has been ji session in St. Raul’s Church, Greymouth. Tho circuits were represented as follows : Nelson. Mis S. i.eaper; Blenheim, Rev W. Greeiisiade; Rev. F. B. Lawrence, Mr ('has. White ; Richmond, Rev

J. R. Nelson; Hokitika, Rev .T. F Jack. Mr F. Oliver; Recfton, Rev H Benny, Rev AY. A. Watson; AYestport, Rev AAU 15. Pickering: Greymoutli, Rev B. J. James, AI r ('. X. Gunn. Air I. Nelson: Alotueka, Mr K. AAratt; Raveloek, Air M. Bateup, Mrs .Aritchell; Murchison, Air R. T. H. AA’earne, AD,T. Bradbury; Denniston-Granitv, ATr Moses Ayrton ; AYakofiold, Air C. C IToskin; Church Property, Mr AA T . D Bike.

At the Pastoral Session the Rev A\ . I!. Pickering, a fonrth-year probationer, after oral examination was passed in test, and was recommended to the conference for ordination to the full work of the ministry. Tho Revs 11. Benny, -T. F. .Tack, and K. AV. Humes, 8.A., filiird, second and first year probationers, respect ively) were els i examined, and passed in their years. Messrs Moses Ayrton and F. Bateup (Home Missionaries) candidates for tho ministry, were submitted to the usual test. and were recommended to the •'''inference for acceptance. They were unanimously received by the brethren assembled. Messrs C. C. IJoskin and R. T. H. Wearne (Home Missionaries) were examined in their work. They were favourably reported on. The President (Tho Rev AV. Greenslade) made a short speech in opening the Representative Session. He alluded gratefully to the accessions to membership, during the year, to the move merit for church unity, and to the Hickson Mission. An extra Home Missionary was jecommended for the ensuing year tinHie Denuiston-Graniiy-Runanga dlstriel, also a married probationer or married Home Alis-ionary for the I’iei ni district. Abiltieka, Hokitika, and Recfton dis- ! riels due to take married ministers for i lie next, were recommended to be relieved for another year. Circuit debit Rank balances totalled C:SB7 8s lid. only one circuit reporting a credit. In view of the financial stringency occasioned in the Deniiistiiu-Graiiitv and lllinailga Home Afissiou District by tiie lock-out on the Buller coalfield itwas deeided to reeommend the circuits to assist the station by means of a retiring collection at an early date, and to wive the Home Mission Committee a request for assistance in the same, direction. Officers tor the Syiu.nl were appoiniedi o- follows : See ret ary, Rev 11. J. James; Journal Secretary, Rev D. B. Lawrence; Press Reporter, Rev J. R. Nelson. Tiie general eoimnereial returns showed a church membership in the Nelson District el IDO 1. an increase of 2(1: junior members JBA ; increase 78; coin-1 munieynts 1081 decrease 7 ; churches Uo. | increase t!; .schoolrooms 18, increase 8. | ministei s 8. increase I ; local preachers | 08, increase II : membership of Young People’- Societies, 38J ■ attendants on publi.- wm-shiji -10-'il. increase 375.

Staiisiies eouceruing Sunday School-' and ynuiig people's work, included the inlluwing liguii-: -Teachers 135, seliol::rs Idbi; young people in full e'uurei; membiu-sliip 111; scholars who are junior members. 838; junior girls’ Bible {- 7 J : vnung women’s Bilile ('la young men’- Bible Classes, 113: Young Worshippers' League members. .’HO; We-lev Guild members 108; members if Endeavour Societies, 330. A resolution was carried recommending the Conference to reconsider ihe w hole question of the office of Dominion A’.iung People's Organiser, as a marked differ.-nee of opinion was evidenced as to the necessity of its continuance. Synod rejected a proposal that the Auckland Theological College organise and carry on a modern Sunday School in connection with the Grafton Road In adopting the reports on young people's work in Ihe Nelson (list riel, special thanks were accorded to Air 11. R. Ile.ldaway. Nelson, for his excellent work as District Secretary of this denari incut. The Church Properties’ report, pre--.■med by Air AY. D. Pike. Blenheim, showed that the current income of trust.- in the di-iii- i I -tailed £2O-10 As ILL expenditure £2115 Os- sd. The insurances on buildings totalled £18.515.

The Gvanity Parsonage had been enlarged at a lost of Cl 10, the cost having been defrayed ill rough (be generosity < ii” Mr (ten. Sowerby. A matter that had engaged the attention of the C.hnreh AA’elfare Committee concerned the Optional aspect of ministerial work. Ti was fell to be a paramount need of the present day to acquaint ehnrch people with the nreepled findings of Biblical research, as shown to be in harmony with the modern outlook upon life, and the acknowledged findings of science. This could lie achieved through missions of instruction and inspirations, lectures to lay preachers, Sunday School teachers. and other workers. The amount raised for Home .Mission work- ol the church in the Dominion for 1823 was £UIB His 3d : estimated income for next year, £1(18.