METHODIST CHURCH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1902, 14 November 1918, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCH.

HAWKE’S BAY—MANAWATU DISTRICT SYNOD. ■ MEETING AT FOXTON. The Synod of the Methodist Church of Lids district is meeting this year at Foxton. On .Monday night a service was held in the church, when Hie Rev. W. 8. Neal preached to a fair congregation. On Tuesday morning, at 7 o’clock, .Mr W. Gal main a candidate for (he ministry, preached a trial sermon. The ni’iiisleriat session of tin: Synod opened at 10 1 o’clock on Tuesday morning, when the Rev. T. R. Richards, of Napier, chairman of the district, opened Hie proceedings. New ministers, Revs. B. J. James and J. Richards (Dannevirke), and M. Ayrton and J. Richards (Apiti), home missionaries, wore warmly welcomed to Hie district. Sympathy was expressed witli the widow of the laic Rev. C. H. Garland. of Auckland, Principal of Hie Theological College, whose death lias been recently reported, and who was one of (he best-known and most highly gifted ministers of the Methodist Church in New Zealand. The Rev. F. W. Boys, of Palmerston X., was reported lo lie ill with influenza, and Hie Rev. W. 11. E. Abbey to be suffering from the effects of a serious accident which had seriously threatened his eyesight. Letters of sympathy'were to be sent to each of these ministers. The Rev. W. S. Neal, of Ashluuvt, a minister on probation, was examined, and passed in his year, Mr W. Catinan, a candidate for the ministry, was also examined, am! by an unanimous vole recommended lo Conference for reception inlo Hie ministry. The session was adjourned at 12 noon (o allow Hie members to join in the peace celebrations. The full representative session of the Synod was opened at 9.30 a.m. on Wednesday. The Rev. T. R. Richards presided. There were present : —Ministerial represent a lives; Rev. T, R. Richards, Napier; Rev. M. A. R, Pratt, Hastings; Rev. C. Boston, Waipawa; Rev. J. Richards, Dannevirke; Rev. R. P. Keall, Wuodvillc; Rev. if. Coltom, Pa Idatua; Rev. W. S. Neal, Palmerston N. ; Rev. A. Ashcroft, Palmerston N. (Cuba St.); Rev. G. F. Stoekwcll, Tedding; Rev. P. W. Jones, Feilding; Rev. B. J. James, Sanson and Rongolea; Rev. A. Harding, Foxton. Home Missionaries : Mr W . Gallium, Norscwoud; Air J. Richards, Apiti; Mr At. Ayrton, Keilding. Lay represent a lives : Mr T. Hodder, district church property secretary; Mr G. H. Stiles, district Sunday Air S, Doll, Waipawa; Miss Healon, Dannevirke; Mr W. Boy den, Paldatmi; Mr W. K. Bramwell, Keilding, Air W. G. Pearce, Keilding; Mr Th US. Gifford, Sanson and Rongolea; Air K. Print, Sanson and Rongolea; Air J. Chryst all, Koxlon; Mr M. Marlin, A pit i. The attendance of lay delegates was very sparse owing to Hie influenza epidemic and ,the peace celebrations on Tuesday. The sessions opened with.devotional exercises and Communion service, in which the Revs, M. A. Rugby Pratt, P, W. Jmies, J. Richards and A. Ashcroft took part, in addition lo Hie Chairman. The Rev. J. Harding introduced Mr J. Ciirystall, Mayor of Foxton, who welcomed Hie Synod lo Foxton. “1 wish,” said the Mayor, “on behalf of the citizens, to accord a hearty welcome to the Alethodist Synod of the Hawke’s Bay-Mana-watu District. 1 am sorry that some delegates are unable to attend, partly owing to Hie influenza epidemic. We expect Hie Synod gatherings to uplift and inspire the spiritual life of our town. I am proud to be a local preacher of the Alethodist Church. I believe in its mission to great Gospel (o the world. I again assure you you are heartily welcome, and we will do our best to make your stay in our midst enjoyable.” The Chairman, Rev. T. R. Richards*, thanked the Mayor for the kindlv greetings. He had been very pleased to see Hie Mayor leading the thanksgiving demonstration Hie previous day and calling for Hie Doxology.. God was (he foundation of the Empire. All Empires mil built on faith in God must crumble in the dust. The Chairman then congratulated the Mayor on the work he was doing. Ills moral and spiritual qualities were a reflection of his name. He complimented the local friends on their beautiful church. The town also was a fine one, with broad and clean streets. The message of Tuesday meant peace, and had brought millions to their knees. The Empire from centre to circumference was throbbing with joy. The angels’ song of peace un earth was resounding again, and they could thank (tod for the message and its promise for the future. The election df officers resulted as follows: —Secretary, Rev. A. Ashcroft; assistant-secretary, Rev. AT. A. Rugby Pratt; journal secretary. Rev. R. P. Keall; reporters, Revs. C. A. Foston and IT. Coltom. A vote of condolence was passed will the relatives of the late Rev. G. IT. Mann. It was decided to recommend that the Rev. F. W. Boys be allowed to become a supernumerary for one year. A resolution was passed expressing heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God for the tidings received of the surrender of Germany; tenderingsympathy to those who have suffered, and praying that from the travail of war a new and better world may be born. The Foreign report was

received, showing that the income, £11,105, was the highest on record, and that the working capital fund wa.s largely increased. The statistical returns were presented by the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, which showed an increase of members and increases in various other departments. The (Sunday school returns were presented, and increases recorded. The Synod then recorded its gratification at the generally healthy condition of the circuits in the district, and the increase of members. The report on church property showed 44 churches in the district. The current income was £2,292, and insurance on Buildings was £30.280. Mr T. R. Hoddcr, the secretary of church property, was warmly thanked for his report. Reports showed that considerable sums had been raised for special departmental work as follows: — Foreign Missions £B9B, Home Missions £42.1, and for military work £172. It was only to be expected that (he Synod would have someihing to say on {he Temperance movement. This took the form of a resolution affirming that “our opposition to the licensing laws of the land is intenser limn ever. ‘The Trade,’ as it vaunlelh itself, being far from any appearance of improvement. On the question of church union, the following resolution was passed: “That this Synod heartily associates itself with the movement now so prominent in the Dominion for the union of the churches, believing such union to be in the best interests of the Church of God.” The Rev. R. P. Keall was appointed representative to Conference, and (he Rev. A, Harding substitute. A report from the committee appointed by Conference to consider the question of Methodist colleges in New Zealand was presented. It was decided to endorse the recommendation that a secondary school be established at ’Auckland and Christchurch as soon as possible. A report from the North Island Methodist Orphanage showed that !hirly-three children are at present in the institution. Splendid work is being done at the orphanage, and its claim for help was commended to all the circuits. On the motion of the Rev. A. Ashcroft, it was decided to recommend Conference to sot up district councils, consisting of an equal number of ministers ami laymen, to oversee the work in the various districts. This morning the Synod endorsed suggestions from an Auckland Committee to celebrate the Centenary of Methodism in New Zealand, which wilt take place in 1922. On the motion of Mr Moses Ayrton, the following resolution was unanimously passed;—“Thai, with a view lo safeguarding the peace of (he world, this Synod endorses the general principle of the establishment and maintenance of a League of Nations on the lines suggested by President Wilson, believing (lint some such league is essential (1) to safeguard (ho rights of the smaller and weaker nations, (2) lo enforce observance of the obligations and limitations of (he stronger powers, am! (3) to compel universal resort lo conciliation, conference and arbitration for I lie settlement of international differences before - -, appealing to the arbilramenl of war.” A discussion took place in connection with the Social Service League initiated by the Rev. J. Richards, who pointed out the great evils of the present competitive system. Mr Moses Ayrton followed, declaring that the competitive system was condemned by its results; the spirit produced, the character created! Sir Oliver Lodge had said that the system was like the wrangling of savages round a table. The solution was to be along Hie lines of co-operation. AVe are members one of another. The hand worker as well as the brain worker wiis essential, and ought to have justice. On the motion of the Rev. A. Ashcroft, seconded by Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, (he speakers were thanked for their addresses. Votes of (hanks were passed to Hie trustees and workers of the Foxton Methodist Church, the Rev. A. Harding, and Hie hosts and hostesses who had entertained Hie delegates. Vole> of thanks were also passed to the Chairman of Hie district for his able presidency, the Secretaries, and also Hie Prc-.s, [nr Hie space given to Synod proceedings. Last evening a public lea was held, the attendance being good, but would probably have been much larger but for the influenza epidemic. A public thanksgiving service was held in the Methodist Church at 7.30, over which the Mayor of Foxton presided. Splendid addresses were delivered by the Chairman of the district, the Rev. T. R. Richards, and the Rev. G. F. Stoekwcll, of Keilding. Solos were rendered by Mrs Lionet Bullard and the Rev. J. H. Haslain.