WANGANUI DISTRICT METHODIST SYNOD.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9019, 5 December 1907, Page 3

WANGANUI DISTRICT METHODIST SYNOD.

tflio members of the Waugauui Dis : triot Synod mot iu pastoral session yesterday iu the Congregational School-room (kindly lent for the occasion), uudor fcJio presidency of the Rev. T. G. Brooke, of New Plymouth. There wore present :—Revs. D. McNicholl, T, G. Carr, T. G, Hammond; J. W. Worboys, S. J. Gibson, J. G. Cliapman, F. T. Read, O. 11. Beecroft, H, Boggs, W. S. Bowie, W. J. Oxbrow, E. D. Fatchett, A. J. Reed, F. Copelaud, H. A. J. Keck, W. H. E. Abbey, W. B. Scott, R. T. P. Haddon. Also the following home missionaries—Messrs J. H. White, F. Martin, C. L. Carr, J. Beecho, C. A. Stewart. After singing and reading of Scripture, the Revs, J. J. Lewis and T. G. Oarr led the meeting in prayer. The chairmen welcomed tho brethren who wore present for the first time, and on the motion of the Rev. J. J. Lewis letters of sympathy were directed to bo sent to" tho Revs. W. Caunell and T. G. Harper, supcrnuniaries, who were unable to be present through ill-health. [ The following officers wore elected : —Secretary, Rev. H. Beggs; assistant secretaries,*Rovs. W. S. Bowie and A. J. Reed; journal secretary, Rev. E. D. Patchett; reporter to local papers, Rev. F. T. Read; reporter to Outlook. Rev. S. J. Gibson.

Tho hours of session were fixed as follows:—Morning, 9 30 to' 12.30, afternoon, 2.550 to 5.30; evening, 7.80.

■ Rev. A. J, Rood, who has eomjitetud his period of probation, was ii'uiitiimously recommended to be received into full connexion at the ensuing conference, subject to his written examination being satisfactory. Rev. V. Otipeland,a third year probationer, was,'' i'v\comil'ioiiclect'ta pass in his year.*' '''.({bys.' W.'fr $ Abbey/H, A, G, Ji«'K, m<\ W, ii, HubtE, proba-fiuu*jr-$t of tins arst year, were also recommended to pass Oil to the gr>con<l year, subject to *\\z'ir written. csivmiu»tiCns being satisfactory. On the motion of i'.to Rev.' T. G. Waiv.naoisd, £,econd,ed by the Rev. R. •J£ P;. Hjsiddou, was as a candidate for the fcative ministry, lio jo be sent to 'fbreo Kings College for training. The Synod opened in financial session in the afternoon at two o'clock, the Rev. T. G. Brooke presiding. In addition to the ministers and missionaries, the following laymen were present-—Messrs T. "Wust (Waitara), ii. burgess-and H. ; Th6injon (Stratford'), 1 O. W. Hooker {•New' Plymouth'), J. Bennett (Ingle wood), E. Dixon and L. S. Barraclougb (Hawera), T. P. Hughson (Capo Egmonr), "it. Gibson and G. I. Bridge (Kaponga), T. Masters (Siiudou), W. T. Bo water and J, Brent (Feildingj, T- R. Hodder and (j. Ronnptt t'Pahniir-ston North), C. \l naryil and M, J. Hider. A lettor of sympathy was directed to be sent to Mr Gr. Watson, of Eltham, who was prevented from attending through seyoye UlimSS. ..Vftei; ctiscussio'n'on 'the question of jffiay circuits are obliged to provide tor a iu.ar.ried mu»jsjer ftt t ao eusajjg oou/|eren.c<i, i* was decided that nvtd Eltham bo recommended for relief for another year. On the motion of Mr Bennett it rosqlyod to veuommend confer(Ucli to' appoint a probationer as third minister in the Palmerstou jjortli circuit with a. suitable grant: Satisfaction was- expressed at tho ■ soi'k' done' on the' Main Trunk Line (taring the ' past year and the re-ap-Mjntment was recommended. It Iras also decided to reoommend the appointment of a saddle-bag missionary to North Taranaki. CHURCH PROPERTY.

Tlso report was presented by Mr T. W. Bowater, Fcilding, and contained the following items. A new church had been erected at Pohangina at a cost of £2l<>, the debt being only £4O. A new school at Rongotea by the removal and alteration of the church at Taikorea. Three new parsonages had been secured at New Plymouth,Inglowcod and ft.aponga. The cost sf-these amounted to £2OIO 15s' o>d •md the debt remaining to £I7OO. The church at Raetihi had. been added to,''a porch' costing £l7 10s being erected. At Wanganui a pipe organ Jiacl been purchased at a cost of £51)0, ami an organ loft built costing £l5O 16s Id, only a small debt remaining. At FeUding a new organ had been ordered to cost £3OO. plu tho district there are 55 churches providing 0170 sittings and 12 schoolrooms accommodating 2480 i scholars, and 20 parsonages, the cost ' rf erection heinii £7-i7l. Thu -.xnioiint i>f insuianee 1 on all bvhldhigs" amounts ii £22,'850, while the total debts Amount, t0'£2,141 19s Oil. . " b.ix the motion of Mr Bennett the (jest th'auks' of the Sj-nod were tendered to Mr Bow»ter for his labours Will the conference re-appointed him. THREE KINGS COLLEGE. An interesting report was received from the Rev. J. H. Simmonds showii?that 25 native boys were in -.-e----sideuce, two of looking for-ward-to the Christian ministry. *'lhe Rev. T. G. Hammond moved, anA Air." Bennett seconded, That ';in (lie opinion of this Synod it is important that lirst consideration be given to the education of men for the native ministry as being in agreement wich the original intention of the "deed. This was carried naanimorislv.

pONVEKSAZIONE. j 1-iicre was a largo attendance at j She Opera House in the evening.j tthen a conversazione was held to Welcome the visitors to the Synod. fhi' ||ev. J. J. Lewis occupied the ehftir, and in the course of his introductory remarks said that it gave them all great pleasure to welcome the Wanganui District Synod which T?3S honouring tho'town of Palmer«bu North by liolding its meeting here. They were determined to ex- j tend the workings of their beloved | chnrcli in every posisblo way and lie was qui to certain that those speakers who wore present to represent the Synod that night would prove themselves the right men in the, right Mae.... • •Jlvo #ev. A. J'. Keed gave an address'on the "Brotherhood of Methodism" in the course of which lie gave an interesting resume of a Scheme which is bo Lug inaugurated in England by Mr Kobert Perks. The scheme as suggested by Mr Perks included the ' provision for emigration of Methodists to the United States, Canada, and the Colonies, emplovinent to be provided for such emierniuts, and yhe institution of a jiiiuch loan 'or savings' bank with a view to making provision for their old aire. The idea, said Mr Reed, jraitains the germ of fv groat scheme, tot ii it were over brought about Methodists iu tho colonies would have to combine together to welcome those who emigrated and make them feel at home in their new surroundings.

Another very interesting address .Kit's that of' the R'cv-. 11.I 1 . <j. Brooke, president of the Synod, who spoke at fnnie length on the coming of the 80-licenso' campaign. He said that (hero were two tilings the no-Jicense liaovenient was doing, firstly mterIfeTing with individual hoerty, secondly interfering with the investment of capital. It was a big question whether they had any right to go this, hut if a man's liberty interfered' with the happiness of his Mother man, and if the investment of a man's capital in a certain way interfered with the progress of the People, th&n they most emphatically had that right. It had been said tbat they were interfering with the lights of a man to drink' what lie liked; this was not so, they were Berely putting.a stop to the making 'M money out of the liquor traffic. Ajaan could manufacture what he ;\iked for his own consumption. If fiP-liceuse were to be corned, every , B?an would'have to recognise his own ,saixmsibility. What they wanted Was the enthusiastic work of the individual and behind that they must we the tremendous influence of we Christian "church. It must not VVwd on merely from a humaui™™u>mit of view but from the Wlnstl a*i-point of view, if it were to be catted to a, successful issue. J The j?J sv - D - McNicoll then addressed the ivuujcnco on the missionary revival, -poiuting out that although sorno tv mo a g o thoro had beon a great <i eal o{ ta]k about t j ie decline of the su ßs j onar y spirit, fhis could not be s&w to-day. As proof of this lie menti oU(3(l tho j mge amounts given to tho <;, VIISO a( . mee jf. togs all over the world dlu . iu „ tne last twelve-months apdc olu . ltsd(;il b Stating that New Zealand had done her fair share hi t us fluaiieuu i ie i Pl the amount of £3,000 hav lnß Jab3cribed at one meeting, u U( \ hf . had no doubt that the missionary r Spirit was as lively as ever. During t-lie evening the Bev. '. and Mr Hoddor made speeches wedooming th» visiting Synod, and Mr JBeSfcffloyedavSte of thanks to ;the speakerß, the chairman, the

members of the choir, and all who had assisted towards making tho conversazione a success. The combined Methodist choirs gave a nice rendering of tho anthems "The Snn shall be no more" aud Gloria, while the songs of Mrs Barth (The Message) and Mr Hughes (Tho Refuge of the Soul) were much appreciated; Refreshments were handed rounded on tho stage where a number of small tables had been arranged. CANTERBURY!; SYNOD. .1 Per Press Association. Ghristchurch, Dec. 4. At tho meeting of the Canterbury Methodist Synod to-day, tho president Rev. H R. Dewsbury, in referring to the new Gaming and Lotteries Act said that there might be some admirable features in connection with it, but the perpetuation of the totalisator was a fatal blot. A still ghastlier blot was the licensing of bookmakers. Ho hoped that the Methodist Church would express itself strongly regarding everything that tended to put its imprimatur on a vice aud that legalised and rendered respectable a traffic which was in a large degree detestable. The report of tho District Secretary of Church Property showed that the total trust receipts for the year amounted to £0,758 lGs Id as against £4,940 5s 8(1 last yoar, and the total expenditure was £9,790 Is lOd as against £5,383 10s last year. Donations and subscriptions amquntod to £4,810 as against &JO-4 last year. Tho amonui owing to the loan fund, was £1,040 as against ; £1,101), ttnd on other securities, '£7,445 as aainst £7,218 last year. The present debts amounted to £8,886. as against £8,41;),, and the totalamount of Insurances was £s4,Bsg aa against £50,476 last yegff.