The Methodist Synod.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 73, 26 November 1913, Page 5

The Methodist Synod.

SGCiAL AT TOWN HALL.

THE DELEGATES ENTERTAINED.

A social was held /it the Town Hall last night to welcome the delegates to the Wanganui-Taranaki .Methodist Synod. Ine Rev. Bandy, who presided, in opening tiie meeting, read an apology from .Mr J. B. Mine, M.P., wiio had been invited to take the chair at the meeting. Mr Bandy also apologised for the absence of the Rev. Reader through illness. He said tile delewates to the synod had not so far got a fair idea of Stratford, the mountain having been clouded since their arrival, hut tic hoped that on the morrow Egmont would appear in all his glory. Mr .). Masters said the Stratford circuit was proud to have in Stratford the first synod after union. It was an honor to the town to have the first synod. When he ha dasked that it bo held in Stratford he Had hardly expected that his request would bo granted. Mr C. Birkett said he had been connected with the Primitive Methodist Church since it had been established in Stratford. In the past there had been overlapping in the work of the Methodist Church, but that now had he eu overcome. Mr Tarrant spoke on the matter of the Methodist Social Union. He said the union was designed to bring the clerical and lay elements together fot the general social good. The ideal of the union was to remove social inequalities. For tiie Wanganui-Taranaki I district the Rev. Burton, New PlyI mouth, was the president. On the morrow the synod would discuss the present industrial unrest, when he (the speaker) hoped that there would be he a good attendance of the lay members of the church. The Rev. Haddon. on behalf of the Maori members of the church, created much amusement by addressing the audience in Maori. He explained afterwards that his remarks were merely a Maori rendering of the chairman’s speech. The Rev. J. A. Luxford, in respondI ing to the welcome accorded to deleI gates, said it had been stated that they were a new church; but that [ was not quite true—they merely had a new name and they would always ! joyfully remember the past. The experience of the past would still affect the “new” church. The members of 1 the church in Xew Zealand numbered 120,000, and they, were a united bodv. I, if

Mr K. Dixon. Hnwenj. entered a plea for appreciation of the efforts of the clerical members of the church. When those in the church heard a good sermon, they spoke to themselves of the good woyfe-.dqne by the clyr-k*, but very seldom was It found that laymen would encourage the clerics with a candid appreciation of their work. There was, no danger of the clerics developing : '‘swelled head.” In the case of Sunday School teachers, it was also necessary for parents to tell the teachers how they appreciated their servi-ces-—services rendered Sabbath after Sabbath, uncomplainingly, and without reward.

The Rev. Burton moved a vote of thanks for the welcome accorded, making special mention of those who had arranged the entertainments for dele-

gates. The Rev. A. S. Wansborough seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation.

An excellent musical programme was provided, the Methodist orchestra, helped by friends, rendering two very acceptable selections. Mr C. H. Lawn wielded the baton. The choir also rendered good service, giving two anthems and two part songs. Miss May Hopkins was encored for her violin solo, and the Rev. R. B. Spiers was loudly applauded for his recitation “Bendy’s Sepmon.”

A dainty supper brought the even-

ing to a close