METHODISM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 283, 27 November 1914, Page 2

METHODISM.

YESTERDAY’S SITTING. Prior to the meeting of the Synod yesterday morning, a meeting of the New Zealand Methodist Social Service Union was held. The chair was taken by the Rev. 0. E. Blamires. A very helpful and instructive address on “The Call to Social Service” was given ay the Rev. A. B. Chappell, M.A. After the usual devotional exercises die Synod passed to the consideration of Home and Foreign Mission affairs. Ihe income from the district for the current year for the Home Mission Fund was approximately £357. The estimated income from the district for die ensuing year was £415. It was agreed that the advisory committee on Home Missions be constituted as follows The Ministerial members of the Taranaki Ministers’ Council, together with Messrs E. Dixon, E. 0. Chivers, J. Masters, T. P. Hughmn, C. Carter, and G. H. White; the secretary of the council to be convenor. AFTERNOON SITTING. It was decided to reaffirm the decision of last year that the office of organiser for home missions be discontinued.

The hearty thanks of the Synod were accorded to Mr J. Veale, for his efficient services as lay treasurer of the fund for the past five years.

The Synod agreed to recommend the conference to make such changes in the administration of the home mission fund as will associate its work with :hat of the Connexional secretary’s office, and that the executive of the fund be located in Christchurch.

The report of the Foreign Mission Committee was received, and adopted,' with the following resolution in reference to the important matters contained therein: “That in view of the special financial stress under which the European war has placed New Zealand in common with other parts of the Empire, the setting apart of a Foreign Mission Conference secretary be deferred until the succeeding conference.”

In reference to the recommendations of the committee that the special field to be allocated to New Zealand, namely, the Solomons, Tonga, and Samoa, in 1918, the Synod decided that it could make no recommendation at the present juncture. , The income of the fund from the district was shown to he approximately £305. The report of the statistical secretary revealed a gratifying state of affairs. Steady increases were shown among adult and junior members, and the work among the young people was the most hopeful feature of the report. ' EVENING SITTING. The Synod recommended that a conference committee be set up to devise a more equitable system for assessing the connexional levies. In reference.to the important issues at the forthcoming licensing poll, the Synod urged upon the people of the church, in view of the manifold evils of the licensed liquor traffic, which it inflicts upon our fellows, the necessity of exercising their electoral rights at the approaching poll in support of both local no-license and national prohibition.

It was agreed to recommend that the treasurer of the Theological Institution Fund and the treasurers of the Connexional and Conference Funds be ex-officio members of Synod and Conference.,

The report of the committee of the Connexional paper was received, and the new proposals re its futurb publication and circulation through definite quarters from the circuits were endorsed. '

A vote of sympathy was expressed in connection with the news of the serious and hopeless illness of the Rev. W. S. Bowie, and the Synod voiced its hope that he might be divinely sustained until the end.

The Synod passed the following resolution upon the present struggle in Europe: “That we deplore with deep humiliation the fact that the nations enjoying a measure of Christian civilisation are at present engaged in war, but are convinced that Britain’s cause is just and chivalrous. We therefore commend that cause to God, and pray for all who may be occasioned sorrow through this unhappy strife, and especially plead that sOon a righteous peace may be proclaimed.” The following resolution was carried : “That this Synod expresses satisfaction at the continued growth and activity of the Bible in Schools League, now numbering over 150,000 members, and at the able manner in which Canon Garland and his coadjutors placed their evidence before the Parliamentary Committee. The Synod regrets that that committee by its recommendation —carried by the narrowest majority—gave a lead to Parliament which has resulted in the question being withheld from the people through the referendum not being granted, and thus tin-own into the area of politics in the election. We realise that advance has been made in securing recognition by Parliament of the necessity for Bible 'teaching in schools, and urge on ministers to take advantage of facilities offered under the Nelson system until I the more adequate provision advocated by the Bible in Schools League be secured. We also pledge ourselves to strenuous action with a view to obtaining the referendum from next Parliament.” Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, secretaries, and reporters to the Synod, also to the hosts and hostesses who have entertained the Synod, and to the committee and trustees of the Whiteley Church.

The Synod adjourned until 9.30 this morning for the reading and signing of the journal.