METHODISTS CONFER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 517, 21 November 1928, Page 13

METHODISTS CONFER

CHURCH IN STRONG POSITION AUCKLAND DISTRICT GROWS The annual district synod of the Methodist Church commenced its representative session in the Pitt Street Church this morning, the Rev. W. J. Elliott, of Pa.pu.kura, president of the conference, presiding. A large number of delegates representing all branches of church activities was present. • The ministerial committee met yesterday at morning and afternoon sessions, the Revs. J. Hall, N. Larsen, AY. Silvester, and H. H. Jeffreys being recommended to be passed in their respective years of probation, while Messrs. Carr and Gray were sent forward as candidates for the ministry. Encouraging reports were given of the work of the students in training, and seven men were recommended for circuit work next year. synod service was held in the Pitt Stret Church last evening, the Rev. L. B. Dalby occupying the pudpit. In his address to synod at the opening of session this morning, the Rev. W. J. Elliott referred to the development of the church within the Auckland district, as well as in other parts of the Dominion. The erection of a new parsonage at Port Albert was worthy of special mention, as also the building of Sunday schools and church halls at Edendale, in Auckland Central circuit, and in the Onehunga and Paparoa circuits. In the Avondale circuit, the Mount Albert church had been enlarged, at a cost of about £3,500. TWO NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS The two most notable achievements were the completed erections of Trinity Theological College Hostel, with the principal’s residence, and the Paerata College Chapel, the gift of Mrsw VV. H. Smith. Reference was made to Dr. C. H. Law s, principal of the college, who had worked so unceasingly toward the erection of the institution. No church could be called decadent that could erect a college at a cost of £ 40,000 in a period of six years, and during the same time raise at least £ 1-5,000 for home and foreign missays the report. The Methodist Church had also built many churches, parsonages, and Sunday schools during the same period, and paid to its ministers and missionaries no less than £250,000 in stipends. It had given £ 000.000 in all to Christian service. MT. Elliott appealed for a simplification of the religious system that ■would make the law of service the main issue, and win adherents, by the high character of the ministers and followers of Christ. Religion should not oe less holy than it is, but more humanised, and transmuted into a deeper sympathy with the social and spiritual needs of the time.