WESLEYAN DISTRICT SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 286, 4 December 1901, Page 2

WESLEYAN DISTRICT SYNOD.

OPENING SITTIVGS. /' The annual minist'nkl session of the!, Wanganui District Synod of the "Wes- ( leyan Methodist Church commenced its sitting in the Whiteley Hall on 'fWday morning at 9.30., the Rev. H. 11. Dewsbury, Chairman of the Distr ct, presiding Them were present: E-vs S. J. S-rpell, W. Cannell, S. J. Garlick, A. Athcroft, j, A. Lochore, J, Drtkns, W. J. Ox brow, C. Penny, W. R. Tuck, T. W. Newbold, A. 6. Lawry, T. W. Voalie, S. Liwrv, J. Thomas, T. G. Hammond, R. Hadden, and Messrs J. H. White and W. Williams, home missionaries. The session opened with praise, prayer, and reading of the Scriptures, utter whicii a cordial welcome to the Rev H. R. Dewsbu'y was voicpd by the Rov T. ii. Hammond, and unanimously tendered. Hours of session were fiVd from 9.30 to 12.30, and 2 to 5. The Rev John Dukes was elected secretary of the Synod, and Rev A. Ashcroft assistant sscretary. In answer to the question, " What are tho recommendations of the Synod respecting tho training of students for the ministry V an earnest conversation resulted in tho following resolutions h ing carried : " This Synod strongly recommends tho conference to consider the importance of insisting on a higher standard of literary proficiency required from candidates for the ministry, atd also urges that the conference should more generally stand by the rulrf that students should, whenever possible, remain three years at the institution," The question of loc.il preachers examinations beiog remitted by tho canference to District Synods for recommendation?, it was r solved " That the conference be recommended to provide for a connexional voluntary examination, in writing, for local preachers, to be condue'ei ly a committee appointed for tt>at purpose, and that provision be uia'e f'ir.p ss ni{ the exatun.*tiont< >u tec.iois exteudiug ovav two or thr.e years ;" also " that the same committee draw up a further course of study for local preachers who have passed the examination," The following resolution was ako passed : —" That the conference be recommended to appoint an examination committee consisting of the President and Secretary of the conference, Chairmen of Districts, and members of the Board of Examiners, and five other ministers to be nominated by the President from among those expected to attend the conference. The duties of this committee shall be to meet before the opening of the conference and conduct the oral exami-

nation of candidates for ordination and for the ministry, to consider the reports of tbe written examinations of probationers, students, and candidates,

also the Synod recommendations, aod to present a report and a recommendation to the conference on each case, the conference reserving ti itself the right of making further examinations in any case which may be deemod necessary. ,Tue President of the inference shall arrange the time of meeting." It was decided that the next meeting of the District Synod sbi.ll be held at Palmerston North (Broad-street).

AFTERNOON SESSION. This was occupied with the questi- n of " What preachers are recommended to remain on trial." Revs. W. J. Oxbrow and Robert Hadden (Ropata Tahu Potiki) were each recommended to be passed in this year. In a conversation with respect to the I lafcter's work amongst the Maoris, testimony wes given by Rev. T. G. Hammond as to its good effect, especially in the efforts he has made for native sobriety. The difficulty of this work was aho stated to be much increased by the influence of those pakehas (photographers and others) who regard neither the laws of the colouy nor the laws of God in respect to Sibbath observance. It was also stated that the provision of a suitable home (just about complete) for this Maori minister would much enlarge his opportunities for service.

The representative session meets to day at 10 o'clock, when a number of laymen will be in attendance.