WESLEYAN DISTRICT SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 288, 6 December 1901, Page 2

WESLEYAN DISTRICT SYNOD.

MIXBD SBBSION. The following was inadvertently omitted from our previous reperts. A mixed session of the Woleyaa District Synod waa held on Wednesday.

After devotional exercises the Rev. H. E. Dewsbnry, Chairman of the District, briefly addressd the Synod. He extended a welcome to those ministers newly corns and others who. have returned to this, one of the most promising and prosperous provinces of' the colony. Referring to the laymen present, he said theehunfa was unususliy wealthy in its endowment; of busy laymen, who, oonstrained by the love of Christ, were so ready to devote time and attention to the work of the Church of God. "It ift test years since," said the Chairman, * I I had the privilege of presiding over ibii Synod, and since when great progret-s has marked the district; the numbt rof ministers baa doubled, and our laymen should now leok ahead and nutk* provision for rapid growth. It magi 4 be a prestnt strain, but to obtain stf'* now in suitable rising townships would b» the wisest of passible course*, as I believe the future of the district will be one of phenomenal growth." On the motion of Rev. 8. Lawry, it was decided that a letter of sympitby should be Bent from the Synod prepared by Rev. W. Keall, one of the oldest friends of Mr. G. S. Harper, of Rongotea, who, now dangerously ill, has been long one of the mo»s valued and useful laymen of the Ohurcb.

Several notices of motion ware given to be dealt with at a, ktsr stage of th# proceeding!". In additou to those preteot yesterday were the Rev. W. Stall and tbw following lay representatives from New Plymouth, Messrs Jos. WhiUker, Jas. X. White; Waitara, Messrs J, U. Feaob, G. Pear a*; Stratford, Messrs J. W. Boon, J. MeAlister; Hiwera, Messrs E. Dixon, I*. S. Barraolough; Opunake, Mr. J. Gn-; Wanganui, Mr W. G. fius«tt; &-.>- gitikni, Mr J. Biottardaos; Sandoo and Feilding, Messrs S. Ktight, B. K, R<mvon; Palmerstoo iV., Mts*r* J, Dixoj, (J. Janasn; Kiwitea, Mr G. A, Fi«ld; a)a3 Mr. L'ary, B»eretaiy of DiVriot Church property, and Mr. L. A, Waive, Home Missionary, The Distriot Secretary's report on Church property showed 43 churolbs,, i providing seating accrmmodatioa for 7095, with 9 schoolrooms and IS* par* socages in the district; toW cast of District Church ptofwrtjr, about £39,000, with less, thaa 18000 dot* thereon.

A very bjßaity vote of thanks to Mir Letry, for hia invaluable report wa* given on the motion of B»v«. S.J. 8-rpell and W. Keall, to which. Mr Leaty respandtd. THURSDAY, Bbd> DBQtKBSR. AFTERNOON SESSION (RinuowinritrvV Bxnod;. The connexional newspaper is Ww The <utlook, the Presbyterian, lud*penJentl and our own churc* being unitedly repretented in one weekly orgm. The report of consummated amngemens to secure this eud was, reoeived and Appreciated. A report was also read respecting; to Century Commemoration FundV which it k d. sired to close thin year. Towards thi», New Plymouth was«taed Io have aontributed over £3OO. Statistical: Forty-four SundaySchools were reported, with 2583 scholars and 264 teiehera; 15 Bandsof Hop', with 906 member*; i% churches and 58 other preaching placet;; 15 miuisers, three Home mi<wionarif a, 94 I'-cl pre<ch««, 1763 mvmbtrs,. IB68? udheronti; and ia the WestOoiHt Maori Mission two minist rsand--650 adhernu. T e following resolution was carried* i uoanimou-ly, the mom aud wonder, • Mr J. T. White, if New Myinoatb,. and Mr Dixon, Haweie, bi.th btiof. laymen:.-" that tbia Synod, oo»--posei ot aiiuuttn and hfn »,. *<•*•>

with alarm the increasing secularizttion of the Sabbath, and urges tbe mtmbeta and adherent* of the Wesleyan Methodist Cburch to do all i ' their power to withstand the evil." MINISTERIAL BE9BION (Resumed). "Ab Methodist preachers assembled in our Annual Synod on reviewing the year's work, we feel thankful for the' increase of members as reported; but deeply deplore the decrease of scholars in our Sunday Schools. We resolve to devote ourselves manfully to the work «f God, and to seek in the near future more directly tbe conversion of t ouls, and in ord»r to do this pray for tbe baptism of the Holy Spirit." Kev W. R. Tuck was recommended to pass in his year. A vote of thanks was accorded moot heartily to tbe New Plymouth hosts for their kindness and hospitality to members of the Synod, being moved by Rev. A. C. Liwry and seconded by Rev. C. Penny. Moved by Rev. T. W. Nfwbold, reronded by Rev. T. W. Vealir, " That th" Press be thanked for their services." Thanks we?e also' given to th» district Kcretary and assistant secr>tary and to the reporters of The Outlook (Rev. T. W. V*alie)and local papers (Mr J. H. White. The Journal wa« read ard signed, , and the Synod for 1901 closed with the Doxology and Benediction.