THE METHODIST SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 292, 4 December 1908, Page 4

THE METHODIST SYNOD.

YESTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The Methodist Synod nrA in financial session-at I) o'clock yesterday morning. A large amount of routine business lu connection with the connexional fuuds was put through. Foreign missions claimed the attention of the Synod for some time. Uratilication was expressed regarding the ex-1 cedent deputation work done in the district during the year by the Revs. VV. ltroniiiow and A. llallantyne, of the i'apunn branch of the Foreign Missionary Society. Superintendents of circuits were required to take steps to increase the circuit o:. n of the Foreign Mission Review, whiiu under its new management had been greatly improved in every way. The sum of £2ti3 was raised for foreign mission work during the year. About £315 was raised in I chc district for the home mission work. The estimated income for 100!) was put down at £320. In connection with the Maori deacon-' esses now laboring in the district, .'n j view of the state of the Home Mission ; Fund and in the best interests of th. I Sisters' works the Synod recommend? 1 the Conference to retain Sister Nellie in ! the district with a grant of £IOO and ; an additional £23 tor the employment jof a Maori deaconess, tt ad to transfer I Sister Julia to the Auckland district. I On tile motion of the Rev. T. <j Hammond, the Synod recorded its grati- ' tii'.le to God for tile increased opporI ' tunnies that were opening up iu con

section with the Maori work. ' On the motion of the Rev. T. (J. I Brooke it was resolved that this Synod is of the opinion that in the best in-! terests of our Home Mission Fund and our work generally it is desirable to set apart a minister as secretary of the home mission department. It recommended the forthcoming Conference .to set up a committee to consider the whole question of the appointment of home missionaries to deal with any prese.ii difficulties and to provide against the repetition of the unfortunate experiences of the past. Conference is to be

asked to consider these matters at as early a stage as possible. j The Synod placed on record its thanks to Almighty God for the evidences i the growing moral sense in the community as seen in the magnificent increase of No-License rates throughout the Dominion. It rejoiced in the retention of No-License in Clutlia, Grey Lynn, Oamaru, Mataura, lnvereargill, and Asfoburton. It also rejoiced in the spread of No-License by victories gained in the electorates of Ohiuemuri, Ede:i, Masterton, Wellington South, Wellington Suburbs, and Bruce. The Feilding circuit was heartily thanked for providing the president with an assistant secretary during the year, I and thereby considerably lightening the burdens of his offices.

The Kev. J. G. Chapman was elected representative to accompany the chairman of the district to next Conference 1 to sit on the Stationing Committee. The Kev. H Beggs was elected as substitute. On the motion of the Rev. J. J. Lewis it was agreed: "The Synod has learned with deep regret that the Licensing Bill of the English Government lias been rejected by the House of Lords. It recommends the Conference to convey to the English Conference our thankful appreciation of the stand it took in support of the measure, and our earnest hope that it will unite with the best forces of the nation in renewing a struggle that shall not cease .until the people of 'Jie United Kingdom have complete control of the liquor traffic." It was decided to recommend to Conference the attachment of the Mangaveka home mission station to the ltangitikei circuit.

The cllicierft service of the editor of the Methodist portion of the ''Outlook' (Kev. J. Ward) was recognised, and Conference is to be recommended to renew the appointment. The Rev. T. G. Carr, district statistical secretary, presented his report, which showed a gratifying increase in church membership, Sunday school scholars, and attendance upon public worship. There are 107 churches and preaching-places in the district, 1117 local preachers, 2251 church members. 2!)1 Sunday school teachers, 3300 scholars, and 10,334 attendants upon public worship. A resolution of gratitude was carried embodying special mention of the excellent results attending missions conducted by Mr. .1. 11. Stephens, the singing evangelist, in several circuits of the district during the year. The report of the work of the Advisory Board in connection with Sunday

school work was received, and pleasure was expressed at the results accom plished. The work of the leader of tin Bible-class movement, llev. A. ]l. Chappell, was spoken of in high praise; tlii report of his committee was considered very satisfactory, and his own appointment was recommended to be renewed. It was decided to suggest to Sunday schools the importance of giving attention to Methodist literature in award ing prizes to scholars. The Synod divided its district into two parts in order to establish two Sunday school committees, Paten being adopted as the boundary line. Mr. E. Dixon, of Ifawera, was appointed convener of the northern committee, and Mr. C. E. Taylor, of I'alnierston North, convener of the southern committee. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded to the president, the secretary, and his assistants for their work during the Synod; to the hosts and hostesses of the representatives for their hospitality; and to the local Press for their admirable reports of the Synod's meetings. It was decided to hold the next Synod at Wanganui. The financial session closed at C p.m., : when the lay representatives dispersed. A ministerial session was held at 7.30 p.m., when business of special interest to the ministers was completed. : Mr. M. ,T. Hild'r was unanimously re-1 commended to be received by the ensuing Conference as a .candidate for the ministry. , After the reading of the journal, the J meetings of a successful and enjoyable j Synod were brought to a close with the benediction.