METHODISM.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 156, 27 November 1914, Page 8

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 tho Rev. 0. E. Blamires. A very helpful and instructive address on "The Call to Social Service" was given by the Rev. A. 15. Chappcll, M.A. The Synod resumed in representative session at 10 o'clock this morning. After the usual devotional exercises the Synod passed to the consideration of Home and»Foreign Mission affairs. The income from the district for the surrent year for the Home Mission Fund was approximately £357. The estimated income from the district for tho ensuing year was £415, and the expenditure recommended was as follows: Maori West Coast Mission £7BO, Patea £lO, East Egmont £SO, Wanganui (Gonville) Inglewood £6O, Kaponga £3O, Waimarina £25, Manaia £SO, (if married man is appointed), Taihape suitable grant if married man is appointed. After hearing a statement from the superintendent of the Maori Mission as to the condition of the work, the Synod expressed its satisfaction at the position disclosed.

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. Olivers, J. Masters, T. P. Hughsun, C. Carter, and G. H. White; the secretary of the council to be convener. It was recommended that the special Advisory Committee on the West Coast be re-appointed. AFTERNOON SITTING. 1 The reports of thr home mission executive committee and organising secretary were received, and the following usohitions -passed thereon: ''That Wo recommend the -cordial thanks of the conlei'onc.j -be presented to the organising socivtavy for his services." Jt was decided to milium the decision of last year, that the oll'ice' of organiser for home -missions be discontinued.

Tile hearty thanks of the Synod were accorded to -Mr. J. Veale, for his efficient services as lay treasurer of Go fund for the past live years. The Synod agreed to recommend the conference to make such dianges in tl'tf administration of the home mission fund as will associate its work with that of the Connexions] secretary's office and that the executive of the fund bo located in Christchurch.

The report of the Foreign Mission Committee- was received, and adopted, with the following resolution in reference to thci important matters contained therein: "That in view of the special financial stress under which- the European war has placed New Zealand in common witli other parts of the Em pire, the sitting apart of a .Foreign Mission Conference secretary bj 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, m 1018, the Synod decided that it could n.ake no reeomrceiufotion at the present juncture.

The income of the fund from the district was shown to be approximately £3lO. The Synod agreed to recommend that tlie best thanks of t'.ie confer lice be tendered to the Rev. L. Hud-son for his efficient services as Foreign Mission Secretary. T».e report of the statistical secretary revealed a gratifying state of altars Steady increases were shown among adult and junior members, and the work among the young people was the most 1-oprful feature of the report. EVENING SITTING.

The report of the Connexional Punday School and Young People's Board win received. Regret was expressed at the re•signaticn of Mr A. Reed from the position of secretary, and the Synod placed oh record iti high appreciation of his splendid and self-sacrilicing wo'k. In reference to the statistical report the Synod placed on raord its profound gratitude, to Almightv God for the ,piv gross evidenced by the reccrt. It pledged itsol t.. renewed devolun ;,nd aitivitv in the budding up of the Kingdom of l-iod. The balance sheets of'tie Kai 7v ; and Grey Institute Trusts were received and adopted. The Synod recommended that a eonferenes committee, bo set nip to d» vise a more equitable system for assessing the connexj'onal levies nt Tl !l,? f f rs f> ee t0 th " im T»rtant issues at the forthcoming ■nsiiiir poll, tlifeynod urged! upon ~,„,) lo of th ~ ehm-eh, ,„ v,ew of , t .. lnifoM . toe licensed liquor Vhich u mflictg upon our follow*, f le neceßs it T of exercising their electoral r^hlfat ln n < ni aPPr r a,clli,V " lpoll ia of both local no-l.ccnse and national prohibition The report, of the Methodist Deacon»™^geiOno<>,,,,,,ittOoWMTCCl,iVC,, It was agreed to recommend that the treasurer of the Theological Ijutiti tion Fpd and the treasurers of the Connex,onal and Conference Funds - fer'efce ™ ° f Synod aml Co «- The report of the committee of the ™ ro "• flitu ro publication nnd eireulat on through definite S l«tt from he circuits were endowed connJction w^ ap f, thy Was cxprcss «l in connection with the neWs of t] ous and .hopeless illnp<!s f «»■ i,„- f ?°r?' ani the s y» od wiccdi its

' eJ 1 ? Synod P»ssed'the following >•■> 4t d Vi m^ a *---e "ThJ o 'te ir 'f r ° 9 , olution lVa » «m-iod • t'oiiat%VJ*? 0 * , eK P« s ses satisfa'.: now ■ e ormiso 0 r m isot 0 0 0, ' S and at hj,,, , m iou.OOO members, evidence P ' aced tllell ' ndttee. ™?%£?* V * ha ? mi »*y CwnComnntte e Litl„ re;? ' ets *>'"* «'at »«1 by W»- car]ead to Pariianw l^ J °»ty-gave a fc People tolte r : th, 1 d be ng ffrantcd arS +1 not area" oTOfti« t* I? thr , own the starring rooojnS £ a3 made >"» MH|H lli aaiUi|

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, tests and hostesses who have) entertained the Synod, and to the committee and trustees of the Whiteley Church. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Press for the space accorded to the business of the Synod. TSio Synod adjourned until 8.30 this morning for the reading and signing of tiie journal.