METHODIST SYNOD.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 December 1920, Page 5

METHODIST SYNOD.

T AKAN AKI—WAN OANUI DISTRICT VIEWS ON CHURCH UNION. ( A welcome to the delegate# of til Taranaki-Wanyanui district Metho&kf Synod, which opened at New Plymouth yesterday, was given at the Whiteley Hall (ant evening. The function took the form of a conversazione. ine chairman (Rev. B. Dudley) remarked that there were assembled on the platform representatives of tha various chaurc'hea in the district, and they were once more reminded qf the feelings of growing cordiality which were being engendered between the Churches, The point of emphasis between religious bodies had undergone a salutary change. The emphaais was not now placed upon creed and doetrina, though the latter was still regarded at important, ,but upon service. The various sections had found out that thi objects they had in view were precisely the same, and they did sot exist fol perpetuating any yiven creed? of Ohfiltit anity, but to do what they ooifld by an application of the truth cobu&o9i to all.

The Mayor (Mr. P. E. Wilson) er* tended a welcome to members of tfcg Synod, and expressed the hope thai, their stay in New Plymouth would b« a pleasant one. The town wkg honored by being chosen as the mfeeting-plac# of any representative body such as thi Synod. Its inhabitants must be bene* fited by intercourse with the visiting members and the exchange of ideas "which followed.

The liev. F. G. Harvie {vioar of St. Mary's) extended a welcome to the Synod on behalf of the Anglican community. The speaker referred to the relationship between some of the differ, cnt Christian 'bodies at the present time, anil said lie was one of those who believed in ■ unity. He did not want & mere federation of the different Christian bodies, however, but looked for* ward to seeing an organic unity which would embrace all, and would have it new .life, full of diversity and activity. He pointed out that a recent conference of Anglican bishops gathered in Snglud had put the question of Church unity in the forefront of their deliberations,' On behalf ,of St, Andrew's congrega* tion, the Rev. 0. Blundell extended a welcome to the Synod. In regard to Church unity he remarked that tlie amalgamation of the Congregational and Presbyterian Churches would probably be consummated shortly, and possibly this could be regarded as one o£ the indications of the feeling at the present time. Ho believed that only practical living Christianity could bring about the desired unit v.

Other speakers were Tie v. A. H. Collins (Baptist Church), Commandant Hayljss (Salvation Army), Rev. W. A. Sinclair (formerly of New Plymouth, and now Foreign Missions secretary). On behalf of the Synod, Rev. H. L. Blamlrea (ex-chairman of the district) expressed thanks for the very cordial welcome extended to members. He expressed pleasure at the kindly tone of the speeches, and the references made to Church union. He was of opinion that in regard to this matter the clergy as a whole were far in advance of the laity.

A musical programme was contributed to by Miss J. Cocker, Rev. H. H. Beaslpr, Mr. A. L. North, and Mr. B. Bellringer. Accompaniments were played by Mrs. Cooper.

YESTERDAY'S SESSION. PAPER OX "MODIKN EVANGELISM." The Ministerial Committee of the >Svuo(l mot at Whitcley Memorial Umrch yesterday morning. An informal welcome was tendered: to the members by the Rev. J, Napier Milne. Two subjects of importance then came »p for discussion, the first of which was introduced by the Rev. Harold T. Peat, of Marton, who is a returned soldier His paper on "Modern Evangelism was trenchant and virile. He contended that, the old methods of emotionalism were obsolete, as were attempts to stir enthusiasm by exegetical outrages and religious side shows. Sin was a disease, a moral blight, and sane evangelism should aim at restoring the sinner to his natural happV wlationship with God. This could be done by loyally ilnterprdting the teaching of Jeans Christ and abiding honestly b? the. principles of truth.

w"; If' ?' ea, ° s,l PPorted this and •rated that, many good poople would attend prayer meetings, but never a meeting of citizens for the amelioration of distressing social wrongs. He pUaded for an outspoken declaration of the ethical teachings implicit in the pronouncements of Jesus Christ. ■ THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. Rev. T. Martin introduced the sub- ' .lect of "Modernist standpoints and th« Sunday School." How are the children to he made aware of the results of sane Biblical criticism? Can they still be taught the literal inerrancy of Old testament documents p 0 difficult of acceptance? He contended that there are rT °/ T ;! < ;y ,aillfi 'iS the child of the truth of Biblical writings. The wonderful transportation of the British Expeditionary Forces across the Channel could ' well illustrate the passage of the childrcn of Israel across the Red Sea. Rev. W. A Sinclair, Foreign Missions secretary, who recently returned from the Solomon Islands; condemned the teaching that perpetuated the idea tlmt we creation of the world begun 4000 . claimed, he said, for the Bible what it does not claim for Itself. i nf' J -f a P. ier MUne claimed tlmt the child eoujd be correctly informed even if it were impossible to change the ideas of older people. Thus the lamentable results of having to unlearn so much could be avoided.

NEW MINISTERS. At the afternoon session Revs J R Nelson and Wallace S. Neal were'ex-' ft mined in their literary attainment*, theology, etc., and were unanimously ra . commended for ordination at rest'conference. A Maori home missionary was recommended as a. future minister. Eulogistic references were made to the devotion and self-sacrifice of the Veteran Kev. Robert Haddon.