METHODISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 October 1922, Page 7

METHODISM.

.\!<W PLYMOUTH CIRCUIT. The quarterly meeting of the New Plymouth Alethodist Circuit was held in Whiteley Hall on Tuesday evening. The Rev. W. T. Elliott (superintendent) presided, and in addition to the Revs. J. F. Martin and J. Nixon, and Messrs. C. Carter and C. J. Bottrill, ALA. (circuit stewards) there was a good attendance. The annual statistical returns were presented and disclosed some satisfactory progress. The chairman reported on the removals and deaths and stated the membership stood at 578 in the senior grade and about 170 in the junior. The Sunday school returns were given by the Rev. J. F. Martin, and a gratifying feature was a very general increase in scholars. The work of the teachers was commended. The balance* • sheet for the quarter revealed a substantial reduction in the credit balance, chiefly due to special financial claims upon the congregations and a few inclement Sundays. Special collections for anniversaries and the orphanage were authorised during the ensuing quarter. Statements concerning the Foreign Alission Fund, the Home Mis--1 sion Fund, and thp Centenary Fnud were rendered by Afessrs. W. Chatterton, F. AV. Okey and J. T. Griffin. All these gave signs of encouraging progress, over £2OO having been raised for Foreign Alissions. The ladies’ Missionary Auxiliary had contributed £2O and sent a substantial box of clothing and goods to the Solomon Islands. Some £450 has been promised to by the Circuitt toward the Centenary Fund. On the motion of the circuit stewards, the Rev. W. J. Elliott was cordially and unanimously invited to remain in the circuit as superintendent for a third year, and the invitation was as cordially accepted, subject to the approval of the conference. The Rev. Battey was invited to Fitzroy in April next, and it was resolved to urge conference to appoint as successor to the Rev. J. Nixon a probationer or unmarried minister at the end of the connexional year. Messrs. C. Carter, A.. G. Fischer, R. Pepperell and J. T. Griffin were elected representatives to the annual district synod, and Afessrs. Weston and J. Gibson substitutes. Tt was resolved to hold a monthly service at 801 l Block, and to change the evening hour of service at Carrington Road to 7.30. It was intimated that the Rev. E. P. Blamires, the Sunday School organiser, would visit the circuit in November, and the superintendents and teachers would be invited to arrange a series of meetings. Several resolutions of sympathy with | bereaved families Were recorded. The following resolution was unanimously adopted: “That this quarterly meeting, representing the members and adherents of the New Plymouth congregations. being convinced that the , drink traffic is the cause of untold crime I and misery, expresses the GOBViotion

that the time has come when a determined effort should be made to absolutely abolish it, and urges all its members and adherents at the forthcoming licensing poll to cast their vote for the trueet freedom and prosperity.”