METHODIST SYNOD MEETS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1926, Page 10

METHODIST SYNOD MEETS

TARANAKI AND WANGANUI MEMBERS WELCOMED TO TOWN. REPRESENTATIVE SESSION. Before the opening of the representative session of the Taranaki-Wanga-nui District. Synod of the Methodist Church in New Plymouth yesterday morning a communion service was held in the Whiteley Memorial Church. It was conducted by the chairman of the district (Rev. W. J. Oxbrow, of Hawera), assisted by the Revs. G. P. Hunt and W. W. Avery. Prayer was led by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell, and 'Mr. E. Dixon and an address was given by the Rev. A. E. Jefferson. Afterwards the synod adjourned to the church hall. Synod members were welcomed on behalf of the town by Mr. 11. V. S. Griffiths, Deputy-Mayor, and on behalf of local Methodists by Mr. C. E. Bellringer, M.P. They were introduced by the Rev. T. R. Richards, who apologised for the absence of the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), who had been called away to Wellington unexpectedly, Mr. Griffiths said it afforded him considerable pleasure to welcome the members of the synod. Ho trusted that they would enjoy their stay here and particularly the scenery and other attractions. It was only in service that they could feel the real enjoyment of life and "lie considered that those people who learned the lesson of service in the Church could best serve the community. The town of New Plymouth could offer the facilities for an enjoyable stay and he hoped they would be availed of. Air. Bellringer said the Methodist Church had played a very important part in the history and progress of New Plymouth. Many of their forefathers had brought the traditions of the Church from Cornwall and Devon, and these had played a great part in producing the public men of the town. 'Mr. Bellringer said he had completed his 45th year as a lay preacher and personally he owed a great deal to Methodism. Mr. E. Dixon (Hawera) replied on behalf of the visitors. CHURCH MEMBERS’ OPPORTUNITY. The Rev. W. J. Oxbrow presided, and the Rev. W. W. Avery acted as secretary. Other officers appointed for the session were: Assistant-secretary, the Rev. W. H. E. Abbey; journal secretary, the Rev. R. B. Gosnell: press secretary, Rev. E. B. Chambers; corresponding secretary, Rev. A. Blackmore; reporter for Methodist Times. The Rev. E. T. Cox, M.A., of Wanganui, extended the congratulations of the synod to the Rev. W. J. Oxbrow on his election to the chairmanship of the district, and assured him of hearty co-op-eration in furthering the work in the district. Mr. Oxbrow said lie had not sought the office, ’but having had it thrust upon him he would endeavour to live up to the highest traditions of the office. Someone had to do the work, however, and he would do his best. He had to thank members for their hearty support. He had found this expressed everywhere in l:is travels. ‘ If we are going to lift the world we mi.-s live on a higher plane tl.au the world/' said Mr. Oxbrow, in speaking of the need for conversion within the Church itself. For brotherhood, tor sacrifice, and for service there was no institution to compare with the Church; The old-fashioned member of the o'dfashioned Church was keen and alive, but he was very much afraid that this was not always the case to-day, and that made all the difference. Did the members remain in great numbers for prayer meetings at the close of Sunday evening services? Or for prayer meetings during the week? What sense of their responsibility had they of their obligations ? There were some aver, age members of the Church, he acknowledged, who were good men and women, but he urged that greater attention should be paid by these people to their religious obligations. PROFESSING MEMBERS ONLY. ' There were professing members who were members in no more than name, and he often thought that the time was coming when they would have to havo some test of membership, for some proof was demanded. These people went to picnics on a Sunday or worked in their gardens, and attended service perhaps only once in six weeks. But, thankfully, they had many members who were above the average and the Church could not exist without them. The church was not deficient in preaching, but he was just afraid that the work stopped there. They must follow up their preaching and unless they did sc their time was wasted. Their call was to live above the average, to live a life of sacrifice and service. That was the call, and God grant that men and women heard it. The Rev. IV. T. Hooper was voted a member of the synod, on the motion of the Rev. W. W. Avery. The Rev. G. P. Hunt referred most appreciatively to Mr. Hooper's work as an evangelist in the Stratford area. The chairman extended a welcome to Mr. Hooper, and to the Rev. R. Tapp. Appointments of an unmarried probationer to the Gonville circuit and anunmarried probationer to the Raetihi circuit were approved. Tire Rev. A. E. Jefferson said there were great prospects before the Raetihi circuit, if a man of the right type were sent. FINANCIAL AND MEMBERSHIP. The secretary reported on the financial position of the district, and after giving details, said there was a total debit this year of £843 13s Id. compared with £BOB Ss Sd in 1925. Thus the funds were £32 more in debit than last .year. Mr. Avery said the balance was made up at the wrong time of the year for this district. The hardest quarter of the year was that ending on September 30, and some of the debits had been reduced materially since the statements were made. The position was not so bad as it looked and four-fifths of the circuits were undertaking efforts to reduce their debits. The statistical returns for the year were (the figures for 1925 being shown in parentheses):—Churches 54 ( 53), other preaching places 44 (41), schoolrooms 19 (181, parsonages 23 (22), ministers and probationers 14 (17). homo missionaries 8 (5), deaconess 1 (1), local preachers 78 (82), members on roll 2482 (2454). junior members 956 (1615), communicants 1713 (1671), attendants on public* worship, including Sunday school scholars 7142 (7114). The position of the new bltilding fund

of khe Methodist Theological College, n> reported on by the Rev. W. H. E. Abbey. Promises and deflations to date were £41,474 14s 7d. The TaranakiWanganui district contribution towards this amount was £993 9s. It was recommended that the name of the new college should be Trinity Methodist Theological College and its motto “Spiritus übi est ardet.” In review of the satisfactory financial position tenders were being called early next year and the foundation stone would probably be laid in March, The ’ college would be erected in Auckland. YOUNG PEOPLE'S DEPARTMENT. The work of the young people’s department was reported upon by the Rev. G. P. Hunt. There were 49 Sunday schools, with 275 teachers and 3033 scholars, he said. There was an increase of five schools, which was the. more remarkable because there had been a decrease in scholars. It was decided to recommend all young people’s workers, quarterly meetings and ministers seriously to consider this decrease, with a view to stopping the unfortunate leakage from Sunday schools. An appeal was made to parents and all who were tempted to secularise the Lord’s Day to have regard for the religous interests of the children, lest they place a stone of stumbling in the path of the little ones by making it more difficult, if not impossible, to attend Sunday school. Sister Alice Howell reported that there were 13 Maori schools,, with 270 scholars, and a monthly correspondence class, with 180 members. On the cradle roll were 105 members under five years of age. The synod commended Sister Howell’s work among the Maori people. It was decided that the question of Sunday schools elosing during summer holidays be left to the teachers concerned. Satisfaction was expressed that a Sunday school examination had been held under the 'board. The attention of circuits was drawn to the need for their financial support of the young people’s department. It was gratifying, however, that contributions were coming forward more lyThe district young people’s committee for 1927 was appointed as follows: The ministers of Hawera, Eltham. Kaponga and Stratford circuits, with Messrs R. Lewis, H. J. Hopkins, E. Dixon, E. G. iFoster and Mrs. Williams; two representatives each elected by the young women’s and young men’s bible class unions. The minister of the Stratford circuit was appointed convenor and Mr. H. J. Hopkins secretary. Mr. E. Dixon was recommended as conference representative to synod. SPECIAL TRAINING PROPOSED. Recommendations to conference were decided on as follow: — That the proposal to hold a New Zealand national conference on religious education in 1929 be approved. The conference would bring together church representatives who believe in the educational process and educationists who believe that religion is vital to .education. Its object would be to clarify the principles of national religious education and to prepare a comprehensive policy for application to the needs of the young. Instead of Church and State and home pulling against one another, they should have their co-operation in a unified educaton, with religious education by persons religiously and educationally qualified. That in the ease of accepted candidates for the ministry who reveal specal aptitude for religious educational work, the college course of training be modified, as may be found practicable so as to afford 'special preparation for such work. Such portion of the- special training as may be possible shall be taken at a university or similar institution. If candidates did not feel called upon for the general work of the ministry they could devote themselves to religious educational work, afterwards being eligible for appointment as directors of youth work. Only matriculated students would be eligible, for this special training. That the Rev. E. P. Blamires be reappointed general secretary of the young people’s movement for the period 192833 The Rev. W. W. Avery was re-appoint-ed synod secretary and statistical secretary. Mr. E. J. Judd was re-appointed property secretary. The Rev. E.' T. Cox (Wanganui) was elected district representative to the conference for 1927, and the Rev. T. R. Richards was appointed substitute. MISSIONARY AND WOMEN’S WORK. The work of the auxiliaries of the Women’s Missionary Union was reported on by Mrs. W. W. Avery, district visitor. During 1926 the receipts of the union had been £3430 12s lid, an increase of £195 over 1925. There were 38 auxiliaries throughout the Dominion, but her hope was that soon there would be one in every one of over 100 circuits. The membership comprised 2411 Methodist women, and they were responsible for the support of seven sisters in the Solomon Islands and two working among the Maoris. The sum of £866 10s had been raised for salaries in the Solomons, and £251 13s 4d for those in New Zealand. Valuable gift 'boxes had been made up and an effort was being made towards the purchase of a horse for one of the sisters. Twelve packing cases from this district were recently shipped to Sydney for the missions. -There were auxiliaries at Marton, Wanganui, Wanganui North, Hawera, Eltham, Waitara. Lepperton, Stratford and New Plymouth, and there were 273 members. For the year ended August 31, 1926, £220 10s had been raised besides gift boxes sent. The auxiliaries were doing their bit towards establishing a Maori women’s college and at the request of the Foreign Mission Board £536 had been given towards the Helena Goldie Hospital. The synod re-appointed Mrs. Avery as district visitor and expressed appreciation of her work and that of the auxiliaries. HOME AND FOREIGN FIELDS. Home mission grants were recommended as follow:—Patea £75, Waitara £BO, Opunake £5O, Inglewood £5O, Manaia £3O. Kaponga £5O. Marton £4O, Raetihi-Ohakune £5O. It was decided that a student 'be appointed to the Douglas and Huiroa home mission station and that the Rev. E. Olds be requested to visit the district with the appointee. The Rev. W. A. Sinclair was recommended for re-appointment as general secretary of the Board of Missions for a further term. The foreign mission report was adopted, it being indicated that the income for the year would exceed that of last year. Next year, said the report, the first medical missionary (Dr. E. G. Sayers)

would leave New Zealand for the Solomons. Dr. Sayers was at present in London at the School of Tropical Medicine. The offer had also been accepted of Dr. Clifford Janies, of tho Southland Public Hospital, for medical work in the Solomons. In addition, Nurse McDonald would leave for the field. The Rev. W. W. Avery made a strong appeal for more support for the missions for the service in the Solomons, which was badly needed. He was supported by Mr. E. Dixon. The session was adjourned at 5 p.m. until this morning. . % MUSICAL FESTIVAL IN CHURCH. COMBINED CHOIRS AT WHITELEY. The Whiteley Memorial Church was well filled last night by members of the synod and New Plymouth residents when a very fine musical festival service was given by the combined choirs of the Whiteley, St. Aubyn, Fitzroy and W.estown churches. In all there were 70 voices and under the baton of Mr. R. Laurie Cooper some inspiring effects were obtained. In such numbers as Mozart’s “Gloria,” from the Twelfth Mass, “Oh, Gladsome Light” (Elgar) and Mendelssohn’s “How Lovely are the Messengers,” the different sections blended very pleasantly and balance seemed always to be maintained. The effect was made the more memorable by the great volume of sound possible with so large a combination, but perhaps in no item was the fortissimo passages more strikingly given than in the ever-popular “Hallelujah” chorus. In this the choir excelled itself. Other choral numbers were “I was Glad” (Elvey), “The Heavens are Telling” (Hadyn) and a number of hymns. The solo numbers were a feature of the programme. Mrs. A. B. MacDonald sang “A Song of Thanksgiving” (Allitsen), Mr. A. McLeavay “Come Unto Me” (Lindsay), and Mr. N. H. Papakura “My Hope is in the Everlasting” (Stainer). The duet, “Hold Thou My Hand,”~was given by the Misses Edna Perrott and Keitha Martin. The Rev. T. R. Richards presided and pronounced the benediction at the conclusion of the service, and the Rev. P. J. Cossum led in prayer. Mr. C. Morshead presided at the organ.