METHODIST CHURCHES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 135, 14 July 1914, Page 3

METHODIST CHURCHES.

SYDENHAM. The quarterly meeting of the Sydenham Methodist Church was held on Thursday. , There was a very large number of members present, and the Rov. A.-N. \Scotter. occupied the ehair. The membership .returns, showed that the number was similar to that -of the previous quarter. Yery encouraging reports were received from c the various branched The ladies' class had been yery "successful -under the leadership of Mrs J. Peacock, sen., and the Yaung People's Endeavour Societies had also been very helpful. The Sunday -school report stated that the number attending the Sunday school was still o« the increase, the present membership being 042, .with an average attendance of 261. The nuyi-

ber of teachers and officials was about .thirty-four.- Sister Florence had taken full charge of the infant department, which now met'in the. social'hall. "Mr S. Maddren had accepted a, position as a trustee, and Messrs Andrews' and Black were appointed- visitors to the Sunday school during the noxt quarter. -'Mr J.- T. Hunter was appointed reporter

for 'the rfext quarter. The-chairman referred i h;Jf igh terms to • tlie Jwork Si ster '• in Sydenham district; ' ■- ;

"A .spePial 'resolution protesting against the increase of racing permits, under the proposed Gaming Act was carried was endorsed

l>v the entire congregation on Sunday " evening. ' It was decided to send copies \of the "resolution to both .Houses -of Parliament, and to the local members. The financial statement showed that there was still a ; deficit on the - quarter's operations, but it-was. hoped that this would be -wiped out by a jumble sale to be -held .shortly. -G. R. Davidson was appointed to represent ;he cJiurdh- on the Prohibition Council. A remit from the Home Missions'.executive asfci.Bg for.assistance/.in obtaining evangelists from Cliff College, England, and an appeal from the Methodist chaplains for assistance towards the institutional work done by the Young Men 's Christian Association. at the Territorial ?.amps, were favourably, considered. The work of the organiser, for the White Cross League was heartily commended to the people of the district, . and a special committee was appointed to arrange for a week of evangelistic services.

Mr 11. Field was appointed secretary if or the Home Missions Fund.

PAPANUI. The quarterly meeting of the Papanui "Methodist Circuit was largely attended, Rev. A. Peters in the chair. The bal-rance-sheet showed a small Credit. Reports from Sunday Schools and Christian Endeavour Societies were most encouraging, there being now three Endeavour Societies at Papanui, senior, intermediate, and junior, the intermediate being added dfiring the quarter. A resolution wafli carried urging the Government io pass the Referendum Bill now before the House, also one protest - ' iiijs Kalgai n'st' ■'the proposed increase of : racfitig s «lut>' i»' 'the Gaming Bill. " Tjte revest from the Home Mission Coiiiiiritt-ee for financial assistance iu bringing; Out. evangelists from England wfc's fUvt)'fe , niWy ; Considered." It Wfis decided to contribute towards liquidating the debt, incurred in connection with the work of the Territorial vamps, and Mr Allington was appointed to receive subscriptions towards that object. .