METHODIST CHURCH

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 28, 14 November 1935, Page 8

METHODIST CHURCH

THE SOUTH CANTERBURY SfYNOU A _ PUBLIC QUESTIONS DISCUSSED. ~ The annual synod of the South Can—terbury District 'of the Methodist Church was concluded at ’l‘ernuka yes~ terday; the chairman of the district (the MV.‘ J. D. McArthur) premding. Reports considered were those of the Home .Mission and Church Extensxon Department, presented by the Rev. WV. E. Moore, the Methodist Men’s Fel—lowship Movement and the Deaconness 'lnstitution in Christchurch, presented by Sister Mild-red, who saidthere were four students in training. The report of the committee on Pu‘blio Questions was received and the synod reaffirmed its resolutions on Telnperance. It was agreed that Band of rHopes should be instituted where there were no temperance societies. The efforts of the Bible-in—Schools League were commended to the prayerful and active support of congregations, and it was urged that all ministers anu oeconnesses be requested to‘ take rull ‘advantage of the present facilities offered under the method known as the Neljson , system: ‘ ' Unemployment Question. While endorsing the "recommendations on the principleswf the question of unemployment 'the Synod had no recommendatibn to-make on the question of the application of these principles, holding that it was not the church’s function to outline policy. ‘ “In view of the widespread and increasing prevalence of the gambling and 'betting mania, and the insidious evils attendant upon such, the synod counsels the people of our church to abstain from participation in any form of gambling, and to do all ‘ln their power to lessen its sway in the com munity,” was the text of another resolution. , _ The resolutions of the Conference of 1934 on peace were reaffirmed With the addition of the following statement, “That the Conference does not commit itself to the support or m“ un‘der the League of Nations in any specific case; neither does it accept the absolute pacifist position.” Youth Peace Covenant. , The question of the issue of a Voluntary Peace Covenant to all members of the youth of _the church of 18 years and over, evoked a keen debate. Strong advocacy of careful considei.'a-_ tion of the implications involved was made by the Rev. B. P. Keall (Temuka). Though the Synod agreed with the object of the Youth (Department, and strongly advocated education of youths in the perils and dangers .of war, it did not agree with the form of the proposed Covenant. \ The work of the Youth Departments of the church received the attention of synod, encouraging reports being presented by Mr A. G. Foster, of Timaru. Congratulations were extended to the newly-formed South Canterbury Young Women’s Bible Class Unidn and a to Miss Sides (first president).