METHODIST SYNOD.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 31, 16 November 1939, Page 6

METHODIST SYNOD.

THE THIRD DAY SESSION. DISCUSSIONS CONCLUDE TO-DAY. The Synod held its third and final day of discussion to-day, the chairman (the Rev. Angus Mcßean) presiding. Appreciation of the work of the Principal of Trinity College, Auckland (Dr. H. Ranston), who is to retire next year, was expressed and the Synod also expressed regret that the services of Dr. C. H. Laws, a Fellow of the College, would not be available next year. Members voiced appreciation of the work Dr. Laws lias carried out. It was decided to recommend to Conference that a Centennial Appeal Fund of £23,000 be launched, that £20,000 of this amount be used to establish a Maori Girl’s College in Taranaki, that £2OOO be devoted to a Deaconess Retiring Fund and that £IOOO go toward the Otakau Memorial Church, near the Otago Heads.

The invitation of the Oamaru district, expressed by Mrs Bridgman, that the next Synod should meet at Oamaru in a yearns time was accepted. Votes of thanks were accorded the officers of Synod, the trustees of the Ashburton Circuit ,tho hosts and .hostesses for their hospitality, and the Baring Square choir, THE DELEGATES WELCOMED. SOCIAL EVENING PROGRAMME. There was a large attendance at a social evening in the Methodist Schoolroom last & veiling, when an official welcome was extended to delegates attending the synod. The chairman of the South Canterbury district (the Rev. Angus Mcßean) presided. The Mayor (Dr. G. I. Miller) said ho was pleased to attend to convey greetings from the people' of Ashburton. He wished the synod success and hoped its deliberations would bo of the greatest value, for in the final analysis the. churches were the background of life in this country, as well as in all English speaking countries, no matter what other organisations might be invested with varying degrees of importance. Dr. Milleir concluded by heartily congratulating the Baring Square choir and its conductor (Mr H. A. Humphreys) on their work.. On behalf of the Ashburton Ministers’ Association, the Rev. L. P. Bryan expressed the hope that the synod would, make for days of refreshing in the presence of the Lord and that the blessings gained would _be taken back to the several districts by the delegates. If ever the Light was needed, it was to-day, but whatever happened they had the word of the Master that His Church would triumph. . The Senior Circuit Steward (Mr F. Frampton) also l welcomed the delegates, on behalf of the Methodists of tho Ashburton Circuit, and a short address was given by Mr C. F. Hornll. The musical programme consisted ol vocal solos by Misses Merle Brown and Olwyn Watt and Mr W. T. Corbett, violin solos by M;r T. Lush, and three anthems by the Baring 'Square Choir. The aecompanist.es were Mrs T. Lush and Misses R. Porter and B. Brown.