WESLEYAN SYNOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 291, 7 December 1900, Page 3

WESLEYAN SYNOD.

Yesterday afternoon the following1 business was transacted CHURCH PROPERTIES. The district secretary of the church ; properties fund (Mr W. D. Buttle) reported that a fair amount of progress1 in church extension had been tuade throughout the. Auckland district during the past year, and that the Synod should have a reasonable amount of satisfaction in the advance made as a church since they met last year. New churches had been opened at Mount Eden and Matakohe, and new parsonages erected at Mount Albert, Coromanded and Parnell. A new church was being aimed at by the Wesleyaas in Te Aroha, and would probably shortly be in course of erection. The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts for the year were £5952 16/5, and the expenditure £6319 4/11. The total insurances amounted to £33,835. There was a sum of £2107 owing to the church building and loan fund, and a sum of £6478 borrowed on other ■securities. The Church debt had been reduced by £934. Mr W. D. Buttle was awarded a hearty vote of thanks for his services during the past year, and a recommendation made to the Conference to continue the appointment. PROPOSED ORPHANAGE. Mr A. C. Caughey moved, and it was: carried, "That a recommendation be made from the Auckland Synod to the Conference that they should .set up a committee for the purpose of reporting to the Conference of 1902 as to the best means for forming an orphanage." THE WAR. On the motion of the Rev. A. Mitchell, the following resolution was carried unanimously: "This Synod places on record its gratitude to Almighty God for the success that has attended the operations of our Imperial forces in South Africa. We believe the war has been waged in the interests of liberty, civilisation, and national righteousness. We desire also to express our profound admiration for the magnificent response of this and other colonies to the call of the Motherland in her hour of need; and also the splendid heroism, and commendable loyalty displayed by the colonials during the campaign." VISIT OF THE DUKE OL1 YORK. The Revs. C. E. Beecroft, ,T. 11. Simmonds, and J. T. Pinfold, and Messrs A. C. Caughey and T. D. Buttle were, with the Chairman (the Rev. H. R. Dewsbury) appointed a committee for the purpose of welcoming the Duke of York on his visit to New Zealand. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. The Rev. J. T. Pinfold moved, and it was carried: ''That the Synod, having heard that it was intended to secure the introduction into Parliament of a Bill to decide by referendum whether it was the will of the people of this colony to give the Bible its proper place in the Government day schools, should pledge itself to do its utmost to further this desirable object." LIQUOR IN THE KING COUNTRY. The Synod, on the motion of the Rev. W. .1. Williams, protested ag"iinst the proposed legalisation by the Government of the liquor traffic in the King Country. Mr Williams said that the excuse urged for the legalisation of the liquor traffic was the amount of sly grog selling in the King Country, but those who urged it did not explain where the liquor which was at present sold there came from. It came from the liquor sellers in Auckland. He moved: "That the Synod petition the Government, against taking away any of the power which the people of New Zealand had in curtailing the sale of liquor." Mr Miller seconded, and after several other speakers had condemned the suggested alterations '/n the licensing laws, this resolution was carried unanimously. MAORI MLSSIONS. The Rev. W. Gittos furnished the Synod with an interesting account of the mission to the Maoris. He alluded to the small 'sum given by the European congregations towards the missions. The income derived from Maori properties was about £700, while only £ 300 came from the congregations. He suggested that an extra agent should be employed for the work. He hoped that the public would support the agents better in the future than in the past. The Rev. W. J. Williams read a number of reports from Maori missionaries, detailing the work which they had done. On the motion of the Rev. (!. Frost, it was decided to prepare extracts of these reports for the purpose of insertion in the "Advocate." The Rev. D. Weathera.ll offered his services as aoi agent to assist the Rev. W. Gittos in his Maori, worlc. On the motion of the Rev. S. Griffiths, it wasi unanimously resolved (1) "That this Synod, having heard with pleasure and gratitude that the Rev. 1). Wea.thcrall feels called to place himself at the disposal of the Conference for the Maori work, and believing that he is especially adapted for the. Maori work, cordially recommends that his offer be accepted by the ensuing Conference as an additional European missionary." (2) "That with a. view to secure the additional funds necessary special annual subscriptions be solicited during the ensuing- year towards this object."

Last eveningl an open session of the Auckland Wcsleyan Synod was held in the Pitt-street Church. The Rev. C. Griffin, statistical secretary, presented the general returns and the Sundayschool and temperance returns. The figures showed that there were 331 junior church 'members, being- an increase of 63 on the previous year; and 220 on trial for full membership, an increase of 150, accounted for by successful special services held in various circuits during the year. A resolution was carried on the motion of the Rev. Griffin, gratefully recognising the success of the year and pledging the Church to increased devotion and service.

It was resolved to recommend that the proposed simultaneous missions in inauguration of the new century be held at Whitsuntide as being the most suitable time.

The Rev. C. 11. Garland (organising secretary) reported that in this district nearly £4000 had been promised and £2525 collected for the century commemoration fund. It was resolved on the motion of the Rev. W. Heady, "That this Synod expresses its thankfulness at the measure of success that has attended the operations of the fund, and recommends Conference to continue the effort for another year."

The meeting closed with a communion service. A short ministerial meeting was held in the schoolroom, when the journal was duly approved and signed, and the usual votes of thanks were passed, the Synod then closing-.