WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9584, 26 November 1896, Page 3

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

The Financial Session of the Synod met yesterday morning, the Rev. W. Money presiding. In addition to the ministers named yesterday the following representatives were present:—Messrs G. J. Smith and R. K. England, Durham street; J. Cloworth, Christchurch South; R. W. Creswell and G. Simpson, St. Albans ; J. S. Ollivier, Lyttelton; W. Lawry and H. W. Peryman, Springston; W. Manson and J. Bennett, Leeston ; G. H. Blackwell and R. Evans, Kaiapoi; G. Watson and W. Foster, Rangiora; J. - Baker and J. Haymaa, Ashburton; H. Frampton, Willowby; D. Patchett and J. Thompson, Malvern *J. R. Clark, Methven; J. Rapley, Amberloy; A. E. Stevens, Little River; W. Somerville, Cheviot; R. Dawson, District Secretary of Churoh Property; J. C. Prudhoe, Secretary of Jubilee Fund ; and W. Harris, Treasurer of the Contingent Fund. After devotional exercises tho Chairman welcomed the lay representatives. The Methodist Union had been happily consummated during the year, and he welcomed the representatives of the late United Methodist Churches aud Bible Christian Churches, who were not strangers but brethren beloved. He was particularly pleased to do this as Canterbury was considered the crucial test of Methodist Union, all the uniting churches being represented largely in this district. While all tha* could be desired had not been accomplished during the past year, good work had been done. The recent census returns showed an increase in the population of tho colony of 12 per cent., and of the number of the adherents of tho church 13 per cent. Ho had lately visited some of the new places in the North Island, and what he observed impressed him that they should question themselves whether they were keeping pace | with the development of the country. The affairs of the Advocate would bo brought before the Synod. The subject of » Church Hymnal for Australasia would bo introduced, and also that of .a central Theological Institution. Satisfaction was i expressed with the progress of Prince Albert College, and he was glad to say that CanterI bury was to some extent represented at the College, but it would be well if more boya I and girls from this district could be sent to the Institution. A gentleman in Christchurch had given a scholarship, tenable for three years, for children of Methodist minister's. The Foreign Missionary Fond had been heavily taxed by the expense in connection with the very * successful work of the New. Guinea Mission. The Rev. L. M. Isitt was present. This the first time Mr Isitt had met tha Synod since his return from England, and he was accorded a hearty reception. As ho had pressing work in hand lie asked leave of absence till Friday morning. On the motion of the Rev. D. J. Murray, seconded by tho Rev. W. TinsL-T, the Synod granted tho request and expressed its pleasure in seeing i the Rev. L. M. Isitt among them again, and assured him of its hearty appreciation of his work and sympathy with him in hi_ efforts to advance the cause of temperance. The District Secretary presented a return of church properties. A new church had been erected at Linwood, at a cost of £153; Kaiapoi parsonage enlarged, cost £130 ; Rangiora church.'enlarged, cost £157 ; Southbrook, removal of church and school* enlargement of school and new classrooms, cost £135; purchase of parsonage site at Malvern.

A church sit. at Linwood had been given to the connection. It was resolved that tho Conference be requited to sanction tho purchase of a church site at Opawa, the enlargement of the church at New Brightonj and the erection of a church at Tinwald..

Mr Dawson, District Seoretary of Church Properties, laid before the meeting his annual report, .which was adopted. Increase o{ Church property £11,000. The meeting expressed its appreciation of the services ol Mr Dawson, and on the motion of M* Blackwell, seconded by the Rev. P. W, Fairclough, his reappointment was recommended.

The balance-sheet of the Home Mis« sionary Fund was read by the Secretary, the total sum raised being £547 3s, On tba motion of Mr PrWdhoe, - seconded -by' th* Rev; D. J. Murray, it was resolved— "That the hearty thanks of the Synod be accorded, to jthe Rev. W. Morley as Corresponding Secretary for his able and efficient work in connection with the fund." It was further resolved that the meeting recognise tho necessity of more heartily supporting tha Home Mission Fund, and that Conference be recommended to direct that in all tha circuits an effort should be made to increase tho number of annual subscribers through the Sunday school, the Blake system, and the Christian Endeavour Societies, instead of a single effort in one particular period of the year. . .

The Synod resumed its session in tho evening. A grant t° cover the expenses incurred in ministerial oversight of Maori* i in South Canterbury and North' Otago waa agreed to. It was proposed that a District Secretary be appointed' for Home Missions, to act under the direction of the Corresponding Secretary for the Sunday Schools, and that he.be directed to take steps to awaken a spirit of emulation among the Sabbath scholars, and that the appointment of Secretary be left in the hands of the Chain_ai_- ! It' was reported that £270 had been raisedin the Canterbury district for the Foreign . Mission Fund. Resolutions were passed bearing upon the more efficient working of the fund.

The Synod expressed its appreciation of the services rendered by the Rev. Andrews, who paid a visit to New Zealand a_ ft deputation from New Guinea. The Synod then adjourned.

[PRESS, ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

WANGANUI, November 25, The Wanganui Wesleyan .Synod, coi_> menced its session to-day. In his addreefl to the members< of the Synod,-the Chairman (the Rev, -G. Bond) congratulated,th. ministers on the firm stand taken on the side of prohibition. In addition to other ness, 'Messrs W. Sussex and R., P. Keai, were' recommended to the Conference as candidates for the ministry.