MINISTERIAL SESSION.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 11130, 23 November 1901, Page 5

MINISTERIAL SESSION.

Yesterdja-y mdVna'ng this session was opened with devotion led by tihe Renr. S. Barnebfc. The Rev. J. W. Burton offered himself for work upon tihe foreign mission field upon the convpletion. of his University course.'-' Two oandiidta/tes for th'e ministry were foefore tdie Synod. The results of their literary, theological, and medico! examinations, with reports on their preadhin£,,,were considered at some length. Ultdmaltdy Mr T. Theodore Thomas, of Addington, was received with a view to theological training at Prince Alfred College, Auckland. - - , : .- . • :

The booklists of % tih.e probationers; the Revs. J. H. HoeCiaan' and A.' Reader, were read. . A brief examinaifcion on a chosen book took place. Reports on their preaching and ministerial work were also considered. It was recommended that the candidates should pass in their years, subject to t/heir written • examinaitions proving satisfactory. Sanction was given to tihe ministers of the district to attend the Dunedin Conference next March. ,

The; Rev., R. J. Murray Drought for-; .motion, bearing upon, the statistical' returns expressive of tihankfiiness ab the-, conifciriued evidence of the Divine presence With the Church. The necessity of maini tabling-the ''communion of samta" was joined.- The increasing secularisation of the Lord's Day, and the indifferentism of a large section of the people were defplored. The motion, which was followed by long and serious consideration, was adopted. It wes agreed, on the motion of the Rev. J. N. Buttle,' to.hold the npxb.Synod at Timaru. , A hearty vote 'of thajiics was accorded 'to Dr. Morley as chairman. In replying, Dr. Morley stated thait in all probability tli'is would be tihe last time ihe would occupy such a position. For more tlian liulf of his munistjiy he lVad occupied "the position of chairman of district. •, Thanks were also tendered to the 'District and Statistical Secretaries, assistant secretaries, hostesses, reporters, and the .local Press for the reports which had Deen given day by day. ' With prayer, by thte Rev. J.. Orchard and the Benediction by the Chairman, the sessions of the Synod were brought to a close.