METHODISM.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17305, 17 November 1921, Page 9

METHODISM.

NORTH CANTERBURY SYNOD. The sessions of the North Canterbury Methodist Synod opened with :i sacramental service in the Durham street Church yesterday, conducted by Hie Rev. T. ".A. Joughin, chairman of the. district, assisted by the Rev. A. N. Scotter. The Rev. S. Lawry delivered a short address. About 80 representatives answered the roll-call. The Rev. A- .V Scot tor received 62 votes, and was elected secretary of the Synod. The other official positions were tilled as follows:—Assistant secretary, the Rev. A. H. Fowles; journal secretary, the Rev. AV. H. E. Abbev: reporter to the Press, the Rev. W. B". Scott; reporter to tho "Methodist Times," the Rev. l\ R. Paris. Mr James Little, a veteran local preacher, was welcomed, aud given a scat in the Synod. It was mentioned that Mr Little had been for more than (10 ve-ars a local preacher. In lsCo the Christchurch plan contained 33 names. To-day Mr Little is the only survivor. The Rev. T. A. Joughin was received with applause as he roso to address the gathering. Ho said, "Blessed are tho people whoso annals are dull-" Tho idea to bo conveyed was that tho common mind was not dislocated by untoward events. Of that kind of happiness the district had had a good share during the year. Reference was made to gaps in the ranks of the ministry throughout the Dominion. "With regard to the Laymen, tho district would miss the work and influence- of the lata Messrs R. Evans and F. B. Lane. Reference was also made to the possibility of the Rev. W. J". "Williams retiring from the position of editor of the "Methodist Times." The Rev. J. R. Clark's application to be made a supernumerary tor one year, on the ground of ill-health, was granted The application of the chairman to ba made a supernumerary for one year was also granted. iGeneral regret was expressed at tho need of such applications, especially in the ease of the Rev. T. A. Joughin. Reference was made to his unfailing courtesy and his abilities as chairman. A hope was expressed that tho lull strength of his voico would be restored to him during the year's rest. An application was received from fhei Rangiora circuit for division, Rangiora, Southbrook, Raithby, and Ashley to form the Rangiora circuit, and Woodend, Waikuku, Sefton, Amberley, and Broomtield to form the new "Woodend circuit.

An animated discussion took place on the request, and it was eventually decided that an open vote be taken at tho December quarterly meeting, and that tho. statistics, etc., required by the Book of Law he sent on to Conference. With, this understanding the application was carried bv 4-6 votes to 6.

An application was received from the Woolston circuit that a probationer be appointed to tho circuit and to reside at Sumner- The application was agreed to -unanimously, after a statement had been niside of tho position. The St. Albans circuit requested that they be allowed another year's grace, before providing for a second married minister.

After a slight alteration in tihe forrai of the request, it was unanimously decided to recommend Conference to grant relief till 1923. Tho circuit accounts indicated tha,t several circuits showed a total credit of £9O 18s Gd. The remaining circuits; exhibit a- deficit of £257 15s 3d. One circuit alone had a deficit of £lO5 15s. A satisfactory explanation was given, of this large deficiency." During the afternoon session Mr F. Thompson presented the. report on, church property, which showed that the total receipts amounted to £689-1 19a, and the expenditure to £8726 0s 7d. The debts to the churdh building and loan fund totalled £2824 10s lid, and to other creditors £5688. The value of the insurance on properties was £75,970. Special mention was made of the Edgeware road Sunday school, a new building, consisting of a brick hall, kitchen, and class-room, which had been opened free of debt.

Tho Rev. E. D. Patchett presented the general returns for the district. An increase in membership was reported, tho total for the district being 3672> senior members. The junior membership, showed an increase. The following resolution was moved by Mr Patchett, arid, after a short discussion, agreed...to: "That this Synod,' having heard tho general returns, desires to acknowledge the gooctness of God in tho blessings that have enrichod tho Church- in this district. "Wo thank God especially, for tho enthusiasm manifested in Sunday school classes and in, the week-night meetings for the young people of tho Church. In maintaining tlho services of our Church throughout the district we would also acknowledge the good work being done by our supernumerary minister's and a loyal' body, of local preachers."

Mr W. C. Francis presented the Sunday school returns- He gave tho Synod the following statistics: Sunday; school scholars 4320, teachers 460, young man's Bible class 213, young women's Bible class 261, Wesley; Guild 652, Christian Endeavour Societies 544.

Tho following were nominated for the Sunday School District Committee:— Chairman of district, tho Revs S. Guy, S. Bailey, W. Walker, AV. H. E. Abbey, W. B. Scott, and ministers stationed at Papanui and Edgeware road, with the executive of North Canterbury Methodist Sunday School Union; in addition, two representatives each from young men's and young women's Bible classes.

The Bev. C. H. Olds presented, tho, report of the Sunday School and Young People's Board. The report indicated, that the Rev. C. H. Olds was retiring from the offico of organising secretary, and regret was expressed at his retirement. The Board decided that the, office should be maintained, and tlhq following names were sent forward to Conference, so that a successor bo •appointed : The Revs. W. G. Slade, L. B. Ncale, and' E. T. Olds. Tho following were nominated as the Young People's Board for 1U22: The. chairman of the district, Revs, AV. Ready, J. N.Milne, R. B. Tinsley, A. H. Fowles. P. R. Paris, E- D. Patchett, with the president of the North Canterburv Sunday School Union, and Messrs A.'E. Lawry, M. Kershaw, AY. C. Francis, C. H. Virtue, J. H. AVhito, and P AV. Sharp, with the organising secretary as convener. A long discussion took place on ai motion by Mr F. Thompson, "That district agents be appointed for young people's work." Eventually it wa* resolved: "That the Young People's Board consider the appointment of two organising secretaries for next year, and that a lwtter system of financiaH support be organised." Mr AV. L. Thomas introduced the rer port of the Bible classes, in which he, sketched the work and progress of the movement -and its ideals for the future. It was expected that 1000 young mem would he under canvas at the Easter centenary camp. The report was received with applause.

The Rev. S. Lawry presented the £re insurance report. There were no losses bv fire during the year. Surplus money iad been invested on favourable 1 terms. The value of the fund _ was £13,801 16s 2d, which must be considered a. satisfactory growth from nothing in 1 twentv years. The sum of £1429 19b lid had been added during the year. The reDort was received ana adopted. The* Foreign Mission report and financial returns were presented by the; secretary. Mr F. .Sheppard Green. The baianceibeet showed an income of £1543 18s for the district. It was reported that the Dominion income for; the year was £12,326, a record. The report was received and adopted. Mr p..™* a-ia liflgrtiiv tlhankod (or lua

work, and reconnriende'd to Conference for reappoiritmeMt. On.the motion of Mr Green, tho following resolution was carried: ''That, iw view of the fact that Conference* has now committed our ( Connexion, to «| definite medical missionary policy, and has recognised that Mr. 33. G. Savers is training for this service, this Synod strongly recoraends that tihcl Foreign Mission Executive should now tff'kej over tho responsibility for Mr fcayers's| training." . „ Mr Green made special mention or tho work of two Ideal secretaries, viz., Miss Graham, of Rangiora, and Mjbs Metherell, of Christohurch East circuit. The report of the. New Zealand Executive for Foreign Missions was read by Mr Green, and received. The report stressed the fact that nest year the Dominion Would take over its own mission field. Thtv Svnod decided to support thc ro- ' commendation's of the executive with regard to a missionary page in the "Methodist Times," a quarterly missionary jnagoisine, and a quarterly children's illustrated paper. / It wna agreed that the Solomon Islands mission district should be represented on the Stationing Committee by the chairman of the district or an.elected representative from that district, and by a lay representative nominated by tho Board of Missions, provided that if neither the chairman nor tho elected representative be present, the general secretary of Foreign Missions should represent the district on the Stationing Committee. ' It was decided to take the election! of representative to Conference this morning. A* the invitation of the Synod, Sister Ruth, president of the Young Women's Bible Class Union, addressed the Svnod on the work of the classes, dwelling chiefly on the work of the Sisters among the Maoris. Reference was made to tho work of the lato Mrs Haslett, who iihbued the classes with the idea of supporting their own travelling secretary. At present over £3OO was in baud for this work. Sister Ruth pleaded with, the Synod to trust the women's classes in the work they were undertaking. Sho assured the Synod that they could he trusted. Mr F. Thompson theu moved a resolution expressing appreciation of the classes, and confidence in their work, which was earned with continued applause. The following motions were carried :- (1) "That when moneys are raised for* special purposes, it is desirable that they should not be temporarily used for other purposes unless with the consent* of the Central Committee of tho Church Building and Loan Fund." \2) '"That Conference bo requested to enact that ivll moneyß held in trust by local Church officers for special purposes should only be invested in those) securities authorised by the Trustee) Act, WOU, or its amendments, and that such instruction should be printed on schedule forms of receipts and expenditure supplied to all church treasurers.