THE METHODIST CHURCH.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20090, 20 November 1930, Page 3

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

NORTH CANTERBURY SYNOD. YESTERDAY'S SESSION. The representative session of the North Canterbury Methodist District Synod which opened yesterday at the Durham street Church, is being attended by over a hundred ministers and laymen. The president, the Rev. A. N. Scotter, in his opening address, referred to the problems which were confronting the Church to-day in its work for the betterment of society. "There has been a wonderful extension, in this young country of the facilities for pleasure," said Mr Scotter, "and there is the question whether with all these evidences of progress we are building up in the community a type of character sufficiently fine and strong to withstand the temptations that follow ixi the wake of material advance." The speaker deplored the fact that so much of modern invention was devoted to destructive rather than to constructive purposes. The temptations accompanying material progress accentuated the difficulty of cultivating fine character. It had also to be remembered that modern education conferred a greater freedom of action, while in the hearts of young people there were still present those passions, which, if unrestrained . led to shipwreck of faith and The speaker asserted that he was not critical of modern youth. _ However, there seemed to be a growing uncertainty in the' minds of older people as to their ability to restrain their children. Before they complained of the lack of reverence of young people the older people should set such a high moral and Christian standard that it would answer the frank and searching criticism by these younger people of their elders.

Young People's Work. Mr W. A. • Base and presented the statistical report of the North Canterbury District to the Synod. The figures presented showed that the standard of work in this department was well maintained, the Bible Class movements in particular showing a regularly increasing average attendance. The report was received. Miss I. Robinson, president of tae Young Women's Bible Class Union, pre sented a report showing that this section of the Church's activity was in a flourishing condition. The Unions travelling secretary had done especially valuable work. Much social service had been rendered locally. Leadership training classes had been held, much assistance had been given to both home and foreign mission work. Mr A. Gandell followed with . the. report from the, Young Men's Bible Class Union. The average class attendancehad reached 75 per cent. At the Easter camp 65 per cent, of members were present. Membership in this Union also showed a steady merease year, by year- The work of Dr. Sayers in the Solomon Islands was made possible by the assistance of this Union. atie giving by allocation kept- the

budget well in order. The Y.M.B.C. stood in a very strong position to-day, The reports from both Unions were reccivcd» " ■ Sunday School work vras thoroughly discussed 'with- the idea of removing present'defects in the system: - • :It was suggested that much might, be 1 learned from the organisation shown by the Bifole Class movements. The Young People's Department general report was next considered. The report was received, and .the following recommendations adopted: — That .Conference be requested! to appoint a-special commission in the Subject of church membership for all periods, from infancy to adult- life, with a " view to improvement from - present theory and practice in each gradg, and especially to emphasise the value or church membership in childhood, both to the child and to the Church, such commission to report through the Synods to the Conference of 1932. That the Conference give earnest consideration to the need for a manual of preparation for Church membership. That Conference reconimend to May Synods to feature prominently the subject of Church membership. General Business. . . Bryndwr Methodist Church; in the:St. Albans. Circuit, requested Synod to Bup*port its application to Conference for a home mission grant of £IBO a year in view of the prospective employment of a probationer to work that part of the Circuit. - It was stated that otherwise the Circuit would be unable to support a probationer. After discussion Synod decided that it could not recommend the application. It was decided to recommend Conference to relieve the following Circuits for a further period from the obligation to take an additional married minister:— Durham street (Cashmere), for a fourth year, and Woolston (Sumner) for a third year. Circuit debit balances at the end of September were reported at £435 16s 9d, but Circuit efforts in the interval had reduced the indebtedness by about £IOO. " Statistics. Statistical returns were presented showing the following features:Church jjiembership in the district 3832, junior Members 1292, and communicants 2814, attendants in public worship 9807. , . Dissatisfaction was. expressed by many Synod members with _ present methods of compiling the statistics of Church membership. The whole .system is to be discussed by the Dominion Welfare of the Church Committee. Methods of Taising finance are also being revised. Doctrine Discussed. Doctrinal standards were discussed -upon a recommendation of the Church Welfare Committee that Conference be once "again asked to refer to a special committee the question of the m'ent of Methodist doctrine. One minister declared that such a proposal' would split the Church in two. Synod opposed the recommendation. Welfare Work. The leakage, between the Sunday School and the Church was also dealt with in the Church Welfare Commits tee's report, and it was resolved that ministers -be urged to give as much time as possible to leadership training -for work ; among the :young, and also that the Theological College-authorities be requested to make adequate provisions in the curriculum, and in pra'ctic-e ;

for future ministers to receive special training for leadership ill Sunday School W< The discussion of the Church-Welfare. Committee's report,, as a whole, culminated in the adoption of a resolution recommending the Conference to promote a special Council meeting m April or MaV each year, with a view _to bringing adherents into membership with the church. It was decided that the ensuing conference be recommended to grant the application oi the Rev. H. _L. Blamires for permanent- superannuation. Luncheon at ' 'The Takahe." At the close of the morning session members proceeded to the Sign of the Takahej. Cashmere, for luncheon. Thei perfect weather showed the countryside at its best, and the view from the Hills was a delightful treat to tliooe who live on the plain. A most enjoyable luncheon -was served.. Eighty-five representatives sat down to lunch, and the cares of church business were forgotten in pleasant companionship. Mr A. T.' Peryman moved, and Mr D. Jones seconded, a hearty vote of thanks to the anonymous dbnor of .the luncheon, which, motion w&s carried with acclamation. Dr. J. J. North, of the Baptist" Church, and the Rev. J. j Robertson, Presljy'terian minister' mt Cashmere, were present. WELLINGTON SYNOD. (PIK«B ASSOCIATION TSLKKUI,) WELLINGTON, November 19. Addressing the Wellington Methodist Synod,' which opened to-day, the Rev. E. D. Patchett,, district chairman,, spoke on Church union, and said it was an encouraging record that certain definite practical steps had been taken. He supported the resolutions at the Auckland Presbytery, because they suggested that the Anglicans should be also approached. The Methodists looked to the Anglican Church as a rock from which they were hewn, and there was • much in common between them. For the Methodiste, a reunion would be incomplete without the Anglicans, but if that were impracticable yet, a step towards it would be the coming together of the Presbyterians, Congregational ists., and Methodists. Speaking- of the concordat between the Catholics and Bible-in-Scbools League, Mr'Patchett said this meant the removal of an irritant from the religious life of the Dominion for which all lovers of peace and- goodwill must be thankful.