MORAL REFORM CAMPAIGN

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23798, 18 November 1942, Page 4

MORAL REFORM CAMPAIGN

—« — AWAKENING “ COMMUNITY CONSCIENCE ” 1 METHODISTS IN SESSION “The most disquieting feature in our Dominion to-day,” said the Rev. J. H. Allen in his presidential address yesterday to the North Canterbury District Synod in Christchurch, “is not that countless appeals must be made to break down reluctance to contribute to a Liberty Loan, but that so few can be found willing to subscribe to the fact that God counts at all in the world conflict and in their lives.” Time was, he continued, when the nonconformist conscience was feared by evil-doers and those who profited by immoralities. The speaker urged the awakening of "a community conscience” which, he believed would be a more forceful power for righteousness, “Tlio movement for moral reform in this city,” said Mr Allen, “found its inspiration and leadership very largely in our ministry, and it has set before ns a standard of effective thoroughness in investigation. It has revealed tendencies and established practices against which the whole church must go into action.” “Talk Too Much” The chairman praised the group study and discussion movement of the campaign, but added: “We must let action keep pace with speech., It is high time to come to deeds. We talk too much.” New Zealand Methodism, in common with other departments of life and work, was facing a depletion in manpower, But he paid tribute, in particular, to the women of the church, who had risen to new and often irksome tasks in a heroic manner. "It may well be that the Government should be brought to realise that its policy of regarding spiritual interests lightly is inimical to the highest welfare of the “ountry and the Kingdom of God," he added. “Many men removed from ,key positions in church life would be better serving there than in Home Guard units.” Commenting on .Lurch union, Mr Allen said that the findings of quarterly meetings had revealed strong support for the principle of union, but not on the basis proposed. Steps towards this ideal should include, in his opinion, the avoidance of all overlapping effort, elimination of the spirit of competition by the creation of a spirit of mutual respect and regard, united witness in worship and the interchange of pulpits, and, in general, co-operation in all practical ways "that will help to bring in the Kingdom of God.” Christian Order Campaign Remarkable evidence had come to hand from churches in Britain of a movement to embrace them all and which would lead to the incorporation of Christian principles in society, and it was gratifying that the secular press had devoted space to it. But the chairman criticised the New Zealand newspapers for not having given more worthy recognition of the Campaign for Christian Order. “Let us return thanks for the courage and faith of thousands of Christians who have offered heroic witness undeterred by the fiery ordeal of persecution or the .hreat of death. There is no more soul-stirring chapter in all the records of Church history than that which is being written to-day in enemy occupied countries.” The period of reconstruction after the war would demand a Chu*:h disciplined and eager to welcome men and women back to civil life, and the chairman urged a period of intense preparation. “It will be too late to plan when the war is over,” he concluded. The Synod considered a. report from the Welfare of the Church Committee concerning a proposed publicity centre. It was suggested that the Conference should set up a committee to examine the possibility of producing talking films, records, etc., for publicity purposes, and that Christchurch should be the centre fop its deliberations. Methods for the overhaul of certain church machinery, such as examination of the present deputation system, should be considered. The adoption of the report was moved by the Rev. H. R, Richards. The report was criticised by the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt on the ground that it was impracticable. It was eventually agreed, on the motion of the Rev. A. H. Fowles, that the report be referred to the publications and publicity committee that had already been set up in Auckland. A Staffing Problem The Rev. A. N. Scotter moved the adoption of the annual report of the Methodist Deaconess Institution, which stated that three trainees had been in residence during the year, and that three other students were expected next year. The majority of deaconesses, it was reported, had sent encouraging reports concerning their work. The committee had had a difficult year owing to staffing problems and the rising cost of living. Conference would be asked to give a direction as to the wisdom of continuing the work as at present. The services of Miss Purdie, of Dunedin, had been secured as matron. Liquor Rationing Notice of motion was given to the effect that the Government be asked to introduce a system of rationing of the sale of intoxicating liquors. It was referred to the public questions committee for consideration.