METHODIST SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 20029, 21 November 1928, Page 7

METHODIST SYNOD

BUSINESS SESSIONS OPEN PROSPEROUS STATE OF AREA Gratification that the work of the district as a whole had not been healthier during the past sis years than was the case to-day was expressed by the chairman of the district (Rev. H. E. Bellhousc) at the annual meeting of the Otago-Southland Methodist Synod,, the business sessions of which opened in the Dundas Street Church this morn--IHii’ CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS.

“ The Otago-Southland area is as vigorous and prosperous as it ever was,” said the Chairman, in delivering his annual address after the mooting had been Ted in prayer by the R iv. A. 0. Lowry and Mr C. F. Roberts. Mr Bcllhouse proceeded that the general returns did" not reveal anything specially calling for comment. Slight decreases were balanced by increases in other departments. The opening of the new Sunday school at Gore was a very encouraging fact in the southern part of the district. The hom<j missions’ income in the district for the year had been somewhat disappointing, accounted for by the absence of a Wsit this year from the Maori party, which had previously added greatly to the homo mission income in their district. The work of home missions was as imperative and grave in its needs as ever, and required them all to stand by it as loyally and as thoroughly ns lay in their power. The foreign missions’ income would reveal an increase, and there was no doubt that when Dr and Mrs Clifford James went forward to mission work in the Solomon Islands it had had an appreciable effect in Dunedin in deepening the interest in the foreign missions department. Since Dr Clifford James and his wife were products of OtagpKouthland Methodism, it was their bounden duty to stand by them. The speaker expressed pleasure at the action of the Methodist in the Old Country in definitely bringing forward the movement for Metnodist union in Great Britain, and it was pleasing to know that the Mother Church was* following the churches of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The speaker touched upon the importance of the signing of the Kellogg Peace Fact, which ho was_ confident would bring forward the time when there would be no more war.

Speaking of the Eucharistic Congress, the Rev. Bellhousc said that an event which was able to bring 50,000 Catholic visitors to Sydney irom all parts of the world was one to attract the attention of Protestant as well as other eyes. Whatever might bo thought about the elements of superstition in that gathering of Roman Catholic Christians, he could not help but admire and wnoder at the outburst of enthusiasm and earnest devotion in evidence at that congress, and ho would that that devotion l>c transferred to those who claimed a superior faith. The Prayer Book controversy was also an event which elicited a large amount of attention from the outside, world, and while ho believed it was a domestic matter for the Anglicans themselves, he thought that the rejection of the measure authorising revision showed that the heart of the British people was still true to the principles of the Protestant faith. CHICUJT FUNDS. The Secretary read the circuit funds statement, which showed that the total debits were £BBS 18s 4d and. the total credits £53 5s 7d. The debits showed a decrease over those for last year, and the credits an increase, the financial position being £63 12s 2d better than was the case last year. GENERAL RETURNS.

The Secretary gave an account of the general returns, which showed that there were 50 churches, the same number as last year; 23 other preaching places, as against 25; 21 schoolrooms, as against 20; 25 parsonages, the same as last year; 20 ministers and probationers, as against 22; 10 home missionaries, as against 9; 1 deaconess; 60 lay preachers, as against 63; “>7BO members on the roll, as against 2,/83; 784 junior members, as against 798; and the attendants in public worship were numbered at 8,017, as against 8,105.

WELFARE OF CHURCH COMMITTEE.

Tiie Rev. W. B. Scott brought forward the Welfare of the Church Committee’s report, which srated that the matters remitted to it by the conference had been fully considered during the year. The committee lonvarded suggestions that an adequately furnished parsonage was required in addition to the minimum stipend of Jumper annum, and also that the quartci y meeting should arrange lor a suitable grant each quarter, such grant to be paid to the minister’s wife or housekeeper, for the purpose of replenishing the parsonage with minor articles that min-ht be required. Mi Scott also drew attention to the fact that it had been felt that proper attention was not paid to students who were going to a university town to take a course. If ministers did not send their names forward there was the possibility that they would become attached to fnonds of other churches than that to which they rightly belonged. It was recommended, therefore, tlnu. all ministers of congregations . winch sent students forward to the university colleges bo urged to send on the names of such students to the minister oi the church assigned to that particular University College. Further recommeiulatiom were that the curriculum or tuc Theological College bo so arranged that two hours a week might bq dcvo„cd to such subjects as would specially qualify every student in future years for e foetivo leadership of Sunday school workers, and that in order find, tlieoiy nod practice might go hand in nami, llio Collegiate Church Sunday School bo taken over as a school of practice by the college at the earliest possible dale to enable each student, in conjunction with the staff of voluntary workers, to gain practical experience in the methods and organisation of a modern Sunday school. Tho report was ad op fed. RESOLUTIONS PASSED.

Some discussion took place as to when the Synod should deal with questions regarding the proposed peace manifesto, and it was decided that from 2 to 3 p.m. to-morrow should be allotted lor that purpose. _ On the motion of the Rev, \v. B. Scott, it was decided that a resolution of the Cargill Road quarterly meeting lie given effect to, and tho conference bo asked to appoint -i homo missionary ■probationer to St. Clair instead of the ordinary probationer for the ministry. Mr F. 0. Prosser said that the mattor of employing single home missionaries seemed to be a matter of going in for cheap labour. The Rev. Scott: “Nothing of the sort.” The Chairman said there was not an attempt to got cheap labour, but an attempt to economise the funds of tho church as a whole. A further resolution was carried that a single home missionary be placed at Mosgiel in place of a. married one, but if a married agent were appointed a suitable grant should be made. On the motion of the chairman, a resolution was moved that tho Caversham quarterly meeting he recommended to consider the appointment of a probationer to the southern portion of the circuit in 1930. TO-NIGHT’S CONVERSAZIONE.

To-night the Synod will hold a conversazione in the Dundas Street Schoolroom. Five choirs will contri-

buto items, and there will also be elocutionary and instrumental items. YESTERDAY’S SESSION. At yesterday’s session lb was decided that the Rev. LI. V fitting, a second-year probationer, pass in ilia year, subject to his estnninatior proving satisfactory. Mr R Jamieson, a homo missionary probationer, was examined and passed in I)is year. The afternoon session was devoted to a conversation on the work of God in the district. There was a good attendance when the Rev. A. M. Costain preached tho Synod sermon from Luke’s Gospel, chapter xii.. verse 49: 1 1 am come to cast fire upon the earth.’ The sermon was a challenging one. and made the representatives realise the mission that lay before the church. The Holy Communion followed the service.