METHODIST SYNOD

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 2

METHODIST SYNOD

YESTERDAY AFTERNOON'S SESSION The annual Synod of the Methodist ,'lnirch in Otago and Southland was continued yesterday afternoon in Slade Hall, the Rev. H. E. Bellhousc presiding over a large attendance of clergymen and laymen. YOUTH WORK. The Rev. P. Paris, in moving the reception of the report of the youth department, stated that he thought that a cause of the failure of* the great conferences since the war had been the fact that they had been composed of old men. The hope of the church and of the world was in the young people. Tie stated that there had been a falling off i ntbe number of children attending morning services, and an attempt was being made to arrest this tendency. He believed that as a result of the work which was at present being carried out there would bo a great uplift in Sunday school work. The report was received, and a resolution was passed commending the work which was being done, md expressing confidence in the director and the staff of the youth office. Miss Purdie and Mr Fox submitted reports on behalf of the Bible Hass Unions, and a resolution whs passed expressing appreciation of the record of Christian service created by the members. ■Mr Paris reported that there were forty-seven Sunday schools in the district, with a membership of 3,202, compared with 3,429 in the previous year. There had been a gain of forty-five in the primary department, but a serious drop of 244 in the number of Junior and intermediate members. There had been an increase of twenty teachers and Bible class leaders, but there were thirty-two fewer in the training classes. Of the fifty-seven who were attending the training classes, twenty-three vere in Mornington. The following resolution was adopted on the motion of Mr Paris:—“ In adopting the youth returns, we express onr gratitude to God for the signs of progress which they reveal. We record our sincere appreciation ot the faithful and self-denying efforts of all our workers among the children, ami youth of our church, and issue a call to all for an earnest and sustained arnpaign to win the young for Christ, the church, and the Kingdom of God.” It was also decided to refer the figures to the Methodist Sunday School Union for consideration and suggestion. SOCIAL GATHERING. WELCOME TO DELEGATES. The visiting delegates were welcomed last night at a social in the Central Mission Sunday School Hall. The Rev. H. E. Bellhouse presided. After the opening religious exercises the Chairman extended a hearty welcome to the delegates, reminding them of the deep brotherhood which existed among Methodists.. He stated that Methodists in Dunedin were in the unique position of having in the Rev. E. T. Cox a ministerial Mayor, and they were proud of the distinction. The Mayor, in extending a civic-wel-come to the delegates, described the city which they were .visiting. He, stated (hat Mrs Ellsworth, the wife of the leade r ot the Antarctic expedition, had told him that when driving along the high road on the Otago Peninsula sbe bad been reminded of a glorious Californian morning—and California was the pleasure ground of the world. The quality of the city had always been moral. The early settlors had erected a Suprem Court and appointed a Judge, bailiff, and clerk, but in throe years there had not been a criminal case to be heard, and the officials had been dismissed and their salaries _ saved. (Laughter.) It was not until eight years afterwards that it had been necessary to reconstitute -the court. No other city in the dominion had such a record. Whenever a moral issue came before the people of Dunedin they met it in the spirit on which the city was fonndcfj. He hoped that the Synod would result in uplift for the visitors as well as for the city. Mr G. E. Turney, of Invercargill, in returning thanks for the laymen, reminded those present of the friendliness of Methodists, and urged co-operation among them and support for the ministers. The Rev. F. .1. Handy, of Balclutha, replied on behalf, of the clergy. In the course of liis remarks he reminded those present that religion was not a form of belief, but a quality of life, and that the church was not an organisation but a living, vital experience. He re- ' ountod the Biblical story of Christ walking on the waters, and stated that ;>o many people had been remaining •i the boat instead of walking the waters spirit-led by Christ. Ho oritiised tbo Government’s unemployment policy, ami described the plight of those who were out, of work. Tho criticism was made, be added, that tho church should not interfere in politics, and it

was just that belief that had resulted in the man in the street describing the church as “ one large and ineffectual mothers’ meeting.” During the evening' anthems acre rendered by the Cargill Bond and Dundas Street Bible Class Choirs. .Miss Evelyn Shepard and Mr J. Davies contributed vocal solos, and the Rev. and Mrs F. 0. Prosser a vocal duet, recitations being given by Miss Heather Smith,