THE METHODIST CHURCH

Evening Star, Issue 21570, 16 November 1933, Page 14

THE METHODIST CHURCH

MEETING OF SYNOD The annual sessions of the Methodist Synod were continued this morning in Slade Hall, the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse presiding over a good attendance. LOCAL PREACHERS. The meeting was addressed by Messrs F. G. Marshall and C. F. Roberts, who spoke on the work that has been earned out by the local preachers in the district. The Chairman remarked that the Synod had the heartiest admiration for the efforts of the local preachers. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded them for their efforts. CHURCH PROPERTIES. The report on church properties for the year ended September 30, which was submitted by Mr G. E. Turney, contained the following information: — (a) The total credit balances have been reduced from £7lO 13s 5d to £507 0s 4d. (b) Moneys held for special purposes have increased from £2,947 0s Id to £3,256 19s lOd. (c) Mortgage debts have been reduced from £27,001 5s 8d to £25,717 9s Id. (d) There were no loans from the church building and loan fund, but £304 14s Gd was repaid to the fund. St. Clair and Caversham are still unable to meet their obligations. (e) The only new loans from other sources were £llß 16s 6d for alterations and additions to the Tuatapere Church, where services arc again being held. (f) The Riverton circuit is to be congratulated on being able to open, free from debt, the churcn moved from Drummond to Wild Bush, £l6B Is 5d having been spent on additions, etc., and pxirchase of land, (g) The Dunedin Mission had also acquired a property of four and a-half acres at Company-Bay as a gift from the social service department and purchased for £l,lOO. (h) The insurances show a small decrease from £86,116 to £85,336. The various trusts are to be congratulated on the manner in which they have met their obligations despite the difficult times through which they are passing. Although the credit balances in the general account show a decrease, debit balances show an increase of only £25. After Mr Turney had elaborated on several aspects of the report, ho was warmly thanked for his work. The Chairman congratulated the Central Mission on the acquisition of the property at Company Bay. The report was adopted. BUILDING AND'LOAN FUND. The church building and loan fund report stated, inter alia, that the economic state of the country was again this year reflected in the experience of the church building and loan fund. Many trusts had found great difficulty in fulfilling their guarantees to repay instalments of current Joans as they fell due. Requests for modifications of the conditions on which loans were granted had been frequent, and increasing appeals had been made for loans in reduction of debts to other lenders. The report continued:—“The books of the fund for tbo year ending September 30 have been duly audited and certified to as correct. The loans account shows that a sum of £2,532 19s 4d has been received in repayment of loans. This is £lsl 3s lOd less than last year and £1,872 19s 5d less than was repaid in 1930. The amount of loans current at the end of the financial year was £19,725 17s 3d. A reduction of 43 per cent, in income because of default in the repayment of instalments is a matter for grave concern. Such default freezes a large proportion of the capital of the fund and limits the ability of the committee to assist other trusts in their difficulties and to foster aggressive enterprises. It is to be feared that some bodies of trustees fail to recognise that their signed guarantees of repayment are as binding as any other legal contract. Default by self-considerate trusts lays heavier burdens on trusts that are relatively weak and are facing very acute conditions.”

The report, as published, was adopted. The Church Building and Loan Fund Committee recommended that the church property regulation number 0, page 188 or the law book, be amended to read:—“ The sanction of the Church Building and Loan Fund Committee shall be obtained for all purchases, for all sales, all mortgages, and for leases of church property over seven years, and for all erections, enlargements, or structural alterations of buildings; and the committee is empowered and directed to require that plans and specifications of all buildings and alterations bo furnished before the work is begun, and that no building bo erected until a proper title to the land lias been secured.” The recommendation was adopted. OTHER REPORTS. The report of the Custodian of Deeds and the report of the Connexional Fire Insurance Fund were adopted. PUBLIC QUESTIONS. The report of the Public Questions Committee read, in part;— During' the past year the Public Questions Committee has kept its finger on the pulse of the dominion with regard to social questions. More than once it has made an effective protest against the encroachments made by the forces opposed to the spiritual wellbeing of the community. Included in the report are resolutions dealing with gaming and dance halls which have been sent to the proper authorities. Gambling.—We desire to express our deep appreciation of the stand taken by the Government towards reducing to a minimum the temptation to gambling by means of art unions and by the refusal to introduce State lotteries. We trust that the Government will decline to accept the suggested amendments to the gambling laws introduced to the House by Mr Hcaly, M.P. Dance Halls.—ln view of the evidence revealing the conduct at certain dance halls and in their environs we ask that the various hall authorities tighten up the regulations in accord with the powers granted them in section 35Tb of the Municipal Corporations Act. Bible in Schools.—There is evidence of increasing interest in the matter of Bible in schools. The Bible in Schools Enabling Bill will probably come before Parliament again in 1934. The policy pursued by the league has been to extend its organisation and develop enlightened opinion. Behind Parliament is the influence of public opinion, and the responsibility of leading in tbs question rests on the church and its ministers. The use of the Nelson system is extending, and an interesting development has been the passing of a new bylaw by the Wanganui Education Board whereby five minutes may be devoted each school day to religious observances prior to tho opening or secular instruction, iq addition to a quarter of an hour on one day in each week. While the extension of tho Nelson system is encouraged in the main by the league, it is under no misapprehension regarding its inadequacy as a dominion scheme. The league regrets to report that in some centres ministers appear to be satisfied if Die Nelson system is working in town schools," giving little .thought to the 1,-55(J one-teacher schools

which are almost entirely neglected, and are likely to bo under the Nelson system. Some centres hold regular interdenominational meetings for the purpose of discussing Biblo in schools questions. This is to bo recommended. The league is urging that all day conventions be arranged to coincide if possible with the period when special attention is given to the matter from the pulpits. Temperance.—lt is important for the church to emphasise the fact that the fight against the liquor traffic is due to the evils created by the trade. Adverse developments in the United States cannot improve the conditions. The effects of alcohol remain the same. Within onr church there is room for further development of educational, work in fho way of establishing bands of hope and definite temperance teaching in the Sunday schools and Bible classes. Tho report was adopted and the following resolutions were carried;— That this Synod affirms its continued allegiance to tho principles of the Biblo in Schools League.” “That this Synod_ emphatically protests against the shifting of licenses from one district to another.” “ That this Synod recommends to our people the development of the ‘ Y 1 branch of the Christian. Temperance Union, with a view to equipping our young people for aggressive work in the interests of temperance.”