METHODIST SYNOD.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 November 1927, Page 11

METHODIST SYNOD.

REPRESENTATIVE SESSION. TAR AN AKI-WANGANUI DISTRICT. The representativ e session of the Taranaki-Wanganui Methodist Synod was opened at Hawera this morning at 9.30 o’clock. A communion service was conducted by the Rev. W. J. Ox brow, chairman of the district, assisted by the Revs. it. T. Haddon and W. W. Avery. The communion address was delivered .by the Rev. A. Blakemore. The following ministers were appointed assistants to the secretary of the Synod: Assistant secretary, Rev. E A. Abbey ; journalistic secretary, Rev. R 13. Gosnell; corresponding secretary,‘Rev. A. Blakemore; reporter to the “Methodist Times,” Rev. A. Jefferson; reporter to the Press, Rev. J. Reid. CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS. The Rev. W. J. Ox-brow delivered a very timely address. His appeal was for a clear assertion of difference between the spirit of the Church and tne spirit or the world. The speaker depiored the tendency of many church people to compromise with the world. He referred to the marked, change tnat had come over the life of the Old Country. Home life had decayed and the passion for pleasure had increased, not because of any love lor pleasure itself, but because people found in it a means for satisfying their passion for gambling. This was evidenced by the fact that while drunkenness in England had decreased, the gambling spirit had been highly developed. There were signs of a similar spirit pervading the life of New Zealand. ' The speaker declared that he was not oppressed, by the ideals of the younger generation, but he was alarmed by the fact that people ot middle age were ready to lower their standards, and, by their compromise, ■ set an example to the young people , that was not in their best interests. ■ The Christian man must be distiu--1 guished by a different spirit—the spirit of Christ. If there were no difference in the ideals and the mode ot life of the church from those Rf the world, then people would be justified in regarding the church as an encumbrance He appealed to Christian people to help deliver New Zealand front the growing paganism that tended to destroy the life of the country. There was fear in the hearts of some that if this were done the church would be reduced to a remnant, but they should not for'get that Israel was served Dy a remnant possessed with spiritual vision. New Zealand would be saved by men and women of high Christian faith and principles. The speaker emphasised the opportunities afforded lor a personal presentation of the gospel of Christ. The Christian Church must not be less diligent than the politician or the man of commerce" in advancing its claims and call. If they believed that they had a gospel that could save the world, then they should not be afraid to proclaim it.' On the other hand, if they had lost faith in their gospel, then they should be honest enough to say so. The Synod recommended that- the request of the Rev. («. S. Cook to be made a supernumerary for one year be granted. It- was decided to send a letter of sympathy to ‘Mi*. Cook.

It was decided to set "up a commission to confer with the superintendent and officials of the Wanganui North circuit, with a view to the development of work at Wanganui East and rural districts.