METHODIST SYNOD

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIX, Issue 283, 14 November 1929, Page 3

METHODIST SYNOD

CONTINUED IN HASTINGS. ADDRESS ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S DEPARTMENT. The Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu District Methodist Synod was continued in Hastings yesterday, when the Rev. E. P. Blamires, General Secretary of the Young People’s Department pave an interesting address. He said that the department was not merely a branch of the church tree it was the tree itself in its early stage of development. What the department could achieve depended upon co-operation by the local churches. He claimed that as a result of the work done during the past 10 years there were thousands within the church who otherwise would have slipped away. The Bible-class movements for young men and young women had increased their numerical strength from GO to 100 per cent. To do justice to the great need half the time of church courts should be devoted to it, also half the finance and even 50 per cent of the paid

agents of the church. The churches of New Zealand had combined in a a Council of Religious Education. In the Sunday Schools of New Zealand 150,000 children were being taught by 15.000 teachers, and he paid a tribute to the value of their work. However, they were seriously challenged by the fact that nearly 100,000 children were unreached by any religious agency. He trusted that in face of the tremcn dous issues at stake the Synod would give earnest consideration to the recommendation of the Young People’s Board.

The Rev. W. G. Oxbrow (Hastings) was appointed representative of the Synod at the next conference to be held at Wellington. In the event of him not being able to attend the Rev. F. J. Parker, of Ashhurst and Bunnythorpe, will be the representative. The Synod will conclude its sitting this afternoon.

. The Synod met in ministerial session on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Rev. Fred Copeland, when a large amount of examination and other work was dealt with. The Rev. Ivo M. Taynor and Rev. John D. Grocott were passed in their respective years, subject to written examinations being satisfactory. Mr. Ralph Patchett, of Pahiatua. who is a candidate, was examined and recommended to conference for training.