METHODIST SYNOD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 303, 20 November 1935, Page 8

METHODIST SYNOD.

SOCIAL GATHERING. Feilding Methodists welcomed the ministerial and lay representatives of the Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu District Synod at a concert and social in the ciiurcli on Tuesday evening. Rev. A. N. Scotter, 8.A., presided over what was, for a very wet night, a reasonably good attendance. After devotional exercises a word of welcome was spoken by Rev. J. H. Allen (Feilding). The Feildmg Church felt honoured that the synod had accepted its invitation. The synod was a source of refreshment in many ways. Miss K. Blanchett rendered a bracket of songs, “My Prayer” and “Weeds.”

The chairman spoke a few cordial words ill reply to Rev. Allen’s welcome. He was concerned about the welfare of all the circuits and home mission stations in the district. We should not be concerned mainly about the great world-wide problems, but we should be concerned about the problems in our churches. We were facing similar problems to those of our forefathers, but as Christians we claimed to have a power sufficient _to meet all the circumstances which might come our way. Each generation came forward with the old difficulties with which we had to contend. “No matter how wayward people may seem to be, the Eternal God is able to transform laziness into diligence, and bitterness into nobility, and to lead us to do our best. The challenge of the present day concerns all. We must impress the world with the fact that God is all-sufficient for us in our real needs.” The speaker congratulated the church on the introduction of the new Hymn-Book, concerning which' it had been said that it had made the biggest stir in south-western England of anything since the war. Rev. J. A. Daglish artistically rendered the songs “Fear Ye Not, 0 Israel” and “Bless This House,” and Miss Betty Moore recited “Rosa, and was accompanied by Mrs Ronald Eade. The audience was greatly pleased with the fine rendering of hymns (from the new Hymn-Book) sung by the capably trained children’s choir. The pieces rendered were, “Awake. Awake to Love and Work,” “Jesus Shall Reign Wherever the Sun,” and “Brightly Gleams Our Banner.” Regret was expressed at the absence through illness of Mr A. R. Skelton, the choirmaster. Mr C. E. Taylor gave the official welcome. He was not able to give a civic welcome, having retired from office after six years as the Mayor of Feilding. The people of both the town and country parts of the circuit gave the representatives a very cordial welcome. Reference was made to ministers who were contesting electorates. The speaker hoped that ministers would not regard the ministry as a stepping-stone to general politics. The laymen of our church felt it very keenly that ministers should forsake their high and sacred calling. “When a minister turns to politics, he should resign,” Mr Taylor added. . Since the offices in the Methodist Church had been opened to women their earnestness had exceeded that of the men. Let the ministers seek a means of challenging our men to greater devotion. Mr Ronald Eade sang, “My Task.” Rev. R. B. Gosnell (Synod secretary), in place of Rev. R. J. Liddeli (who was absent through illness) addressed words of inspiration to the gathering. He thanked the hosts and hostesses of Feilding for their generous hospitality, to the representatives. It was his duty to deal with the inspirational side of the synod. He was not going to tell them how to run the world. “Of recent years we have been living in an atmosphere of fear. The war changed more things than, the map of the world. We have come into difficult circumstances and have to find a way out. Our problems cannot be escaped by any temporary forgetfulness provided by amusement.. We cannot just ignore them. "What is the way out? It is by means of the Holy Bible, the Christian ethics.” The Bible had been the inspiration of men such as Luther and Wesley and must be ours. We must feel the Divine urge, driving us on. Wo must feel that Christ was just ahead, leading us on. “Try to realise that Jesus is very near. Jesus can be as near to you as the person in the seat beside you. A skipper in a storm was asked ‘Do you know where aJI the rocks are?’ He replied, “I know where the deep water is.’ ” The speaker also knew. Thanks were accorded to performers and speakers, after which supper was provided by the ladies of the church, who were thanked by Rev. G. Knowles Smith. Mr H. Crump presided at the organ and Mrs Ronald Eade was also an accompaniste.