METHODIST SYNOD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 26 November 1936, Page 11

METHODIST SYNOD

HAWKE’S BAY-MANAWATU AREA. WELCOME TO HASTINGS. HASTINGS, Nov. 24. Hastings Methodism in full force this evening to welcome the visiting representatives to the Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu District Synod. Representatives were present from all the circuits between Palmerston North and Gisborne. The social was presided over by Rev. A. N. Scotter, B.A. (chairman of the district). Rev. R. B. Gosnell is the synod’s official host. The Sunday school hall was filled to capacity by an enthusiastic audience. The programme opened with a community sing led by Mr Gosnell.

On behalf of the Hastings church, Mr E. E. Bott and Mr W. Harris welcomed the s3 r nod. Mr Bott hoped the representatives would have a successful synod and a pleasant stay in Hastings. The church choir delighted the audience with several finely rendered items. Mr D. Sutherland (choirmaster) was conductor, and Miss E. Napier (organist) accompaniste. The Mayor (Mr G. A. Maddison) extended a civic welcome to the synod. He expressed the hope that the synod’s deliberations would help on the work of good citizenship. As a Mayor and a chairman of an education board he felt he was in some way working in alliance with the ministers in giving a sense of direction to the youth of the countijy. He considered that religious education was necessary, not only in the Church but in the home and school as well. He hoped for the full co-operation of teachers in the matter of religious instruction in schools. He told of children who only knew the name of Christ as a word of blasphemy. The chairman congratulated Hastings on its Mayor. Mr IT. Lenyard sang “The Wolf and was accompanied by Master P. Lenyard. POWER OF CHRISTIANITY.

Rev. C. J. Bogges, representing the Ministers’ Association, conveyed the he said, were following with interest he soid ; were following with interest the deliberations of the synod. They know of the great achievements of Methodism. He recalled the Sankey hymn, “Well, wife I’ve found the model church and worshipped there today.” They had not yet found the model church in the sense that any denomination could claim that honour. Ho hoped the synod would he a memorable one. They met in days of crises and problems. Christian work was difficult in the present world situation, but Christianity had proved strangely powerful in days of difficulty. The Christian Church had commenced beneath the shadow of a Cross, yet somehow she had thrived amongst the persecution and chaos. Their work was very urgent. The church has great things to do to-day to send forth the challenge to the world to accept Christ as Saviour. The world would heed the victory of Christian character when it saw it in the business and social worlds. He hoped the Methodist Church would prove itself ready for the claims of the present day. The chairman thanked Messrs Maddison, Bott and Bogges for their cordial words of welcome. He conveyed greetings from former residents of "Hastings who were doing good work in the Palmerston North churches. Miss V. Ainsworth recited “Six Little Mice” and “Our Baby,” and Mrs R. Kent sang “The Arrow and the Song by request. Miss McCutcheon accompanied her. As an encore Mrs Kent sang “The Ships That Went Down m the Sunset.” ... , ence though we lived in a changing world he believed it was changing lor the better. AVe would not like to go back to the conditions of a hundred years ago. We stood bewildered at the ctianiges. There was a tremendous sense of insecurity abroad. Some even wondered whether the Church would remain. _ Times ot crises were days or opportunity. Hie crises of to-day were a challenge Hom God to attempt great things tor Him. God was calling us to a united simultaneous advance against the evils ot the world. The speaker quoted Richard Baxter’s complaint that the young men of his day were not as good as those of other days. We heard the same comment to-day 300 years later. He mentioned the apparent . growth of the might of anti-Christian forces, but believed that Jes,us would yet reign for Jesus was conquering the world’. The Church’s numerical conquests were wonderful. It was amazing that in a comparatively short time —at the end of the second centurythe Church had become master of the Roman Empire. Two hundred and fifty years after Christ only one in two hundred and fifty people was a nominal Christian; to-day one person in three claimed allegiance to the Christian Church. The Oxford Group movement was exerting a great influence, and helped to prove something of the amazing power of Christ. Atheism has perished before the onward march of Christianity. It would be hard to find a man of real eminence who is ail atheist. What were they prepared to do to alter modern evil conditions i They must recapture “the religion ot the warmer heart.” He agreed with Dr Norwood that “the need ot the Church is a splendid baptism of the Spirit of God.” The duty of the Church was to sift the wheat of religion from the chaff so that the people might get the Bread of Life. He was convinced that the Cross will yet win out. Jhe Crucifixion was the day of Christ s triumph. God would save the people when the Church swung into line with His purposes. * „ a l Miss J. Symonds and Mr D. bulerland sang “Love is Meant to Make Us Glad,” and the Intermediate Dramatic Society presented a humorous sketch entitled “Tom Thumb. A happy evening concluded with the singing of the Doxology. MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the ministerial committee earlier in the day, the Rev. A. Blakemore gave a resume of Dr. Garvie’s book “The Eatherly Rule o God.” This was followed by a helpiui discussion. , The synod was entertained at alternoon tea by several ladies who aie daughters ot the manse, Mesdaines Gosnell, Hayes and Fleming and Misses Gosnell and Hayes. Rev. i'. E. Leadlev thanked the ladies. Rev. J. H. Allen read “The Pastoral Resolutions.” Rev. B. H. N. Teague gave a helpful talk on the Oxford Group 'movement. The chairman (Rev. A. N. Scotter, 8.A.) welcomed Rev. J. Knowles Smith, and home missionaries Revs. C. Aker, C. W. Brown and B. H. N. Teague, who were unable to attend the morning session.