METHODIST SYNOD.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 4 June 1937, Page 8

METHODIST SYNOD.

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS. The concluding session of the Hawke’s Bay-Manawatu Synod of the Methodist Church, at Danuevirke, on Wednesday, took the form of a public rally in the Dannevcirlce Church, presided over by Rev. H. J. Odell, assisted by Rev. It. B. Gosnell. Mr G- M. Piper presided at the organ, the -singing being led by the church choir. The chairman explained that the May Synod was essentially a gathering for spiritual refreshment as far as the members were concerned. Rev. A. W. Mills rendered a solo, “0 Son of Man, Our Hero Strong and Tender.” Misses D. Ebbett and A. Henderson sang “Nearer Still Nearer” as a duet. The President addressed the gathering, explaining that in the synod the minister sought to get to grips with the real work of the Church. He believed there was no finer fellowship in the world than that of the Methodist ministry. It was the spirit of fellowship in the Methodist family that was so distinctive. The choir rendered the anthem, “The Radiant Morn.” The speaker for the evening was Mr 'Allen, who said, it was just a year ago since in that church that he had been asked to tell how a'thankoffering of £IOOO was to bo raised during the year in Feilding; that night he could tell of the raising ot that amount and more.' That was due to the fine spirit of fellowship in finance. In Feilding they had tried to follow out the Spiritual Advance Committee’s proposals and they had found a greater reality in Christ and a greater joy in His service. People had been challenged to say wliat they had fc* id in Christ. He told of fortyfour people who had journeyed to Palmerston North to join with a gathering in a frank statement concerninf “Jesus Christ, what He means to°me.” Cottage meetings had been revived, and people had attended who did not attend ordinary prayer meetings. He had been accused of running liis meetings on Oxiord Group methods; he would use any method that would do the job. His Bible classs voting people had inaugurated a “back-to-church campaign” and had pledged themselves to attend. They had faced up to the weaknesses in the Church; they had been led to introspection, to find out the cause of the things they were prone to criticise. The speaker stressed the fact that tliev needed to bring Christ with them when they went into the church. That was the pinnacle of Christian fellowship.