METHODIST CHURCH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 157, 4 June 1937, Page 2

METHODIST CHURCH

HAWKE’S BAY-MANAWATU DISTRICT. MINISTERIAL MAY SYNOD. 'Tlie afternoon session of the Methodist Synod' at Dannevirke on Tuesday opened with the introduction by Rev. M. A. McDowell (St. Paul s) of the subject, “How Youth Would Serve Tuis Age.” Youth possessed qualities wh.cn every age needs, vision, enthusiasm and courage. Much of tile world's finest work had been done by young men. Jesus and His disc.pies were young men. Youth had a prerogative to olfer advice. They would have to live in the world that was to be.

Mr McDowell proceeded: “Youth does not want to be forced into ‘lather's world,' but claims the right to help to make a world of its own. louth has a purpose to serve in this age, and many desire to be of real service. 'ln some cases youth has not made up its,mind about this age; youth is dissatisfied about tin's age; youth is dissatisfied with the present world order; youth wants sincerity and honesty, and believes that the ultimate solution of the problem is to be found in Jesus Christ. 5 outh is critical of the Cliu.Ji, and demands modern interpretations of the Gospel; youth wants a message closely related to life; youth has eyes on the Kingdom of God on earth; youth wants a religion in which prayer and politics are not divorced; youth had little time tor a ‘save your own soul religion,’ but demands a religion in which prayer and works are combined; youth pleads with age for a more tolerant spirit between denominations —many young people would 6crap denominations. louth is loyal, but does not believe in ‘my country right or wrong’; there is no ‘top’ nation in the mind of youth; the Kingdom of God is greater than Britain to many young people. Many modern young people are impatient over social problems; on sex matters youth demands frank information and resents the old ‘hush hush’ policy; with regard to drinking and gambling youth is impatient with prohibitions, but is responsive to some effort towards reforms.” " Rev. A. E. Waite introduced the subject, “How age would counsel youth,” by saying that if Mr McDowell’s remarks applied to youth in general, it, would not need much counsel from age, but tlie previous speaker’s, remarks represented mainly the Church’s youth. He was concerned with the youth outside the churches. Broadly, there were three kinds of such youth —the Hitlerite, the Fascist ,and the Communist. “Me are living in dangerous days, as far as the cuurches are concerned; tlie cliurcues' youth may be like an island surroundeu by the non-churchgoing youth. The bringing together ol nations by modern memous has caused many io question things which were once held as sacrosanct. Those who clamour most lor changes are often those who have the least to lose; youth needs to be counselled against hasty, unwise changes. When Joshua superseded Moses the change was made in an orderly way, and in yielding up his authority, Moses, tlie trusted leader, counselled the people to ‘consider the days of old’ and to prolit by the experience of their elders.” In the speaker 6 view youth and age should not be regarded as in opposing camps. The need was tor a combination of the wisdom of age with tlie wisdom ot youth. Rev. F. Copeland (President of the Conference) mentioned that youth was accepting authority in a way that many older folk coitld not understand. Youth apparently wanted to he regimented. This was seen in certain European nations. Rev. J. H. Allen (Feilding) stressed the ability of Christ to fuse into union both youth and age. Rev. A. Blakemore (Cuba Street) reminded the synod that ‘ the best work ot great Christians was usually done in tne middle years' of life, when they had both enthusiasm and wisdom. The minister was required to serve both youth and age. To the aged a bold statement of modern religious ideas was painful and the minister had to endeavour to help both old and young. Rev. C. M. Roberts (Pahiatua) spoke of the family idea of the Cnurch, emphasising the fact that the Church needed botn youth and age in happy relationships. Rev. R. B. Go6nell raised the questions of pacifism and internationalism.

In his reply to the discussion, Mr McDowell said that youth’s objection to tlagwaving was not of necessity disloyally but was tlie sign of a higher loyalty—loyalty to Christ. They believed that love would win through. Youtii’s laxity with regard to liquor would, he believed, be overcome by the cultivation of personal religion. Mr Waite, in reply, spoke of the apathy of Church people with regard to liquor. The time had come when they would have to hit straight out in defence of our young people, and refuse any compromise. The President of the Conference gave a fraternal talk of a private nature as the concluding -item in the synod's programme for the afternoon session. Votes of thanks to the chairman, president, secretary, and Mrs R. Harper and the Ladies’ Guild, and to the Press, and to the hosts and hostesses, were carried. A special vote of thanks to Mr Waite, the synod host, was .unanimously supported.