WESLEY AN DISTRICT SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13049, 14 December 1905, Page 3

WESLEY AN DISTRICT SYNOD.

THE CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS. ( STATISTICS I*oll 1905. The -Wesleyan £>nod resumed in financial session at half-past, nine yesterday ■at Pittstreet schoolroom. In welcoming the lay representatives the chairman spoke' in appreciative terms of their devotion and work. He- then made special reference to the death of the Rev. Rainsford Bavin. The chairman, in the course of his address, st^id:ln the annual oflicial volume of the Wesleyan Conference, just published, the returns show a total membership for Great, Britain of 484,879, an increase of 10,726 on last year; 46,271 on trial, an increase of 11,579; and 99,851 junior members, an increase of more than 5000. I The work of the year shows a total of 50,000 new members. There are 2303 ministers in full work, besides over 19,000 local preachers. The increase of local preachers alone is 400. There are 7498 Sunday-schools, with 133,301 ■'officers and teachers (increase 641), and 1,006,515 scholars (increase 5071), of 'whom 261,144 are above 15 years of age. In nearly all directions striking progress is evident. The Band of Hope members have increased by nearly 5000, and the adult Temperance Society shows 10,700 , new members. In our > own colony each of the districts whose Synods this year have been held, viz., Wellington, Canterbury, Wanganui, and Otago, publish substantial increases both in adult membership and in Sunday-school scholars. The latter increases are particularly welcome, as some three or four years ago there was a shrinkage in this department; biyt the decline is now evidently arrested. * : EVANGELISTIC- _ WORK. As the authorities in the Mother Church attribute their increase to the great revivals in Wales and England during the past year or two, so do I recognise the influence of that good element here. • One evangelist from the Methodist Church of America, one from Australia, and our own conference evangelist, have visited the circuits since last conference, with most ber/*;ieial.results. It, is easy to descry their effort* and to prophesy that much of the resul' lacks - permanency; but the Church apparently needs the stimulus that comes to it by the periodical visits of men specially qualified as evangelists; and we owe no" small part, of our progress -to their work. Methodism was born in a revival; 'and flourishes best- in this " her native £yr." It is, therefore, with the utmost satisfaction that I also see the development of "missions" in connection with our Church in Great . Britain, Australia, and, in a smaller way, in our own colony. While it, behoves us to maintain with dignity and order the well-regulated worship of the sanctuary, we most heartily approve of the efforts of the "missions" in gathering into halls those to whom the ordinary services of the Church make no appeal. The unconventional methods of the Prophet, of Nazareth—the great outdoor * preacher—and the succession of strong men who dared to be " irregular" so that by all • means they might save some, are an ample justification for missions," and should be ii greater inspiration.

BIBLICAL CRITICISM. It is good for as to reflect or. (he fact that Biblical criticism is having 1:0 deleterious effect upon our religious life as a people. Whilst keenly alive to the yas' : ssues opened up by the application of mod rn tests to the documents' in which the R • , Scriptures are involved, yet our people quietly rest in the truth that personal experience is the grand and final test of all spiritual truth. We know in whom We 1 rave-believed.

Tlio London Spectator recently ; asserted that " In the battle between faith and unbelief the argument" from personal experience has largely superseded the apologetics based on probabilities ; and historical evidences." It is this "truth that explains the calm persistence in which our people continue to fpend their strength, and money, and time i.i die channel of practical and aggressive " godliness" ' undisturbed by the literary strife conquering certain shibboleths, and by the changes that have silently crept over some of the theories once dearly cherished.

LOCAL OPTION, POLL. The" Church, or at least a portion of the Church, . has. come to regard an active interest in the local option poll as a sacred duty. I greatly rejoice that, he Methodist Church, with practical unanimity, is opposed to this trade, and continues election after election to give effect, by every lawful means, to her convictions. Now that another battle ha.:! been fought and you* are weary from the fray and some of you perhaps dispirited at the' result of the-, tight, suffer me to point out the onward movement, your ranks have made in the province of Auckland. In 1902, out of the 14 electorate! in the province, 10 recorded a majority for license and four for no-license. Last week these numbers were exactly reversed: and to-day the liquor party is in the ascendant in four electorates and we in ]0. In 1902 Auckland City showed that no-license votes were in a minority of 821 last week we changed that minority into a majority of 242. In other words, whilst the other side had increased its vote by 411. we increased ours by 1474. In 1902,' throughout the 14 electorates of tile province .33,145 votes were recorded for continuance. and 2.3,662 for prohibition: that is we were then in a'minority of 4483. Last week 36,846 were cast for continuance, and for no-license 41,082. So that we have changed a provincial minority of 4483 into a majority of 4153, or; made a total net gain of 8641. The "license" vote increased by 3751! the no-license by 12,420. That is, whilst the other side have* advanced 11 per cent., we have advanced 43 per cent. No porphetic gift is necessary to foretell the issue' •of this unequal race. When I add that not only has no-license been carried in one electorate by an immense majority, of nearly two to one, not only has two other electorates carried reduction, but that in everyone of the provincial electorates, without exception, the records of last week" show a relative increase of strength on the side of no-license, you will see that, the advance has been general as well as great. Some reviewers profess to see in returns an evidence of our exhaustion, and a discovery of what they call a set-back to the no-license sentiment. They are welcome to all the comfort derivable from such' a conclusion; as for ourselves, we thank God and take courage. The business of the Synod was (hen proceeded with as follows: —

Circuits: A report, was made concerning' the progress of the Church work at Huntly. It was "resolved 1 to recommend that Hilhtly be constituted a separate circuit, and that a, probationer be appointed. The Upper Thames circuit applied fcr relieF from its obligation to lake a married minister, and also for the appointment, of' a second home missionary with, a •'suitable' grant from the 'Home Mission Fund. / The application was unanimously--recommended. The application of the Franklin circuit .for the appointment of a probationer was approved.

City Missions:-.A discussion took place on the position and prospects of the Auckland City Missions. Splendid work, it was reported, has been done and is being done both at Freeman's Bay and Newton. In order to strengthen these missions and to render the, work' more effective, it was resolved to recommend their amalgamation.

Representative to Conference: The ballot for district, representative resulted in the election of the Rev. W. Slade. The Rev. B. P. Hothwell was appointed substitute representative.. .

Church Properties: Mr. W.D. Buttle, district secretary of church properties, reported that, an "aggressive policy, was beingpursued throughout the province, and that the finances were iii a healthy condition. Letting properties had been erected in Pittn street, Auckland, and at Hamilton, and a parsonage at OnehiiHga, and a block of land purchased at Franklin North. A site at Kotorua had been acquired from the "Government, and preparations made for the erection of a church thereon. •In connection with this enterprise statements wore made by Mr. W. Shepherd Allen, M. (treasurer) and the Rev. K. P. Bhtmircs (resident minister). Considerable progress was reported; donations had been received from all. parts of New Zealand, and also from England. It was anticipated that by the date of opening the Conference the sum raised would amount to £550, and the new church may be opened before the summer season. Rev. C. 11. Garland: Reference was made to the prospective departure of the Rev. C. 11. Garland from the district, and a resolution was passed with acclamation containing an expression of sincere appreciation of hi# services' in ' the ehaii <?f the district, which he had filled with ability, fidelity and unvarying courtesy*:• and regret at. his departure. The Rev. Mr. Garland expressed his "appreciation of the vote passed and of the loyal support and the affection of the ministers and office-bearers of the Church. The business of tho Synod will be continued this morning and afternoon. A public meeting and concert will be held ic the 'Pitt-street Church in. the evening.