THE METHODIST CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13355, 8 December 1906, Page 3

THE METHODIST CHURCH.

TUB AN Sl* SYNOD.

Tub sittings of the annual Methodist Synod rtme to an end yesterday. The Re>v. 0. Bond wa» in the chair. Appointment of Minsters to Missions': A proposal from the Conference in regard to mission churches was -xmsidered. The rerommendation was that, with a view to toe adoption of the perinisuvo legislation: giving power to appoint ruinators to missions for a longer period than five years, it was desirable to define what, for the- purpose of this provision, constituted a mission- The Synod decided that ro further legislation wile- necessary, as the Book of Laws already provided for the appointment of ministers to missions for a longer period than the years. Nomination of Candidates for the Mun*. try: The Rev. J. A. Luxtord moved, '"That the attention of tho Conference be drew* to the anomaly now existing regarding to* nomination 'of candidate* for the ministry at tlm September quarterly meeting!" - He said that in one case this year a candidate had had to fart* a quarterly meeting of 61 members, but in another instance » quarterly meeting of two members, beside*! the> chairman, recommended the candidate. The motion was carried.

Representation to th«? Conference: A motion was moved by the Rev. W. Slade recommending that, in harmony with the re-

cent legislation concerning tho represent*tion to the annual Conference, circuits it* which more than two minister? arc engaged; shall, in addition to the representation m the- Synod by the two circuit .stewards, have tiin right of electing additional representatives to the Synod, in the proportion of one. layman for each minister in full connexion, above tho number of two, Tho. motionwas passed. ' • Local Preachers" Examinations:' As * r»> suit of a communication received from the' Pitt-street Local Preachers' Union, a motion wa* moved by tho?ltov. I*. W. Spenco. and carried, to the effect that tho curriculum a-, suggested by the Conference Committoe was too difficult, and that the Synod recommended that tho local preachers examinations be based on the list, of books used by the English Local Preachers* Association. Triennial General Conference! A resolution, moved by the Rev. .1. J. Mather, recommeuding th* reducing of representation to the Triennial General Conference, was lost by a large majority. Ministers' Removal Expenses : The following remit from the Hamilton circuit was moved by the- Rev. Tho*. bee.: — " That sokhc means be- devised for meeting the removal expenses of .ministers ... from',counoxional funds, to which circuits shall.contribute according to their .several abilities, and from which they shall benefit according to their needs." The motion was- carried. Young Men's Forward Movement: Tito report of-the Conference Committee in connection with the Young Men's. Forward Movement came before tho Synod. Tho report showed that there had been alt round progress, the number of Bible classes, both amongst the young men and young women, having substantially increased, and tho finances having improved. Tho Echo had been adopted as tho official orgi.n of the movement. In a resolution the. Synod acknowledged the services of the organising secretary < {Rev.' H.L. Blamires). and recommended his reappointment. The Synod also recommended that the name bo altered to " Methodist

Young People's Forward Movement." ■ Maori Missions: After careful revision of the returns, the following figures of the ' Maori missions were placed before the Synod:—ll churches, 45 other preaching places, 7 ministers and probationers, 6 homo mis- ■'■'-;' sionaries, 43 local preachers, with 32 on . trial, 11 class leaders, 11,396 members on ' : tlie roll, with 1215 junior members, five .Sun- - day-schools, with 93 scholars on the roll, average attendance 50, teachers 12, with an aver- . ago attendance- of 10, attendance on public worship 5680. Satisfaction was expressed by 1* the Synod at the all-round progress made. ':.'■ Next Synod: It was decided to hold tho ■ next annual district Synod in Auckland, in ' the third week of November.', : : MINISTERIAL SESSION. . ' •' The Synod resumed in ministerial session. ; The Rev. M. Maddera, of New South Wales, . visited the Synod in the early part of th* afternoon, and was introduced by the chair- v. man to the members present. The Rev. G. - S. Cook, of Birkenhead, on behalf of the Synod, warmly welcomed the visitor; and . commended him as both a man of God-and ■; ' a : man of. the world in -the best. seme. : In ..-■■'., acknowledging , the' hearty reception : accorded, the Rev. Mr. Maddcm referred to : his recent visit to th*: islands of the South '■-';. Seas. The work there was. full of, difficulty,| - but also of promise. The position demanded : that men of strong character and of ability v to grasp and deal with, the practical pro-I|| blems of life should represent the Church '.::;; there. In concluding, he expressed his grati- : tude at being permitted to address thosa,/ present. The examination of ministers on probation was then renewed. Mr. as. Richards, ; who was accepted as a candidate at the task annual Conference, was recommended. to Ik»-;; received into the Theological College at tho'": commencement of the year. Reports con- ': cerning the ' character!),. the preaching and; ." pastoral work, and the perioral reading ofi/f; the candidates for ordination were then de- ;,; livered. An oral examination was conduct .•.:'■' ed by tho Rev. B. P. Roth well of Freeman's Bay. and Conference was unanimously jj § recommended to. ordain the . following: -J Revs. A. J. Seamer, Alex. J. Reid, and. ;,':' Hone Marofta Hare. A similar vote wa«» : |; unanimously passed in the case of the Rev.f; Jas. Wilson, who has conducted the mission> at Newton during tho past four years. -The \--i Rev. Geo. Snadden was recommended to be||| passed in his year, ami the Rev. -W. W. Avery to be excused from taking his exami- S nation on the grounds of ill-health. •• ■-< V: Votes of thanks were passed to those who. had entertained the visiting delegates, and!'-, lb tho chairman, .secretary, and .other of-.-J ficials of the Synod, for their -work in eon-;; nection with the conduct of tho business), o The Rev. S. Griffith, secretary, .read; tint ;, journal, which was duly passed-and ._ signed. . The time-honoured custom of reading extracts from the Liverpool minutes was ob-;S; served. * *' „'. The Rev. M. Maddern offered prayer, and - '■■ the chairman closed the Synod by protamine- ' ing the Benediction.

WELLINGTON'. [BT TELECRAI'H.— ASSOCIATION.]

C'aetebto v, Friday.

The meeting oS the Wellington Methodisfr Synod has concluded. "It was rooommendet 1 that the Conference should station a minis-'.'■■ ter between Waipukurau and Ormondville., The Rev. Mr. Wrigle.i was appointed to the. L Conference. It was resolved that Conference request the next General Conference , to make provision for constituting the. New " Zealand Conference into an independent.' -';■ legislative Conference, with full control of '■': its coiinexional funds. The Synod also de» plored the prevalence of gambling. "";