METHODIST SYNOD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13605, 26 November 1907, Page 6

METHODIST SYNOD.

HOME MISSION.

WORK AMONG THE MAORIS.

The initial services in connection with the annual session of the Methodist Synod were held yesterday, in the Pitt-street Methodist Church schoolroom. During the day the Rev. W. Gittos (superintendent of the Maori Missions) and the Maori ministers met in session, and dealt with a large amount of work appertaining to the Maori missions.

In the evening the annual missionary meeting was held, at which there was a good attendance. Mr. J. C. Allen occupied the chair, and a number of clergymen occupied seats on the platform.

The Chairman spoke highly of the work being done by the. home missions. He believed that in a few years some of the back blocks of New Zealand would become large and important towns, and it was imperative that the Methodist Church in New Zealand should get firmly established. He referred to the work being done by the local preachers, and thought that they were the backbone of Methodism. He did not know of any fund connected with the Church that was more worthy of support,

The Rev. W. Beck, of Cambridge, made a general appeal for the support of home missionary work, and the sending of more men to the back blocks. -There was unrest among the masses, . he said, and though we had our Arbitration and Conciliation Courts, something else was required to settle the unrest, and bring all men to realise they were brothers. These people should be brought to realise their individual responsibilities to God and -to each other.

The Rev. W. Gittos said he had been trying to apprehend the extent of the Church's mission field in the universe, but he had not been able; it was too wide and too great. He had come to the conclusion that every mission had been a success ; he did not know of a failure anywhere. The New Zealand mission had been a success from its earliest stages. He claimed that the mission work was a very large factor in getting rid of many of the great evils that had beset the natives. Much of a discouraging nature was being undertaken, and in many cases the Church had not given the encouragement it might. He instanced a case in Taranaki, where a man had laboured for 20 years. In the North the Church had openings it had not had in the past. They found they were making additions in every place in their membership. The Rev. H. Renata, Maori minister, referred to the difficulties of the work in the North, owing to the distances and the want of roads. The Maori ministers were looking forward to improving the Maori children, and with that end in view were encouraging them in the attendance at. school.

Mr. C. C. Bottomley, described as the home missionary from the back blocks, recounted some of the difficulties experienced in the work, and appealed for more generous assistance financially and • with men.

A collection was then taken up in aid of the home mission fund, £6 lis being realised. . The Pitt-street Methodist circuit hope to raise £135 for the fund by the end of December.

The ministerial session of the Methodist Synod will commence its sittings in Auckland this morning, in the Pitt-street schoolroom, proceedings opening at 9.30. The first business will be the consideration of the position of probationers and students, and the examination of candidates for the ministry. To-morrow morning the laymen meet in conference with the ministers, when general business will be transacted. The annual synod conversazione will be held in the Pitt-street schoolroom, tomorrow evening, at 7.30. A good musical programme has been arranged.