GROWTH OF METHODISM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22574, 12 November 1936, Page 17

GROWTH OF METHODISM

WORK OF. THE PIONEERS SOUTH AUCKLAND MEETING £bt telegraph—OWN correspondent] THAMES, Wednesday The South Auckland Methodist Synod, which is meeting this year at Thames* is attended by about 80 representatives. At a public gathering held in the Methodist Church last night a welcome was extended by the Mayor, Mr. S. Ensor, and by the Rev. R. Stowards, on behalf of the Thames Ministers' Association. The chairman of the district, the Rev. W. J. Oxbrow, presided. The .Rev. E. P. Blnmires, president of the Methodist Conference, referred to the growth of Methodism, which in less than two centuries had spread over the world and to-day had about 40,000,000 adherents. He said that in the world's Sunday School enrolment of approximately 40,000,000, one-third were in the Methodist schools. The missionary spirit also was strong, Mr. Blamires said. Years ago the British Methodists had contributed £250,000 to New Zealand as a foreign missionary field, and had sent the early missionaries and their wives as pioneers. Such a heritage called for the spirit of sharing and willingness to co-operate in carrying on the traditions and great achievements of tlio past. Ihe world was depending on the Christian Church to create the spirit which would eliminate fear and suspicion, and bring in a new order of human brotherhood and peiice, he added. There were hopeful signs, for groups of people were meeting in every country and recognising the absolute necessity of religion.