METHODIST SYNOD

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9514, 23 November 1916, Page 3

METHODIST SYNOD

SECOND DAY’S'WORK FINANCE, ATTENDANCES, AND OTHER MATTERS. The, Methodist Synod (Wellington district) continued its .sitting yesterday, Tho Rev. J. .G. Chapman occupied the chair. SUNDAY SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. The report on the Sunday schools was the subject of some discussion, a reference to the decrease in attendance receiving particular attention. The following resolution was passed ; —"Than the Synod learns with regret of the reported decrease in the number of teachers and scholars in the Sunday schools. The decrease in the young men’s Biblo class members, however, is rather a matter for pride, as we rejoice that our young men have so nobly responded to tho call of God and Empire, Tho decrease amongst the children is due, we fear, largely to the growing carelessness of many parents, wlk> so lightly regard the claims of Christ's Church, and the sacredness of the Sabbath. We sympathise with our loyal and devoted Sunday! school workers, and assure them that tho importance of their work was never greater than it is to-day, and urge them not to grow weary in their well-doing.' As the hope of the future Church is in the young, we would direct the 'attention of the Church of to-day to the Sunday school, and ask. ‘ls not the present distress a calj, even to old Sunday school workers, to once again join the ranks as teachers?’" TEMPERANCE MATTERS. C The following resolution, submitted by the temperance committee, was unanimously adopted :—“That this Synod of the Methodist Church of New Zealand records its sense of disappointment, tjiame and indignation at the recent decision of X’arliament in regard to the ptoposed early closing of hotel bars. Such a decision, in view of the imperative need for economy, efficiency and righteousness in. these times of national testing, we foci to. be not only lacking in true patriotism and statesmanship, but also an affront to the 100,000 electors who petitioned for this reform, and a serious violation of tho principles of democracy. Synod respectively urges upon the Government that it is not yet too late to reverse the former unfavourable' decision, and grant this reform; thus delivering our land from its present ingloriously conspicuous place; and bringing it into lino with modern devdLopmonts of temperance throughout the British Empire, and among other foremost nations of the world. Mcailwjiilo this Synod urges the people everywhere to organise - and work and ilgitate and pray until such tiino as Parliament be impelled to accede to our righteous demands.” A second resolution, reading as follows, was adopted:—“That this Synod expresses satisfaction at the enactment of the Government anti-shouting regulations, and trusts that they will be so thoroughly enforced as to load to an appreciable diminution of tho drinking habits of'the community.’’ DISTRICT FINANCES. The report of th- secretary for the district (air JJ. Dawson) showed that the income for tho year was' 115289 13s Kid, exclusive of the money borrowed; this was a decrease of A 111 10s compared with the income of the preceding year. The decrease mainly occurred iu the rents and other receipts on account cf the leasing of property, but in the voluntary contributions there was a considerable increase. The following circuits had raised sums exceeding AKW towards the various purposes of their respective trusts: Wellington, Petone, South Wairarapa, Masterton and Otaki. On the expenditure side of the ledger there was a reported increase of .01105 9s 5d over the total expenditure shown in the records of the previous year, the total for the year under review, exclusive of repayments of loans, being A 5202 18s. The total amount of liability on account of loans was A3C-1!) 10 S sd, a not reduction of A 829 10s lid having, been made during the year. The operations in the' way of erection of new ibuildings had been limited to the erection of a church at Waikanae, and considerable alteration to the motor garage at Featherston.

In the insurance of church property in the Wellington district a total of .£5269 was reported, an increase of .£620 on the amount of the previous year. THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.

The principal of the Methodist Theological College (Rev. C. H. Garland) stated in. hi# report tha.it tweniy-oue students had passed through the college during the past throe years. Thirteen of these had enlisted for military service, they being:—A. A. Hensley, O. Harnett, A. It. Gordon, F. T. Harris, H. H. Marshall, S. J. Wogridge, H. I. Odell, T. E. Olds, G. S. Sheridan, W. S. Smith. It. B. Spiers, E. R. Warburton, and W. A. Watson. During the afternoon session afternoon tea was provided by the ladies of the Wellington and Hutt Foreign Mission Auxiliary, which was followed, by an address by the Rev. Iledley White, of Otaki.

A public meeting, under the auspices af the Social Service Onion of the Methodist Church (Wellington branch) was held last nieht, when the Rev. E. Drake, vice-president, occupied the chair. An address was delivered by Rev. imos Reader, on “The War and Democracy,” and this was followed by discussion. , ,