METHODIST SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12829, 25 November 1903, Page 3

METHODIST SYNOD.

Tho Otago Synod of the MetJiodistjClrarch' ■was opened yesterday morning in tho Trinity Methodist Churoli at 10 o'clock by the Chairman of the district, tike Rev. P. iWV Fairclough, I'.R.A.S. Tho Rev. T. G. Brooke was unanimously elected secretary, Mr A.. Hooper Outlook reporter, and the Rev. F. \f. Boys press reporter. ' The morning and afternoon sessions, were devoted to .a convention for the consideration of various branches of church work. The Rev. D. Sl'Sicol.'of Oamarn, commenced the, morning -session by ; reading a paper on "Evangelism and its Methods." ; He pointed- otit that evangelism warho new thing, though [the form it takes in modern times may be liew. Philip was called " the Evangelist," and there always has been, a distinct order of men who are clearly called . to this special work, as Moody,'Lyell,.Cole, Torrey, and many others. It,.was shown that the evangelist did not need to-bo so anuch a, man of genius as a man; of great spiritual power,; wisdom, and tact.'. A few ■■ sermons sufficed him, and he did not require to use his Brains as much as iiio pastor. The methods of various evangelists were then referred to. The penitent form, inquiry room, .standing ug. in the meetings, etc., 1 and Dr Torrey's plan were .commended. First,the-doctor askqd for any ( \vho were impressed to. stand un and then' to como out to the front, -thus graduating; the effort to confess Christ and making tho'cross bear-, able. Mr M'Nicol discussed, also, the .money question Jn connection, 1 with evaugelism. He stated that the best evangelists never stipulate as to the money thoy are to. ,/receive fortheir services. It was remarked that sufficient money always came in to meet : all" the. expenses connected with a .mission. Thecustom of advertising "no colleotjim" was. ; referred I ', to and deprecated.' _ Those who tiso means of grace, have a right to j contribute towards the. expenses of providing /those means' of grace—simple.honesty demands this; '. Tho Rev. C. H. Standage followed with a paper on "Why are Conversions Harder to Obtain, than Formerly?" in which the difficulties; past and present, were contrasted, and the various influences, which aro tit work to hinder the mind from accepting the truth . were reviewed. The distracting; power of amusement, the advance made in material and especially- the many philosophies which are sat fortlij and speculations upon religious and moral questions!,, went far to bring about : the: difficulties, Sssumed^;

Tho third .paper 'wisread by Mr A. Hopper on-" How to Mike Our Week-night Services Effective," in the course of which ha showed liow the week-evening and Sunday services acted one upon the other; that, effective spiritual work on the Sabbath meant earnest, eager, full week-evening services; and that our need to-day is effective .rather than attractive ■. week-night gatherings, ... . A ■ very interesting, discussion followed these papers, 1 in which the, Revs. Brooke, Blamirc-s, Fairclough, Ward, Sinclair, Beckett, Given, Seotter, and M'Nicol took part. The afternoon session was presided over by the Rev..D. M'Nieol.t . The'first piper was read by the Rev. P. •W; Riirclough, F.R.A.S., on " Will the Proposed Largei Union of Churohea Tend to Spiritual Efficiency?" After speaking of the stirring aspects of the proposal, Mr Fairolough consideration of some possiblo dangers.. There wap a desire to evade competition: this might' mean a desiro to.iesoapb. hard conditions.. Union would increase the dignity of the Churoh, but, dignify , might be related to worldliness. Union would give the Church more weight in council, and that might ba related to. ambition. ; Union might give better stipends to build better churches, but would iheso conciliate them asses? Whatever fed the love of ease or might lead to the despia: ing of small'places and poor charges was a danger to the spirituaJify of the Church. A very powerful paper—" How to Bring the Church Nearer to Working Men "—was read'by the Rev. B. H. Ginger, in which; lie fchowed'that the Church should seek to become acquainted with the conditions of life'and the needs surrounding the working classes. Not a little ignorance existed as to the real facta of their lives. While actual poverty might not stand in the way, these were things -which were, construed into a reason ' for. their dissociation with church affairs. If, the Church had. a wider knowledge of these • things sho 'Would 6ce the necessity of endeavouring to bring her operations more within, the. scope of working men's liveo.- There must be the principle of adaptation in 'Church .affairs as well as in other phases of our qocial System. Existing anomalies must. be removed, and' every effort ' made to bring tho Church into line 'with human need?., There should also be, a betteir. representation of .Christian kindliness and brotherliriees. They should not lose sight of the nature of the Church's message and tho method of its deliverance.

The last paper for tho afternoon was read by tho Rev. F. .Boye on " Cluiroli and School." Mr Boya asketl tiro question, Woro there constant inquiries the outoomo of a sense of fear tlmi the Sunday schools veto. failing to !<Jad 'to ' tho church, and were being., used instead of tho church? Ho went oil to slimy that too little was done to prepare our lads for the scepticism they have to meet on entering a workshop or.office; aiid that problems which were difficult should be faced ili a frank manner. Cases were, cited where the Sunday school by weak effort becaroo a Jiindrance rather than a help to tlio child. Many school ; workers were feeling the" necessity for a good teacher who could powerfully influence" youth®—having a free -hand to develop . a large class, and thus do away ; with small .classes and inefficient teachers. . The whole afternoon was spent in discus!«mj these throe paper?,- (lie Rev?., 31'Nicol, Sinclair, Ward, Standage, Beckett, Brooke, and Scotfer-taking-part. PUBLIC MEETING, A public meeting • was ■ held in Trinity Wesleyan Church in the evening, when the anniversary orthe Helping Hand Mission, was celebrated; The mission, which has been, in- existence for some 14- years, was formerly, known as the' Dunedin Sisters' Mission,' Kutthe name was changed about two years ago. Sister Olivet lias now charge of the mission, having been appointed to ■the. cofltrol of it about three years ago. The first address of the evening was delivered by Sister. Olive, who- recounted a number of her . experiences in connection with those attending the Eng Street Mission." . An-address , was also given by the Hev. W. Beckotf, of Roxburgh, who chose 8s his subject " Religion. in Daily' Life," which lie handled in siich a way that the attention • of his hearers was sustained throughout. The concluding address was delivered by; the Rev. ii. L. pismires, of Gore, who .spoke on "TJie Spirit of Power." This ."'address : was .most effective, and was licartily enjoyed by all present. There was a.'good audience, and the Rev. P. W. Fairclouph presided. This meeting- concluded an all-day.,convention, the members present having held .a session in the morning and one. in the afternoon.

t Tho business the Synod will bo continued '.this • rooming in ministerial session at 9.20 and in repvesentative session at 10.30,

(Pep. United Press Association*.)

• , CHRISTOHURCH, November 24. The Canterbury. Methodist ' Synod com" anenecd its pastoral.sessions this morning in 'the. Durliam .Street Church, tho Rev. J. A.

Luxford' (president of the. conference) presiding, The Rev. C. H. Laws, 8.A., was elected secretary.. The obituary of the late Key. W. G. I'arsonson was road by tho Rev. J. Dukes, and was spoken to by several ministers. The Revs. W. J. Oxbrow, M.A., E., Pratt, and, A. J. Seamer wero recommended to the conference to be passed intheir years ot probation.