METHODIST CHURCH OF AUSTRALASIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14381, 26 November 1908, Page 4

METHODIST CHURCH OF AUSTRALASIA

OTAGO DISTRICT SYNOD. REPRESENTATIVE SESSION. ' The above Synod -resumed its work in representative session yesterday morning at 9.30. The Rev. W. Slade presided, and there were present, in addition to those whose names were recorded yesterday, tho following lay representatives:—Messrs E. Rosovear and J. 0. Stephens (Trinity), ,1. Young and G. Bewley (Central Mission), J. B. Shaoklock and D. Cameron (Cargill Hold), W. Lind and J. P. Simon (Mornington), W. Clyde and W. Morrison (Roslyii), F. Scaton and E. Wright (Mosgiel), C. Duke and G. L. Asher (Port Chalmers), AV. Slephonson (Dalclutha), R. Thompson (Milton), J. Ivitto (Lawrence), 0. A. Riper and J. Hcnsley (Invercargill), W. Cross (Oamaru), W. Crow and J. Allott (Core), W. Kellow (Otautau), S. Uren (Roxburgh), and R. Olds (Chomwoll). . The Rev, W. Sladc expressed the pleasure of the ministerial members of the Synod at being associated with the lay brethren in the work of tho Church. They were there not on sufferance, but by right. The readiness of laymen lo givo their time and energy to attend Synods was highly commendable. Ho would like to express gratitude for tho strides made of late in social reform. Tho Gaining Act._ of 1907 had struck a blow at the gambling evil. They were on the morrow of a great victory, too, over tho liquor evil. It was a curse that dominated the land, and, especially in the large centres of population, had become the focus of undesirable elements. Resolutions on those social questions Mould be presented to tho Svnod in due course. Several important measures would engage the 11 attention of the Synod. Prominent, among these .would be iho report of the Sunday School Advisory Board, which was doing good work and striving to brinj sehool buildings and methods of teaching up to date. ' Synod would bo asked to consider the advisability of separating a minister from circuit work to become secretary of the home mission department. Tho growth of tha horns mission fund was not commensurate with the rapid i development of tho Church. The Dominion was rapidly being opened up for settlement. A strong man was wanted to devoto his wholo time- to the work of this department. Ho bespoke from the brethren the cultivation of a connexional, as opposed to a parochial, spirit. The romarkablo growth of the Methodist Church, with its 30 millions of people, was due not only to the potency of life found in the revival spirit, but also to the cultivation of a coniiexiona.l feeling. The fathers spoke not of the Methodist Church, but of the Methodist. Connexion, and there was a danger in losing this. He trusted that members would realise they were present not to discuss externals, but to build \tp the Church from within. Tho Synod then proceeded to the routine of business. No alterations were recommended to he made in the boundaries of any circuits or home mission stations in the district. The Cargill Road amLMosgie) circuits, which were due to provide for a married minister, were recommended to he relieved for another year. No additional appointments of ministers were recommended for Otago, nor was it deemed advisablo that any home mission stations be promoted to the status of circuits. Tho financial conditions of circuits came under review, and it was shown that the position had considerably improved during the year. CHURCH PROPERTY REPORT. Mr Rosevear (district secretary of Church Property) presented his annual report. Thei total value of church properties was shown to be £44,494 4s lOd-an increase during the year of £4152 16s 6d. The net liabilities were £3649 4s 9d. The amount of insurance on the'churches and parsonages in tho district was £25,180. The secretary was warmly 'thanked for his faithful services, and was recommended to the Conference for reappopintment. i FOREIGN MISSIONS. ' Resolutions expressing appreciation of the services rendered by Revs. M. K. and Mrs Gilmour, Inosi (New Guinea native teacher), -and also Rev. W. E.' and Mrs Bromilow, as deputations on behalf of foreign missions, were carried with enthusiasm. On behalf of the Otago Branch of the Ladies' Auxiliary of Foreign Missions, Mr Rosevear expressed thanks to those circuits which had by Easter offerings assisted the auxiliary in tha support of two missionary sisters. Satisfaction was expressed at the increased improvement in tho Missionary Review, and its circulation among the different circuits was urged. ■ HOME MISSIONS. Incomplete returns showed that a sum of £192 5s 4d had been raised in the district for home missions. The following assistance was recommen ded to bo made to needy stations from the home mission and church extension fund:— Riverton, £20; Winton, £45; Southern Maori Mission. £80; Palmerston, £20; St: Kilda, £25; Mosgiol, £10; Milton, £30; Lawrence, £25; Invercargill. £25; Otautau, £45; Roxburgh, £25; Central Mission, £120, to provide an assistant for the Central Mis. sion for 12 months. The case of Cromwell is to receive special consideration. A lengthy report was received from the Rev. J. H. Simmonds (principal of Three Kings Maori College) on the work accomplished .during the year, and satisfaction was expressed thereat. It'was'unanimously decided to recommend the Conference to separate the general secretary of the home mission department from circuit work, so that ha might bo able to devote all his energies to the interests of the home mission fund. Rev. Neho Homi Papakakura gave an address bearing on his work among the Maoris of the southern district. Rev. J. A. Hosking, of Balclutha, was chosen to accompany the Chairman to Conference, as district representative, to act on the Stationing Committee. The Rev. T. J. Wallis was elected substitute representative. SUNDAY SCHOOL WORK. A report was received from the Sunday School Advisory Board. It described the business transcatod at the, Sunday School Conference recently held at Christohurch and tho conclusions arrived at. After an interesting discussion it was decided to recommend Conference—(l) To adopt a uniform system of grading and marking, and the adoption of the Legion of Honomv literature for scholars and teachers; (2) to take steps to provide literature containing information about foreign missions for the use of Sunday echoo! children; (3) that the amount raised for missions be enteral In the school records; that tho missionary contributions in Sunday schools should be equally divided between home and foreign missions; (4) that supplementary fundamental lesson courses be adopted; (5) that text-books be prepared and examinations held for theological students on the psychology of childhood, the art, of leaching, and the organising of and modern methods in the Sundayschool ; (6) that" steps be taken to provide a revised Sunday school hymn-book, CONGRATULATORY. It having been announced, that the Rev. C. H. Laws had arrived in New Zealand after a trip to the Old Land, the Synod decided to send a .message congratulating him on his safe return, Tho Rev. J. Ward was heartily thanked for liis services us editor of the Methodist Outlook, and Synod recommended him to Conference for reappointment. ECCDMJIEXDATIONS TO COXFEREKCE. On tho motion of Mr Rosevear it was decided to ask Conferenco to remit the question of an independent conference to the September quarterly meetings of 1909. Tho voting was 16 for and 11 against. STATISTICAL ISETURXS. The statistical returns woro presented by" tho- Secretary (the Rev. T. J. Wallis), showing an increase of members and members on trial; also an increase in every department of Sunday school work, but a. falling-oft' of attendants at public worship. The following resolution was adopted:— "That this Synod desires to express its thankfulness to Almighly God for the manifestation of His power in the work of the past year. Jt notes with satisfaction tha increase in the number of members and communicants. It rejoices especially in the marked success which has attended the work of the Sunday schools, as indicated by a numerical increase in every department of this most important branch of our church enterprise. It views, however, with sorrow a considerable decrease in the atte.n '.ance on public worship—a fact which it fears in an indication of an unfortunate tendency of the times to minimise the importance of the public means of grace; and urges vpon our people tlic cultivation of a habit of regular and conscientious attendance at the House of God, and upon our preachers more strenuous efforts to reawaken tho interest of tho apathetic." TKIirEKAXCK. The fi' , lo\ving resolutions were agreed to:— ,: (1) That wo record our grateful thinks to Almighty God for the great pro-1 gross of leiuporauco opinion in the Dominion, aa shown by the splendid vote for .n'n-liccr.."e at the recent, local option . poll. We note with intense satisfaction that] the movement for the abolition pj the'

system of open bars for the sale of intoxicating liquor is spreading in all the churches, and especially that iho young people of tho Dominion are becoming imbued with the idea of freeing their country from the curse of the trade in alcohoi. This circumstance inspires us with the confident hope that the end of tho liquor traffic is very near. (2) We protest most strenuously against the unfaiivand undemocratic inequality of the clause of tho Licensing Act which requires that bofore any electorate can close the liquor bars a majority of three-fifths of the votes recorded must be for no-liconse. Experience shows that this provision unjustly retards the progress of a necessary reform; that it places the power in the hands of a minority of people, among whom many are tho least worthy of the population, and onables it to perpetuate an evil in which tho largo majority of the people, among whom aro many of the most intelligent, has expressed its strong desire to remove.. (3) Wo again earnestly urge upon the Methodist Church tho necessity of maintaining tho fight against intemperance. Tho alarming fact that, in spite of no-liconso distiicts and the growth of temperance sentiment, there have been 35,964 convictions of first offenders for drunkenness during Ihe seven years, should rouse every patriotic person to arms against a irado whose vile results aro so widespread. Tho battle is.not won yat, and there can bo no slackening of effort nor abatement of zeal titl the streets of our cities aro frao f rom the temptations of which, tho open bars aro the centre." * KKXT (?OKFKRF,NCK. In response to an invitation, it was decided that the nest Synod meot in Gore on a date to be fixed by tho chairman. VOTFS OF THASKS. Votes of thanks were heartily accorded to tlqe hosts and hostesses of visiting members; the local church authorities for making arrangements for tho Synod; and also to the reporters and the press. The signing of the records and the pronouncement of the benediction brought the Svnod to a close at a late hour.