METHODIST SYNOD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19957, 26 November 1926, Page 10

METHODIST SYNOD.

CONFERENCE CONTINUED. (From Our Special Correspondent.) INVERCARGILL. November 25. At the morning session of the Methodist Synod the report of the Temperance and Public Morals Committee was read. The following resolutions were carried : An expression of pleasure that the Licensing Bill had been withdrawn, and that the church pledges itself to do its utmost to have the State Control Issue eliminated and individually to discountenance anything that will tend to increase the consumption of spiritous liquors. Application of the strong action taken by the Prime Minister with regard to art unions and a call to tho church to discountenance all movements that will tend to increase tho gambling spirit in tho community. That strong support bo given to any project that makes for the improvement of picture lilms and of posters which, in some eases, are grossly offensive. The difficulty in connection with censorship is recognised, but the church once more requests increased vigilance. The Synod pledges itself to support the Bible-in-Schools’ League in tho endeavour to make legal religious exercises in our public schools, and thanks to the Hon. L. M. Isitt for his work in this direction. The Synod commends to tho members ot the church active support of the League of Nations Union because it believes that world peace more and more depends upon the success of the League of Nations. Mr A. S. Froggatt presented the report on church property, which referred to the erection of a school hall at Invercargill at a cost of £SOOO without any debt, and a new church at Ettrick at a cost of £6OO. The trust receipts for the year totalled £16,970, and the total expenditure amounted to £13.483. The trust mortgages amounted to £13,222, and fire insurances totalled £66,270. The Central Mission trustees were congratulated on paying £I2OO off their mortgage on the Octagon Hall, and the Cargill Road Church for a reduction of their debt by £SOO. Mr Froggatt was heartily thanked for his work, and was recommended to the conference for reappointment. The Rev. S. Lawry, Connexional Secretary, presented the reports of his office, and those were adopted. New fire insurance business amounting to £50,000 had been accepted, and of the profits £SOO had been handed over to venous funds of the church. Since 1918 over £3OOO had been paid to the various funds of the church. In view of the Rev, S. Lawry’s retirement after long years of service, a resolution of appreciation and thanks was carried unanimously, on the motion of Mr E. A Rosevear. The report of the Theological Institution was read. The Synod expressed appreciation, and wa delighted to hear that £43,000 had been promised for the new college, of which sum Otago and Southland had provided £2OOO. Resolutions were carried expressing satisfaction with the work of the college staff, especially that of the president designate, the Rev. Dr Rauston, and commending to Methodists the claims of the Theological College and hostel scheme. Wesley College, Paerata. presented a report, which stated that there were 105 boys and two cadets in residence. The Government had provided 12 annual scholarships, valued at £3O each, for the education of Native boys. The offer of a modern isolation hospital in memory of W. H. Caughly, who died during the war, was gratefully acepted. The Paerata farm comprises 680 acres, with 600 acres in cultivation. The farm is looking well and responding to treatment. Home mission affairs revealed that the income for the district totalled £607, with several amounts to come in. The Synod agreed to an estimated income for next year of £712. The following grants are recommended for next year: —Waikouaiti £25, Broad Bay £35. Edendale £25, Kaitangata £3O, Lawrence £SO, Cromwell £4O, with a single home missionary, Riverton £4O, Nightcaps-Tuatapere £35 G'f Tuatapere be not retained), Maori Hill £2O, St. Clair £4O, St. Kilda £2O, Caversham £25, Mosgiel, £2O, Port Chalmers £6O (if the minimum stipend be paid), Balelutha £3O, Milton £35, Roxburgh £35, Bluff £ls, Otautau £25. The Synod supported the reappointment of the Rev. E. T. Olds as assistant superintendent in the home mission department. A motion placed on record the Synod’s appreciation of the work carried out by the Rev. G. H. and Mrs Bridgman, who are now retiring from home mission work. The Rev. T. A. Pybus was elected as the representative to the Stationing Committee, with the Rev. W. Walker as substitute. Mrs A. M‘Bean presented the report of the Ladies’ Missionary Auxiliary, and the Rev. A. Hopper read the general foreign mission report. The income for this year is not yet complete, but it is expected to reach last year’s ;itnr--■■■<■,. which proved a record for the district. ‘ ' _ The Rev. W. A. Sinclair was recommended for reappointment as general secretary. The Synod expressed its appreciation of the good work done by the Rev. J. R. Metcalfe as the deputation for this year, and thanked the women’s missionary auxiliaries for their valuable efforts.