PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

Otago Witness, Issue 2905, 17 November 1909, Page 28

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

OTAGO ATSTD SOUTHLAND DISTRICT. The Synod in connection with the above has just concluded its annual sittings at Waikouaiti. The opening devotional exercises were conducted by the retiring chairman (Rev. W. Laycock), after which the officers were elected as follows: — President, Rev. T. A. Pybus (Invercargill) ; vice-president, Mrs Creagh (Bluff) ; secretaries, Revs. J. Feathersten (Waikouaiti) and S. Bailey (Dunedin). The business was in charge of Rev. G. P. Hunt (Blaff), tbe appointed Conference delegate*. The various station reports showed an increase of church members of a very gratifying nature, and although there . is a slight decrease in the scholars of the Sabbath schools, this wa»r'not of a serious ' -extent. Altogfefchery^jitjfe Primitive Metho•ist Church in this/ district is^ making 1 very satisfactory progress. The division of the : Dunedin circuit 'into two^ — north and south — was heartily approved of. Resolutions advocating Dominion option and the bare majority were enthusiastically . adopted, as 'were also those voicing an emr'mtic protest against the action of the Government members in attending the opening of the Tattersall CUrb and the continuance of the Congo atrocities. Whilst heartily supporting the work of tbe Bible-in-Schools Committees and urging all the ministers to participate therein, the Synod strongly condemned any attempt to introduce sectarian teaching in the day schools. The public services — all of which were well attended — included the official sermon delivered by the Rev. G. P. Hunt (Bluff), who took for his subject " The Problem of the Non-Churchgoer," and delivered a very forceful address, whilst at the ma3s meetinpr the R«v. W. Laycock ably dealt with '• The Church in Relation to Social and Political Problems." Mr S. F. Benton treated "The Missionary Problem," and the closing address an " The Secret of Power " was delivered by the Rev. G. Knowles Smith. Mrs Creagh and Mr Benton contributed sonars that were well appreciated, as were also two recitals by the R"v. J. B. Suckling. The -next Synod was appointed for Dun-das Street Church. Dunedin, and the Rev. G. Knowles Smith nominated as Conference rooresentative. The stationing of the ministers was as follows : — Dun?din first, Revs. G. Knowles Smith and J. B. Sucklimr; Dunedin second. Revs. E. Drake and E. Bandy; Invercargill first, Rev. W. Laycock; Invercargill second, R»v. T. A. Pybus (for the thirteenth year) ; Bluff, Rev. G. P. Hunt (sixth year). The Rcr. S Bailey removes to Wanganui.

Kinar Edward, last year, at Tschl, persuaded the Emperor of Austria to enter a ; motor-car for the first time*