METHODIST SYNOD

Otago Witness, Issue 3584, 21 November 1922, Page 5

METHODIST SYNOD

The annual meeting of tho OtagoSouthland District Synod of the Methodist Church of New Zealand met in ministerial committee in the Dundas Street, Church on Tuesday, 14th inst. Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt, chairman of the district, presided, and there were also present: Revs. T. W. Nevvhold, C. Eaton, W. J. Oxbrow, IL L. Richards, B. Metson, G. P. Hunt, R. Raine, G. Clement, G. Burnet, C. I>. Jordan, M.A., T. Skuse, W. H. Hocking, H. A. Sharp, J. H. Haslam, E. J. Parker, R. Richards, V. S. Mercer, L. A. G. Brooks, and Messrs G. H. Bridgman, J. Featherstono, and W. E Sleep (home missionaries). Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt heartily welcomed the members of Synod, especially those who were new to the district.

Rev. J. H. Haslam was elected secretary of the Synod, and Rev. R. Richards as associate secretary and reporter to the press.

The probationers. Revs. V. S. Mercer and L. A. G. Brooks, were examined, and recommended to pass in their- third and first years respectively, subject to their written examination proving satisfactory. Messrs H. Vowefl, R. M'Gregor, and G. H. Muir, home missionaries, were examined and their trial sermons reported upon satisfactorily. Messrs J. H. Hall and W. Silvester were examined as candidates for the ministry. Their character, educational status, and medical fitness were considered, and they were each recommended to Conference to be received for training. The Rev. G. Clement, of Port Chalmers, was unanimously recommended to the Conference to be made a supernumerary minister. Several members of the Synod spoke eulogistieally of the long and faithful service rendered to the Church hv Mr Clement, and regretted the necessity for his retirement.

The district Sunday school returns were presented and regarded as satisfactory. The report of the Welfare of the Church Committee was presented by the Rev. M. A. Rughv Pratt, chairman of the committee. The report dealt fully with the spiritual condition of the church, and several recommendations with a view to improvement, were passed. The report favourably commended the principles of the League of Nations to the members of the church, and urged the recognition -of the Sunday before Christinas as Peace Sunday. Sqcial conditions were reviewed and importance stressed of the necessity for effective opposition on the part of the church against the appalling growth and organisation of the great social evils of the day. The Methodist District Synod resumed its conference at 10 a.m, on Thursday. A resolution was passed protesting against the growing tendency to indulge in sports on the Lord’s Day, and calling upon members of the Legislature and local bodies to resist the movement for its secularisation. It was also resolved to express approval of national prohibition of the liquor traffic, and to urge electors to vote for that issue. In connection with Mr E. A. Roseveare’s proposed resignation of the office of lay treasurer of the Contingent Fund, it was decided to tender him sincere and hearty thanks for his zealous and fruitful services for the Church, and pray that he may bo spared many years to work in the official activities of the Church. Various reports were received and adopted.