METHODIST DISTRICT SYNOD

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 21, Issue 90, 6 December 1910, Page 5

METHODIST DISTRICT SYNOD

THE FIRST D\Y. (Nelson Colonist). The Methodist Synod for the Nelson district met in pastoral session under the chairmanship of tbe Rev. J. J. Lewis, in St. John's Methodist Church mi Thursday morning. The following ministerial members were present: Rev.*. J. J. Lewis (chairman), J. Crump, Win. Lee, T. N. Griffin, T. R. Richards, E. P. Blamires, R. Wilson. C. Eaton, H. Ranston, W.G. Maslin, and C. B. Jordan. B. A. Messrs H. ford, J. Harris, E. H. Pain, and F. B. Lawrence, Home Missionaries employed in the district, were also in attendance.

Prior to the official opening of the Synod a devotional service was held, wben the Rev. Win. Lee delivered a stirring address to the ministers present, the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper being administered at the close. • After the opening of the Synod th« following officers were electected:—Secretary, Rev. T. N. Griffin; assistant secretary, Rev. W. G. Maslin; reporters to the Methodist Times and press, Revs. E. P. Blamires and C. Eaton. The chairman extended a welcome to tbe members of the Synod, especially to the newcomers into the district.

The morning's session was mainly given to routine business and to preparation for the financial session.

An important matter engaging the attention of the Synod was that of the housing and training of the theological students. After hearing tbe report of the acting-governor of the training institution it was resolved that pending the erection of tbe Theological and Training College the appointing of a principal be left in abeyance for the ensuing year, and that tbe matter of making temporary arrangements for the trainingof the students for 1911 be left in the hands of the Auckland committee.

The Synod resumed,in afternoon session at 2 o'clock. After examination, Mr W. G. Maslin was recommended to the conference for ordination, subject to his written examinations proving satisfactory. Mr C. B. Jordan, 8.A., was recommended to pass in his year. A candidate for the ministry, Mr F. B. Lawrence, having passed satisfactorily through the usual tests, was unanimously recommended to conference. Interesting reports wero presented to the Synod from the home mission stations in the district. Mr J. Harris, labouring at Eunanga (on the West Coast) in connection with the Greymouth circuit, related a story of work done under peculiar difficulties, but nevertheless giving encouragement and promise. The work at Havelock and the Sounds was reported to be flourishing under the care of Mr E. H. Pain, the good news of the Gospel being carried in gome cases to settlers for thirty or forty years out of touch with religious things. Mr F. B. Lawrence gave an account of the work in the remoter parts of the Richmond circuit, services being regularly maintained in Tapawera, sherry, Whangapeka, Stanley Brook, and Motupiko, among a population sparse but appreciative and responsive. After hearing the good account of the work accomplished by such self-sacri-ficing effort, the Synod placed on record its gratification of the success achieved, and accorded its best thanks to the brethren so devotedly em ployed. The Synod resumed on Saturday, when a Btirring address was delivered by the chairman of the district, Rev. J, J. Lewis, After some discussion it was agreed to relieve Westport and Motueka from obligation to receive married ministers for another year. Murchison and Flaxbourne were con: etituted separate home mission stations. The district secretary of church propenieß, Mr Jan. Boon, presented ttyß report on church property, disclosing a satisfactory financial position, there being a present liability of /i 764 only on property valued at £25,000, The report was received and adopted. The reports of the secretary of the church building and loan fuud, and of the acting principal of the Three Kings Native Institution, were also received. The Chairman stated that the Rev. J. G. Whein. of Sydney, secretary to the Australasian Methodist Missionary Society, was likely to visit Nelson and Blenheim as a foreign mission deputation next year. The Synod expressed its satisfaction thereat, and resolved that if possible the visit be so extended so as to include the Wet Coast.

in the afternoon session borne mission affairs received considerable attention, The repcrt of tbe work of the Rev. T. G. Brooke, the home mission secretary, disclosed a marked increase in tbe support given to this fond throughout the dominion, 80 per tent. being the increase in income for the Nelson district. The Synod expressed its gratification at the general increase, and particularly at tbe progress of tbe Nelson district, and recommended the re appointment of Mr Brookes. Grants from the fund were recommended for the following circuits and home mission stations:—Richmond, Blenheim, Hokitika, and Greymouth, £SO each; Havelock, £25; Murchison, /30; and Flaxbourne. £4O. The report of the work of tbe Deaconesses' Home at Cbristchurch received sympathetic consideration, tbe present progress of tbe institution and tbe splendid possibilities of future usefulness gratifying the Synod. During the year a connexional journal, the |New Zealand Methodic/. Time*, has been established, and a-satisfaotory report concerning the progress of the paper was received, and tha editor, the Rev. JL. Hudson, was recommended for re-appointment. The recommendations of the General Conference on the subject of ministerial allowances was sent on to the annual conference for careful consideration. After discussion on the question of tbe alteration of district boundaries, it was resolved to recommend tbe alteration of the Wellington and Taranaki districts into three—namely, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and Taranaki. The proposal to alter conference procedure to provide for two instead of three readings of stations was not entertained, Resolutions on questions touching public morals were passed as follows : This Synod rejoices in the evidence of increasing temperance throughout ; the dominion, and the marked decrease in convictions for drunkenness in the areas that have carried no-license. It recognises with satisfaction the opportunity the Government's new Bill gives for the electors to vote on ' national prohibition, but records its convic- , tion that the law which requires a sixty per cent, majority of valid votes is undemocratic in principle, imposing an unfair disadvantage upon the temperance cause. For the sake of the moral and material prosperity of the dominion we resolve to devote ourselves more earnestly to the campaign for tbe abolition of the liquor traffic. " This Synod hails with gratification the recent action of the Government in abolishing tbe licenses to bookmakers and limiting the number of race days. But as the gambling evil is still fostered by tbe totalisator. we urge our people t» continue agitation for further legislation until all public forms of -s-.iv.Wing are made illegal."

The final session begaij at 7.10 p. m. with the consideration of the' returns. The chief features in this connection have already been made public. The report of the Connexional Sunday School Board occasioned somejdebate, but if was finally decided to forward the proposals re Sunday School organisation to the Conference for eirnest consideration, with a view to remedying some weaknesses of the present con'itii ution [ of the Sunday School. The Rev. T. R. Richards was eleoted district representative to the ensuing Confer- I ence, with tbe Rev. T. N., Griffin as substitute representative. The invitation of the ] Greymouth circuit to the Synod to moet next year at Greymouth was accepted with thanks. ■, Hearty voles of thanks to the hosts and hostesses for generous hospitality; to the Synod secrearies and reporters ; to the pre?s, and last, but not least, to tbe popular chairman, tbe Rev J. J. Lewis, brought to a close a pleasant and profitable Synod.