METHODIST CHURCH.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 80, 16 November 1911, Page 5

METHODIST CHURCH.

, WANGANUI DISTRICT SYNOD

The Ministerial Session on Tuesday unanimously recommended to Conference, as candidates for the ministry, Mr R. S. Maunder (Hawera), Mr \V. S. Neal (Feilding), and Mr W. N. Smith (Wanganui). In the evening a' large home and foreign mission meeting was held. The President of the Conference (Mr G. \V. J. Spence) presided; Rev. W. J. burton, who has spent a number of years in Fiji, gave a most interesting address on foreign missions, pointing out the difficulties caused by the large increase of the Indian coolies, and the great need ol missionaries to work among the people. The Rev. Richards gave a description of the hardships the home missionaries in the back blocks have to' er counter, and urged on his hearers die need of tho Methodist Church continuing to take the lead in spreading the Gospel in the sparsely settled pares of tli-; Dominion. During the evening the choir rendered some capital music. The offertory was a liberal one, and will be divided befween home and foreign inissi m funds.

TlrrEit ancial Session was opened at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. A Her devotional exercises the President of the Conference deliverd his official address. It was a comprehensive survey of the leading national and eccliastical events of the year. The oasis of union, adopted by the joint committee of the Methodist and Primitive Methodist Churches was referred to. The President emphasised the importance and urgency of 'the proposal to erect a college for the training of ministers, in Auckland. Increases in junior and senior membership, as well as the offers of no less than sixteen youpg men as candidates for tiie ministry this year, were named as signs of real churc.ii progress. Tne Synod, passing on to the circuit business, decided to recommend that the Taiiiapa circuit be relieved from the obligation to engage a married minister for another year. Conference is to bo asked to appoint a home missionary to the Wanganui circuit, to especially in the Gonville and Castlecliltc districts. After a discussion on the position of the Church in the Taumarunui district, the following resolution was carried: “That we recommend conference to pay special and urgent attention to tne growing needs of the Main Trunk line districts.” The circuit uajance-slieets of the district were reviewed, when credits of £73 15s 8d and debits of £336 Us 5d were reported. .Satisfactory explanations were made as to tile causes of debits, such as churchbuilding and other trust enterprises. The district secretary of church property, Mr Hodder, of Palmerston North, presented his report, which showed that new churches had been erected during the year at Palmerston North, Normanby, Kaponga, Rangataua, and Auroa. Mr. Hodder was heartily thanked for his services, and recommended for re-appointment. On resuming for the afternoon session, the Synod received-a deputation from the Maoris of Rangitikei, who arc of high rank, asking that a native minister lie appointed to live and labour in their midst. The Synod expressed its gratification at the visit of the deputation, and decided that the president and organising secretary (Rev. 'I. G. Brooke) visit the district, with the Rev. T. G. Hammond, with a view to enabling conference to deal with the matter. Appreciation was also voiced at the promise of financial support. Other members of the deputation (a Maori of distinction and influence, on behalf of his nephew) and another native of great promise, made offers to work in the ministry. These offers delighted the Synod, and will be passed on to the proper authorities. Home mission and connexinnal property returns were dealt with in U'tad 'i‘he Rev. C. Griffin was clecl- J !> ?- trict Representative to Conference. He will accompany the President, have a place on the Stationing Committee, and introduce to Conference all -matters remitted bv the Synod. ,