METHODIST CHURCH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 245, 19 November 1914, Page 10

METHODIST CHURCH.

THE DISTRICT SYNOD. • •■-"-■• " ■ ■ ".-.'' .. ■- ~•** The -Methodist District Synod continued its session yesterday, when" a united communion 'service was held in Durham Street Church, at which the Eev. T. Vealie -gave " a spiritual- address. -.■ : - : '' ' ■''•'"".:",' ■'. '■'•'<■"- ■"••;""' Eev. H." Eariston submitted the statistical "returns, whicK showed increases in many of the church departments; The" following figures were submitted:— C!hurch members, 3728; junior members, 765; niinistera,- 33; .home missionaries, 5; .deaconesses, s;' attendants ..hi, -worship, 12,415. '; ';.,-.•''.-'V^'V''''-. ;?.'.: .:-;--A. At the eA'ening, session . the reports front ,the Deaconess : -.ljLjstitute,•' the Christchurch MissioSi,: and the Home Missions''were received. -Eey.vW.Lay : cock-was elected representa.tive to the Conference Stationing Committee> aii,d the Key.; A. N.- Scotier sentative. The remit of the conference providing for an extension of. the ":"■ : apppi utments. of /the mhuster.s ibey'ohd the" five -years limit was ; discussed)',;ajid 'the Synod decided to adopt the remit with a alight amendment. The report of the principal "of the Theological Institution (Eev. C. 11. Garland) was presented and showed that a wide syllabus of study was followed, and that 14 students have done excellent work. The" (College Hockey Club, too/ gained the championship and the silver cup in Auckland. The University-and' general work of the students has been of the highest order, especially in Creek, Hebrew, and the theological studies > necessary to the life work of the sttKlerits.—The report was considered'the best for uiazry years. The Sunday School Advisory Committee reported .on the work of the church aniong the.yming, and one feature of-the work specially noted, was the large nunil.cr of children of ; non-Methodist parents receiving religious instruction through-the schools.

The report on the Connexional Paper produced a spirited discussion, and the Synod again reeommended the ■. members' to give the paper their loyal support, and a committee was set up to secure that end. A scheme for equalising the Conference members' expenses was considered and unanimously adopted. The committee report on the constitution of the Conference was adopted. The orphanage report revealed good progress in this latest branch of social work, and was lieartily approved. The following resolution was read and carried at a largely-attended open-air meeting in the Square at midday, when the Revs. Williams, Greig, Cocker, and Martin made ..a vigorous advocacy of the principle of national prohibition a-nd local no-license:— -

'' That the Synod regrets that Parliament refused to reduce the iniquitous and unfair handicap of the three-fifths majority in the, prohibition and nolicense poll. It. therefore urges the members of the, Methodist Church not to support by tlreir votes any candidates who are in V.avour of the retention of the '(three-fifths principle. It also calls upon them to work aud vote in favour'of no-license and prohibition, so that this may be.the year of victory.''