METHODIST SYNOD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 871, 24 November 1916, Page 8

METHODIST SYNOD.

YESTERDAY'S BUSINESS. VARIOUS MATTERS DEALT WITH. The Methodist Synod resumed its sessions yesterday morning. In the absence of the president (Rev. A. C. Lawry) the chair was occupied darling the opening exercises by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair. HOME MISSIONS. The report of the general secretary for Home Missions (Rev. T. G. Brooke) was read. Notwithstanding war conditions the Home Missions funds arc in a healthy state, and progress was reported. The report was adopted. The Rev. J. Cocker was elected to represent the district on the Stationary Committee at the next conference, and the Rev. Samuel Lawry was chosen as substitute representative. THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. The report of the college principal (the Rev. C. H. Garland) was read. It stated, inter alia, that of the 21 students who had been in the college during the last three years 13 had enlisted for military service. They are:—A. A. Benslev, 0. Burnett, A. R. Gordon, M.A., F. I. Harris, 11. H. Marshall, S. J. Mogridge, II J. Odell, E. T. Olds, G. B. Sheridan, W. S. Smith, R. B. Speirs, E. R. Warburton, and W. A. Watson. Of these, Lieutenant Sheridan lost his life on September 15 in the Somme battle. Only seven students were now in residence, instead of the usual 14. In the event of the ballot calling out any of them, exemption would not be sought. The Rev. Samuel Lawry moved, and Mr E. C. Brown seconded:— "That in the judgment of this Synod, it is desirable that there should be an entrance examination, or other means of ascertaining the educational status of each student entering the institution, with a view of determining in what cases it is desirable that a university career should be kept in view, and in what cases it is more desirable that the training should be of a character more suited for preparation for the work of the Methodist ministry." The motion was carried. IN MEMORIAM. The death of the Rev. W. L. Blamires, a minister of the Victorian Conference, resident in Christchurch, occurred during the year. The chairman, the Rev. A. Liversedge, and Mr E. C. Brown spoke of the character and work of the deceased brother. The following obituary notice was read by the Rev. Arthur Liversedge, and adopted by a standing vote:— "That this Synod place on record a tribute of admiration and affection to the memory of the late Rev. W. L. Blamires, who fell asleep in Jesus at the age of 82. Widely known and greatly honoured in Australia as a pioneer and master-builder of Victorian Methodism, this Father in Israel will be remembered in Canterbury as a forceful and high-souled personality, singularly distinguished by a dignified and courteous bearing, whose evangelical fervour and devout spirit were expressed in an unflagging devotion to his Church, and an ever-deepening interest in the progress of our Lord's Kingdom in the foreign field. The Synod rejoices that,our brother's memory will be perpetuated by the three sons whose fruitful ministries nourished and gladdened their honoured father's declining years. It rejoices in the good fight fought, and in the victor's sure and glorious reward." The hymn "Give Me the Wings of Faith" was sung, and-the Rev. A. Peters led the Synod in prayer. The Temperance Committee forwarded the following resolution: "That this Synod places on record its cordial appreciation of the services rendered to (he Church and the community by the late Rev. F. W. Isitt. As a resident for many years in Christchurch, his memory'will be gratefully cherished by large numbers of our people in the North Canterbury district. The Synod notes with special gratitude Mr Isitt's splendid devotion to the anti-liquor movement, and recognises in the departure of such a faithful worker a call to renewed effort in the cause of temperance reform." The motion was carried in silence. SUNDAY SCHOOL AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S AFFAIRS. Synod expressed gratitude to God lor an increase in junior church ; membership, and resolved to more diligently shepherd the lambs of the fold. LITERATURE COMMITTEE. The report of the Literature Committee was presented bv the Rev W. Laycock. It staled that the circulation of the "Methodist Times" continued to keep ui), and the paper was in a good financial position. It was also reported that the committee had published a booklet written by the Rev. Val Trigge; and had in hand another booklet by the Rev. A N Scotler, 8.A., setting forth the claims ol the Church on young people, and the doctrines of the Church, and conditions of membership. The Synod accorded congratulations and thanks to the editor (Rev. W. J. Williams), the associate-editor (Lev. J. Cocker), and the business manager (Rev. W. Laycock). MILITARY MATTERS. The Military Matters Committee reported that £IOB4 10/1 had been raised during the year for work in ine camp institutes and oilier work among the soldiers. TEMPERANCE. The following resolutions on temperance and public morals were adopted. "This Synod of the Methodist Church of New Zealand records its' sense of disappointment, shame, and j mdigation at the recent decision of Parliament in regard lo the proposed! early closing of hotel bars. Such a ! decision, in view of the imperative i need for economy, efficiency, and righteousness in these times'of national testing, we feel to be not only lacking in true patriotism and statesmanship, but also an affront lo the 100,000 electors who petitioned for this reform, and a serious viola-! lion of the principles of democracy. Synod respectfully urges upon flic i Government that it is not vet too! laic to reverse the former unfavourable grant this reform; thus delivering our land from its present ingloriously conspicuous place; and bringing it into line with modern developments of temperance throughout the British Empire, and among other foremost nations of the world. Meanwhile this Synod urges the people everywhere to organise

and work and agitate and pray until such time as Parliament be impelled to accede to our righteous demands." "This Synod expresses satisfaction at the enactment of the Government anti-shouting regulations, and trusts that they will be so thoroughly enforced as to lead to an appreciable diminution of the drinking habits of the community." TEMPERANCE BANDS OF HOPE Seeing that temperance organisation among children and young people educates in the principles of sobriety and quickens enthusiasm for temperance reform, and that the decline in such organisation has been I followed by a lowered vitality in Nolicense and Prohibition enterprise and effort, and that Band of Hope work in our own Church is suffering through lack of unity and cn--1 couragement, the Temperance and Public Morals Committee recommends:— (a) "That all Bands of Hope and other kindred societies in connection with our Churches and Sunday schools affiliate with the Temperance Committee of the Church, a nominal fee to accompany application for affiliation. (b) "That conference issue a tasteful pledge card for adoption in all such societies. (e) "That the procuring of two suitable banners for competition among these societies be authorised by conference; one banner to be awarded to the society whose membership shows the greatest increase for the year; the other to be awarded to the society whose membership is largest in proportion to the number of names on the roll of the Sunday school in connection with that particular church." SABBATH OBSERVANCE. "This Synod deplores the widespread desecration of, and the growing unconcern for, the sanctity of the Lord's Day; and it views with much concern the large and increasing number of 'Marble Bars' and other shops that trade in 'soft drinks' on Sunday. It urges conference to bring this matter under the notice of the police authorities, with a view to stricter supervision of trading on the Christian Sabbath. It urges our people to discourage all things that prevent the Day from being observed as a day of rest and worship." ROLL OF HONOUR. The following resolution was unanimously carried: — "That the Synod deplores the loss sustained by the Church in the death of Lieut. Geo. B. Sheridan, theological student, who was killed in France during the Battle of the Somme. It recognises the noble, Christian character, efficiency, and high promise of our deceased brother, and prays that such self-sacri-fice to the claims of Empire may be a call to many to lay life and talents on the altar of Christian service." CONDOLENCE. It was decided to forward a letter of svmpalhv to Mr L. M. Isitt, M.P., in the death of his son Willard. ORPHANAGES. The report of the South Island Orphanage was adopted, and the treasurer announced that the property, worth over £4OOO, was free of debt. Contracts had been let for the erection of a new wing at an estimated cost of £IBOO, so as to accommodate in the institution, GO children with the necessary staff. A proposal was adopted to hold a conference of representative of the North and South Island Orphanages, the Wesley Training College, and the Wellington Educational Trust during the forthcoming conference, to discuss the question of methods of dealing with boys over 12 years of age, and other matters connected willi orphanage work. GENERAL. Mr George Bowron was thanked for his services as treasurer, and his reappointment was recommended to the conference. The report of the Methodist Deaconessse' Institution was - adopted, and the appointment of Sister Ruth as lady superintendent was recommended. The Home Mission Committee was recommended to consider the advisability of employing trained deaconesses in suitable spheres in association with a minister or home missionary. It was resolved that the District Foreign Missionary Committee be the chairman of the district, the Rev. S. Lawry, and one other minister to be selected by conference, with Messrs F. Sheppard-Green, C. E. Salter, and W. C. Francis. The Rev. S. Lawry moved:—"That the conference be recommended to consider the advisability of authorising the committees of Church funds which lend money on mortgage to become incorporated bodies, and that the conference be recommended to set apart at an early stage in its proceedings the whole of two consecutive sessions for consideration of the work of God, and the welfare of the Church, with a view to deepening the spiritual life of the Church, and the ingathering of those outside its membership." The Rev. W. A. Sinclair moved, and Mr C. W. Francis seconded, a resolution of thanks to the chairman, secretaries, reporters, and hosts. The chairman, the Revs. A. N. Scotler, and B. Metson briefly responded. The Rev. Rakena Piripi led the Synod in a concluding prayer, and the chairman pronounced the Benediction. The Synod concluded at 0.50 p.m.