NELSON CIRCUIT.

Colonist, Volume LVI, Issue 13869, 27 November 1913, Page 2

NELSON CIRCUIT.

Tlie Methodist Synod' of the Nelson circuit met yesterday, when the following members were-present: Revs. W. Baumber (chairman) C. E. Eaton,, T." R. Richards, W. J. Oxbrow, C. Roberts. A. Ashcroft, J. D. McArthur, E. T. Cox, A. Harding. A dispensation'"'was granted to the Rev. R. Wilson. Lay representatives: Messrs J. W. Rose, G. Ma room, Hold-, away, Thorn, Anderson, J. Heath, H. Mouron, James Boon, A. A. Lucas, and N. Buttle. Home missionaries: Messrs Aker, P. Cooke, M. -Ayrton, Common, and G. H. Kendon. The following officials were appointed: Secretary., Rev. A. Ashcroft; journal secretary, Rev. J. D. McArthur; assistant secretary, Rev. I C. Roberts; reporter to "Methodist Times," Rev. E. T. Cox; reporter to local Press, Rev. H. J. 6xbro\v. In his opening .address; the Rev. W. ■ Baumber, Chairman of the District, said that it gave him great pleasure to bid the members of the Synod welcome to Nelson. He sincerely trusted that their deliberations would tend to the good of the Church and to the glory of God. During the year thorc had been changes in and additions to the ranks of the Ministry. The Rev. A- Ashcroft bad succeeded the Rev. T. N. Griffin at Greymouth, and the Rev. A. Harding, as a result of Methodist Union, has become a member of the Synod. Ho <J<s--;sired, on behalf of the Synod, to give 'a. hearty welcome- to these brethren. Another result of Union was n. change in the constitution of the Synod. For the first time the home' mission stations were directly represented, and they were all glad to have with them Messrs Aker, Ayrton, and Common, the ejected representatives of their respective stations. A ©till further result was that with the' exception of five questions concerning candidates* _ for the ministry,, probationers and ministerial character, the whole of the work !of the Synod was now dealt with in what was previously called the financial ■session. Their business would be to review the work done during the year, to consider carefully the reports of committees and institutions, and to _ adopt or otherwise for tho consideration of the...jinnual conference the recommendations of the Quarterly meetings. The report of the District Secretary of Church Property, which would, be laid before them, would show that tie financial condition of the properties was on the whole sound. One new church had been erected during the year, and the minister and -people of .Richmond were to be congratulated on the beautiful church they now possessed. Five other churches had been added as the iresult of union. Recommendations concerning new stations and the division of circuits:would need the exercise of their best judgment. ' There came a time_ in the history of•■ a district when,' owing ,to tho increase of population, it was 'necessary» if 'the work were to bo adequately dealt with, that additional agents should be employed The Statistical Secretary's report would show ■a substantial -increase, for which they gave thanks to Almighty' God. During the year a mis-sion of inspiration and appeal had been "conducted in many of the circuits. Tlie Rev. and Mrs. Val-! lancel Cook had visited Blenheim and Nelson, while Sister Frances had con-j .ducted missions at Reef ton and Wost-j port. These missions had lesulted in■'.a quickened spiritual life and in the [ addition of many members to the .'church. They gave thanks to God for ';what had been accomplished. The re:port of the committee dealing viith the (relation of the children mid young people to the -.church would be-mand •their earnest attention. • •• ■

.- The Synod wquld be interested to 'leaiii tlv.it while in Auckland a property valued, at £3000 has been. generously given, to the church for the. purpose of an orphanage, for the North Island, is suitable property has been purchased at Papanui; near. Christchurch, for., a similar institution in the South Island. The work in this island_ would begin sas soon as annual subscriptions to theextent of .£500: had been secured. The -circuit in this district would have the •privilege of helping in this good work. Reports dealing with Home and Foreign missions/ the Deaconess Institution, the training of students/fire insurance, tlio New Zealand "Methodist Times," etc., "would call for 'their consideration. Bible in Schools.—The-ipres-wJent of the conference; in a circular that would ; be read to them, asked all ministers and [preachers who approved of the platform ,6f "Tlie Bib'.^ in Schools League" to make the second Sunday in December a Bible in schools day. He, the speaker, .trusted that net only■-would this be ■!done, but that the Synod would adopt a resolution in favour of the system advocated by the league and appeal to the Government for .a, referendum, so that the people themselves might decide. After some years' experience of the system, known- as the Nelson system, both here and. in Timaru, he was convinced that it never could -meet the lieeds of the case. It worked ■well) as far as it went, in Nelson, but itwas an utter failure in the country districts. The very fact that in the Nelson Education Districtiv. after all these years, the system is in operation in less than ■one-third of the schools is sufficient proof of this. On the other hmd, the evidence in favour of the successful working of the system advocated by the league, in. every State where it was adopted, was overwhelming. In»conclusion he asked the members of th; Synod to pray that.-, .at this" critical time in the history of the, Dominion, those who had the direction of affairs might be divinely guided, and that, a, just nnd amicable --settlement might be speedily brought about. ~ The recommendation of the Richmond circuit to constitute" the places beyond Spoe-ner's range an independent home mission station was'agreed to, with a suitable home mission grant. It was also agreed to recommend the retention of the home missionary at W&keiield to assist m the Richmond circuit.

It was. recommended' that there should be a division of the Motueka circuit, to take effect at Dovedale, a probationer to be employed at Motueka, and a home missionary at the Dovedale erd, with a grant of £15. The motion was carried.

A resolution from the Denniston circuit recommended-the division_ of t tlv? circuit, and that two home Hiissiona'-rios be employed under the control of-the Westport ministers This was .agreed to.

The Synod adjourned till 9.30 a.m to-day.