METHODIST SYNOD.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144853, 3 December 1915, Page 7

METHODIST SYNOD.

TARANAKI-WANGANUI DISTRICT. On Tuesday morning some of the members of tho synod were taken by Messrs. James, Hurroll, Pacey, Olivers and M*Callum in motor-ears to the banks oi tho Inaha stream, where, after a walk over the paddocks, guided hy -Messrs. Foreman and M'Callum, tho site of tho earliest mission station in Taranaki was located. Standing where the bulbs of tho mission garden arc still growing, a short impromptu meeting was hold. The Rev. E. 0. Blamiros briefly explained the historic associations or the spot, and expressed regret at the absence of the Rev. T. G. Hammond, whoso recent publication. “In the Beginning,” made several references to the-Hereto.! Mission Station. It was 75 years ago that tin U< v. -Messrs. Ironsides, Buttle, and Aldrcd traversed South Taranaki, and almost tiio same length of time since the Rev. James Skevingion and his wife took up their abode as the lirst. nsident missionaries. Like tba bulbs growing around them, the influence of the missioiuinos’ lives and the fragrance of their deeds continues to the present. The Rev. A. B. Chappell spoke in high appreciation of the impulse that had brought tu thai r.aorod spot- those who made it their home. It war. no more plot ol garden upon which the assembly stood; rather, it w.u an evidence of a truly religious enterprise on the part of the missionaries, who had possessed “Hands that and build.” Mr. Chappell sketched the journeys of some of the pioneer missionaries, who had devoted their energies without thought *a anything hut tho good of those to whom they mini:gered. It was a vi.-iou of a regenerated people, and not the prospect of such niateiial prosperity as had come to Taranaki—though doubt It-?** they hurl not been ignorant of These fine pro.-pectr—that had brought them hither, a?, it had -minced Samuel Mnrsdcn and Sanuul Leigh to begin mission work in New Zealand. Thai was the spirit of Jesus Christ himself. Jlonco came a lesson for our own day. Much more yot remained to bo accomplished in so young a country; and tho inspiration of the example of Taranaki’s first missionary workers called loudly for enmlat’on.

'Mr. K. Dixon alsi referred to the splendid character of fho early iMir.?innaides. To their credit it could ho staled that with easy opportunities of enriching themselres by securing land from the Natives, they had resisted the tomiitation, and devoted themselves wholly to the work of uplifting the people to whom they had come, and they had died with iheir wealth found entirely in the affections of those they bad helped. Messrs. 0. H. White and Wi Kaitara closed with prayer. The Bov. J. tV. Griffin, of Waitarn, conducted tho devotional session with which tho synod opened, preaching from tho text; “Havo haith in God.’ At tho conlusion of tho service tho Sacrament of tho Lord’s Supper was administered and a brief period spent in intercession.

Tho District Ministerial Committee commenced its business on T ue-day afternoon under the direction of the Rev. T: G. Hammond, chairman of tho district. The session having been opened with devotional exercises, a ballot was taken for the position of secretary, tho Rev. A. H. Chappell, M.A., being elected again. On his nomination, thp Rev. C. H. Olds. 15. A., was appointed his assistant. G. W. Jackson, a candidate for tho ministry, recommended by the Woimnrino circuit, was stibmiUcd to an oral examination. Reports upon his preached and written sermons and other necessary information being considered satisfactory, tho committee heartily recommended him to contcroncc for acceptance for training, subject to his written examination being satisfactory. Percy I. Cooke, probationer, of the Wairaarino circuit, was recommended to he passed in his first year of probation, subject to passing in his written examination. Tho synod expressed its appreciation of his enlistment, and especially commended him for having prepared thoroughly for his church examination together with having considered itis nation's cull. J. A. Lester Minifio, probationer, of Taihapo. was also recommended to be passed in his first year of probation. Concerning tho work of H. H. Marshall, who had left for tho front while supplying at Trinity Church, Wanganui, appreciation was expressed at his circuit work and study, also at his joining the forces. At tho continuation of tho committee’s session held on Wednesday, the report from the principal of the Theological College was presented. Hearty appreciation was felt and expressed at the work of tho principal, especially in view of the difficulties created by tho war. a number of students having onlisted. A vote of sympathy was passed with Mr. and Mrs. Mildenhall, of Opnnako, who had just recently lost, by death, their daughter.

The Methodist Synod mot in open representative session on Wednesday morning, when tbo Rev. T. G. Hammond, chairman of the district, prosided. The Rev. A. B. Chappell (New Plymouth) was appointed secretary to the synod; the Rev. E. 0. Blamiros (Hawora), and tilt; Rev. C. H. Olds (New Plymouth) assistant secretaries. The Rev. C. A. Sims (Aramoho), Rev. H. White (Eltham), and Mr. H. V. S. Griffiths (New Plymouth) were appointed reporters; Mr. G. H. White (Now Plymouth) was appointed organist to the synod. The Rev. A. B. Chappell (New Plymouth) moved a motion expressing the appreciation of the synod at tho improvement in tho health of the Rev. T. G. Hammond after his serious illness, and expressing tho wish that, tho chairman of tho district would soon bo, completely restored to health. The Rev. J. Nixon (Wanganui) seconded the motion, and said everyone who knew Mr. Hammond was sorry to hear recently that ho had been so ill. Ho was pleased to see that tho rev. gentleman had recovered sufficiently to able to attend tho synod.

Air. E. Dixon (Hawci'a), on behalf of the laymen, expressed appreciation at the splendid recovery made by Air. Hammond, who was beloved of the pe iC Rev. Air. Hammond briefly , replied, thanking the synod for its expression of goodwill, and he hoped that he would bo spared to continue bis work, which he loved. lie desired to thank the Rev. E. 0. Blamires and the Rev. A. R. Chappell for their assistance and help in carrying on his work during his illness. . The Chairman, in his address, extended a hearty welcome to the delegates and to those ministers who had recently como to labour in the Tara-naki-AVangnmii district. It would not be fitting for the synod to moot, he said, while things were as they were, without some reference to the struggle, the life and death struggle, which was on in Europe to-day.. The synod

was meeting in Hawera, a peculiarly stricken town just now, because of the number of brave young men who had shed their life’s blood on the far-off Gallipoli soil; ho did not know the number of people in Hawera who had suffered bereavement as the result ot the loss of some dear one in this war, but he knew that they were bearing their sorrow bravely, and the synod would extend to the bereaved ones its sympathy with them in the loss they have sustained. The war still continued, and they were unable to forecast when the happy days of peace would come—some people believed that peace would come soon, but others thought it would yet he a long time before this desire was attained, The war was a great sorrow to e,ll. hut it must bo remembered that it had not caused all the terrible things that had happened; there had been a condition of decay in a certain nation which only found its development when the war broke out, and all the cruelty_ that she had practiced had been previously in the gem/, and had developed with tlie progress of the war. There hud never been a time, perhaps, in the history of the world, when there >\as so much sorrow as existed to-day, but notwithstanding nil this sorrow, they fell that there* never had been a tune when there was so ranch love, kindness, and self-sacrifice, and devotion existing in the world, and-’all this great love in the world had not born caused by the war. hut had always been there, and had jun been developed through the present conflict. Tli y had a relationship to this war as a Christian church, and ’ the Christian church had to nvd’r hor.-Ml k*K m the uplifting of the world. As a Chris;inn people thev had to set an example .n what was duo to God and the nation. This was not a time for i hongiudessne's and worldly pleasure. b m a time for humiliation and devotion to '»od. As a Christian noopl- they cugh’ to protest against the revelry at Atu-k-Innd in eonne;t'.mi with the patriotic funds. They must do that which they believed to bo right, and in ronelusion )jo would say that they all looked forward to pcaro being proclaimed, yn honourable and hut tig p r :i f,n - whi f, b would bring great joy into the world. In-the da vs to come the Christian church must see to it tha» had a place not onlv in Die church and social I*fo of the world, but that she shall h.-rome a recognised factor in nil things, and to remember “i righteousness --till cxnheih a naCou.’’ As f:n as the church life in thi- district\v?>. conecrned he was pleased to say that it had not b«cn stagnant-, hut there had been a wonderful development (Applause.) _____