WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5732, 27 November 1896, Page 4

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

The Canterbury Synod of the Wesleyan Methodist Church resumed its session yesterday morning at 10 o'clock, the Eev W. Morley presiding. The morning business consisted of the consideration of the state of the different connexional funds. The Superannuated Ministers' and Ministers' Widows' Fund showed an income for the year of ,£725 11s, and the Contingent Fund of .£2ll. The relation of the Eev J. Orchard to the children's fund was considered, and it was resolved — "That as Mr Orchard is recommended to be again employed in full ministerial work his claim on the fund be recognised." The report ot the committee of the Advocate, the connexional weekly paper, was received and adopted. The committee reported a great -improvement in the circulation of the paper, a great many new subscribers having been received during the year. It was hoped that the balancesheet for the Conference would show that the paper had been brought to a paying position. On the motion of Mr Dawson, seconded by Mr Peryman, the hearty thanks of the Synod were presented to the editor, the Eev P. W. Fairclough, for his past services, and his re-appointment was recommended to Conference. The editor .suitably acknowledged the expression of appreciation, and referred to the efficient and valuable services of the sub-editor, the Eev J. N. Buttle, of Dunedin. In the election of District Synod representatives to the annual Conference, to be held in Wellington, the Eev D. J. Murray received 19 votes and the Eev J. Luxford 16. The Durham Street circuit preferred a request to be relieved of the obligation of . providing for an additional married minister. The requer.t was recommended to Conference. The Christchurch South circuit asked to be relieved of one of its married ministers. The matter having been discussed, it was resolved to recommend Conference to remove the unmarried minister. On resuming in the afternoon, the question of the establishment of a separate Maori Synod was considered, but it was thought to be impracticable at present. It was decided that the recommendation of the last Synod with reference to Sunday School rules should be re-affirmed. The following gentlemen were appointed a committee of the Church Building and Loan Fund : — The general secretary, Eev W. Morley, Eevs M'Nicoll, W. G. Parsonson and J. Luxford, and Messrs W. Harris, E. W. England, G. H. Blackwell and G. Bowron. The Eev J. Dukes (Waimate) laid before the Synod the general returns of the district, showing 73 churches, 59 other preaching places, 29 ministers, 4 home missions, 138 local preachers, 3362 church members, 67 Sunday schools, 672 teachers, 6436 scholars and 16,055 adherents. The statistics presented showed satisfactory results in the increase of 19 churches, 9 ministers, 30 local preachers, 663 members, 140 Sunday school teachers, 1131 scholars and 1982 adherents. The Eev T. Gf. Brooke, temperance secretary, presented his report, which stated that in connection with, the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Canterbury there were thirty-seven Bands of Hope, with a membership of 3606 members, being an increase of eleven societies and 1454 members. In connection with the discussion on temperance matters, on the motion of the Eev T. G. Brooke, the following resolution was carried :— " That this Synod desires to express its great gratification at the progress made in the cause of temperance reform, and would most strongly impress upon the people of the Methodist Churches throughout all the electorates to recoi'd their votes in favour of ' No license' on the polling day." The following recommendations were made to the annnal Conference: — "That seeing so much money is annually spent in insuring the buildings of the connexion, it is desirable that a guarantee fund be formed by our churches throughout the colony ; (2) That the secretaries of Sundayschool Unions be co; officio members of the District Synod in which they hold office ; (3) That a minister be set apart for evangelistic work for one yeax* ; (4) On tlio motion of Mr E. Evans, it was unanimously carried, that in the opinion of this Synod it is absolutely necessary that the Eev W. Morley be re-appointed counexional secretary." The President expressed his pleasure at the interest which had been taken by the nftmbers of the Synod in the business brought before them, and the close' attention which had been applied to its discussion. The pronouncing of the benediction brought the financial session to a close. The ministerial session will be resumed at 9 a.m. to-day. In connection with the meetings of the Methodist Synod an open-air service wa* conducted last evening in Cathedral Square. There was a large gathering, and tho proceedings opened with a solo by the Eev .T. Dellow, the audience taking up the chorus in a very hearty manner. Short evangelistic addresses were given by the Env T. Brooke, of Ashburion, and Mr A. Stevens, of Little Eiver. At .the c.lot;o of the service a meeting was held hi the Durham Street Church. The Eev W. Morley presided, and addresses were given by by the Eev T. Gr. Carr (Eangiora), on "The Methodist Outlook;" Mr J. E. Clark (Methven), on "Home Mission Work;" the Eev J. Dufces (Waimate), on "Sunday School Work;" Mr S. Chapman (Ashburton), on " County Methodism;" and the Eev C. E. Beecroft (Timaru), on " Christian Endeavour Work." • During the evening a collection was made in aid of tho Home Mission Fund. In announcing the collection the Chairman stated that the Wesleyan Methodist Church had expended upwards of £7 each day of the year in extended church operations in different parts of the colony. During the evening the Eev J. Dellow sang with effect, " Arm, Arm Ye Brave." TPer Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Nov. 26. The Wesleyan Methodist District Synod opened to-day, the Eev H. Bull presiding. On the motion of the Eev S. J. Serpell it was unanimously resolved — " (1) That this Synod recommends, through the next conference, to the Board of Treasurers of the Supernumerary Ministers and Ministers' Widows' Fund that prior to the meeting of the general conference of 1898 the services of a professional actuary of good standing be employed to investigate the position of 'the fund and report thereon, such report to be laid before the general conference at next session ; (2) that the advice of the said actuary be obtained with respect to some revision of the present scale of allowances as would diminish the amount now assured to younger ministers and widows, and proportionately increase the amount payable to ministers who may be compelled to retire in middle life; and similarly to widows of such ministers who may die in the work." On the motion of the Eev W. J. Williams, the Synod, without discussion, passed the following resolution unanimously amid cheers: — "That this Synod heartily rejoices at the deep interest awakened throughout the colony in the prohibition of the liquor traffic, and in view of the great moral and social benefits that would thereby be secured, it earnestly hopes that the 'No license ' vote will be carried at the forthcoming local option P011 " \

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