METHODIST SYNOD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LVI, Issue 8626, 7 December 1906, Page 3

METHODIST SYNOD.

Wellington District

(Special to Daily Times.)

The Synod, sitting at Carterton, resumed business on Wednesday evening. The report of tho principal of tho Three Kings Maori College was read, showing that the boys had made satisfactory progress. On the motion of the Rev. W. J. Williams, it was resolved " that the Synod has heard, with pleasure, the hopeful report of the governor of Three Kings College, and desires to express its appreciation of the good work accomplished by the institution " The reports of various connexional funds were discussed. The income of the supernumerary fund was: From circuits, £230; from Ministers' subsciiptions, £177; arrears, £30 5s 8d; a total of £437 5s Sd for the year. The children's fund showed an income of £220 12s, and expenditure £244 7s 6d. The contingent fund income #from circuit levies was £141 9s lOd. Affairs of the outlook provoked considerable discussion, and the carrying of a suitable resolution was deferred until a later session.

The launching of a paper or magazine to meet the requirements of the Methodist Young People's Forward Movement was explained to the Synod by Mr Chisholm, and the Rev. H. L. Blamires, and the paper to be called The Echo, was stated to be in contemplation for early in the new year. The statistical returns were read and showed satisfactory increases in nearly every department of church enterprise. The numbers for the district were as fol-lows:-Churches 46 (an increase of one), schoolrooms 17 (an increase of 3), pardon ages 15, preaching places 45, ministers 24 (an increase of one), Home Missionaries 4, local preachers SI (an increase of 2), class readers 16 (an increase of 4), members on the roll 2313 (an increase of 128),

junior^members 314 (an increase of 107),

communicants, other than church members 116, deaths 19, attendants on public worship 11,563, an increase of 37. During the past five years church members have increased 672, about 135 per year; and attendants at public worship by 21-17 or about.4so per year.

The following resolution was passed :— "That the Synod places on record its appreciation of the signs of progress and encouragement in the work of the Church generally] throughout the year. The large increase of church members, junior members, Sunday School scholars aud teachers is cvi denee of the Master's continued presence and blessing. It expresses its gratitude to Al mighty God for these manifestations of flis Grace, and trusts that in the near future even greater blessings may crown our renewed eft'orts_as a church and people." The session resumed on Thursday. The reports of the Building and Loan Fund Committee, ancl of the Custodian of Deeds, were received and adopted. In the case of the Eketahuna Parsonage loan, arrears to loan fund provoked discussion, ancl it was decided to recommend the Conference to deal generally with the Trust, x and on no account to sell part of the pro(p perty.

The Foreign Mission report showed the amount raised in the district for the year to be £297 ss, an increase of £54 on last year.

Resolved lo endeavour to obtain additional subscribers to the " Missionary

Review."

The fire insurance report showed that properties totalling £14,129 were insured in the Commercial Fire office, and £127,000 in the colony. The report was adopted.

A very satisfactory report on the young men's forward movement. The number of Bible Classes showed 20 combined classes, 80 young men's classes 80 young women's classes; members 1100 in young men's classes, 1300 in young women's classes, and 150 in the Wesley Guild.

It was resolved to alter the name of the " Young Men's Forward Movement," to " Methodist Forward Movement in the interest of the young men and young women of New Zealand." Resolutions respecting the future financing of the movement were ordered to be sent to conference.