SOUTHLAND-OTAGO METHODIST SYNOD.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 37, 26 November 1920, Page 11

SOUTHLAND-OTAGO METHODIST SYNOD.

THE CHAIRJVXAN'S ADDRESS. The Methodist Synod was opened in St. Paul's Methodist Cliurch last Wednesday, Rev .B. F. Rothwell, Chairman of the District, presided. The Rev. P. J. Cossum was unanimously elected Secretary. Revs. Coatsworth and Liddell, to take charge of Journal, while the Rev. Sharp and Mr J. E. Ffrost were put in charge of press reports. Rev. B. F. Rothwell addressed the meeting. After welcoming the new men who had come to the district since last Synod, Mr Rothwell said the day we live in was one that calls for men and women with iron in their blood to face the difficulties and problems of the hour. Meeting as ministers and lay representatives of the Methodist Church they had a work to do that could not be done so well by any other body of men and women. It was well for them to think of the impulse that brought the Church into existence. It was not overlooking the importance of the "Holy Club" at Oxford to say that the genesis of the Church was the conversion of one man. It was a definite experience of saving faith that made the Church. If that experience was important enough to be at the formation it was important enough to maintain. While they could not appeal to very ancient history, the brief span of the Church's existence lent a greater lustre to her magnificent record. After a reference to the success of the Church in America he said about 100 years ago the flag of Methodism was plantefl in New Zealand. He had been privileged to stand on the very spot and to have an intimate acquaintance with some of the early missionaries. ,But of all sacred spots the most so was the spot in Aldersgate street, where John Wesley was converted. The coming centenary effort was worthy of their most enthusiastic support. The prevailing indifference was often refsrred to. Let them remember John WTcsley would have asked for no more splendid opportunity. Let them beware that they did not come to the condition of ancient civilisation for which God saw no hope but burial. They must all stand athwart the, materialistie tendencies of the age and be true to spiritual ideals. It was a matter for much thankfulness that many of the younger ministers of the church had banded themselvos together for the cultivation of an intenser evangelism. He thought he had detected the note of confession, in that apparent soul-hunger, that some of them had been making excursions into unprofitable fields. There was a manifest desire to get back to the old standards and the old presentatiohs of truth, and bring them into touch with the living issues of the day. They had a rich heritage in the polished logic of Wesley, the spiritual thunder of Whitfield, and the searching unction of Fletcher, and, above all, the spiritual power which was their common possession. If they would only Mght their altar fires afresh there would b,e no need to "attempt the future's portals with the past's blood-rusted key.' Church union had seemed to hava had a set-back, but at the same time there was evidence of a steady growth towr.rds the consummation so eamestly desired by all trde souls. Extreme men were becoming more tolerant, and the most prominent difficulties were melting away. The kite Lambeth Conference gave much ground .for hope. Episcopacy shorn of prefacy was a thing that Methodists could accept. It was already existent in America. ' As long as the validity of their ordination was acknowledged they could accept the Bishop who was an overseer in the New Testamenr sense where bishop and presbyter were interchangeable terms. The loss of international fellowship had empiiasised and accumulated the need for closer spiritual union. It was a suggestion of the Lambeth Conference that the Anglican Church might forego the prelatical elements of episcopacy. For this growth of a tolerant spirit there was reason to thank God. The past year was a reminder of what tho world owes to robust faith. Just 100 years ago last Friday the men and women of the "Mayflower" knelt on America's shore and gave thanks to God for a new land where conscience was unfettered and notwithstanding the influx of alien principles this puritan faith was still influencing the heart of the great Repuhlie. We lived in a time which bristles with diificult problems, but such have ever provided the opportunity of God sent men and women. John Wesley was an enthusiast for Foreign Missions. After a reference to the great opportunity of Methodism the speaker said the outlook was enough to make pessimists of all of them if they forgofc God. Their thoughts turned to the great family, Ashbury and his

millions in the great Republie; John Hunt and his legion of dusky Islanders and Samuel_ Leigh as he looked from the land of triumph and gladly exclaimed "What hath God wrought !" A deputation from the Otago Ministers' Association conaisting of Rev. J. Collie, Canon Fynes-Clnton and J. L. Robinson waited on the Synod. Rev. J. Collie, M.A.S said it afforded him the very best pleasure to welcome 'the members of the Synod to Invercargill. He did' not do so merely as a representative of the Presbyterian Church, but as President of the Ministers' Association of Southland. The Methodist Church had a great history beliind it and a great future ahead. We lived in very troublous times and the only solution was a vital religion. The Methodist Church had a great part to play. They represented a church that has a religion that grips the heart. Ne church could live on spent capital, but all desired a fresh baptism of the holy spirit, and untiring application of the truth. He welcomed the members of the Synod. Rev. Canon Fynes-Clnton said . he most cordially eehoed what the previous speaker had said. He hoped the members of the Synod would enjoy their visit to Invercargill. While we could not see eye to eye in all matters connected with church life we were all one fn heart in the great work of evangelisation of the people at large. Rev. Clarence Eaton and Mr King, of Dunedin, in suitable words thanked the deputation.