THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 548, 31 January 1882, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The Conference resumed it session yesday morning at eleven o’clock. The Rev. W. Morley read the resolution of the last General Conference, re the children’s and education fund, viz. —that the sum of L 7 per annum be allowed for each child, the allowance to cease at the age of sixteen and eighteen for boys and girls respectively, and to be increased during six years of the child’s life, beginning from eight years of age, by not less than L 5 per annum. It was resolved that the amount be raised by an assessment on circuit income. The thanks of the Conference were given to the Rev. A. Reid and Mr W. Harris, the treasurers for the last year. It was proposed by the secretary and carried, that the amount of contingent fund be raised by an assessment of 3 per cent on circuit income.

At the afternoon session the Secretary read the minutes of the Oonnexional Board of Foreign missions, at the close of which Rev. T. Buddel moved a resolution expressive of the sense of loss felt by the death of Eev. B. Chapman, General Secretary of r Missions. It was further resolved that the resolution of 1882, requiring at least one missionary meeting to be held in eachjcircuit, be re-affirmed. The committee appointed to consider the best means of carrying into effect the loan fund proposals, brought up their report, recommending that the amount! to be raised be not less than LIO,OOO, that no grants be made till at least L 2,000 be raised, and that the fund be under the direction of a committee of ministers and laymen in the Canterbury district. The report of the Christchurch book concern was also read, showing that arrangements were nearly complete for the business being taken over by a limited liability company, of which nearly all the shares had been applied for. The thanks of the Conference were presented to the President and Rev. J. H. Simraonds, for their services as editors of the Neiv Zealand Wesleyan, and Rev. W, Morley was elected editor for 1882. The Principal’s report of the Three Kings Theological Institution and the balance-sheet were read and adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the Principal. The committee of management was reappointed. In the evening there was a new feature —the Conference sermo i. The preacher, was the Rev. J. H. Simmonds, and the subject—“ The immortality of the soul ; is it mortal by nature or by redemption V The subject was ably handed before a large and interested audience in the Durham street church.

[from our own correspondent.]

Christchurch, To-day. Tne Conference decided to grant the sum of LSO each from the contingent fund to the Revs. R. Bavin and Dewsbury, on account of sickness, and to help to meet this, the levy was fixed at 3£ per cent, instead of 3 per cent. The Conference virtually closed at 2 o’clock p. m., though some formal business has to be transacted to-morrow. The picnic takes place this afternoon. Many matters have been expeditiously dealt with this morning, concerning the book-room, the Wesleyan Theological Institution and education, and letters of condolence from several ecclesiastical organisations concerning the Tararua disaster were received. Correspondence is to be opened with a view to obtain an efficient classical tutor from England for the Three Kings Institution, The district meetings are to consider the advisability of holding the district meetings and Conference earlier than at present. The next Conference is to be held at Auckland. It was sought to get an expression of opinion from the Conference respecting the present system of colonial education, but the object fell through as there was no time for discussion; The* appeal in connection with the Tararua‘wreck has been highly successful. Many notices p{ motion have been slaughtered. " : ‘ ' 1 1 T