THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 2817, 28 February 1872, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The rer. Mr Bavin, of Timani, lectured last week on “Melbourne, and the Methodist Conference, 1872.” As it is a very succint and interesting account of the proceedings, we reprint it from the Gazelle Mr Bavin commenced his address dating from the 6th January last, when he went on board the Raugitoto, in company with the Rev. Mr Buddie, the chairman of the Middle District of New Zealand, and the Rev. Mr Morley. They had a splendid trip to Dune din, being Sunday morning they held divine service on board conducted by Mr Buddie. He recollected that five years before, viz, March, 1867, arriving in Dunedin, a stranger in a strange land, and he was on that day led to look back and reflect on God’s dealings with him, tlmy were five years of mercy. They landed in Dunedin after dinner, and he preached in the Rev. Mr Williams’ Baptist Church in the evening, where he felt at home. They stayed

in Dunedin two days, and he was pleaded to see improvements that had taken place there during the past live years, and more particularly m the Wesleyan Church the*-e. Five years ago, the then Wesleyan Church was situated at the top of a high hill, and there were seventy-six steps to go up to it. Owing to its high position it gave way, and a deal of money was spent in propping it up. It was found, however, to be unsafe, and another church was built in the centre of the town, costing LSOOO, and capable of holding 4'JO persons. Tt was a most baud, some building, and quite a contrast to the ugly one it superseded. His impression of Melbourne was, that it is a noble city, a perfect marvel, being less thanforty years of age. It contains a popnlation of 200,QU0 with splendid public buildings, &c. One thing he noticed, however, that the inhabitants, the young men especially, did not possess that healthy appearance like those in New Zealand. He was struck at their notions about New Zealand; in fact, they knew nothing about it. Even their politicians seemed to have a down on it. What pleased him most of the public buildings was the Public Library, which contains miles and miles of bookshelves. The admission is free. He went there on a Saturday evening, and he found not less than 15Q young men and ladies, hard at work at their tables studying. In this library there is a fine collection of paintings. The most popular preachers in Melbourne are the Revs. Henderson and Clarke. The first receives an income of L 1,030, and the second L 1.200 per annum. Mr Buddie preached in the church of the latter one Sabbath evening. He was delighted to see the progress of the Wesleyan church in Melbourne. There are five circuits, eighteen ministers, 1,800 hearers, with thirty-two churches. Wesley Church is the leading one amongst them and cost L 30,000, and is capable of seating 1,200 persons, and the Conference is always Held, there. The most popular preacher [in the Wesleyan community in Melbourne is the Rev. Mr Oa'ignac. who is called the “ silver-tongue preacher. ” Proceeding to describe the Conference, the rev. lecturer said :—lt was held in Wesley Church. A platform is erected, whereon is seated the Rev. Mr Chapman, the president. He has been a minister for the past twenty-seven years, and the first man trained in Richmond College. On his right hand sat the ex-president, the Rev. >lr Watfcsford, on the left hand the secretary and the ex-presidents from the year including the Revs. Messrs Buddie and Bailer, from New Zealand. Below the platform was the body of the Conference, where the rest of the ministers sat. There were from 125 to 130 present, eight being from New Zetland. With regard to the work done—the first is the station of ministers, a most difficult work, which occupied four days. Out of 265 ministers in the Australasian connection, one hundred are moving every year; there are 100 circuits to be provided for. A station committee sits two days before the conference, to prepare a draft of the names of ministers. This is presented to the conference and is called the first reading of the stations. No comment is made on the first reading, but on the second reading, protests arrive from ministers' against being removed to various stations on account of their health, &c. The second reading occupies two days. Changes are also required in the Presidencies of the Colleges. At the Conference, the Rev Mr Harding, of New Zealand, was placed on the Supernumary list. Thel stof stationsis printed on slips and also published in the papers, and sent round to the circuits. At the third reading, after a few alterations are made, the list is adopted and all tongues are then quieted. Another most important matter was the receiving the probationers into full connection with the Church. There were fifteen received and six native missionaries. Out of the fifteen there were five from New Zealand. There were also seventeen candidates, two of who were from the southern district of New Zealand, who we r e passed. The subject of the Annual Conference next came on for discussion. S nee 1855, the whole of the Colonies had been included in the Australasian Methodist Conference, which was found now to be very cumbersome. A motion has been before the Conference for the last eight or nine years to get it divided, but had not been passed till this year. New Zealand being so far off, it was impossible to know its wants, and the Conference felt that it was not doing justice to it. The whole of the New Zealand members of the southern district and most of those in the north resolved to push the matter. The New Zealand men met together and tried to get a general scheme of four

annual conferences. This was ably debated in the Conference, and both sides well veutilated. He should never forget when they were ca’led upon to vote, all were ordered by the President to take their seats, and were addressed by him on the importance of the decision to the church. The separation of New Zealand was carried by a majority of seventy-four against fifteen; the question was therefore decided by a majority of five to one. 'J he Rev, Mr Rigg was at the head of the opposition. He afterwards told him (the Rev. R. Bavin) that he was strongly in favor of New Zealand, but not for the Ausr tralasiau Conference to be split into foqr, Mr Rigg proposed that New Zealand should form part of the New South Wales conference, but when it was put to the vote, only two voted in its favor. Mr Rigg then said he would go in heartily and make the New Zealand Conference succeed. They would not be enabled to have a Conference held in New Zealand next year, as the matter would have to go home, to be laid before the British Conference. Besides the annual, there will be a general Conference every three years. At the annual ones, no great measures would be brought before them. They only have power to deal with local matters. With respect to the past year he was grieved to find such small successes in the increase of members. At the Conference there was also a search-; iug enquiry into the character of ministers. There were no dismissals and there was only one minister to receive a censure, but the matter was not against his morality. A resolution was passed endorsing the Permissive Bill. Another resolution passed was to enable Auckland to send to England for three more ministers. Another, in reference to the lamented martyrdom of Bishop Patteson, and the slave traffic. A minister from Africa, who was obliged to leave there on account of his health, was received into connection and appointed to Wesley Church, In connection with the Conference, there are certain public services held, such as the president’s official sermon, the ex-president’s official charge to the young men received into the ministry, and the missionary meeting. He was laid aside by sickness and therefore unable to attend them, but

lie attended the conference Love Feast, where there were between 500 and 600 persons, including the ministers. They had also a Chinese breakfast meeting, there being a number of Chinese in Melbourne. There was present at the Conference a Chinese minister, who preached to his countrymen, and the Rev Mr Cox, a minister from China, interpreted his sermon to the Conference. The breakfast meeting was held in the Town Hall, when the Rev Mr Cox gave them his experiencs in China. A collection was afterwards made, which amounted to LSOO. They also had a grand temperance demonstration, and he was surprised to Hud that the cause of temperance was so warmly supported, not only by the minsters but also by those in high places. At the meeting at which he spoke, there were two members of the Cabinet present. In concluding this lecture the rev. gentleman dwelt on how thankful they ought to be in this southern part of the world for all the blessings they bad received in having the means of grace. Bourke must be a cheerful place of residence daring the summer months. Speaking of the heat of the weat‘ er on’ Saturday, the 20th ultimo, the Central Australian— for Bourke has a good weekly pap r now a month old—says; —“ At half-past two the thermometer stood at 10S ® in the shade. Being placed in the sun it rose to 140 ® ; it was then placed in the water-bag, when it fell to 76 ®. So intense was the heat that our rollers a composition of glue and treacle, which were placed in the coolest cellar in town, melted. We are therefore certain that pur subscribers will the general appearance of the paper while this weather continues, for we can assure them it is often a matter of the greatest to produce an impression of any description.”