WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 135, 5 November 1874, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

The annual meeting; of ministers of the Canterbury district commenced its session yesterday morning in the Durham street Church All the ministers had not arrived There were present—the Rev James Buller. chairman of the district, the Revs W. J. Watkin, A. R. Fitchett, R Bavin, H. Bull, tJ. Bond, VV. S. Harper, I*. Fairclough. Prayer was off--red hy the Revs A. R. Fitchett, and R. Havin. The chan man then delivered a brief and encoura-.-ing address, in the course of which he reminded those present that he bad nearly completed his fortieth year in New

Zealand, and that he had been privileged to attend one of the district meetings each year vuthoutintermission during that time. Great piogress had been made during those forty years, yet much remained to be done. Infidelity, sacerdotalism, and worldliness were the special ’orrns of evil to abate which their labors must be directed. As he reviewed their position as a Church, he was constrained to repeat the words of the venerable Wesley, “The best of all is, God is with us!”

The meeting then proceeded to elect a secretary, for which office the Rev W. J, Watkin was unanimously chosen. The remaining time of the session was devoted to preliminary arrangements for the formal work of the meeting which will commence on Thursday morning. From 10 a.m till 1 o’clock was fixed as the period for each session. The examination of candidates for the ministry was fixed for Thursday and Friday morning. That of the probationers for the ministry was arranged for Thursday, Friday, and Monday. The Sunday pulpit services were then determined. The financial meeting to be held on Tuesday, when the lay representatives are expected to be present. The chairman then pronounced the benediction.