WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 805, 20 January 1877, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Second Day. The Conference reassembled this morning in the Durham street Church, at 10 o’clock. The Rev W. Kirk, the newly elected president, occupied the chair. In an interesting address to the Conference, he referred to the fact that he was the first Wesleyan Missionary appointed to the Canterbury Province, and was accustomed in the early days to preach in a small carpenter’s shop, which was then large enough for all the Methodists and other Nonconformists who met for worship in Christchurch. It was pleasant to refer to the progress made in the mean time. He accepted the chair with consider able diffidence, yet with confidence in God and the kindness and sympathy of the brethren. The Revs T. Buddie and A. B, Fitchett were appointed a deputation to convey the fraternal feelings of the Conference towards the district meeting of the United Methodist Free Church, now sitting in Christchurch. The Conference adjourned at 10,15 until 11.30, when on reassembling it was agreed, on the motion of the Rev D. McNiccol, that the church doors be opened to the public on each day, at 11.30. The committee appointed to revise standing orders as to order of business, brought up its report, which was adopted. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr Fitchett, that the standing orders, as adopted, be printed on slips of paper for circulation among the laity representatives to the Conference. An invitation was presented to the Conference from the Christchurch circuit to attend a pic-nic at Oxford on Tuesday, January 39th, which was cordially accepted. Committees were appointed to hear the candidates preach this evening, Mr Buttle at Harper street, and Mr Ellis at Durham street. The following ministers were appointed a committee of discipline, viz, the Revs Buddie, Reid, Crump, and Harper. The Conference then proceeded with the usual questions fixing the order of business. Question L—What ministers hitherto on probation are recommended for ordination ? The Rev P. Dewsbury of Otago, has served the usual four years’ probation, but it was agreed that, in consequence of his continued ill-health, he be continued on probation for another year. During the morning session a letter wss received from the secretary of the district meeting of the United Methodist Free Church, appointing 3 o’clock this afternoon for the reception of the deputation from the Wesleyan Conference. The afternoon session was chiefly devoted to the consideration of a report presented by the Board of Examiners respecting the probationer’s studies, Messrs Fairclough. Russell, end Luxford passed with credit in their respective years. Special difficulties arose in respect to the cases of two other probationers, one of whom was designated for Maori work. A letter was received from the district meeting of the United Methodist Free Church, asking that au hour should be appointed for the reception of a deputation to convey their fraternal regards to the Conference. The letter writer was directed to write, appointing the hour of half-past ten on Saturday morning for reception of the deputation.