WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 810, 26 January 1877, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The Conference was increased yesterday by the presence of laymen. Of the laymen elected the following were present:—Messrs Ellis (Auckland), Hooker ("New Plymouth), Campbell (Wanganui), Moxham (Wellington), Knight (Hutt), Harkness (Nelson), Turner, Wilson, Gould, and Harris (Christchurch), Salter (St Albans), Jackson (Timaru), Lawry (Springston), Sylvester (Springsion), Wood (Lyttelton), Blackwell (Kaiapoi), Hansom (Port Chalmers), Kn>fe (Invercargill), Wansborough (Oamaru), Candy (Wairarapa), Waby (Leestou), J. Thompson (Rangiora), J. Brown (femuka), Dr Borrows (Dunedin), Manchester (Waimate), Captain Wood (Lyttelton). The presence of laymen was a new feature in the proceedings, this being the first Conference since the plan for their admission passed into law. The Eev J. J. Lewis appeared in the Conference, and was received with cheers, having arrived in New Zealand yesterday, after a trip to England for the benefit of bis health.

The following were appointed a finance committee, to report to-morrow morning on the Home Mission funds :—Bevs T. Buddie, A. Reid, W. Morley, J. Crump, J. H. Simmonds, A. B. Fitchett, and Messrs Turner, Manchester, Moxham, Campbell, Dr Borrows, and Harkness.

Permission was given to divide and alter the boundaries of the following circuits, viz : Mauukau circuit to be divided ; Waikua, Pukekoe, and the neighborhood to form a new circuit; Wangaroa to be attached to the Hokianga circuit. Bangitikei circuit received permission to divide, the Manuatu river to be the boundary of the circuits, and the new circuit to bp called the Manuatu circuit, It was agreed to discontinue the Maori work in Wellington. The Conference agreed to the proposal to divide the Christchurch circuit, the new church about to be erected in Colombo road to be the centre of the proposed new circuit. The Timaru circuit is also to he divided, the new circuit to embrace Waimate and neighborhood. Milton circuit, which is at present without a minister, is to be annexed to the Balclufchu circuit. The Leesfcou circuit was released from its obligation to take a married minister this year, on condition that adequate provision be made by the circuit for a married minister by the Conference of 1878. It was agreed to send an additional minister, should one be available, to the following places, viz—Christchurch, Waimate, and Kumara. In the afternoon session, under consideration of the question—“ What new stations shall be occupied ?” it was determined, if possible, to send agents to Wangarei in the Auckland district, and Ashburton in the Christchurch district. The number of members returned from the various districts were as under : Auckland 635 Taranaki and Wanganui ... 371 Wellington 350 Nelson ... ... 312 Canterbury 1001 Otago ... 299 Scandinavian Members ... 33 Maori Members ... ... 379 3113

The returns showed an increase in even district except Otago, where a decrease of 7' is reported, reducing the general increase t> 111.

A conversation ensued as to the position o : the Wesleyan Church in the colony and th< extent to which it had kept pace with tin growing population, the general impressio; being that the aggressive spirit of Methodise had not been sufficiently displayed. Bev Reid attributed the comparative feeblefles" of our hold upon the community very con siderably to the stern demands of the itinerancy, rendering it impossible for ministers to get the intimate knowledge of the peoph amongst whom they lived that was desirable. He urged also that the disposition of so many to “ tinker our constitution ” was highly injurious to our Church work, Dr Borrows urged the desirability of requesting the British Conference to instruct its agents to advise the New Zealand ministers of the departure of any known to them to be emigrating for these shores. The Bev Oliver pointed out that either the piety, the preaching, or the organisation of Methodism must be in fault if success was not attained. Bev Lewis spoke of the neglect of emigrant ships by the British Methodist ministers, and the irreligious influence of ship board life. It was determined to address a letter to the British Conference, respectfully requesting that steps should betaken to secure the recognition of our members on their arrival in this colony. Revs Fitchett, Morley, Oliver, Kirk, Buddie, and Armitage, with Messrs Wansborough, Harkness, Candy, Turner, Moxham, Lawry, and Campbell also took part in the discussion.