WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1802, 29 November 1879, Page 3

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Fbiday, November 28. The meeting was opened at 2 o’clock by the usual devotional exercises. Two resolutions, passed after our report of Thursday’s proceedings had been despatched, were as follows :—l. “ That the Conference be recommended to appoint a Board of Commission in England, to treat with any ministers or others wishing to enter the ministry in Now Zealand.” 2. “ That the Conference he urged to inaugurate a Sunday school for the colony.” Reports upon the trial sermons preached were presented and discussed. One of the candidates was recommended to the Conference as a student for the full term in Three King’s Institution ; two were recommended to give themselves to special study during the year, with the view of presenting themselves for examination next district meeting ; and one was declined. The Rev. T. Fee, a probationer of three years, was recommended to Conference as a fourth year’s probationer. The Rev. H. Baumber, a fourth year’s probationer, was recommended to be received into full connexion. EVENING SESSION, On re-assembling at 7 p.m., after singing and prayer, the “ Liverpool Minutes ” were read. An interesting conversation took place on the pastoral oversight of the young, in the course of which the Chairman advocated the use of such measures as would give each minister the opportunity of personal intercourse, at least twice a year, with every child in the Sunday schoels, for the purpose of becoming acquainted with their spiritual condition and affording them such direct instruction as may be needful. It was ultimately resolved—“ 1. That the Sabbath school affords a ready and efficient means for securing the pastoral oversight of the young, and that efforts be put forth to bring all our baptised children into our schools. 2. That the ministers, when visiting the schools, shall seek, as far as possible, to have religious conversation with the children individually. 3. That in the larger schools, in order to prevent disturbance of the school routine, the minister shall meet the children by classes in a separate class room. 4. That in smaller schools the ordinary proceedings bo suspended during the minister’s visit. 5. That in those circuits where the time of the ministers is much occupied by afternoon services, arrangements be made to visit every school in the circuit periodically, even it it be necessary to curtail preaching appointments in order to discharge this important duty,” Votes of thanks were passed to the chairman, the secretary, the reporters, and the friends who had entertained the members of the district meeting. The meeting was closed at 10.30 by prayer offered by the chairman.