WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2685, 15 November 1882, Page 3

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

The annual sessions of the Canterbury District Meeting commenced yesterday morning in the Durham sti-eet church. The Rev. W. Morley, chairman of the district, presided. The session opened with devotional exercises. The following representatives were present —Rev. J. Aldred, J. Duller, Rev. E. Best, and W. Tinsley, Durham street; J. Rishworth, Colombo road; J. Simmonds, Kaiapoi ; W. Keall, Leeston ; J. Smalley, Spx-ingston; J. Garlick, Woodend; C. Standage, Ashburton; W. Marten, Lyttelton ; J. Smith, Rangiora, and Te Rote, Maori minister. jgTho Chairman, in the name of the meeting, gave a hearty welcome to the Rev. E. Best, C. Standage, J. Smith, and IT. Tinsley, who had come into the district this year. When they met in their annual conference last year it was under the shadow and pressure of a great calamity, caused by the death of those honored and beloved fellow-workers who had been wx-eoked in the Tararua. This year their ranks had not been broken. They had much cause for congratulation in the review of their work for the past twelve months. In several circuits large accessions have been made to the churches, and, therefore, they might expect a gratifying report of increase when the statistic* of the churches should be laid before them. The Missionary “agents of the Church who were employed in the outlying districts were laboring with most commendable zeal and much success—they wexe laying the foundations of what would in time become important circuits. The Maori work was still under the charge of Te Kote. For many years he had worked among his own people. They could not too highly appreciate the fidelity and self-sacrifice which had been manifested by him in his efforts to benefit his countrymen, it was gratifying to know that his ministrations had been productive of great blessings. The report of this department was as interesting as any reports of preceding years. He trusted the session would be a profitable one, that it would tend to cement more strongly the existing ties of brotherhood, and that each would go

back to bis sphere greatly encouraged to esume bis toil. The Eev. J. Aldred was elected secretary, and Eev. W. Marten assistant. 1 A telegram was read announcing that in cor.sequence of indisposition the Eev. W. Beck, of Timaru, would be prevented from attending the session. It was resolved to forward to Mr Beck a letter of sympathy. The morning was taken up in arranging the business to be presented. The hours qf session were fixed from 10 to 12.30 and from 2.30 to 5.