WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2688, 18 November 1882, Page 4

WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

The business of the session was resumed ..at ten o’clock yesterday morning. Under the question of —What division or -alteration of circuits do we recommend ?

It was proposed —■“ That the district meeting be asked to recommend Conference so to adjust the boundaries of llan4jiora circuit so as to include Ohoka in tlie Woodend circuit.”

Mr Little, the mover of the resolution, strongly urged the re-adjustment, upon the ground of finance and expedience. Mr Graham, the representative from Uangiora, opposed the resolution as giving an unfair advantage to Woodend. The motion was negatived. The Eev. J. Eishworth was elected to attend the Conference as representative of the district, in company with the chairman.

In reply, Mr Kish worth thanked the gentlemen for the honor which they had -conferred on him by tlioir appointment. JHe would assure them that it would be his aim to do his best to deserve the confidence reposed in him. No report was presented, but the Chairmnn informed the meeting that Messrs. Turner and Harris would give a full statement re book affairs to the ensuing Conference.

A statement re the “Now Zealand Wesleyan ” was read by the Chairman, showing that the amount of .£256 15s 4d was owing 4to the book room. The number of the monthly issue was 1400 copies ; the circuTation has been gradually improving during the last year. It was resolved—“ That the thanks of the meeting are due, and hereby presented to the Kev. .W. Morley, for the very , jpfficicnt services which has rendered to "the connexion, in the capacity of editor, and would recommend that he be reappointed.” The Chairman, Iff reply, strongly urged that an attempt should be made to secure a. weekly issue of the paper. He believed that the circulation wonld be very largely promoted if such a step were taken. At present many matters of importance relating to circuits were either excluded altogether or very much curtailed. In many cases circuit intelligence was so long delayed that it ceased to be interesting. The most distant parts of the colony were now within easy communication, so that information could be rapidly conveyed. Eev. T. Eishworth and others spoke in favor of the suggestion of a weekly issue of the paper. Mr Smith would like to see a weekly paper among them, but he could see difficulties in the way, A weekly issue would necessitate the setting apart of a minister for the purpose, for no one could edit a weekly efficiently, and at the same time conduct the ordinary work of a -circuit.

The Eev. W. Marten read the report of the committee appointed to consider the question of establishing a loan fund, by which to assist burdened churches and carry on church extension in New Zealand. On the motion of the Eev. J. Simmonds, seconded by Eev. E. Best, it was resolved — “To recommend the report to Conference for its adoption.” It was proposed that when a minister be removed from a circuit against the wishes of himself and circuit the expenses of such •removal shall ho a charge on the contingent fund.

Mr Manchester, the mover, spoke at some length in favor of the resolution. The Eev. J. Eishworth should certainly ■oppose the resolution. It not only conflicted with the rules and nsuages ef the Connexion, but if adopted was calculated to lead to results which he was sure all present would most earnestly deprecate. The motion was lost by a large majority. It was resolved, on the motion of Eev. E. Best, seconded by W. Keall—“ That the Conference be requested to appoint a minister or suitable agent to act as general missionary or evangelist in the district; bis duties to he defined by the Conference and performed under the direction of the chairman of the district,”

It was reported that in the work of church extension, a new church and parsonage had been erected on the East belt, cost J 23300 ; new church at Tai Tapu, cost JE73O; new church at Willoughby, cost J 8192.

The church at Seafield, in the Ashburton circuit, had been removed to Wakauui, where a larger population was gathering, and where a site of laud had been given by Mr Edward Thomas. The Durham street circuit made an application for permission to sell the old ■church site in Woolston, a new site having been secured in a more eligible part of the township. The Colombo road circuit asked permission to erect a Sunday school. The St. Albans circuit sought permission to sell church site at Shirley, and secure one in a better position.

Leeston circuit applied to he allowed to erect a parsonage. Kaiapoi circuit preferred a x-equesttosell the old school for the purpose of erecting a more commodious structure.

All these applications having duly received the sanction of the circuit quarterly meetings, were recommended for the approval of Conference.

The Chairman stated that the St. Albans quarterly meeting was of opinion that an attempt should be made to sell the present church site at Papanui, so as to obtain another in that populous and growing locality. He -was, however, sorry to say that the trustees of the Cliui'di did not seem inclined to take any steps in the matter, and therefore the quarterly meeting could not present an application. After some discussion on the desirability of something being done to further the interest of the Church in the district of Papanui, it was resolved—“ That Messrs Dawson, Martin, and Mouldoy he a deputation to confer with the trustees in the matter.”

The statistical returns showed that there are in the district 48 churches, 30 other preaching places, 17 minister's, 2 home mission agents, 8S lay preachers, 58 class leaders, 1602 church members, with 122 on trial for membership, 220 communicants, 227 catechumens, 48 Sabbath schools, 466 teachers, 5130 Sunday school scholars, and 13,363 attendants on public worship. After discussing several questions of a miscellaneous character. The Eev. E. Best moved, and J. Smith seconded, and it was carried—“ That a "vote of tlxanks be accorded to the Eev. W. Morley, for the able and courteous manner with which, as chairman, he had conducted the business of the sessions.” Votes of thanks were also tendered to the Eev. J. Aldred and W. Marten as secretaries, to Eevs. C. H. Standage and W. Tinsley for reporting to the local papers.

The sessions were brought to a close at Jhalf-past four by the chairman pronouncing the benediction.