The Pulpit.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 229, 29 January 1876, Page 20

The Pulpit.

ST. JOHN'S CHURCH CONGREGA-

TIONAL MEETING.

The annual meeting in connection with St. John's Presbyterian Church was held on Tuesday evening in the new church, Willis-street. The attendance was not good. The Rev. Mr. Paterson occupied the chair. Proceedings were opened with a hymn and prayer, after which, The Chairman called upon Mr.. Smith to read the annual report. The following is the report :

The notable events in our congregational history during the past year were the enlargement of the schoolroom and the erection of our handsome new church. In our last year's report we intimated that this work was being undertaken ; we are able now to intimate that it has been completed. First of all we made an addition to the schoolroom, enlarging it so that the congregation was able comfortably to worship in it during the erection of the new church. This addition cost £4OO. We have now one of the finest schoolrooms in the city, affording ample accommodation, not only forthe Sunday school, but for lectures and other public meetings connected with the congregation. The material of the old church was sold and removed from the ground ; and on the 29th June the foundation stone of the new church was laid by his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, in the presence of a numerous audience. The work was carried on with due expedition by the contractors, Messrs. Murdoch and Rose, and under the supervision of Mr. Thos. Turnbull, architect. On Sunday, the 12th December, the new church was opened for divine service, the Eev. Mr. JElmslie, of "Wanganui, officiating in the morning, and the Rev. Mr. Sidey, of Napier, in the afternoon and evening. Large congregations assembled on the occasion, and the collections in aid of the building fund amounted to over £l5O. On the Monday evening fallowing a very successful tea meeting was held, the trays being provided by the ladies, and the proceeds of which amounted to over £4O. A similar meeting •was held in April, when the congregation met in the school-room, the proceeds of which were over £22. In addition to these handsome contributions to the building fund, through the tea meetings, the ladies have also realised, by sale of work, upwards of £6O, and they atill continue their most praiseworthy exertions. There is every reason to be satisfied with the thoroughly workmanlike manner in which Messrs. Murdock and Hose have carried out the contract ; they have used only good material, and the work throughout has been well executed. The building, both in design and in structure, reflects great credit on the professional skill of the architect. The Treasurer's statement will show how we stand financially. There will be a considerable debt, but it is hoped it will not long prove' burdensome to so earnest and liberal a congregation. There is a small debit balance in the revenue account, accounted for partly by a long succession of wet Sundays, and consequent small congregations and small collections, and also by considerable arrears in the payment of seat rents. Notwithstanding this slight deficiency, it was not thought expedient in the circumstances of the congregation to do as had been done in former years—to raise any special sustentation fund. We confidently anticipate that now with the enlarged accommodation and corresponding increase to the congregation —the revenue from ordinary resources, that is, from seat rents, and Sunday collections, will be sufficient to meet the ordinary expenditure. Last year, as stated in the report, there were 170 members on the communion roll; since, twenty-three joined ; while twelve left. We have, therefore, now 181 on the roll. As will be seen from the special report read, the Sunday schools are in a healthy and prosperous condition. There is an increase both of teachers and of scholars ; and the work has been carried on with ixtuch heartiness and hopefulness during the yeai\ We cannot over-estimate the importance of the Sunday school; it is the nursery of the Church ; and it well deserves the sympathy, encouragement, and support of the Church. The weekly prayer meetings have been held as usual on Wednesday evenings, meeting at 7 o'clock ; the attendance much the same as in former years. We would be rejoiced to see a deepening interest in this service, and many more of the congregation feeling it a privilege to attend it. A devout observance of these special services for prayer and Christian fellowship tends greatly to promote the Christian life both in the individual and in the congregation.

The communion has been dispensed quarterly. Over 100 members on each occasion sat down together at the .table of our common Lord. Precious are those seasons of communion to all earnest devout souls ; they tend with God's blessing to refresh and strengthen the inner Christian life. A practice of Psalmody is held on Wednesday evening after the prayer meeting. For some time past, in the absence of a choir-master, we have been indebted to Miss Grey for her kind services in presiding at the harmonium. A new choir-master has been appointed—Mr. Raymond—and it is confidently expected that under his able leadership the choir will attain still greater efficiency. The Young Men's Literary Society continued its meetings- on Tuesday evenings till the end of November, when it adjourned for three months. It will resume on the first Tuesday of March. The work was carried on with great spirit, and those members who attended regularly, and for a length of time, showed marked improvement, both in the power of thinking and of expressing their thoughts. The society gave a musical and literary entertainment on behalf of the new Church Building Fund. The schoolroom was crowded on the occasion, and the net proceeds realised over £l3. The usual collections were made in aid of the General Assembly schemes. The amounts will appear in the Treasurer's statement. A special collection was also made in aid of church extension in the province, which amounted to £2O, which was given for the support of ordinances in the districts of Feilding and Palmerston. A contribution of £5 was also made by Mr. McKenzie's Bible class, in aid of the Maori mission conducted by the Rev. Mr. Honore; and the children of the two Sunday schools collected upwards of £29, on behalf of the. New Hebrides mission schooner I>ay«pring. In reviewing the past year there is certainly much cause for thankfulness to God for the great measure of prosperity with which He has blessed us. Our new church has been erected, and we are now worshipping comfortably in it. Our schoolroom has been enlarged, and there is a growth and increase both in the congregation and in the Sunday schools. May there be a greater growth and increase in the year before us—a growth in Christian life, and an increase in its fruits.

The report was adopted. The annual reports of the Tory and Willisstreets Sunday schools were then read by Mr. McKenzie. They spoke encouragingly of the encouragement met with by those entrusted with their management, of the efficiency of the teachers, and general admirable conduct of the children.

These reports were unanimously adopted. The following gentlemen were then appointed a managing committee for the ensuing year, namely:—Messrs. Thomas McKenzie, W. W. Taylor, It. Greenfield, J. Sloane, W. G. Reid, A. Lang, A, Hopkirk, T. Wbitehouse,

D. Ramie, W. Smith, W. Waddell, W. Turnbull, Kirkcaldie, D. Grey, J. McDonald, J. Taylor, M. Dickie, T. K. Macdonald, Blair, and Captain Mclntyre. A resolution was then passed to the effect that the present trustees should be asked to consent to the connection of Church property with the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, in accordance with the Act passed last session ; the necessity for this action being that the trustees were appointed when the Church was known as a branch of the Free Church of Scotland. The above resolutions brought the proceedings to a close, and the meeting dispersed after the Benediction had been pronounced. WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE. Saturday, January 22. The Conference Financial Committee resumed the consideration of the estimated expenditure of the Home Mission fund for the present year. The Assistant Secretary read the various items passed yesterday, amounting in the aggregate to £1036 12s. sd. The following additional grants were agreed to, after considerable discussion in each case: — Greytown, £75, if a second minister be appointed for the Wairarapa district; Temuka, £75, for church and parsonage; Waikato, £4O, for furniture; Taranaki, £4O, in aid of a second minister; Balclutha, £ls. At this stage, the Rev. Mr. Bavin stated that the grants were already considerably in excess of the estimated income, and moved that all the remaining applications be withdrawn.

The Rev. Mr. Fitchett opposed the motion, and urged that the sum of £6O be granted in aid of the Christchurch book concern, on the condition of the appointment of the Rev. Mr. "Wallis as editor or book-steward, or both.

Mr. Sanson moved that this be rathpr made a charge upon the contingent fund, to which it more appropriately belonged. Mr. Moxham was not quite clear as to whether the book depot and " New Zealand Wesleyan " were really a connexional concern. Here was an application for a grant from the Home Mission- fund on behalf of a scheme which ought not to be connexional, but for which Mr. Wallis was wanted to insure its success. He wished to see its relations with the Conference better defined. Perhaps it might be made connexional, but as the matter at present stood, he felt bound to oppose the motion—not on personal grounds, but as not legitimately belonging to the objects contemplated by the Home Mission fund. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett explained that the book concern was a purely connexional affair, and that all profits arising from it were the property of the Conference, and were payable into this fund. During the past year it had not been remunerative, but there was every prospect that, under suitable management, it would soon become so. He believed that the grant applied for Avould be an excellent investment. He did not apply for it to be made in an elemosynary way towards Mr. Wallis, but in consideration of work 1 which had to be done, and which he felt sure Mr. Wallis would do exceedingly well. The Ex-President would be uncommonly glad if the proposed arrangement could be carried out, as he believed it would be most valuable, especially as Mr. Fitchett would now be leaving Christchurch. The Rev. Mr. Berky said they were all agreed that the proposed appointment, looked at on its own merits, was a very right one. He did not think it would be proper for any man in full circuit work to be required to do this work. In his opinion, this would be a very good investment, not a grant in aid. The Rev. Mr. Rigg said it must still be admitted this was not a Home Mission work, and after all that Mr. Fitchett had said about the misappropriation of the Home Mission funds, he did not see how he could consistently place it under that head. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett briefly replied, and repeated his former arguments. The Rev. Mr Kirk said that if the profits were to come into the Home Mission fund, he would vote for the motion as likely to secure a source of revenue. The Rev. Mr. Bavin would second Mr. Sanson's amendment, that the grant be made from the contingent fund. He thought they ought to be prepared to give a very clear answer to Mr. Moxham's enquiry. There existed no resolution binding the Book Committee to pay their profits into the Home Mission fund. The Rev. Mr. Buddle asked for the district meeting recommendation on the subject. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett replied that there was no recommendation on the subject from the district meeting; but neither was there such a i-ecommendation in favor of a grant to the Temuka parsonage and other applications which had been allowed. Mr. W. Lawry said it was not only acknowledged that this was a connexional matter, but that it was one which had been set on foot to carry out the best interests of the connexion. •He referred to the history or the movement, and to the importance of procuring and circulating Wesleyan literature among their people. The Rev. Mr. Morley would the remark that the contingent fund was not in a position to make the grant without a further overdraft. He thought it would be well not to charge it upon either fund, but appeal to the liberality of the circuits. Mr. Sanson suggested that the grant be made from the contingent fund, but that the circuits be asked to raise a special sum of £6O, so as not to increase the amount of its liabilities.

This proposal was adopted, and the representatives of the Christchurch, Auckland, Wanganui, Blenheim, Wellington, and Nelson circuits at once undertook the responsibility of raising the amount. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Bavin, the remaining applications for aid were with* drawn.

The Rev. Mr. BAVlNmoved —That the travelling expenses of chairmen of districts in their own districts be chargeable on the contingent fund. —Carried. The Rev. Mr. Buddie and Messrs. F. L. Prime and C. W. Turner were appointed the treasurers of the Home Mission fund for the ensuing year. The Rev. Mr. Morley moved, and Mr. W. Bawry seconded, the following resolutions, which were adopted—l. That from this Home Mission fund grants be made to all circuits applying in aid of parsonages as follows, viz: (1). Towards the erection, £SO; (2). For furniture, £SO, in two successive yearly grants of £25 each. 2. That in every district town a building sub-committee be appointed, to whom all plans of proposed parsonages shall be submitted, and that the grants named above be not paid in any case unless the sub-committee have approved the same. 3. That the chairman of each district, with one other minister and two laymen be the sub-committee. church properties. The Rev. Mr. Bavin read a statement of new church and house erections, improvements and enlargements, and church properties acquired during the past year ; also of proposed erections during the coming year. The" Rev. Mr. Bavin read applications for proposed sales, which were considered individually. The Rev. Mr. Lawry read a recommendation of the Auckland district meeting in favor of the sale of mission property at Waimea, in the Hokianga circuit. Request negatived for the present, and referred to the Secretary of Home Missions. The Secretary read an application for the sale of allotments in the town of Napier. _ The ex-President, having visited Napier on his return from the last conference, had acquainted himself with the circumstances, and urged that the application be refused. Refused accordingly. The Wellington educational trustees applied for permission to sell land at Foxton. After considerable discussion, it was resolved that the question be deferred for another year. The President read a communication from the Rev. Mr. Baker, of the Kaipara district, asking if the Conference would be willing to negotiate for the sale or lease of a property on the Wairoa river, a portion of which was desired for the purposes of a native school, and a portion for a public cemetery. The Rev. Ex-President Buller was decidedly opposed to the sale of a property which would eventually become the most valuable site on the river. As regarded a cemetery, he would be willing to allow an acre to be set apart for that purpose for the benefit of the public, provided it were to continue under Conference control. The trustees were at liberty, if they pleased, to lease the property for school or other purposes for a term of years. The Wesleyans had been somewhat superseded by the Anglican Church in that district, which was to him a matter of regret, Kaipara having been his first parish. It was determined that no power be allowed to the trustees to sell, but that they be left at liberty to lease at their discretion. Permission was granted to sell an unsuitable property at Hokitika, and another at Oamaru. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett read a report of book affairs. He said that for some cause the book concern seemed to be discouraged by the Conference. He could see no reason why it should be so. Those gentlemen in Canterbury who had originated it had done so from disinterested and unselfish motives, and for the benefit of the connexion. It circulated all that was circulated in the Melbourne depot, and probably kept less unsaleable stock. It certainly sold fiction, which needed no defence here ; but it also supplied the necessary religious literature for families and schools. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett read the report of the " New Zealand Wesleyan." The Rev. Mr. Isitt read the following extract from the minutes of the Otago district meeting :—" The meeting desires to express its high estimation in which the " New Zealand Wesleyan" is held in the district of Otago, and its obligations to Mr. Fitchett for his labors as editor." Mr. Buddle, Jun., moved a vote of thanks to Mr. Fitchett for his valuable services. This was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Kirk, and supported by Dr. Borrows. Several others speakers expressed themselves in eulogistic terms of Mr. Fitchett's editorship, to which he briefly replied. Various small matters were then disposed of, and the Conference adjourned till 9.30 a.m. on Monday.

Monday, January 24. The whole of to-day was occupied in the consideration of the appointments of the ministers, with a view to the preparation of the final draft of stations. This question not being finally determined when the Conference adjourned, it was resolved that it be resumed on Wednesday at 10 a.m., and that the public be admitted at that hour.

The Rev. Mr. Buddle moved the following resolution—The Rev. J. Buller having requested permission to retire as a supernumerary, the Conference records its great respect for his character as a Christian Minister, and its high appreciation of his during a course of thirty-nine years ; his kind and courteous bearing in the official position he has occupied among his brethren, as superintendent of circuits, chairman of districts, and president of conferences. His efficient discharge of the duties of those offices has greatly endeared him to all, and the prayers of his brethren will not cease that he may be spared for many years to serve the Church either in England, which country he is intending to visit, or wherever Providence may direct his future course. The brethren also record their great pleasure that Mr. Buller has been appointed the representative of the General Australian Conference to the next British Conference. The Rev. Mr. Kiek seconded the resolu-

tion, and the Rev. Messrs. Rigg, Berry, Bavin, Crump, Fitchett, and Bull testified to the high esteem and affection with which Mr. Buller was universally regarded. The President then conveyed the expression of the Conference to Mr. Buller, and that gentleman replied, under deep emotion. The Secretary read a draft of the pastoral address of the Conference to the Wesleyan Churches in New Zealand.

The President read an application from the Rev. Mr. Lane, of British North America, requesting that arrangements be made for his transfer to the New Zealand Conference. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Morley, the matter was referred to the President and Secretary. The Conference adjourned at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Januaky 25. The Conference re-assembled at 10 a.m. The Rev. Mr. Lawry moved —That permission be granted to the trustees of Wesley College, Auckland, to sell an allotment of land. Granted. The President read a report of the Auckland Book Committee. The thanks of the Conference were presented to the promoters of the book depots of Christchurch, Auckland, and Wellington, for their well-sustained efforts in the circulation of religious literature. The Secretary read a memorial from various temperance organisations in Wellington, advocating the interests of the temperance cause. The following resolutions were transmitted in reply:—l. The Conference regards intemperance as amongst the most serious moral and social evils now prevalent, and urges the Methodist people to discountenance those customs of society which foster this vice, and to promote all legislative measures which aim afc the restraint or extinction of the liquor traffic. Whilst asserting the Methodist Church to be itself a temperance society, the Conference cordially recognises the seiwices rendered to public morals and to religion by independent temperance and total abstinence associations. The Conference recommends Methodists to co-operate heartily with such associations, guarding themselves nevertheless from the error of allowing their sympathy with efforts directed against a special evil to weaken their relations with the church, or divert their attention from those wider Christian enterprises which are designed to rescue mankind, not only from drunkenness, but from every form of sin. 2. That the President and Secretary of the Conference, with the Rev. Messrs. Morley, Harper, Richardson, and Berry, be a committee to consider the recent legislation of the British Wesleyan Conference upon the temperance question, and report to the next Con-

f GrGHCG The Rev. Mr. Lawry moved—That an official letter be addressed to the Maori churches, urging upon them the duty of contributing more largely to the support of the ministry among them. —Carried. The' Ex-President asked if it was understood that the Conference had invested him with any authority to secure the appointment of young ministers in England for the New Zealand work. After some conversation as to the qualifications required, which it was agreed must be of a superior order, it was resolved that Mr. Buller be authorised to select four young ministers to be sent out during the present year. The Ex-President moved that the thanks of the Conference be presented to the President for his sermon preached before the Conference on Wednesday evening. In doing so, he reminded the Conference that it was not intended that the sermon should be official although it had been so announced in the public papers. He took exception to many of the views expressed by the preacher, but he did not think the Conference was in any way committed to them, and he considered that th« President was entitled to their thanks for the earnest and fearless manner in which he had expressed his own convictions. The Rev. Mr. Buddle seconded the motion. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett hoped the nonofficial character of the sermon would be made perfectly clear. Let it be set forth that it was not delivered as an official sermon, or as in any way expressing the views of the Conference. He confessed to having felt much rasped under it, but whatever faults there might have been were faults proceeding from an honest, heart. The President, with perfect good nature, requested that the vote might be withdrawnHe knew what the feelings of the Conference were on the subject, and he felt sure they could only offer him a very qualified vote of thanks. He had been afforded an opportunity of saying what he thought on the class-meeting question, and he had said it. The Rev. Mr. .Morley did not think the Conference ought to accede to the President's request in this matter. He quite coincided with Mr. Buller, and thought the President was entitled to their thanks for his outspokenness and clear putting of the case. After some further remarks to the same effect, the motion was put and carried. It was resolved that in future practice of preaching a special sermon, entitled the " Conference sermon," should be-discontinued. The Rev. Mr. Buddle presented the report of the committee appointed to consider the recommendations of district meetings. In the case of the Rev Mr. Neilsonthe committee recommended that he be received as a probationer, and be regarded as having been on trial one year. The Conference resolved, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Morley, that for the present he be regarded as a home missionary minister, to itinerate among ma countrymen. . The Conference directed attention to a recommendation of the Canterbury, district meeting in favor of the establishment of special classes for the preparation of young converts for their first communion. The Rev. Mr. Fitchett explained that the purport of this resolution was to secure the adhesion of young people to the Church by some systematic method of preparation, in addition to the miscellaneous means at present

employed. Some discussion followed, after which it was directed that a resolution be drawn up embodying the views which had been expressed. On the motion of the Rev. Mr. Rigg, the ministers of the Auckland and Manukau circuits were appointed to consult together with reference to the publication of a new Maori prayer-book and hymnal. The Rev. Mr. Buddle read a resolution recommending that immediate steps be taken to establish a Methodist High School in Wellington or Christchurch. After some discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of the Rev. Mr. Fitchett, that the ministers of the Christchurch circuit, with Messrs. Gould, Garrick, Eallantyne, Harris, and Turner, be appointed a committee to make the necessary preliminary enquiries, and report to the next Conference.

Resolutions of several district meetings were read, urging the Conference to take into consideration the church status of communicants not otherwise claiming to be regarded as members. A long discussion ensued, but as the Annual Conferences are not empowered to legislate on such questions, but only to offer recommendations to the General Conference, which 'will not meet again until 18/8, no definite action was determined upon. The Conference re-affirmed its decision of last year with reference to the mode of administering the Lord's Supper ; leaving it optional with all members to receive it kneeling, standing, or sitting, according as their individual convictions might determine. A resolution was passed expressive of the earnest wish of the Conference to promote the union of the various Methodist denominations in New Zealand ; and meanwhile to avoid as much as possible all unseemly rivalry and competition with the minor sections of the Methodist Church which have established agencies in this country. The Conference also considered suggestions respecting the establishment of a Sunday School Union ; the examination of candidates for the ministry ; the public reception of new members, and various other matters of minor importance. It then adjourned till 10 a.m. next day.

Wednesday, January 26. The Conference resumed the third reading of the stations. The following are the final arrangements for the year : I.—AUCKLAND DISTRICT. Auckland —"William Kirk, William J. Williams, John Hobbs, James Wallis, Henry H. Lawry, supernumeraries. Three Kings Theological and Training Institution Thomas Buddie, Principal; Secretary of Home Mission Fund, Thomas Buddie. Kaukapakapa—A borne missionary. Mahurangi—A home missionary. Coromandel—One wanted. Thames—Robert S. Bunn. Manukau —William J. Watkin ; John AVarren, super numeral. Waiuku—One wanted. Waikato—John Smith. Raglan, &c. —Carl H. Schnackenberg. Karakariki—Wiremu Patene, native minister. "Whatawhata—Hamiara Ngaropi, native minister. Kaipara—William Gittos ; one wanted ; Hoani Waiti native minister. Hokianga—William Eowe ; a native catechist. Wangaroa—William G-. Thomas. Thomas Buddle, Chairman of the district. II. —TAKANAKI and wanganui district. :NTew Plymouth—Francis W. Isitt, Thomas Or. Hammond. Wanganui—Rainsford Bavin ; C4eorge Stannard, supernumerary. Patea —John Law. Rangitikei— Joseph H. Simmonds, Samuel Garlick. Palmerston —A Scandinavian missionary. Rainsford Bavin, Chairman of thedistrict. 111. —WELLINGTON DISTRICT. Wellington—Alexander Reid, President of the Con ference—Henry R. Dewsbury; one wanted; J, Lewis, supernumerary. Maori Mission —Hetaraka Warihi, native minister. Hutt—Charles W. Rigg. Greytown—John B. Richardson. Napier—Joseph S. Smalley. Gisborne—Wearton S. Harper, Alexander Reid, Chairman of the district.

IV. —NELSON DISTRICT. Nelson—George S. Harper, William B. Marten. . Motueka —Thomas F. Reeve. Blenheim —John S. Rishworth. Hokitika —George W. Russell. Greymouth—Henry Bull. George S. Harper, Chairman of the district. V. —CANTERBURY DISTRICT. Christchurch —William Moiiey, Joseph Berry ; James Buller, John Aldred, James W. Wallis, supernumeraries. St. Alban's —John Crump, secretary of the Conference. Lyttelton-—William T.ee. Rapaki—Te Kote, native minister. Springston—William Connell. Leeston —Paul W. Fairclough. Kaiapoi—William H. Beck. Rangiora—-James A. Taylor, John A. Luxford. Timaru—William C. Oliver. Temuka —George Bond. J oiin Crump, chairman of the district. VI. —OTAGO DISTRICT. Dunedin—Alfred R. Fitchett. Hyde—A home missionary. Waikouaiti —A home missionary. Port Chalmers —William Keall. Balclutha —Thomas G. Carr. Milton —Frederick C. Dewsbury. Oamaru —John Armitage. Lawrence and Roxburgh—A home missionary. Invercargill—David McNicoll. Alfred R. Fitchett, chairman of the district. The station sheet having been continued, the Conference adjourned. * Thursday, January 27. The Conference reassembled at 10 o'clock. The devotional exercises were led by the Rev. G. Harper. The Secretary read the record of yesterday's proceedings. Certain resolutions were handed in from the Oamaru circuit, bearing upon the subject of lav representation. ' These resolutions, not havino- been forwarded through the district meeting, were declared informal ; and the letter writer was directed to communicate this to the Oamaru officials. STATISTICS. The annual returns on the position of the church throughout the colony were read by the Secretary. The following is extracted from the statistical returns :—Churches, 144 ; other preaching places, 177 ; ministers, 56 ; Home missionaries, 7 ; Sunday-school teachers, 1041 ; scholars, 10,000 ; local preachers, 214 ; class leaders, 190 ; church members, 3302 ; on probation for membership, 62S ; cate-

chumens, 189 : European attendants on the ministry, 24,799 ; Maori attendants, 2534 ; deaths of members during the year, 24. There has been a net increase in the number of church members of 201, with 62S en probation. . A conversation of an interesting and profitable character took place on the state of the church in New Zealand. The Revs. Messrs. Buddie, Kirk, Buller, Rishworth, Crump, Bavin, Law, and Berry, spoke upon the spiritual and material propriety of the past year. The minutes of the various district meetings bearing on the subject were read to the Conference by the representatives. The President delivered an address upon the work of the past year, and urged upon the ministers present the propriety of looking for spiritual results from their ordinary ministrations, as well as from those of a special character. The following resolution, moved by the Rev. T. Buddie, and seconded by the Rev. J. Buller, was unanimously carried : " That while as ministers we feel a humbling sense of our own shortcomings, and a deep consciousness that more personal holiness would have given us greater power both with God and men, the Conference records its gratitude to the Great Head of the Church for the success with which He has been pleased to crown the labors of His servauts during the past year, resulting in an increase of 201 church members, with 628 on trial for membership. We affectionately recommend our church members to maintain a clear sense of their acceptance with God, and to seek that endowment of power which is the one real qualification for Christian usefulness ; while we resolve to give ourselves more fully to prayer and to the study and preaching of the great truths of the Gospel, with the hope that our preaching maybe not in word only, butin power, with the Holy Ghost, and with much assurance." A discussion on public amusements was held, in which several of the ministers part. THE NEW ZEALAND WESLEYAN. The Secretary of the Conference moved that the Rev. A. R. Fitchett be re-appointed editor of the New Zealand Wesley an. The Secretary referred to the high character which this journal had attained under Mr. Fitchett's editorship, and thought that the editor's removal from Christchurch to Dunedin would not be an insuperable objection to his appointment. The Rev. James Buller seconded the resolution, and remarked that Mr. Fitchett's appointment was desired by the Christchurch Committee, who were aware of Mr. Fitchett's contemplated removal. The resolution was supported by the Revs. Messrs. Bavin, Kirk, and Rishworth, who dwelt upon the increased circulation and popularity of the paper under Mr. Fitchett's care. The Rev. A. R. Fitchett said the motion was unexpected to him. He had intended to move the appointment of the Rev. J. Wallis as editor, and he still thought there should be a change in the editorship of the paper, as he had occupied that position five years. The Secretary said he was willing to move that the Rev. Mr. Wallis be associated with the Rev, Mr. Fitchett in the conduct of the paper. Mr. Wallis would soon reside in Christchurch. which would prove favorable to the proposal. Mr. Fitchett requested time to consider the matter, and to convey his decision to the committee in Christchurch, who could finally decide. This was agreed to. probationers' curriculum. The Rev. J. Berry moved—That the following additions be made to the probationers' curriculum :—First year, Mitia Grreca, part I.; second year, Principia Latina, part I.; third year, Principia Latina, part II.; fourth year, Cassar's Commentary ; also that the probationers be examined in six subjects and pass in

five, including Greek and Latin. EXAMINERS.} On the motion of the Rev. J. B. Richardson, the following ministers were appointed examiners of probationers : —Revs. Messrs. Crump, Fitchett, Morley, Berry, and Wallis ; also that the Rev. Messrs. Bavin and Isitt be appointed examiners of candidates. THREE KINGS INSTITUTION. On the motion of the Rev. James Buller, the ministers of the Auckland and Manukau circuits, with the trustees of Wesley College, were appointed the Executive Council of the Three Kings Institution. SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS. The Rev. F. W. Isitt moved—That the Rev. J. Berry supply a series of Sunday school lessons every month to the "New Zealand Wesleyan" for the use of Sunday school teachers throughout the colony, such lessons to be published one month in advance. Carried. THE PRESIDENT. A motion by the Rev. W. Morley, to the effect that three years elapse before the reelection of a President to office, was lost. WELLINGTON EDUCATION PROPERTY. The Rev. J. Buller moved, and the Rev. T. Buddle seconded—That the trustees of the Wellington educational property be respectfully requested to take into consideration the propriety of applying the proceeds of the property to the training of native ministers and teachers at the Three Kings institution. Carried. NEXT CONFERENCE. The President : Where shall our next Conference be held? The Rev. A. R. Fitchett moved, and the Rev. H. Bull seconded—That the Conference of 1877 be held in Christchurch. The Rev. F. W. Isitt moved as an amendment— That the Conference be held in Dunedin. This was seconded by the Rev. C. W. The motion was carried on the voices. The time was fixed for January 18, 1877, at 6.30 p.m. THANKS. The Secretary moved, and the Rev. W. Kirk seconded—That the cordial thanks of the Conference be conveyed to the friends by whom its members have been entertained. The Rev. Messrs. Buddie, Buller, Rigg, Bavin, and the President, referred to the kind hospitality of their Wellington friends. The resolution was carried by acclamation.

The Rev. T. Buddle moved, and the Rev. J. Buller seconded, a cordial vote of thanks to the ministers of the Wellington and Hutt circuits, and the circuit officials, for the excellent i>reparations made by them. Carried.

On the motion of the Rev. W. Morley, seconded by the Rev. J. Buller, the Conference thanks were presented to the assistantsecretary, the journal writer, and the letter writer.

The President pronounced the Benediction at 5 o'clock. THE CLERICAL LIFE. (From the Examiner.) If the Church is to be disestablished, it is somewhat difficult to see what is to be done with all the amiable, well-educated, and gentlemanly young men who at present take holy orders. It is sometimes said that the Bar is overstocked with really competent men who are willing to work if they could only find work to do. For one barrister in the " Law List" there are at least half-a-dozen clergymen in the " Clergy Directory," and yet, somehow or other, we hear no complaints of the Church being overcrowded, while the Bishops assux-e us that the supply of University men is, if anything, falling off. This is the more strange when we consider how comfortable and desirable a life an English country clergyman leads. Putting exceptionally rich and exceptionally poor benefices out of the question, the value of a living is in rough figures somewhere about £SOO a-year, with a home and grounds and an acre or two of land. Such a position is not in itself a bad one, and if a man has a little money of his own besides, or if his wife has a little, he will be far better off than the average country professional man. It is astonishing how in the country, where a man has no rent to pay, a very good appearance can be kept up for a very little money. Servants' wages are cheap ; food is cheap ; hospitality does not assume ruinous forms; the milliner's bill, like the tailor's, can be kept within moderate dimensions ; and indeed the only really serious expense is when the time comes for the boys, if there are any, to be sent to school. The late Archbishop of Canterbury used to say that he never knew what it was to be a poor man until he gave up school-mastering and accepted a bishopric. Similarly the country clergyman, although his income may be nominally small, is in reality a rich man. No one expects the clergymen to give big dinnerparties, or to subscribe to the hounds or to anything else, or to dress his daughters in sealskin jackets, or to keep a close carriage. The local professional men—the physicians and solicitors and surgeons —must do this, or else it will be argued that their business is falling off, and that they are obliged to retrench. _ Indeed, the country surgeon or young solicitor in a small country town has often very hard work to keep the wolf from the door. To the parson, on the other hand, a sort of tradition attaches that his income is small, and that the Aristotelic virtue of megaloprepcia, or spending his money as_ a gentleman should, is not expected of him. More than this, it is regarded as creditable in him, and indeed more or less self-sacrificing, to do what other men are expected to do as a matter of course. Like the Queen, the parson finds it ascribed to him as a positive virtue that his domestic life is ostensibly happy, and that his sons and daughters have not gone to the bad. It is, in short, very difficult for him to do wrong; and if, by any accident, he has his failings, they are spoken of with bated breath, as if they were the result of some Divine and mysterions dispensation for which he is not himself personally responsible. If he is at all a man of simple habits, with a taste for country life, his lot must be an eminently desirable one. He is practically a sinecurist, with a pleasant country-house. Socially, he ranks above the doctor and solicitor, and next to the squire ; he can dine with the Lord-Lieutenant, and the right of his wife and daughters to attend the county ball is indisputable. The great advantage, however, of his position is, that he has really nothing to do, and ean do it in his own way, without giving offence to anybody. The solicitor is obliged to spend a certain portion of every day in his office. The surgeon has long distances to travel in all weathers. The parson has as little to do as the squire himself. His duties are summed up in his sermons —which after a year or two become as mechanical a matter as an after-dinner speech —and in visiting one or two old women, and keeping his school in order ; while if he has a wife and daughters they can relieve him of everything but the sermon, and occasionally even of that. What he does with his time, so long as lie does not frequent the public billiard-room, nobody inquires. Hunting, shooting, and riding are tolerated in him, while fishing, boating, and farming are regarded as absolutely commendable. We do not positively remember a single instance of a parson who has driven tandem, but all Oxford men must know one who keeps a pack of hounds and hunts them twice a week, while in coursing districts three or four pair of greyhounds are regarded as a mere matter of course. The parson, however, is not, as a rule, overdriven to field sports or athletic exercises, and he usually employs his leisure time either in farming, or in talcing pupils, or in literary work. The latter is seldom lucrative, and in spite of such brilliant examples to the contrary as "A. K. H. 8.," it is to be feared that London publishers regard the country parson as their natural enemy. Farming on a small scale almost always pays itself, while it perceptibly diminishes the household expenses. Pupils, however, are the country parson's sheet anchor. If he took at all creditable honors, or was at all popular at college, or has a connection either through himself or his wife with the fashionable world, he can almost command his own terms ; and a couple of pupils will pay the curate's salary and go a long way towards sending the boys to school

Nor is this all. The Church has really far more big prizes than has the Bar. A bishopric is in many ways preferable to a seat on the Bench, and there are far more deaneries and canonries and rich rectories than there are county court judgeships or recorderships. If a man be a gentleman, with decent university honors, a blttle savoivfaire, and a very moderate amount of literary or rhetorical ability, he may count on a good prize in the Church as a matter of absolute certaintv.

THE WESLEYANS (From The Times.)

The financial district meetings have this year, according to the published reports, been of unusual importance. They have had to elect a ministerial member of the committee appointed by the Conference on the subject of Lay Representation. The following are the ministers elected by the districts mentioned:— First London, Rev. R. Roberts; Second London, Rev. J. Hargreaves ; Bedford Northampton, Rev. J. Clulow; Kent, Rev. J. Hall; Norwich and Lynn, Rev. R. M. Willcox ; Oxford, Rev. J. Mason; Portsmouth, Rev. L. Waterhouse ; Channel Islands, Rev. W. Lindley; Devonport, Rev. H. Jones ; Cornwall, Rev. W. Andrews ; Exeter, Rev. S. E. Rowe ; Bristol, Rev. T. Nightingale; Bath, Rev. J. H. Lord ; Swansea, Rev. E. J. Robinson ; South Wales, Rev. D. Evans ; North Wales, Rev. S. Davies ; Birmingham and Shrewsbury, Rev. W. Williams ; Macclesfield, Rev. J. S. Jones ; Liverpool, Rev. C. Garrett ; Manchester, Rev. M. Randies ; Bolton, Rev. H. Hastling : Halifax and Bradford, Rev. J. Hartley ; Leeds, Rev. S. Coley ; Sheffield, Rev. J. Clapham ; Nottingham and Derby, Rev. R. Brown; Lincoln, Rev. 8.8. Waddy; Hull, Rev. Dr. Lyth ; York, Rev. F. W. Briggs ; Whitby and Darlington, Rev. H. J. Staley; Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Rev. F. Greeves ; Carlisle, Rev. G. Alton ; Isle of Man, Rev. H. Graham ; Zetland Isles, Rev. T. Horrell. Though elected by the'district meetings, the ministers cannot be looked upon in every case as strictly representative, because they did not give a statement of their views before their election. There was scarely any discussion of the subject of lay representation in connection with these elections ; but there will be ample discussion in all the district meetings in May next, when the preparations and decisions of the committee are laid before them for their consideration and vote. These elections have been held in accordance with the following resolutions, which were adopted at the last Conference :—l. " The Conference is of opinion that the time is approaching when a comprehensive plan should be devised for some direct and adequate repi-esentation of the laity in the transaction of the business of the Conference, in consistency with the recognised principles of our economy and the provisions of the Poll Deed ; but the difficulties which present themselves, after much deliberation, are so serious that the Conference resolves to appoint two committees to further consider the whole subject, and empowers the first-named of these two committees to take such counsel as they may judge expedient on the legal aspects of the case." 2. "To carry out the previous resolution, the Conference appoints a committee of ministers, consisting of the persons hereinafter named, together with one minister to be chosen by the ministers of each district assembled in the financial district meetings. This committee shall carefully consider the whole subject, and lay their report before the ministers when assembled iu the annual district meetings, and before the Conference." The ministers above referred to, who are now appointed by the Conference, are the President, the exPresident, and the Secretary of the Conference, the Revs. J. Lomas, J. Farrar, Dr. Stamp, Dr. Osborn, John Rattenbury, William Arthur, M.A., Charles Prest, John Bedford, Dr. Jobson, Dr. James, George T. Perks, William B. Pope, Alexander Macaulay, Dr. Rigg, George W. Olver, Marmaduke C. Osborn, T. Bowman, Stephenson, Henry W. Holland, John Bond, Theophilus Woolmer, John Walton, John W. Greeves, Thomas McCullagh, Samuel H. Tindal, Charles Haydon, George Bowden, Featherstone Kellett, Joseph Posnett, Owen Watkins, William O. Simpson, and Robert N. Young. This ministerial committee, consisting of ministers appointed by the Conference and ministers elected by the financial district meetings, will meet in London on Thursday," October 28. Sustentation funds have been referred to in most of the financial district meetings, the object of them being to augment the stipends of ministers in poor circuits to the sum of £l5O per annum for each married minister. The movement is progressing in the following districts : —Devenport, New castle -on - Tyne, First London, Bristol Liverpool, Manchester, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Bolton. In the Bolton district there is only one circuit giving less than £l5O. In the Liverpool district it was reported that all the stipends were raised to the amount proposed, and that £l2O had been sent to the general fund. The Newcastle district, after meeting all claims, had sent to the general fund £llO. Steps are being taken for the formation of sustentation funds in the following districts:—Cornwall, Leeds, South Wales, Exeter, &c. Many of the districts have arranged for special missions to be held in each circuit during the winter months. A special convention of Christian workers has been held in Birmingham, and one will shortly be held at Leeds. Arrangements are being made for a large convention of Wesleyans in London.