ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING WESLEYAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5196, 16 November 1877, Page 7

ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING WESLEYAN CHURCH.

The annual district court in connection with the Wesleyan Church, Wellington District, began its session on Tuesday morning, Nov. 13, in "the vestry of the Manners-street Church, at 10 o'clock.

There were present—Revs. Alexander Reid (chairman of the district), ,T. 11. Richardson, W. G. Thomas, H. E. Dewsbury, F. 0. Dewsbury, Pastor Neilson, and Heteraka Warihi. After singing the 478th hymn, devotional exercises were led by Messrs. Thomas and F. C. Dewsbury. Mr. Richardson was unanimously elected secretary of the meeting. A letter was read from the Rev. Joseph Berry, of Napier, stating his inability to he present, and formally requesting leave of absence. —After some conversation it was granted. The customary questions relating to the character of each preacher in the district were satisfactorily answered. Mr. John Delloe, at present residing in Masterton, was received as a candidate for the ministry, on the recommendation of his superintendent, Mr. Richardson. It was reported by the Rev. Heteraka Warihi that he had found it impossible to comply with the direction of the Conference, that he should labor in the Taranaki District, and he has continued during the past year to preach to tho Maoris in tho neighborhood of Wellington.

Thu Grey town Circuit renewed its request of last year for an additional minister. In connection with tho re-occupation of the Gisborne Circuit it was resolved, —That tho chairman be requested to visit tho district prior to Conference, or in the event of his being unable to do so, to appoint Mr. Berry his deputy.

Mr. F. C. Dewsbury having stated to the meeting that during the past year his healthhad greatly improved, it was resolved. that Conference bo recommended to-receive him into, full connection, and appoint him to a circuit for next year. The meeting re-aflirmed the recommendation of last year anent the training of candidates for our ministry, viz. that notwithstanding the pressing claims of certain circuits in the connection to additional ministers, the meeting respectfully but strongly urges upon the Conference that the students in the Theological Institution receive not less than two years’ training. _ The subject of representing to the Conference the best method of securing the pastoral oversight of baptized children having been brought under discussion, a lengthened but very in teres tit g conversation ensued, in which all the members of the meeting took part. The session for the day was closed by the Chairman pronouncing the benediction.

The meeting resumed its sitting on Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock. The Secretary read a portion of scripture, after which the devotional exercises were led by Mr. H. 11. Dewsbury. The minutes of the last session were read and confirmed. Mr. John Delloe, the candidate for the ministry, was in attendance. The probationers (Mr. F. C. Dewsbury, who has travelled four years ; Pastor Neilson, who has travelled one year) and the candidate were subjected to a written examination on the following .subjects ; Candidate Elementary Greek and Latin, mathematics, English literature, and theology. Probationer of one year’s standing—English, theology, and Biblical exegesis. Probationer of four years’ standing —Greek, Biblical exegesis, theology, ethics, Wesleyan polity, and ecclesiastical history. The morning session was principally occupied with collecting and tabulating statistics, in preparation for the financial district couit, which begins its sitting this morning. In the afternoon, Mr. Delloe gave to the meeting an account of his conversion, and his reasons for believing himself called to the work of the ministry. He then underwent a viva voce examination of a very searching character regarding his theological views. The Chairman then pronounced the bene-

diction.