WESLEYAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5253, 24 January 1878, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

ORDINATION SERVICE. There was a large congregation last night at the Manners-street Church, where an ordination service was held, three young ministers being received into fall connection with the Wesleyan Ministry by the imposition of hands. The meeting was commenced by the Rev. John Crump, President of the Conference, giving out the ordination hymn The Rev. A.R. Fitchett offered a comprehensive and suitable prayer. The Bev. W. Morley, secretary, presented the candidates for ordination—the Kevs. John Armitage, who had served in the Rangiora and Cam am circuits ; T. G, Hammond, who had served in the Taranaki and Manawatu circuits ; and P. W. Fairclough, the scene of whose labors had been the Timara, Rangiora, and Leeston circuits. The Rev. T. Buddie read select passages of Scripture appropriate to the occasion. The President then addressed the congregation, referring to the past labors of the candidates. They were not novices, but tried men. They had first served as lay preachers, then as probationary ministers for four years. They had faithfully administered the affairs of the Church, and had successfully passed the prescribed examinations.

Each of the candidates thou addressed the congregation,' giving a brief account of their Christian experience and call to the work of thfe ministry. The usual questions having been answered satisfactorily, the ordination took place by the laying on of bands, the Revs. Messrs Buddie, Reid, Kirk, the President and Secretary taking part therein; after which the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered to the newly ordained ministers. The Rev. W. Kirk, ox-President of the Conference, delivered the ordination charge, taking as the basis of his address 11. Tim., iv., 2 —“ Preach the Word.” The sermon was an able exposition of the text, applicable to the occasion, and engaged the close attention of the young ministers and congregation. The service, which lasted about two hours, was of a moat interesting character throughout, and was brought to a close with prayer, offered by the Rev. A. Reid, and the benediction pronounced by the President.