WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5254, 25 January 1878, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

(Morning Session, January 24.) The President took the chair at 10 o’clock. The Rev. H. 801 l and B. Bavin led the Conference in prayer. The greater part of the business pertaining to the purely clerical sessions of the Conference having been disposed of, tho sessions of the united Conference’ now began, iu which laymen were associated with the ministers. The following lay representatives answered to the call of the President ;—Messrs. McMaster and Gittos, Auckland ; Mr. Hurley, Wanganui ; Messrs Moxham, Elliott, and Lewis, Wellington ; Mr. James Knight, Hutt; Mr. Dellow, Greytown ; Mr. Stone, Napier; Mr. 0. Davies, Bleiuheim ; Messrs. Ballantyuo, Dawson, and Harris, Christchurch ; Mr. J. W. Smith, Lyttelton ; Mr. G. H. Blackwell, Kaiapoi ; Mr. O. S. Howard, Rangiora ; Mr. Holdgate, Timaru ; and Mr. Moore, St.,Albans. Other lay representatives had been elected by the quarterly meetings, but had not arrived ju time to take part in the business of the present session. Dr. Burrows was elected by the Conference in the place of Mr. J. Wright, as Dunedin representative, in order to afford him such a status as shall permit of his election as representative to the Sydney General Conference. The hours of session were fixed—Morning, from 10 to 12.45 ; and afternoon from 2.30 till 5 o’clock. On the mo'.ion of the Rev. Mr. Morley, seconded by the Rev, T. Buddle, the doors were opened to the public. The Secretary laid before Conference the proposed order of business until Monday, Friday to be occupied with the consideration of the connectional funds, with an open Sunday school session in the evening ; Saturday morning to be taken for the third reading of the station sheet, and Monday to be set apart for discussion on the district meeting recommendations. The Rev. John Armitagb desired, before proceeding to the regular order of business, to express, on behalf of himself and the newlyordained ministers, thankfulness for the very excellent and faithful ordination charge delivered by the ex-President on the previous evening, and hoped that the sermon might be published in the connectional organ. The Revs. Messrs. Fairclough and Hammond also spoke to the same effect. It was then resolved, on the motion of the Secretary, seconded by the Rev. T. Buddle, that the thanks of the Conference be presented to the Rev. W. Kirk, ex-President, for his excellent charge, and that he be requested to publish the same in the “ New Zealand Wesleyan.” “ Do we sanction the division, or alteration of any circuit in this colony On the motion of the Bov. Mr. Morley, seconded by Mr. Blackwell, it was resolved that the Maudeville Church be separated from the Kaiapoi Circuit and united to Raugiova. Resolved, on the motion of tire Rev. W. Morley, seconded by Mr. Howard, that Leithfield be transferred from the Rangiora Circuit and joined with Amberley as a home mission station; but in the event of a suitable mission agent not be.mg secured, it be retained, and supplied by the preachers of the Rangiora Circuit. The Rev. D, McNiooll brought up a request from the Dunedin Circuit that Mornington, Maori Hill, Roslyu, Linden, Kensington, and Caversham, be formed iuto a second circuit, to be called Dunedin Second. Considerable discussion was evoked by this request, in which the Revs. Messrs, Morley, Reid, Fitchett, Bavin, Taylor, and Mr. Blackwell took part. Mr. .Fitchett moved that the request be complied with, which was carried. It was resolved that Milton be constituted a separate circuit from Balolutha, but to receive periodical visits from the Balclutha minister, until a proper supply be located. The Leeston and Oamaru Circuits were declared to be responsible to receive married ministers next year in the place of probationers. In the case of Leeston, the representative reported the acquisition of a new parsonage, with a glebe of seventeen acres attached ; and in respect of Oamaru, the Conference was informed that a suitable house was now in course of erection. “What circuits ask for additional ministers ?” The Auckland Circuit requested a third minister, to reside at Ponsonby. The Revs. Messrs. Buddle, Kirk, and Mr. Gittos addressed the Conference in support' of the request, which vva; granted provisionally. The Waikato Circuit requested a second minister, to be located at Hamilton. On the motion of the Rev. T. Buddle, the request was complied with. On the motion of the Rev, T. Buddle, seconded by the ex-President, it was agreed to appoint a native assistant to the minister of the Hokianga Circuit. The Wanganui Circuit applied for a second minister. The Rev. J. Law moved that the application be granted. This was seconded by Mr. Hurley, and agreed to. It was decided to form a new Maori mission station on the West Coast of the North Island ; also that Ohertaey be constituted a new circuit, and Tapauui anew Home Mission station. The Secretary read the statistical returns for the year. These show in New Zealand ; Churches, 162 ; other preaching places, 175 ; ministers, 61 ; Sunday-school teachers, 1306 ; scholars, 11,724; church members, 3307 ; communicants, 867 ; catechumens, 371 ; local preachers, 223 ; class leaders, 180 ; attendants on public worship, 30,882. These returns were looked upon as exceedingly encouraging, presenting an increase in every department of Church work. The Conference adjourned at 1 o’clock. Between 70 and 80 sat down to the Conference dinner, including the leading ministers of other denominations of the city, who had responded to the invitation of the President. After dinner addressed were delivered by tiio President and Secretary of the Conference, the Revs. Messrs. Patterson, Moir, West, Dumbell, and Messrs, Dawson and McMaster. The addresses were brief, of a thoroughly fraternal character, and were heartily responded to by those present. AFTERNOON SESSION.. The Conference resumed at 2.30, tho Rev. A. B. Fitchett leading in prayer. On the motion of tho Rev. R. Bavin, seconded by the Rev. J. A, TaYLOR, the Conference directed the corresponding secretary to forward to Mr. C. W. Turner a letter expressing its sympathy with him in his family affliction, and, also its regret at his inability on that account to attend and take part in the business of the Conference.. Considerable discussion ensued on the motion of tho Rov. A. B. Fitchett—That a sum of money be placed on tho estimates of the Church Extension Association, to aid iu the formation of a city mission for Dunedin. The (levs. Messrs. Buddle, Reid, Bavin, and Mr. Blackwell having addressed the Conference, the consideration of the subject was deferred. The Secretary' read the correspondence which had taken place with the authorities of the ’English Conference relative to members emigrating from Great Britain to New Zealand. The corresponding secretary of the British Conference stated that instructions had boon furnished to the agents of the Thames and Liverpool missions to comply as far as possible witli tho wish of the Colonial Conference. “ What can be done to promote the work of God in the colony ?” ‘ Tho subject embraced iu this question was considered, with special reference to tho annual statistical returns, as rood by the Secretary. 'The Rev. W. Morley, while expressing thankfulness for the large and growing concretions which attended their ministry, feared they did not await so expectantly as they should direct, spiritual fruit as the result of their preaching. As ministers and preachers they should not look so much for periodical revivals as for constant and uninterrupted results to flow from their faithful efforts. Mr. B. Dawson'deplored the indisposition shown by many of their’ people to appreciate the class-meeting services,' and’ he attributed this in great measure to the unwise agitation which had boon Left up on this subject. Mr. Moxham urged the more frequent holding of leaders and fellowship meetings ;, also practical sympathy with ministerial effort. The Rev. J. Berry thought their position as a Church in New Zealand was one which

called for deep, The returns, showed a larger, increase than at any. previous Conference. No; one wished to, sweep away such a valuable institution as the class-meet-ing, but to make attendance at it voluntary, instead of a test of Church membership,'as at present. The Rev. A. Reid dwelt upon parental responsibility and family training as, matters of the very highest importance that could engage the attention of our congregations. No ministiy aud no evangelistic ■ efforts, however effective, could possibly be a substitute for faithful Christian nurture and a true Christian home life. The duty of parents publicly presenting their children in public baptism was also shown. The Rev. T. Buddle referred to some of the sensational amusements current in the present dsy, by which good taste was marred and intellectual progress retarded. He urged the faithful administration of our present system, aud the regular holding of society meetings. The Rev, J. H. Simmonds spoke of the good result of active personal effort in lending men to Christ, and pointed out the importance of urging from the pulpit the duty of family aud household piety. The Rev. R. Bavin spoke of the encouraging prospects of the district he represented.. The Revs. Messrs. Law, Rishworth, | ad McNiooll, and Messrs. , Blackwell, Si ne, McMaster, and Elliott also addressed the Conference, the prevailing sentiment being thrt of gratitude for past results and earnest cmsaoration to God’s service in view of futr.l6 efforts. The following were appointed members of tho Bcok Committee :—The ministers of the Christchurch, St. Albans, Lyttelton, Spring Bton, Kaiapoi, and Rangiora circuits, with Messrs. Gould, Turner, Harris, Ballantyne, Mouldey, H. Jones, Cumberworth, J. L. Wilson, R. Wood, W. Lawry, G. H. Blackwell, aud Jos. Thompson. The Secretary moved that the Committee of Privileges be composed of the‘President, ex-President, Secretary, Revs. Messrs. Buddle, A. Reid, A. R. Fitchett, W. Lee, R. Bavin, J. B. Richardson (convener and secretary), with Messrs. T. Buddle, 0. J. Stone, D. Lewis, W. Moxham, J. Hurley, C. W. Turner, F. J. Garrick, and Dr. Burrows.—Carried. Ou the motion of the Secretary, it was resolved that the President, with the Rev. Messrs. Richardson, Bavin, Bull, McNiooll, with Messrs. Blackwell, Holdgate, Hurly, and Stone, be a committee to prepare a more suitable form of schedule for tbe annual return re Church properties. The Conference adjourned soon after 5 o’clock, the President pronouncing the benediction.