WESLEYAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5260, 1 February 1878, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH.

There was a large congregation on the night of Jan. 23, at the Manners-street Church, where an ordination service was held, three young ministers being received into full connection with the Wesleyan Ministry by the imposition of bauds. The meeting was commenced by the Rev. John Crump, President of the Conference, giving out the ordination hymn The Rev. A. 1!. Fitchett offered a comprehensive and.suitable prayer. Tire Rev. W. Morley, secretary, presented the candidates for ordination—the 1 levs. John Armitage, who had servedlnthe Raugiora and Oamam circuits ; T. G, Hammond, who had served iu the Taranaki and Manawatu circuits ; and P. W. Fairclough, the scene of whose labors had been the Timaru, Raugiora, and Leestnu 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 then addressed the congregation, giving a brief account of their Christian experience and call to the work of the ministry. The usual questions having been answered satisfactorily, the ordination' took place by the laying on of bauds, the Revs. Messrs Buddie, field, Kirk, the President and Secretary taking part therein; after which tha sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was administered to the newly ordained ministers. The Rev. W. Kirk, ex-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 most interesting character throughout, and was brought to a close with prayer, offered by the Rev. A. Reid, and the benediction pronounced by the President.