THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1269, 25 November 1884, Page 3

THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

CeEISTCHTJRCH, Nov. 21. At the Wesleyau Conference to-day it was resolved that the next General Conference should be held in Melbourne in May, 1888. The revision of the book of discipline was completed, the Conference agreeing to adopt the book now revised as containing laws by which Australasian Wesleyan Methodists are governed, with the understanding that the legislation of the present Conference be inserted therein. The cordial thanks of the Conference were presented to the Committee in Melbourne, who h ve had this subject before them, during the last there years, and especially to the Revs. J. C. Symons and W. P. Wells. The Rev. George Martin read a draft of an address to be presented by the Conference to the British Conference. After greeting the Fathers and Brethren of the British Oonr'eiencp, the address continued —-" It must surely bo gratifying to you to know that as a result of yo«r wisdom and foresight in extending your missionary operations to these colonies in the early part of the present century, the Methodism of the old land is now doing nnbie work in leavening the religious life of the people of Auscralasia with those great truths which we have received as part of our Christian heritage. While looking on the, past with thankfulness, we, look on the future with hope." Reference was made to the material progress, made in New Zealand and Australia. One of the d ffiouities in church work arose, from the scattered and migratory character of the population, and the Conference found itself straitened to meet the spiritual necessities of these lands where the conditions are widely different from those of the Old Country, but 'Wesley ans here were anxious to build up a firm, compact and united Methodism, which would stand as a bulwark against the encroachments of , disbelief, and become a mighty agent for

the dissemination of Christian truth in connection with the Home and Foreign Missions. The lamented death of the Rev. Benjamin Chapman was rcfVi red r, whose office of Secretary for Forebrn Missions had been filled (>y the 11 v. VV. i Kelynack, U.D. The language, of the savage natives of New Bri ai ■■ n..cl !»««•» reduced to writing, and the Gospel id St. Mark translated for them. The Mention of tne rtev. J. H. Fletcher, President of Newington College, Suuimoie, showed the value of Australasian Methodists being placet! in their educational institution. The establishment of a Ladies College at Hawthorne, near Melbourne, was a new departure, aud, under the managemen' of the Hev. W. H. Fitchett, rendered good service to the cause of religion and the culture of Australasian Methodism. The address concluded with an expression of renewed confidence in God, a,ml the best wishes for the continued pio-m-niy of Methodism in the fatherland. In the afternoon the members if 'he Conference had a picnic at Lincoln, whten was attended by about 600 and passed eft' very successfully. On Saturday at the Australasian Wesleyan Conference, the following resolution was carried “That this Conference recognises the desirability of Method>st union throughout Australasia and recommends the sid j ct to the favorable consideration of the Annual Conferences, and directs them to open commnmcations on the i-object with other t ranches of Methodism, and report at next General Conference.”