THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1270, 27 November 1884, Page 3

THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Christchurch, Nov. 24,

At the Wesleyan Conference sitting this morning, the Rev. W. Morley said be had received a telegram from the Crown Prince of Tonga urging the Conference to consent to the union of the Tongan with the New Zealand Cofnerence. The Conference resolved to reply that the subject had been already dealt with, and advices were forwarded by telegram to this effect to Auckland, where the Sandfly is waiting to take it to Tonga. The report on the settlement of church property was considered, and in connection with it a long discussion took place. On the proposal to extend the term of residence of ministers the Rev. A. Reid moved — “That ministers be, appointed from year to year, but in no ease sn.dl the term of residence exceed six years.” The Rev. J. C. Symons seconded this. Mr Hobbs opposed any alteration of the present three years system. The Rev. W. Kirk heartily supported the resolution. Mr M. Thomas opposed it as fatal to the itinerary principle. The Rev. H. Bull believed the proposal to be in harmony with the spirit of John Wesley, who did not apply the period of years to ordained ministers but to preachers. Mr Moxham believed beneficial resultswould follow the adoption of the proposed alteration. Mr D. Nock, the Revs. H. T. Burgess and J: B. Stephenson and Mr Harris opposed the motion. The debate lasted till the 1 p.tn. adjournment, and was resumed at 2 p.m. After further discussion the motion was lost—Ayes 26, Noes 40. A further amendment by the Rev. B. Butchers to extend the term of residence to four years was also lost by 27 to 33 votes. The report on ministerial interchanges was considered, and it was resolved Minister who has travelled more than five and less than 15 years, is transferred to another Conference, he shall have the right to return in six years. The General Conference to transfer the Rev. E. Barber to the Victorian and Tasmanian Conference in exchange for the Rev. F. Thomas.” A motion to transfer the Rev. J. E. Moulton from Tonga to Victoria was, after a slight discussion, withdrawn. A portion of the Albury and Woodonga circuit was ordered to be transferred from the New South Wales and Queensland to the Victorian Conference. After transacting other business, during which no motion of importance was carried, the Conference adjourned till next day. At the Conference on Tuesday,

Thanks were accorded to the ladies of the Church and others who had entertained the members during their stay in Christchurch. A Committee on Church property and memorials was appointed. Reports on early church records from all the Conferences, except New South Wales, were read. The Rev. G. Lane said he was collecting materials for a history of the church in New South Wales. Committees on Church History were then appointed for all Canferences, and also for Fiji, Tonga. Samoa and New' Britain. Several motions for alterations in the present procedure re representatives to the Annual Conferences, presidential elections, and examination of probationers were moved and lost. It was agreed that the the support of suspended ministers should rest with the Annual Conferences of which they are members. The Rev. L. Fison moved —“Tint all our lands in Fiji which w'ere not given or otherwise acquired as sites for churches, etc., are to be considered as the property of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society, and that the income from such lands should be secured to the said Society' in the event of Fiji ceasing to be a mission district.” The lauds referred to, he explained, were the property of the Rev, F. Langham, himself, and another, and had been taken over from the widow of a late insolvent schoolmaster for an annuity. The lands had proved to ha of great value and should be the property of the Missionary Society. He was glad of the opportunity of moving the resolution, because the statements made in England by Sir Arthur Gordon us to the grasping ot land by missionaries were “ abominable lies,” (Oh !) He was sorry the phrase was not strong enough (Dissent). The President and several members deprecated the use of the phrase, and the Rev. L. Fisou withdrew it. Mr Ham seconded the motion. The following amendment by the Rev. F. Bates was carried—“ That the matter be remitted to the Board of Missions.”

At the afternoon silting, reports on educational institutions were made to the eticct that the Theological College of New South Wales was making good progress. The Wesley College of Melbourne was improving under present arrangements, the Ladies’ College there was flourishing, and another was established in Tasmania. The colleges in Soutli Australia and Tasmania were favorably reported on, especially the former. At the College <u Three Kings, Auckland, there were five English and eight or ten native students. £OOOO to £BOOO had been subscribed for a college to be affiliated to the Melbourne University. It was resolve I — (t That it is desirable a central Theological Institution be established for the whole of the colonies,” and ti e question was remitted to the Annual Conierencvs to report at the next General Conference.

At the evening sitting a series of resolu lions were passed urging the necessity for resisting all efforts to open public libraries, museums, etc., on the L um’s Day, the im= portance of electing to Parliament and Municipal Councils persons ip favor of preserving ilv s fondness of the Sabbath observance. A Vote of thanks was passed to the ministers of Christchurch for the admirable arrangements they had made for the Conference. It was resolved—“ That the Genet il Conference declares its cordial srnypathy with the objects of social purity and with societies formed in scape Australian Colonies, and earnestly hopes the appeals nqvy b.effiS made to various Legislatures to enact measure? for the better protection of young females, and to diminish immorality will meet with satisfactory response.” A resolution in support

of local onn'on piinciples was also agreed to. Thauns were accorded to the President, the Rev. J. H. Fletcher, for the ability, urbanity and conscientiousness with which he had presided over the Conference ; also, to the Secretary, the Rev. S. Williams, ami Ids colleagues, the Revs. Stephen nnd Daniel, and Messrs Buddie and Janies. Several other votes of thanks were passer), and the proceedings of the Conference were finally closed by all present singing the Doxology.