WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1537, 15 January 1875, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The second conference of the New Zealand Wes]eyan Church was officially opened last eveuiog in the Pitt-street church, commencing at half-past six o'clock. The following ministers were present : —Revs. T. Buddie (president), J. Hobbs, J. Wallis, J. Warren, JT. Buller, H. H. Lawry, W. Kirk, A. Heid, C. H. SchnackeDberg, W. Gittos, J. White, S. Ngaropai, J. Crump, W. Watkin, W. Rowce, W. Barton, B. S. Bunn, J. Smith, W. Morley, A. K. Fichett, R.. Bavin, J. Berry, W. C. Olliver, J. W. Wallis, W. G. Thomas, G. Bond, H. Dewesbury, J. F. Beeve, J. Armitage, J. Simon, G. W. Russell, and Garlick. The president, the Rev. Thomas Buddie, opened the proceediags. The conference hymn, commencing witb, "And ara we yet alive to see each other's face," was sung with great fervency by the vast company present. The Rev. Father Hobbs and the Rev. J. Wallis lead in prayer.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS. The President (Rev. T. Buddie) spoke as follows : Dear brethren and Christian friends, —I am glad to meet you in this place of worship, the principal place of worship of the first New Zealand circuit, —the scene of my earliest labours, where I spent some of the happiest years of my life, and formed some of the dearest friendships. The memory of years I have spent in God's servics among you is exceeding sweet to me. lam glad to find myself ia such a situation as the present at this Conference of our Church in the house of God. I am reminded of my early associates, who were connected with the early history of our Methodist Church in this place. Some of them have passed away. I find here this night, I think only one, who sailed with me from my native land, who are in the full work of the ministry. I would pay a passing tribute to the memory of one who has late gone from our midst. I refer to our venerated brother Buttle. We both contracted a friendship on board the Triton, that was never broken or interrupted. I cherish the deepest affection for the memory of that good man. A kinder heart neTer beat in human bosom than that which beat in the heart of George Buttle. A man of more consistent piety and faith 1 never knew. I rejoice to hear of his triumphant passage to the skies. His end was peace - "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright man, for his end is peace." lam glad to see my wishes in reference to the New Zealand Conference realised. That was my great object—to have a conference of our own, to manage the ecclesiastical affairs in our hands. Many saw great difficulties in carrying out the proposal, but I think the experience we have acquired at our first Conference, testified that the right thing had been done. That the Confederated Churches with which we were in connection have properly laid upon us the duties we have to discharge this evening, is established beyond question. I am glad that the labours of the year have been full of good results. lam glad to know i a jhe churcheß are in peace. We have had deep sympathy with you in your work in this island, and we are here to testify how willing we are, and how earnest we are, to Bhar« your burdens; and in taking our prom one united New ft rMiSW 1! one united Conthe work God has fe'Vea %&W-*<& desist from further re- ? , - _\1 WJ} l now caU uP°n my brethren to elect the President for the ensuing year. He must be of those of fifteen years* standing in the connestion. You all know the standing of the brethren. Only ministers who are in full connection can vote The ballot papers were then handed round with the following result:—For the Rev. James

Bull.er, 20f; for the Rev. A. Reid, 1. This vote, it appeared, came from Mr. Buller himself. The result was received with rejoicing. The ex-President then delivered up to the new President the books, documents, an 1 seal of the Conference.

Tbe President, in tuking the chair, said he was honored and hum! led upon his election to tbe presidentisl chiiir of the conference — honored to fill a position after so honored a brother as Mr Buddie. We are sorty that our space precludes the eloquent address of Mr Buller, which was of special interest, and received with welcome by the audience. A vote of thanks to the retiring Resident was moved by Bey. Mr Fitchett, and seconded by Rev. W. Maly, and carried unanimously.

A vote of thanks to the newly elected secretary to the Conference — tbe Rev. A. Reid—was moved by the Bey. Mr Crump, and seconded by the Rev. J. Berry. Several notices of motion were laid upon the table, and tbe business announced for certain days arranged. The usual conference prayer-meeting was commenced, and after that the meeting was postponed till 10 a.m. this day.

THIS DAY,

The second sitting of the Wesleyan Conference assembled at the Pitt-street church this morning at ten o'clock. The following members were present : The Revs. Buller (President), T. Buddie, Wallis, Warren, Lawry, Eeid, Morley, Watkin, Firchett, Rowse, Crump, White; Gittos, ychnackeni'erg, K'rk, Bunn, Oliver, Wallis, Berry, Bavin,, Richardson, Smith, Thomas, Dewsbury, Reese. It is expected that the Revs. Rig£j, Taylor, amd Bishwarth will arrive from the South by the Phcebs this evening. The devotional exercises were conducted by the President, with Messrs Buddie and Kirk. Tbe preaching appointments for the next Sabbath were fixed, and will be announced to-mor-row. It was agreed to excuse Messrs. Bond and Harper from attendance at the Conference this year, and that their ordination be arranged for upon the return of the President to Canterbury. JSTexb Thursday was fixed for the consideration of the financial questions, and it was decided to open the doors to the public on tbat day. The secretary read a letter from Mr George Hewlett tendering; his resignation from the ministry on the ground of ill health. The remainder of the session was occupied with the discussion of the qualifications of tbe six candidates for the ministry, of whom six have been brought to the Conference.