WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3527, 25 November 1881, Page 3

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Afternoon Session,

At the district meeting luncheon the ministers of the other Methodist Churches were present by invitation— Keys. Lone, Hodgßon, and Guy. Interesting postprandial addresses were delivered, a very general desire being expressed for the union of the various branches of the Metho. clist Church in the colony, just as the different sections of the Presbyterian Church were here united as one organisation. Much saving of strength, and probably more effective work in many localities would result from union.—The Rev. S. Baker expressed his pleasure at being present, and spoke oE what had been accomplished in Tonga Islands. He believed that their desire for political and ecclesiastical independence as a district was just.— The Key. Mr Hobbs, as an old veteran missionary, referred to the remarkable contrast there was between the state of things as at present existing and what they were when he first made the acquaintance of the Maoris on first coming to the country. Unsatisfactory as were the natives now in many respects, they were simply wild animals then. —The afternoon sitting was formally opened with singing and prayer by the Key J. Wallis.—Martin Waite, of Kaipara, gave a record of his work amongst his people daring the year. He was then orally examined in theology, scriptural history, &c, through the Key. Mr Budale, and was cordially recommended to pass as a, probationer in his year,—lt was resolved that Hauraki Paul, student of the Three Kings, be appointed to the work of the ministry this year.-Mr Baddle, who had iust visited the LaKe district, described the Btate of the natives about Kotorua as nearly quite neglected, having, at present, no Christian ordinances. They were, to a deplorable extent, the victims of intemperance. The newspaper lately published the fact that two natives had been mysteriously fonnd drowned in warm eprines one morning. There was no mystery about the matter. He had seen one of these victims lato on the previous evening, maddened with diink. Everywhere In the districts the Maoris were levying black-mail, and spending the cash in drink. —Mr Slade reported on the state of the native work in the Raglan district.-rlt was resolved, on the motion of Mr Lawry, aeconded by Mr Gittos, that a native minister be appointed to Jiaglanand Waipa.—Mr Gittos reported on the work in the Kaipara district. The general aspect of the work was favonrable, but the lack of persistent effort on the part of the natives very evidently deprived them of many of the higher advantages of Christianity and civilization. The extent to which they approved ofaU that was good and desirable was everything that conld be wished, but they failed in the < continuous energyneeded to raise them to the possession of what they so readily admitted. In the report of yesterday's proceedings it was omitted to state that the Rev. H. Bnll was appointed District Meeting Secretary, the Rev. H. JDewsbury.Assistant Secretary, and Key. W. Oliver, Press Reporter; also, that the Secretary was requested to write to the Rev. J. Warren assuring him of tneir sympathy in his continued illness. JFEIDA-2 MoRHING SmiNGj

The Secretary read a portion of Scripture, and the Rev. HV Dewsbury engaged in nraver The Revs. E. W, Ramtska and Wl WarenaPewa took their seats. Mr G. T. Marshall a candidate tor the ministry, was then subjected to a searching viva vocc examination in theology; his trial sermon, and written literary, classical, and theo. loeical examination reported on, and after careful deliberation the following resolution, moved by Rev. T. Buddle.seconded by Rev G. Bond, was unanimously passed : "That Mr Marshall be received as a student to receive further training for the work of theministry."-Kameka, a probationer in his fourth year, and Wi Warena Pewa, a JrobaSoner inh'is third year for the native ministry, then appeared before tho DUtrict Meeting for oral examination. The examination was conducted by the Rev. W. Morley, the Rev. T. Buddie translating. The examination was upon their Biblical and theological knowledge, their Pastoral and pulpit work. They gave a

) full account of the people under their charge, which indicated considerable moral progress among the members of those tribes. On the whole the answers were satisfactory, and gave evidence of studious application on their part, and they both passed in their respective year.