AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4545, 18 November 1884, Page 2

AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

(BY TBT.EGKAI'H—own cokrkspcndent.)

. •■ CimtSTCiiOECir, this day. Sabbatic last was a red-letter day for Canterbury Methodists. The day wag all that could be desired; the pulpits of the churches were occupied by leading ministers of the other colonies; and the i congregations were unusually large. The Conference re-assembled on Monday morning at ten o'clock, when the subject of foreign missions was considered. Hey: Dr. Kelynaek, in an eloquent m address, reviewed the work of the past '.'4! three years, which revealed great progress, N A warm tribute was paid to the memory : of the late Rev. B. Chapman, General Secretary of Missions. Dr. Kelynack -• warmly eulogised the labours of Revs. ' -'■ Langhamand Tison in Fiji. The income from Fiji has risen from £3,200 in 1881 to £5,200 in 18S4. A new edition of the New Testament, under the editorship of-Key. . • Jas.'Culvert, will Bhortly.be issued. Thd jubilee of the Fijian Mission will be held , ;i next year, for which preparations are boing made. The mission in New Britain stows signs of prosperity. A translation of "the gospel of St. Mark, by Rev. O. Brown, is circulated, and St. Matthew is in % course of preparation. The total income ,',<■ of the mission during the terrenreum is £38,200 9s. The result of Dr. Kelynack's efforts for the Special Help Fund amounted to £50,000. All previous debts are cleared, and £2,000 remains of the Special Fund. Mr Berry, of New South Wales, has given a mission schooner to the Society worth £1,700. . • A special session of the Conference is to' be held to consider the prospects of the '}'(• Tongan Mission to-day. Foreign Mission Meeting. : A largo and enthusiastic meeting in furtherance of foreign missions was held in . ; connection with the General Conference in 8 the - Durham-street Church yesterday evon- ■'■ ing. On the platform were Revs. Langham and Pison (Fiji), Moulton (Friendly l a . lands), Watsford and Watkin (Victoria), Burgess (South Australia), J.Fletcher (President of Conference), and Dr. Kelynack (General I Secretary of Missions.) Addresses of a most interesting character were delivered, and ; tho concern of the church in missionH was deepened.' Most delightful weather prevails, and the Australians appear greatly impressed with the beauty and resources of the country. :.:' Joseph and His Brethren. A pleasant hit is sometimes unintentionally made during a serious debate. Speaking on the queston of separation last Fri- ■ day evening, one of the Australian niinisters illustrated his meaning from a well- ■?! known fact in ancient history. He said the ■ Australian Conference would always treat New Zealand well, and there was no | fear of any power or King arising I who "knew not Joseph.". "We love our M Joseph," he added; but just as he reached '■'■ this climax to his speech, given with con- '~■'. siderable dramatic effect, the applause he ox pected gave place to a general hearty and - sustained laugh, which somewhat disconcerted the speaker, till the glances of his '■>'■ brethren directed lih attention to the President, when he saw how their thoughts 1 had, by tho coincidence of namea, been transposed from the illustration of the question under discussion to the Rev, Joseph Fletcher, the President.' . ; . This day, 1 p.m.j . M Tho Conference this morning in occupied with the affairs of the Tonga mission and the consideration of the political actioniof the Horn Shirley Baker. No resolution has as yet been arrived at.