WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 308, 30 December 1891, Page 7

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

The annual Distiiab Meebing of the Wesleyan Church commenced its sessions on December 8 ab ten a.m. in tho lecture hall of tho Pitt-street Church. Tho Rev. Wm. Lee, Chairman of the District, presidsd.

Appointments.—After devotional exercises fclio Rev. D. McNicoll was appointed secretary ; Hey. C. 11. Garland, assistant secretary ; Rev. T. F. Jones, reporter to the daily press ; and fche Rev. A. C. Lawry to bhe " New Zealaud Methodist.' 1

Chairman's .Remarks.— The Bey. W. Lee reserved, his opening speech until the representative session, bub he welcomed the ministers. He referred in feeling terms to fcho removal by death of the Rev. A. Reid, late principal of Wesley College, and aL?o to the death of one of the native ministers, Rev. Hori Te iiuri. He welcomed to the district the T-ievs. J. 'Berry, McNicoll, Ward and Sarpell. Candidate* for tne. Ministry. — The Chairman stated that Mv E. Berry, a candidate from the Pub-street circuit,had on the advice of hi? medical adviser withdrawn his candidature for one year. _ Journal Skcrxtary.— The Rev. S. Griffith was appointed Journal Secretary. The Sacked Dead.—The question then was naked, " Have any of our ministers died during the vera , V bo which the solemn answer was given, Alexander Reid and Hore Te Kurei.—The H. H. Lawry and J. Berry vvoro asked to prepare an

obituary notice of Mr Reid, and Revs. William Gifctos and T. A. Joughin an obituary notice of Hore Tβ Kurei. The next hour was a most solemn one. Testimonies were given, on the departed ministers. The Rev. J. Berry said that the news of Mrßeid's death reached him at Washington jusb before the conference commenced. Ifc was a groab blow to him. One thing' that struck him was the combination of strength and gentleness in M r Reid. Some men had strength but not gentleness, while others had gentleness but lacked strength, bufc in Mr Reid both were combined. He was without a rival in our pulpit, and with children he was gen.tleness itself. There was one aspect. In the active ministry in New Zealand there were few senior men. Younger men had the burden of responsibility. Mr Berry closed an eloquent tribute by urging those who remained to " close the ranks."—-Other ministers also spoke. Statistician.—The Rev. G. T. Marshall was appointed to prepare statistics for the representative session. The Rev. J. Berry moved, " Thab Mr S. H. D. Peryman, a third year's student, at his own request, be kept another year at College, but with the distinct understanding that the additional year be not counted as the first year of probation." This was seconded by the Rev. J. Thomas, supported by the Rer. J. H; Simmouds and carried. It was also resolved, "That Mr William J. Elliott continue a third year, and Mr H. E. Belhouse a second year. " The Secretary read the report of the Wesley College for the year 1891, which stated that the number of students for the ministry had been three, all of whom have pursued a similar course of study to that of lasfc year. Since the death of the PrinciDal" ihe ordinary work of the College haa proceeded as usual, Mrs Reid having control of domestic arrangements, the Misses Reid assisting the students in teaching the Maori youths, and the Rev. J. H. Simmonds in giving Theology and Greek Testament to the students. Since the last report there has been a considerable increase in the number of Maori youths, though some of them are younger than those of former years. There are at present twenty-two in the institution—quite as many as there is proper accommodation for. The expenditure for the year was £948. Some of tho members thought that there should be a re-organisation of the Three Kings College. The recommendation of the Three Kings Committee was to tho eiiecfc that no change be made, and that the Rev. J. H. Simmonds be appointed principal. The Rev. J. S. Riehworth proposed, " That we recommend that tho Rev. J. H. Simmonds be appointed principal." The Rev. Mr Berry warmly supported tho motion. He thought that Mr Simrnor.ds was specially fitted for the work. The motion was unanimously agreed to. .. The Year's Wokk.—Referring to the work of the past year, the Chairman spoke feelingly of the loss sustained by the death of the Rev. Alexander Reid. The Maori Mission appeared to show some improvement, and the circuits and Home Mission stations were in a better position, financial and spiritual, than last year. It had been stated that there were 25,000 people in Auckland who never attended a place of worship, but he did not believe this to be correct. It might be found on a certain Sunday night 25,000 of the people of Auckland were not at church, but it should be recollected that a large proportion of this 25,000 people attended one of the other Sunday 3ervices. He did not think there were any small towns that were seriously neglected, but there wore certain people, notably those on the gumlields, who were never reached. New Buildings.—lt was stated that fche following new erections had been made, and properties acquired :—Mahurangi circuit: botacbod class-room at Port Albert, cost £20, no debb. i'ukekohe: Three classrooms and library have been erected at Tuakau, cost £49 16s 7d, no debb. The Pukekohe church has been removed near to the parsonage, cost £46, no debt. Permiasion waa givon to erect an additional building at Flab Bush : to purchase site for parsonage at Mahurangi ; to sell piece of hind at Kaipara Flat, and to sell old church site at Pukekohe. No sales were reported during the past year. HifiHEK Education.—Mr F. L. Prime presented the balance-sheet of the Wealey College Institution, which showed total income £441 4s, credit balance £254 11s Id. —The balance-sheet was adopted. Three Kings Coliege.—The balancesheet, which was adopted, showed receipts £936 16s sd, expenditure £936 16s sd. Neglected and Destitute Children Trust. — Tho balance-sheet, which was adopted, ohowed receipts : Three Kings, £260 ; Graf ton Road, £146 ; Waikowai, £5 ; fcotnl £411. Expenditure : Three Kings Executive, £392 6s 6d; sundries, £1813s 6d; total, £4-11. Theological Endowment Trust.—The balance sheet, adopted, showed receipts by way of rents from property at Mount Eden, Curran and Sarsfield-sbreebs, £68 ISs 6d ; expenditure, including £57 8s 9d repaid off loan, £68 15s Bd. Home Mission Fund.—The total income for the district' for the year was reported at £SSO 63 4d* against tho assessment, £666 8s ; deficiency, £86 Is Bd. Expenditure, total for Maori missions. £854 17s 7d ; against the estimate, £803 6s 6d ; Home mission stations, £47 6s 4d ; circuits, £165; special, £38 7s 6d; total expenditure in fche district, £1,122 15s 7d. The balance-f'heob was adapted. The estimated income for next year from accounts alone was put 'iown at £609 ; from connexional property £90 ; interest on investments £SB. The grants recommended for next year were as follows : — To Maori Missions ; Hokianga, £285 9s 2d; Kaipara, £70 ; Waikabo, £497 19a Id (including £40 for an additional agent in the Waikato). Total vote recommended for the Maori Mission, £833 8s 3d. Sumday-sghool Returns. —The Sundayschool returns were as follows :—Number of scholars, 4,570 ; average attendance, 3,16-1 ; number of teachers, 425. Travelling Evangelist.—The Rev. T. F. Jones moved, "That we recommend the Conference to appoint a buwh or travelling evangelist for tho district North of Auckland." The mover said that there were 1,800 men on the gumfields without service, and that a grant of £50 from the estimates u'on Id be sufficient to start the services. Mr Berry suggested that ie be referred to tho Church Evangelical Union in Auckland for it to bake tho mabcer up.—This was agreed to. Sunday - school Examination. — The committee appointed by the Conference to consider this matter recommended the establishment of a New Zealand Wesleyan Sunday School Union, with braneiiea in each district, and that a committee of management consisting of an equal number of ministers and Suruiay-school works be appointed by the Conference.-—After discussion it was eventually resolved, " Tfiat the report be recommended, with tho exception of the proposal bo form a Wesleyan Sundayschool Union." Lay Kkpkeseniataou.—On a recommendation from the Pitt-btreot quarterly meetin;: in .September, Mr U. Hobbs moved, " That provision be made for the admission of lay representatives into all the sessions of district meetings and conference in equal numbers with the ministers." After along and animated discussion, it was finally resolved, " That laymen be members of all sessions of the Conference and District Meeting except the session devjced to the examination ot ministerial character, and that the stationary committee be composed of oQual number of ministers and laymen."' Insurance. — A motion that steps be taken to torm a connexional insurance fund was discussed, but was rejected. General Secretary.—This question was discussed, and on the motion oi the Rev.

Mr Berry it was resolved :—" In the opinion of this District Meeting the appointment of a general secretary is undesirable for the following reasons: (1) That we have no funds for such a purpose and should strongly objecb to our connexional funds being employed to support a general secretary ; (2) that our present laws sufficiently provide for general superintendence ; (3) that the church work required in connection with the Jubilee and Loan Funds should be done by some suitable layman, who should be employed, for the purpose." Union of the Churches. — On the motion of Mr R. Hobbs it was resolved, " That this meeting recognises the desirability of the union of the Methodist Churche3 in New Zealand, and hopes that the Conference will take such steps as may appear advisable to bring about this end." The Conference concluded its sittings on December 11.