THE WESLEYAN CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 90, 18 April 1893, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE.

(By Southern Cross.)

It is bo me an interesting study, to note the resolutions and discussions in connection wibh bhe various church courbs, especially as seeing how far they go in tho direction of helpfulness bo bhe people beyond bho baunds of their respective communions. In this respect, tho recent Wesleyan Conference, which had its session in Dunedin, has taken a leading position, as the following resolutions will show. REV. L. M, ISITT. "Thab Bro. L. M. Isitb having soughb permission to be released for one year from ordinary circuit work, in order to devote himself to the promotion of the temperance movement in the colony, the Conference accedes to his request, and in doing so, expresses its sympathy with that movement, and trusts that Cod may guide and bless Bro. Isibt in his special work during bho year." This action on the part of the church is practical evidence of its deep sympathy with temperance reform, and it 9 willingness to aid the movement in a manner its complete organisation can enable it to do. ; THE AGE OF CONSENT. .. Tho W.C.T.U. urged that steps bo taken to bring before tho Legislature the desirability of passing a law raising the age of consent from 14 to 18. Tlio Auckland, District Meebing had sent a recommendation in favour of the proposal, which was read and agreed to. DIRECT VETO. " That, in view of reconb legal decisions, the Conference urges upon all bbc members and adherents of our church bhe necessity of taking prompt and unremitting action in order to secure the necessary amendments in-the present Licensing Acts that will enable all adult residents by direcb vobe bo decide all applications for licenses, whether club or hotel, in their respective diabriebs." LICENSING CLUBS. "Thab this Conference consisting of lay and ministerial representatives enters ibs emphatic probesb againsb bhe action of bhe Government in thwarting the will of the people of Wanganui by granting a club licenso to ono of the hotels recently closed by the Licensing Commibbee. They regard such action as a pandering, on the part of the Government, to the liquor interesb, and a travesty upon thab liberalism which the Government professes to maintain." WOMANHOOD SUFFRAGE. " Thab the Conference reaffirms its entire sympabhy with womanhood suffrage, and deeply regrets that bhe Woman's Franchise Bill—a measure recognised by both Houses to be essentially just and liberal—should have failed to pass inbo law during the late Parliamentary session. Tho Conference respoctfully urges the Premier to give womanhood suffrage precedence in the next session, so that ib may bo operative by bhe general election." BIBLE INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS. "Whereas this Conference has for many years passed resolutions in favour of the Bible in schools, it will gladly embrace bhe opporbunibv of co-operabing wibh bhe religious bodies in bheir efforts to attain some form ot Scriptural reading in our public schools, and appoint a Commibtee to confer and acb with representatives of other churches on tho subject." In tha discussion bhab arose on this question, ib was made very evidenb thab bhe Conference would nob countenance any attempt to return to denominational education. MAGDALA ASYLUM. "That this Conference records its strong and emphatic protest against the action of the Government in granting £500 to the Magdala Asylum near Christchurch, such grant boing a disbincb violation of a well understood principle hitherto acted upon, viz., 'No State aid to any religious denomination.'" GAMBLING. " That the Conference again resolves to place on record its emphatic protest against the prevalent evil of gambling, especially as practised in connection with various sports and pastimes, church bazaars and commercial pursuits. It views with disapproval the increasing facilities afforded by tho Colonial Secretary for holding art unions and for the use of bhe botahsator, and determines to continue its efforts for the total and unconditional abolition ot every form of legalised gambling. In hia address bhe retiring President said : Our mission is not only to call men to repentance, but to seek tho removal of everything thab sbands in bhe way of their coming bo God. Hence ib is the Church a

duty, though not a political institution, to seek to. redress social wrongs by promoting and fostering righteous sentiment on the great social questions of the day by insisting upon the enactment of . just laws—laws thafc shall apply with equal force to man and woman, and by seeking the abolition of everything that lies in the path of human progress and happiness. We musb prove to the world our right to exist by roal honest work for the good of humanity." Let the churches be actuated by that epiribj and they will soon regain.their position in the esteem and confidence of numbers, who, weary at heart, long for leadership and companionship while now feeling, whether rightly or wrongly, that tho churchea have little sympathy with them in the present day difficulties which beset their daily walk in life.