AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 274, 25 November 1897, Page 6

AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN METHODIST CHURCH.

EIGHTH GENERAL CONFERENCE,

The eighth general conference of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church commenced its session on Nov. 10 in the Pitt-street Church. The members present numbered 104, the constitution of the Conference being as follows :—New South Wales, 16 ministers, 8 laymen ; Victoria and Tasmania, 19 ministers, 15 laymen; South Australia and West Australia, 9 ministers, 7 laymen ; New Zealand, 11 ministers, 10 laymen; Queensland, 4 ministers, 5 laymen. The Victorian and Tasmanian delegates occupied the centre of the auditorium, the South and West Australians being placed on the left, and the representatives of New South Wales and New Zealand on the right. There was a large attendance of the public. RETIRING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The Rev. W. Morley, the retiring President, delivered a lengthy and exhaustive address, in the course of which he dealt with the growth of Wesleyan Methodism in these colonies and the methods of future work, making special reference to the efforts which were being made for unity in the Methodist churches. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT. The Rev. Mr Burgess was elected President for the ensuing term, amidst general applause. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The Rev. G. Lane was elected secretary. The Rev. Henry Bull (New Zealand) and the Rev. W. Halse Rogers (N.S.W.) were appointed assistant secretaries and Mr Thomas Lockwood (Victoria) and Rev. William Dinning (Queensland), journal secretaries.

The President (Rev. H. T. Burgess) took the chair, and business was proceeded with as follows, extending over several days:— Communications.—A lengthy address was read from the British Wesleyan Conference of 1894. Being an official reply to an address sent Home by the last General Conference, a suitable reply was framed and directed to be sent Home. INTERCHANGES. The followingniinisterialintercolonial exchanges were agreed to:—Rev. C E. James, from New South Wales to Queensland ; Rev. H. Pennington, Queensland to New South Wales ; Rev. S. Wright, New South Wales to Queensland; Rev. W. H. Howard, Queensland to N.S. Wales ; Rev. E. T. Cox, Victoria to South Australia; Rev. R. Kelly, South Australia to Victoria; Rev. S. Cuthbert, Victoria to South Australia; Rev. H. H. Teague, I South Australia to Victoria; Rev. T. E. Thomas, South Australia to New Zealand ; Rev. J. A. Luxford, New Zealand to South Australia; Rev. W. H. Hanton, South Australia to Queensland; Rev. W. Jeffries, Queensland to South Australia. The interchange between Revs. E. T. Cox (V,) and R. Kelly (S.A.) was agreed to, with the provision that it take effect in 1899.

"FORWARD MOVEMENT" MEETING

On the evening of November 11th there was a crowded attendance at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, a meeting being held in connection with the "Forward Movement" of the Wesleyan Church. The Rev. W. W. Rutledge, of the Central Mission in Sydney, The Rev. Dr. Watkin, of Melbourne Central Mission, and the Rev. J. A. Rowe gave addresses.

AMENDMENT QUEENSLAND MODEL DEED.

The Rev. H. Youngman moved, and it was carried, that a committee consisting of Revs. "W. Morley, G. Lane, W. L. Blamires, J. 15. Stevenson, H. Youngman (convener), Messrs W. Robson, J. VV. Eggleston, J. Flesher, E. Mitchell, and W. T. Reid be appointed to consider the desirability of this General Conference giving its approval to a proposed amendment of the Queensland Model Deed. TONGAN AFFAIRS. The Conference sat with closed doors to consider the question of Tongan affairs. The Rev. Mr Morley moved, and it was carried unanimously, "That the General Conference of 1894 having affirmed that in its judgment the Methodist Union in the colonies would be for the glory of God and the advancement of Christ's kingdom, this Conference further expresses its desire for such union in the Friendly Islands, where ! two Churches, the Wesleyan Methodist Church and the Free Church of Tonga (which is Methodist in its origin, doctrine and polity) are now in existence." It was also resolved that a letter conveying kindly greetings and embodying the above resolution be sent to the churches in Tonga. A committee on Tongan affairs was appointed. A DEPUTATION. The Rev. W. J. Williams introduced a deputation from the Auckland Ministers' Association. The Rev. R. Ferguson (Presbyterian Church) in the name of the Auckland ministers welcomed the Conference to New Zealand. The Revs. Thomas (Congregational), Ward (Primitive Methodist) and Macnicol (Presbyterian) also addressed the meeting. The Rev. Hy. Bath (Victoria) on behalf of the ministerial section of the Conference, acknowledged the courteous welcome tendered by the deputation, and Mr W. Shepherd Allen replied on behalf of the lay brethren. FOREIGN MISSIONS. The following ministers and laymen were appointed the Board of Missions to act till the next General Conference, viz. : —The President of the Conference, the Secretary of the Conference, the Revs. G. Brown, ' D.D. (General Secretary of Missions), S. Wilkinson, Joseph dram, Walter J. Davis, William Clarke, F. Langham, George Martin, J. A. Nolan, 11. Sellors, D.D., J. E. Moulton, George Lane, A. Parsons, J. Spence, R. Bavin, J. A. Waddell, J. E Carrutliers, J. G. Middleton, E. J. Rodd, W. G. Taylor, W. H. Bcale, James Woolnough, B. J. Meek. Paul Clipsham, W. W. Rutledge, W. H. Williams, E. Fox, Hons. S. E. Lees, E. Vickeray, Ms.L.C, Messrs W. Arnott, W. Railey, It. Bennetts, R. S. Callaghan, J.P., B. H. Chapman, W. W. Clarke, R.W. Conway, T. Cowlishaw, R. H. Ducker, J.P., J. Fletcher, John Hardy, Captain Laidman, W. H. McClelland, Peter Miller, J.P.. F. Over, T. P. Reeve, R. 11. Rigg, William Robson, J.P., W. E. V. Robson, 8.A., It. D Sippe, J. Vickery, J. Wade, J.P., Richard Watkins, W. Wiim, Dr. W. W. J. O'Reilly.—The Rev. G. Brown, D.D., Convener.

The following Ministers were appointed a Committee of Discipline for Missions to act till the next General Conference, viz :— The President of the Conference, the Secretary of the Conference, the Revs. G. Brown, D.D. (General Secretary of Missions), S. Wilkinson, Joseph Grain, W. Clarke, F. Lansrham, George Martin, J. A. Nolan, R. Sellors, D.D., J". E. Moulton, George Lane, A. Parsons, R. Bavin, J. E. Carruthers, E. J. Rockl, W. H. Beale, James Woolnough, B. J. Meek, W. W. Rutledge. The Rev. G. Brown, D.D., Convener.

Dr. Brown, General Secretary of Foreign Missions, read a statement of income and expenditure in regard to foreign missions :— Income : 1893, £11,906 3s 7d ; 1894, £14,419 16s lOd ; 1895, £13,439 5s Id ; 1896, £12,590 12s 6d ; total, £52,355 18s. Expenditure : 1893, £13,958 5s 9d ; 1894, £14,643 ISs lid ; 1895, £15,037 7s lOd j 1896, £13,610 4s 2d ;

total, £57,249 16s Sd. Deficiency since General Conference, 1894, £4,893 18s Bd. Legacies. Estates: Late Mrs Pettit, Stanmore, £50 ; late Mr James Hamilton, Lucknow, £50; late Mr John Probert, Auckland, £1,000 ; late Mr John Dunn, Adelaide, £600 (in three annual instalments) ; late Mr John Dunn, Adelaide, £400 (in four annual instalments). Late Mrs Ellen Scholield : No amount had yet been received by the Board, a* other bequests under the will take precedence The probable amount of the legacy is still uncertain. The Rev. G. Lane stated that the estate of the late Mrs Ellen Schofield was likely to produce ultimately about £15,000. At present the income was largely devoted to the maintenance of properties, but shortly it was expected that the whole income would be available for the work of the Society. The recommendations of the Foreign Missions Board of Management were considered and adopted. ORGANISING SECRETARY. It was decided to appoint an organising secretary for Foreign Mission work, in addition to the General Secretary, to reside in Sydney, and the Rev. B. Danks was elected to the position. It was also decided that the present system of setting apart a minister in full work as Secretary for Foreign Missions in Victoria cease. INDIA AND CHINA MISSIONS. The Rev. B. Danks (Victoria) moved : _" That, with the view of retaining our young men and young women who are anxious to engage in evangelistic and medical foreign missionary work, this Conference directs the Board of Missions to establish a mission in India, China or Japan ; provided nevertheless that no appointment be made until the funds necessary for such mission be secured."

The Rev. P. W. Fairclough moved as an amendment, "That this Conference feel deeply the, spiritual needs of the vast population of Asia and Japan, and rejoices in the labours of the heroic servants of Christ in their midst, but also feels that the utter degradation of the savage tribes in the South Seas, whom God has made our neighbour, and whose islands are the future dependencies of these young countries, demands the undivided zeal and Christian generosity of our Church. Mr Fairclough's amendment was put to the meeting and lost, whereupon Dr. Watkin's was put and carried by til to 28. The Rev. Dr. Watkins moved, "That should a majority of the annual conferences approve of the establishment of a mission in Continental Asia or Japan, after the Board of Missions has expressed its views on the practicability of such a mission, the Board of Missions be directed to take the necessary steps for the establishment of such a mission, on the understanding that the necessary funds be provided beforehand."

The motion was carried, with the insertion of the words " members of the " before " annual conferences."

The report of the Foreign Missions Board was adopted as read and ordered to be printed in the minutes.

ALLOWANCES FOR CHILDREN. The Rev. Dr. Brown moved and it was carried : " That children born in the colonies prior to the parents entering upon mission work :—Resolved —' That in such cases, payment be made by the Mission 15oard whilst they (the parents) remain in the mission field, but that on their return to the colonies any further payment be made by the Colonial Children's Fund."

FINANCE. The Rev. Wm. Morley moved : (1) "That the attention of the several annual Conferences be called to the fact now reported, that on March 31st last a sum of £4,000— or one-third of the income for the year 1896 —was then in the hands of the Circuit or District Treasurers; and that they be directed to take steps to prevent such delay in remittance and consequent loss in the future. (2) That at each District Synod the question be asked." Have the amounts collected for Foreign Missions been duly remitted to the General Treasurer. (3) That the attention of the members and adherents of the Church in the various colonies be called to the fact of the necessary expenditure for further extension in New Guinea and New Britain and the need of work among the Indian coolies in Fiji. It is, therefore, requisite that the present ordinary income be increased and the Conference earnestly appeals to all who are interested in the extension oi the Kingdom of Christ for aid, and directs the annual conferences to take steps with a view to strengthening and perfecting the organisation so as to secure the amount necessary to carry on the work of our missions in the South Seas."

Mr T. Vasey seconded and the motion was carried.

CONFERENCE FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA.

The South Australian Annual Conference recommended that the Western Australian district be separated frora the South Australian Conference and constituted a separate conference, the iirst conference to be held in 1900.

After a discussion lasting nearly two hours the motion was put, with the result that it was carried by 79 to 14.

CHILDREN'S FUND. The report of the General Treasurers of the Children's Fund showed that since the last Conference the Treasurers had recorded 250 births and 20 deaths. For the present year there was a total number of 372 claimants—ministers and widows— claiming for 1,093 children and 11 funerals. The balance-sheet showed an expenditure for the year amounting to £9 10s, leaving a cash balance of £18 2s Cd.

The report and balance - sheet were adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the treasurers, the Rev. Lee and Mr J. P. Leary. The Rev. Mr Lee and Mr W. Harris were appointed treasurers for the ensuing term. CONGREGATIONAL UNION. A deputation consisting of the Rev. George Burgess and Mr George Fowlds was introduced on Nov. 17 to the Conference. They presented the cordial greetings of their Union expressing the great pleasure they had in common with all other churches in welcoming the Conference to Auckland. They recognised that they were one great brotherhood working for one common cause, the advance of Christ in the earth. They recognised also the great work done by the Methodist Church throughout the colony, and wished them every success.

The Rev. Mr Fitchett, at the call of the President, replied to the deputation in a very felicitous speech, and acknowledged the cordial welcome tendered by the deputation.

SUPERNUMERARY FUND.

The special report and balance-sheet of the treasurers of the Supernumerary Ministers' and Ministers' Widows Fund were read, together with the recommendations of the Supernumerary Fund Committee.

The balance-sheet showed the income of the fund to have been : 1894, £25,895 15s 9d ; 1595, £25,897 13s lid ; 1896, £29,355 13s 8d ; total, £84,179 3s _4d. The expenditure for the same period left a bank balance and cash on hand, December 31st, 1896, amounting to £7,682 13s Sd, while loans on mortgage totalled £8,259 14s Id. The capital account for the year ending December 31st, 1896, was £199,204 13s 9d, showing a reduction during the three years of £13,137 12s 6d. In view of the continued shrinkage in the value of real estate, the Board of Treasurers had set aside £23,927 13s lid, making in all £43,927 13s lid reserved as a provision for shrinkage in the value of securities and losses in interest.

Since the last General Conference (1894) the sum of £7,756 had teen invested in New South Wales, and £600 in Queensland. Practical difficulties had prevented investments in New Zealand and South Australia. The number of supernumeraries and widows in 1894 were 68 and 56 respectively, and in 1896 they numbered 71 and 62. The amounts paid to annuitants for the three years had been £33,356 7s Bd. In view of a valuation report made by the Rev. John Cope, the Board were of opinion that the allowances to annuitants should be reduced for the next two years by 12£ per cent, from the scale of allowances as fixed by the General Conference of 1881, such reductions to take effect from March, 1896, to March, 1898, pending the action of the next General Conference. The annual Conferences of 1896, with the exception of the New Zealand Conference, having approved of the proposal, the reductions in the annuities took eflect from March, 1896.

The Rev. Wm. Morley moved that the Conference express its concurrence of the following : " The Committee after due inquiry are satisfied that every care has been taken by the Board of Treasurers to obtain reliable information as to the securities of the fund."

After discussion the motion was carried

The action of the General Treasurers in reducing the allowances to annuitants by 12h per cent, was confirmed. The New Zealand Annual Conference were directed to appoint the Key. F. W. Isitt to circuit work, and also to consider the position of Rev. L. M. Isitt. A motion that ministers' annual subscriptions to the fund be increased from£6 6s to £7 7s per annum was carried, after a lengthy discussion. It was also decided to increase the connexional charges for each minister from £9 9s to £10 per annum, and that the charges be raised by a quarterly levy on circuit income, instead of as at present, partly by collection and partly by levy. The Rev. Mr Morley moved, "That the scale of allowances for annuitants recommended by the Rev. John Cope in his report be adopted provisionally, payments on such scale to commence in the June quarter, 1898, a further scale to be prepared on a basis of 3? per cent, and 3J per cent., the treasurers to be authorised to pay on either of these scales as the earnings of the fund should warrant." Mr Morley said they could not go on earning one sum and paying out a larger sum. They must make this fund safe at all hazards. The motion was carried.

It was decided that annuities should not he payable until the end of the eighth year instead of the lifth, but that after five years' service a minister should be entitled to the actuarial value of his premiums. A gradual and declining scale of allowances was adopted in the case of widows whose husbands had travelled for less than eight years, and the Board of Treasurers were empowered to compound with the widow for a lump sum if desired. It was agreed, on the recommendation of the Committee, that the amounts to be paid by ministers of other Methodist Churches who would become members of the fund in the event of' Methodist union being accomplished be. Of less than eight years, must purchase full benefits; from nine to 18 years, two-thirds benefits; more than 18 years, half benefits. The following were appointed the Board of Treasurers for the ensuing three years : Keys. E. .J Watkin, D.D., W. Williams, F.L.S., W. L. Blamires, T. Grove, Messrs P. Johns, W. E. Bennett, E. Whitehead and J. Callaghan, provision being made for changes in personnel, with suitable qualifications.

Messrs W. A. Newton, F.1.V.A., and B. D. Smith, F.1.V.A., were appointed auditors to the fund.

It was decided that the legacy in connection with the Plampin Estate be invested in New Zealand in accordance with the terms of the bequest, the New Zealand Conference to report thereon. The proceeds from this estate are to be available only for annuitants in New Zealand. On the recommendation of the Victorian and Tasmanian Conference in was decided that each institution, to which a minister is set apart, be required to pay the sum of £2 10s per quarter to the Supernumerary Fund. It was resolved that in the case of a new circuit, or a circuit taking a second minister, the levy shall be for nine months only. The treasurers were authorised to appoint another actuary in place of the Rev. J. Cope. A resolution was passed expressing the highest appreciation of the careful and painstaking way in which the information had been supplied in the report of the Rev. J. Cope. METHODIST UNION ACT: NEW ZEALAND. The Rev. W. Morley moved, " That the General Conference accede to the request made by the New Zealand Conference, to pass the declarations and resolutions referred to in sub-section 4 of clause 5 of the Methodist Union Act, New Zealand." New Zealand only wanted, Mr Morley explained, what had been granted to Queensland in 1894.

Mr Harding seconded the motion.

Mr W. S. Allen moved as an amendment " That after the words, ' Now this General Conference of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church doth hereby approve of the said section five and all other sections of the said Act'; the following words be inserted, ' with the exception of the words,' ' or for such greater number of years as may from time to time be authorised by the General Conference referred to in the principal Act, or other Conference for the time being exercising supreme jurisdiction in the Colony of New Zealand' in subsection one of section five ; and also with the exception of the words, ' Make any other alteration in or modification of the said Model Deed, or of any Schedule thereto,' in sub-section two of section five, of the said Act."

Mr Allen said there had been no demand on the part of the people of New Zealand for the change proposed by Mr Morley. He did not believe the bulk of the people knew anything about it, and certainly he did not think they favoured it. "The change proposed would pave the way to having a settled pastor in some districts, and to Congregationalism. They would create two classes of ministers, and generally inflict a blow upon country Methodism.

Mr Priest seconded the amendment. Mr Fairclough spoke in support of the motion. The New Zealand Methodists wished to be free from State control.

The Rev. Baumber said that if the amendment were carried they would be prevented from altering the constitution without going to the expense of getting another Act passed by Parliament. As to Mr Allen's statements, he was sure every intelligent Methodist knew about the constitution. It was humiliating to have to go to Parliament and ask men who had no interest in church affairs to take up matters like this and legislate upon them. Mr Buddie said the effect of section 5 as a whole was to give too large powers to the New Zealand Conference. He moved as an amendment to strike out all words after "section 5" in the preamble, and insert "providing that no alteration or modification under sub-section 2 and 3 of said section shall be made without the consent of the Conference mentioned in sub-section."

The Rev. W. H. Fitchett opposed the motion. Apparently the New Zealanders did not know what they wanted, and asked the Conference to give them a blank cheque as it were in che matter.

After further discussion, the Rev. Mr Morley replied. He said the motion had been characterized as a move for separation, and he thought it was about time that was done. But when the Conference

had not granted separation, no one had been more loyal than himself. Mr Morley dealt with and replied to the arguments raised by previous speakers in opposition to his motion, after which Mr Allen's amendment was put to the meeting, and defeated by 5S to 21. The original motion was then put, amended m accordance with Mr Buddies snggestion. The motion was carried by 66 votes to

15. INTERCOLONIAL EXCHANGES.

The following inter-colonial exchanges were agreed to:—Rev. T. h. Thomas, South Australia to .New Zealand; Rev. J. A. Luxford[New Zealand to Queensland; Rev. W. Jeffries, Queensland to South Australia. The Rev. B. Danks was, on the motion of the Rev. W. Morley, transferred from Victoria to New South Wales.

CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY.

It was resolved that all candidates for the ministry should undergo a careful and complete medical examination, and that there should be a Board of Examiners for each Conference, consisting of not Jess than two duly qualified medical men, who should report to the Conference upon each candidate.

NEXT GENERAL CONFERENCE.

It was decided to hold the next General Conference in the Albert-street Wesleyan Church, Brisbane, in 1901, commencing on the second Friday in May.

METHODIST UNION.

It was resolved on the motion of the Rev. W. H. Fitchett, 8.A., "That the Conference records its gratification at the fact that the basis of Union, as defined m the resolutions of the General Conference of 1894 (page 50), has been accepted so frankly by the Minor Methodist Churches throughout Australasia, with the single exception of the section of the Primitive Methodist Church in New Zealand, ihe Conference expresses its earnest hope that the scattered'branches of the Methodist Church throughout Australasia will, at an early date, be gathered into compact and vital unity, and that the public influence and spiritual power of the Church may be greatly augmented as a result." A resolution was also passed, on Mr Fitchett's motion, "that the Conference deems it expedient to define more fully and exactly the conditions upon which, when Union is effected with any other Methodist Church, the Ministers of such Church may become members of the Supernumerary Ministers' and Ministers' Widows Fund.1' THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS. The Rev. E. W. Nye presented the report of the Committee on Theological Institutions, Colleges and Sunday-schools. The report, which was adopted, showed that in the colonies there were four theological institutions under the auspices of the Church, containing 17 students and 11 tutors. There were 9 colleges, containing 1,406 students and 78 tutors. These colleges cost £177,041, and the total debt was £93,184. Of Sunday-schools (including missions) there were 3,593, containing 18,730 teachers and 186,532 scholars, together with 8,348 scholars who were members of the Church in the colonies, and 5,280 catechumens. The Committee recommended the desirability of- devoting some portion of the morning service each Sunday to the needs of the children.

SOCIAL AND TEMPERANCE QUESTIONS.

The report of the Committee on temperance and social questions stated that within the church throughout the colonies there were 569 bands of hope and temperance societies, with a membership of 42,122. The New Zealand returns showed that there were US bands of hope and 11,701 members.

Resolutions were carried urging Methodists to a conscientious abstinence from secular engagements on the Sabbath, and urging the importance of electing to Parliament and municipal councils men who would seek to enforce the closing of public houses! during the whole of Sunday. . It was resolved " that the Conference views with much concern the spirit of gambling in the colonies, and pledges itself to do all it possibly can amongst young people to suppress the evil."

NEW HYMN AND TUNE BOOK.

The Rev. W. Morley moved and it was agreed "That Conference be recommended to take measures for the issue of a new and enlarged hymn and tune hook, and that a committee be appointed to correspond with the authorities of the English Bookroom with the view of them bringing out such a book, and, if found practicable, at the earliest period to bring out an Australasian edition, and secure part of the profits thereon."

CENTRAL THEOLOGICAL INSTITU

TION FOR AUSTRALASIA.

The recommendations of the Annual Conferences on this subject were read, after which the following resolutions were adopted after debate:—(l) This Conference re-affirms the desirableness expressed by the last General Conference of one central Theological Institution ; (2) That Queen's College, Melbourne, be the central institution, and that the Annual Conference shall undertake the financial responsibility of its own students; (3) That the entire management of the institution, including the appointment of the tutorial staff anS the arrangement of the curriculum, shall be under the direction of the General Conference; (4) in the intervals between the General Conferences, the affairs of the institution shall be under the supervision of the Victoria and Tasmania Conference ; (5) that the right of the General Conference to control the central Theological Institution, as per resolution No. 3, shall not be held to involve any financial responsibility on the part of the General Conference in relation to Queen's College ; (6) that the Annual Conference, in carrying out these resolutions, shall ascertain and act upon the trusts of any funds or properties held for the purposes of a Theological Institution.