RANGIORA WESLEYAN CIRCUIT.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3222, 29 December 1875, Page 3

RANGIORA WESLEYAN CIRCUIT.

The quarterly meeting of the local preachers of this circuit was held in the vestry of the Southbrook Church on Monday morning last. The Rev Henry Bull occupied the chair, and there was a full attendance. A letter was read from Mr Graham, requesting to be released from preaching for twelve months. The chairman pointed out that no reason was assigned in the letter. Mr ShaTplin said he believed one reason for Mr Graham's desired withdrawal was because the chairman had not included his name in the programme of speakers on the occasion of the opening of the new church. Mr C. S. Howard said this was quite incorrect, as Mr Graham had declared his intention to retire long before the new church was opened. Eventually, a deputation was appointed to see Mr Graham, and report the result to the chairman. Mr Meredith stated that his own labours, as a local preacher, would have to be limited for some time to come, as he had consented to superintend the Fernside Sunday school during Mr Mannering's absence. It was resolved that application be made for the use of the Fernside school, in which to hold Sunday evening preaching. Mr Sharplin said he regretted to observe that the circuit ministers did not occupy the pulpits of the country preaching places more frequently. He thought the local preachers should appear oftener before the town congregations than they had hitherto been permitted to do. Messrs Little and Thompson objected to any alteration being made. It alterations were made the town churches would suffer. Mr Joseph Thompson complained that the new building in Rangiora had been designated " Trinity " Chnrch. As they did not monopolize the Trinitarian doctrine, he entirely objected to that peculiar designation, and he moved that the trustees of the church be requested to allow the name to drop. Mr Sharp l in seconded the resolution, which was carried. Mr Meredith said he had noticed that tbe chairman when he read the report at the opening of the new church, had used the word " sacramental" steward when speaking of Mr Mardon's appointment. He was much pained at the use of that term in a Methodist Church, and trusted the use of it was not intentional. The chairman said he had

used the term designedly, as being in his opinion more expressive of the work of one whose- business- it was to provide the materials for the sacraments, -than the common term of "poor" 'steward. Mr Sharplin desired-to enter his most solemn protest' against the chairman's conduct in this matter.. If the chairman persisted in using such terms, which were quite unknown to Methodism, the local preachers would not work with him in the concerns of the circuit. This word " sacramental" was a clear advance in favor of Puseyism, and would induce " war and revolution" in the cijcuit as long as the chairman remained in it. The chairman said he must refer the speaker to the Rev James Buller, the president of the Conference, to whom alone he (the chairman) was amenable. The Benediction was then pronounced.

The quarterly meeting of the stewards and other office-bearers was held in the afternoon of the same day. The Rev H. Bull again occupied the chair, and there were twenty representatives present. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Graham for his services in procuring a circuit horse. A letter of sympathy was directed to be sent to Mr Atkinson, of Woodend. The income for the quarter was £145 10s lOd, and the expenditure £139 18s lOd. On the motion of the circuit stewards, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Rev H. Bull for his ministerial services during the past year. This being the third year of Mr Bull's residence in the circuit, it was resolved to submit the names of two ministers to the Conference from whom to choose his successor as superintendent of the circuit. These were, the Rev G. Harper and the Rev D. McNicoll. Mr Sharplin said he wished to detail some incidents in connection with a meeting he had attended at the Crescent, road Wesleyan Church. The chairman ruled that Mr Sharplin was out of order. On the motion of the circuit stewards, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to the Rev P. W, Fairclough, with a request that the Conference re-appoint him to the circuit next year. The chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Little and Thompson, sen, for their efficient services as circuit stewards during the past year: This was carried. Mr J. Thompson was elected circuit steward for the next year. The chairman asked if the meeting desired to send a representative to the Wellington Conference. Mr Meredith moved, and Mr Sharplin seconded, a resolution to the effect that on account of the illiberal policy of the Conference no representative be sent. This was lost, and Mr Joseph Thompson elected representative. Mr Meredith moved, and Mr Sharplin seconded, that the class meeting still continue to be the test of membership. This was carried. Mr Meredith moved, and Mr Sharplin seconded, that young people be not trained and prepared for the Communion, as recommended by the Canterbury District Meeting. He remarked that there was in the District Meeting recommendation a tendency to Puseyism. The resolution was carried by a majority of two. Mr Meredith moved, and Mr Sharplin seconded, that the communion-rails be abolished, and that the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper be received in a sitting posture. Mr Thompson opposed the motion, which was lost. Mr Thompson moved a resolution ia favor of temperance, which was carried. The proceedings were closed by the Benediction.