WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8789, 10 March 1894, Page 5

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Friday, March 9. Representative Session. The Conference resumed at 9.30 *.m., th e Rev. D. McNicoll, President, in the choir. Notice of the following motions was given : — The Rev. W. Lee—"That it be a recommendation to General Conference to alter constitution of annual Conference as follows: —Paragraph 235 be altered so as to read «should the number of laymen thus provided be less than tbe number of ministers pertaining to any annual Conference additioual laymen shall be provided —first, by the lay Treasurers of the connexional funds having a seat and, second, by additional laymen being elected by the quarterly meetings, as already provided.'" The Rev. S. Lawry—"That a Committee consisting of the Chairmen of districts be appointed to collect information on the state of religion and morals in the circuits, and to report to next Confere_ce, the report to be taken in connection with the reading of the statistics and the conversation on the work of God." Mr G. J. Smith—" That it be a recommendation to the General Conference that the name of the fund known as the Children's Fund should be altered, and that it should hereafter be known as the Equalisation Fund." Rev. W. Morley—" That the Conference is of opinion that a system of general superintendency similar to that prevailing iv the Methodist Episcopal Church of the United States and the Methodist Church of Canada, is calculated to be of great service in such new countries as the colonies of Australia and New Zealand, and recommends that the General Conference appoint one or more of its ministers to this office, the duties and powers of the office being so defined as to harmonise with the constitution of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church." Rev W. Morley—Recommendation to the general Conference " That par No. 257 of the book of laws (p. 59), and relating to the term after which a minister may return to a former circuit be s_ altered as to read * three years ' instead of six years as at present. Rev. J. A. Laxford—" That this Conference be requested to recommend tbe general Conference to make attendance ac the Bacramentof the Lord's Supper the condition of membership." Mr T. Allen—"That the resolution already passed referring to the treasurers of circuit trust and connexional funds putting all such moneys through a bank account be embodied in the resolutions printed in the minutes of Conference." Rev. W. G. Parsonson—on ruling of the President—" Is it within the powers of a Board of Tustees of any parsonage to charge rent to the circuit quarterly meeting for the use of the parsonage, such rent to be used for the purpose of maintaining the parsonage in a proper state of repair ?" The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury presented the report of the Plan Committee on the appointments for next Sunday. The Secretary read a number of connexional balance sheets, which were passed for inclusion in the minutes, and the session went into Committee on the Wellington balance sheets. Upon resuming, the Secretary presented the report of the New Zealand Conference to the General Conference respecting tbe powers granted with regard to the term during which a minister may be appointed to the same circuit. The report stated what legislation had been adopted, in pursuance of which the Conference may appoint, subject to such conditions as were made by tbe General Conference to a circuit for a period of five years in succession. The report was adopted. It was decided to hold the next Conference at Nelson in March, 1895, and thank the Pitt street circuit (Auckland) for their invitation. The question of the separation of Cargill road from Trinity Church (Dunedin) was reopened. The Rev. J. A. Luxford moved and Mr Wardrop seconded, " That the request for separation be granted." After an hour's discussion, the motion was carried on a division by 43 votes to 29. The report of the trustees on the late Mr J. Proberts' will stated that the trustees now held the residue of the estate for the New Zealand Conference, which body had to pay £1000 to the Home Mission Fund for Auckland district, £1000 to the New Guinea Mission, and to devote the rest to the endowment and maintenance of a Theological College in Auckland district. Mr T. Buddie was appointed secretary, aud Messrs P. H. Mason and W. D. Burke auditors. The new trustees aljo recommended that at the ensuing annual Conference a resolution be passed and placed on record expressing the most cordial thanks to the executors and administrators, Messrs T. Buddie, F. Phillips, and R. Froude, for the judicious and faithful exercise of the power vested in them as executors of the estate, and for the clear and satisfactory condition ia which the property has been transferred by them to the trustees nominated by the Conference. The report and Committee's recommendations were adopted. The Committee appointed to draft an audit schedule for trust accounts submitted a sample which was approved, and it was decided that copies should be forwarded to treasurers of trust funds. After luncheon, and a short organ recital by Mr R. Trist Searell, the Conference resumed at 2.20 p.m., taking up as the first business subjects remitted from the General Conference to the Annual Conferences. The first related to. the institution of a general superintendency. District recommendations were read. Auckland was opposed to the proposal; Wangauui would support it when it became practical; Wellington considered it unnecessary ; Nelson that it was inexpedient; Canterbury that the time was inopportune, the appointment almost completely obviated by the appointment of Connexional Secretary ; Otago that sufficient time had not elapsed to test the value of the Connexional Secretary. The Rev. W. Morley moved the motion of which he had given notice at the Morning Session, and spoke in support of it, remarking upon the benefit which would accrue upon the institution of the office. The Rev. W. Bauhbir seconded the motion, and said he was convinced that if there were such an office the work of the Church would prosper as it had not hitherto done. The Rev. W. lass could not see how in the face of the recommendations from the district meetings the Conference could carry the resolution proposed by Lar Morley. From Information he bad obtained a similar office in the American Church was not altogether a success, and he woe further of cpinion that the office was not needed and that its institution would cause a deal of friction. The Rev. J. J. Lewis gave the motion his hearty support and combatted the statement that there would be more friction than at present. The office would ensure a thoroughness of supervision which the Conference did net possess now, and would be for the good of the Church. Mr Moxham felt convinced that this supervision must come about in time should the present Conference not carry the motion. The Rev. S. Lawry said they should cherish the liberty they now enjoyed and not institute another office or other offices which were lfkely to become burdensome. The Rev, T. Fee suggested that the better course to pursue would be to provide a young man to take up the pastoral work and the .preaching, and thus give the President more liberty to attend to the business of the office. The Rev. J. H. Simmonds suggested that the cheaper method and probably quite as effectual, would be to find probationers to relieve Chairmen of district*. He looked upon tbe appointment proposed as a dangerous expedient. Mr J. Manchester was opposed to the motion, chiefly on the ground of expense. Mr T. Allen opposed the motion on the score of health of the present office-bearer aad expense to the district*. The Rev. T. Vealie gave it as his opinion that while superintendence was neceeaary, it would be unfortunate to follow the episcopacy as established by the M.E. Church of America. Mr Harding opposed the proposal on the score of expense. Th* Rev. S. F. Prior was of the opinion that English Methodists would not accept auch a proposal, no more would colouiaL H* f*lt that the President was bu_.oi*nt.

The Rev. W. Morley, in reply, said the office was not to be exclusively a Now Zea- j land one; it was to apply to all Australasia. The motion was lost by 42 to 24 votes. The next question was that of the revision of the Standing Orders, and on the motion of the Secretary it was referred lor report next Monday to a separate Committee, consisting of the ex-President, the Rev. W. Lee, aad Messrs Haddow and Smith. Upon the recommendations of the Districts, a resolution was carried in favour of substitute representatives for a general Conference. A recommendation that the time of holding the annual Conference should be altered from March was lost. The question of the Constitution of the annual Conference was next taken, aud the following motion by the Rev. H. R. Dewsbury was carried :—"That it bo a recommendation from this Conference to the General Conference so to ameud the Constitution that one layman from each district meeting shall be added to the Stationing Committee ; and that the station sheet shall be considered and voted upon iv its various stages in the Representative Conference." Upon a recommendation from the Auckland district meeting, ie was resolved — " That the Constitution of the annual Conference be so amended by the General Conference as to allow laymen equal privileges with ministers except ou ministerial character." On the motion of the Rev. H. R. Dewsecry, and the recommendation of the Canterbury district, it was decided that the name of district meetings should be altered to Synods. Recommendations from Otago were thrown out, to the effect that attendance at tiie Lord's Supper should be the condition of membership; and that Chairmen of districts have discretionary power to appoint members to administer the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Ou the motion of the Revs. W. Morley and W. Lee it was resolved—" That the General Conference be invited to hold the Triennial Session of 1897 m Auckland." The motions by the Rev. T. G. Brooke, "That it be a recommendation to the General Conference that, the constitution be so amended as to admit laymen to have au equal voice and vote to all Conference business"; and by Mr W. Harding—"That in order to secure continuity in the lay representation, this Conference recommends the General Conference to empower the annual Conferences to elect at their annual sessions one layman from each district for a term of years, who will hold a seat in the Conference during that term," were lost. The Rev. W. Mokley moved aud the Rev. J. J. Lewis seconded—" That it be a recommendation to the General Conference that the rules for the management of Sunday schools be simplified by eliminating the sections relating to the duties and powers of Committees, aud that in lieu thereof a plan be devised by which the work of the teachers in the schools be brought into more vital connection with the leaders' meetings of the churches to which they belong." The motion was carried. The Rev. W. Morley moved—" That it be a recommendation to the General Conference to take steps for the publication of a revised hymnbook for the Australasian Connexion, and that in such hymn-book passages of Scripture suitable for chanting be introduced; also, that a selection of hymns for children form part of the book." The Rev. J. H. Simmonds seconded the motion, which was carried. The Rev. H. Bull moved—" That it be a recommendation to the General Conference to reconsider its recent legislation upon the subject ol church membership, with a view to the abolition of the monthly meeting (Subsect. 2 of par. 2 Laws and Regulatious) and that par. 2 be so amended as to read— ' The members of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church have their names inserted in class-books, and are earnestly recommended to avail themselves of the signal aid afforded by the weekly class meeting for the cultivation of Christian fellowship by regular attendance thereat.' Alio, that Subsec. I, par 5, be appropriately amended." Iv supporting the motion, he said the carrying it into effect would resuscitate class work in relation to the Church as Wesley meant it to be and would result I ia a great benefit to the Church. ! Mr J. S. Welsmen seconded the motion. The Rev. J. J. Lewis was opposed to the I abolition of the monthly meeting, a view | which was taken also by the Rev. J. Dukes, who considered that its abolition would abolish fellowship meeting. The Rev. W. Morley moved as an I amendment, that the words " with a view to the abolition of the monthly meeting sub-section 2 of par. 2 laws aud regulations" be struck out. The Secretary accepted the amendment, and the motion was carried. The Rev. W. Lee moved the motion of which he had given notice in the morning respecting alteration ia the constitution of the annual Conference for recommendation to the General Conference, which was carried. , '- :< The motions which Mr Smith and the Rev. W. Morley had given notice at the morning session were also carried. The Conference then proceeded to the election of ten ministers and twelve laymen, exclusive of the Rev. W. Lee, Mr J. L. Wilson, the President, and Secretary, who were members ex officio, as representa- { tives to the General Conference. The ballot resulted as ungler :—Ministers—Revs. W. Morley, P. W. Fairclough, W. J. Williams, H. R. Dewsbury, L. M. Isitb, J. J. Lewis, W. C. Oliver, W. Baumber, J. H. I Simmonds, and George Bond. Laymen— Messrs R. Dawson, G. H. Blackwell, T. Allen, F. L Prime, W. Harris, 't. J. Smith, A. J. Litchfield, W. Harding, J. Manchester, E. Holdgate, T. Buddie, and C. Duke. I The Committee on the subject of the | Conference lecture for 1895 recommended that the Rev. F. W. Isitt be appointed lecturer and the subject "Christian Socialism." The recommendations of the district meetings were read. They were the same as came before the Ministerial session, the resolution passed at which was also read. - The open Conference carried a motion ia favour of the lecture being continued. The Rev. G. Bond moved—"That the lecture be discussed after delivery in Conference." The Rev. W. Morley said he hoped it 1 would be understood that no vote of thanks ' or of censure would be passed, and that the views of the lecturer were his own, aud not those of the Conference. The Rev. Mr Bond's motion was lost by a large majority, and Conference considered the recommendations of the Committee, | after which it carried au amendment that ' the lecturer be Mr W. Hardiug, and the subject " Methodist Hytnnolagy." The Conference adjourned at 6.30 p.m. i and resumed an hour later, when tbe general returns were presented and taken as read. They " showed as under :— European j Churches-r-Auckland 61, Wauganui 28, 1 Wellington 27, Nelson 20, Canterbury 52, Otago 28, total 216; Maori total 15. European other places of worship—Auck- | land 118, Wangauui 39, Wellington 37, Nelson 23, Canterbury 39, Otago 45, total 301; Maori total 61. European ministers aud probationers—Auckland 23, Wangauui j 10, Wellington 11, Nelson 7, Canterbury 22, Otago 12, total 85; Maori total 5. European Home Missionaries — Total 18. > Local preachers 375; Maori total 49. European class leaders 212, Maori 2. European Church members—Auckland 2121, Wangauui 942, Wellington 1136. Nelson 648, Canterbury 2371, Otago 1306, total 8524: Maori total 464. European members , on trial 409; Maori 84. European comI municants 1307; Maori 135. European catechumens 871 ; Maori 100. European Sunday schools 237, Maori 7; European Sunday school teachers 2050, Maori | 8; European Sunday school scholars 19,790, Maori 222. European attendants of fmblic worship including scholar.—Auckond 15,006, Wanganui 6558, Wellington 8272, Nelson 4146, Canterbury 14,015, Otago 7322 j total, 55,319. Maori—Auckland 2500, Wangauui 650, Nelson 200, Canterbury 110; total, 3460. In the return of the circuit funds the Auckland district appeared with a debt of £440 10s 9d, Wanganui £506 5s Bd, Wellington £343 0s 3d, Nelson £383 5a 9d, Canterbury £899 5s lOd, Otago £591 9s 7d; total, £3163 17a lOd. There were small balances to the credit of the Franklin, Waitara, Masterton, Springston, and Invercargill circuits amounting in all to £28 8s 2d ; this reduced the total indebtedness to £3135 9s Bd. The Conference then .entered upon a conversation on th* work, of God in th* oo'.ony. j

There was a large attendance, including a number of ladies and gentlemen, not mombars of the Conference. A^resse, were delivered by tho D MoNicoU (Pres - dent), W. 6. Oliver, W. Morley, W. Ke*U (ex-President) and W. L. Salter. The speeches were interspersed with hymns, one of which was Fijian, and was sung by mm Gibson, wife of the Rev. S. J. Gibson, Fijiau missionary. The Conference adjourned at 9.ZQ p.m. until 8.30 a.m. to-day.