THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 9670, 8 March 1897, Page 2

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

! (FBSSS ASSOCIATION TSI^EORAM.) WELLINGTON, March 6. At th&mmisterial session of tho Wesleyan Conference it was resolved to send letters of sympathy to the Revs. Lawry, Worker, Best, Rishworth, Watkin and Smith, all of Auckland, and MoFarlane, of Christchurch, supernumeraries who wen» unable to be present owing to age and infirmity. Gratitude and pleasure were expressed because of the presence of the Revs. Kirk and Rowse, two of the oldest members of the ministry. It was decided to hold a monster temperauce meeting next week. The Revs. Ready, Lawry and Smith were appointed to deliver addresses. An oral theological examination of candidates for ordination was conducted by the Rev. C.H. Garland, whoavoided most of the ordinary and antiquated questions, and dealt mainly with modern phases of theological thought. The young men were equal to the occasion, and gave evidence of their knowledge of the thought and writings of the day. While the questions and answers gave proof of a truly evangelistic belief, they evidenced an intelligent grasp of recent research. The young men were received into full connection and are to be ordained on Monday night. The President announced that during the year the Revs. H. O. Craddock, M.A., and W. H. Judkins had voluntarily retired.

At the Representative Conference a recommendation that the regulations and rules of the loan - fund and home missions be printed once in five years instead of annually as at present was lost. It was decided to have the minutes of the Conference printed in the same way as those of the Australasian Conference. A recommendation from the Auckland Synod to alter the boundaries of Cambridge and Hamilton circuits was,resisted by the Hamilton circuit, and an appeal made to the Conference. The Rev. J. Simmonds thought it was unwise to" do anything at this stage. The Conference agreed to refer the matter back to the circuits. With regard to two circuits iv Ptilmeraton North, it was resolved that two circuits remain as at> present, but the circuits be earnestly requested to consider the question of union. The Conference adjourned until Monday.