THE WESLEYAN TRUST BILL.

Evening Post, Volume XLIV, Issue 45, 22 August 1892, Page 3

THE WESLEYAN TRUST BILL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir — Your limited spaco, especially while Parliament is sitting, precludes a full discussion of the merits of the Wesleyan Trust Bill now before the Legislative Council waiting its third reading. The case is succinctly stated by " Protest," and Messrs. Lewis's and Clarke's replies in no way damage bis premises, but actually accentuate the situation. How often, sir, when building operations are contemplated, or other tindertakings necessitating financial support from the Church and its adherents, do wo see the heartiest invitation extended for all to take part and contribute. But when a matter affecting a distinctive foature of Methodist polity is threatened to be swept away, no appeal to the Church body is made by tho clerical party. Tor Mr. Lewis to tell us that the District Meetings and Conference have had the question beforo them for 15 years signifies that the clerics and nominees havo dooidod the question ; for I maintain that the composition of District Meetings and the lay portion of tho Conference are not the representatives of the Church body, that body nevor having had a voice in their appointment. It is such movements as the present, initiated and carried through without well ascertaining the wishes of the Methodist community, that have caused such schisms and ruptnres in the Wesloyan body as have ooourred in no other Churoh in the aamo space of time. If the Bill becomes law what ehanpe havo the country districts of ever acquiring the services of the boat talent and ability in the connexion ? Goodness knowß it is remote enough as things at present are. They simply cannot pay the stipends that town circuits can, and consequently must ba content with lessor lights. I am one of those who have a strong regard for the wants of country districts, and in a colony like this I consider it more important that their requirements should bo considered, if nocd be, than tho needs of the large towns. Our founder thought so, too, when he wont amongst tho colliers of Kingswood, and found them as sheep having no shepherd. I am no carping critic. My nearest rplativos, some of thorn, lio buried in foreign lands, 'having contracted tho deadly malaria of the West Coast of Africa, whilst in tho Wosloyan ministry. I would liko to see a consolidation of tho various sections of the Mothodist body, bnt what hope is thero of such a consummation while autocraoy reigns Bupreme? Mr. Lewis' show of hands at Wosley Church during divine service only shows the straits they were in in trying to foist their Bill upon the connoxion through Parliamentary sanotion. Neither is it the proper thing to tell us now that we can appear before a Committee of the Honso to oppose the measure. "What- is contended for is that the widost expression of opinion from the members and congregations of the Wesloyan Church should have been first obtained, and then, if the majority decided in tho affirmative, Parliament would not have beon in doubt about the alteration being wished for, and would not have hesitated to sanction the change forthwith. But now, even if the Bill gets Parliamentary sanction, the doubt remains whether it is wished for by the Wesleyan body as ft whole or not. To assert which party is the miserable minority is assuming facts which remain to be proved. Opprobrium is no argument, neither is anonymous correspondence disreputable, especially when endeavouring to prevent the perpetration of a job. I am, Ac, Wesleyan. 22nd August, 1892.