CHURCH CONFERENCES.

Evening Star, Issue 7431, 28 January 1888, Page 1

CHURCH CONFERENCES.

The debate on an independent conference was resumed at the Wesleyan Conference yesterday (The Rev. “R, Bavin moved an. amendment—“ That separation from Australia was not desirable at present.” He referred to the liberal constitution of the Genera! - - Conference and the high character of its leading members, and the great benefits of organic connection with that body. Replies - were made to Mr Morley’s reasons for separation. The cost was small compared with the advantages secured. The New Zealand Church enjoyed at present all that was essential to its progress and prosperity. Thera was greatdangerof crude and hasty legislation in a separate legislative conference. MrMor- - ley’s proposal contained no safeguards as to the future construction of the Church. The plea for one strong united church for Aus- •. tralasia was urged with great force. The , present time for separation was held to be inopportune, and a devotion to evangelistio work was of superior importance. Mr Bavin spoke for an hour, and concluded by moving his amendment amid great applause. Mr F. E. Prime seconded the amendment. Mr Moxham supported the motion, and expressed his firm conviction that onion with Australia was detrimental to New Zealand. He trusted that independence would be conceded. The Rev. J. Simmonds believed that a great change of opinion had recently taken place, and that a recommittal of the question to the quarterly meetings would alter the verdict. The great objects to be attained by cburch life and work was a high condition of Christian experience and consolidation - and the connection of the Church in Anstralta ' would not mar but rather promote these ‘ ends. Separation would inevitably destroy connexionalism. Mr Snodgrass expressed the hope that the . motion would be carried. The Rev. J. J. Lewis believed that the formation of an independent conference was a movement in the direction of true. liberalism. As several members of the '. Auckland district meeting had changed sides he had hopes that they would change again and be found once more on the right side. He was sure of this, that as the mop. would never sweep back the Atlantic, neither would the Aucklanders stop the growing tide of feeling in favor of separation. The Rev. W. Oliver urged _ several arguments in furtherance of an indepennent conference, and was convinced that the Wesleyan Church was well able to walk alone. The Rev. P. W. Fairclough delivered a telling speech in a humorous vein. The reasoning of the previous speakers was dealt with, and the hindrances to the prosperity of the Church in New Zealand by an independent conference were pointed out. Financially it would be an extremely fatal ‘ step, and the separation movement was a , retrograde one. At four o’clock the debate was adjourned to receive a deputation from the Ministers' ~ Association of Wellington. The Revs. * | West, Paterson, and Penny addressed the,: Conference, The Revs. R. Bavin and D, M'Nicol replied on behalf of the Conference, At five o’clock the debate on separation was resumed by the Rev, A. Reid, who delivered an impressive address. He regarded separation as an infringement of liberty. Reference was made to the noble men of the Australian Church, and the immense ad- / vantages of organic union. _ Mr J, F. Smith supported the motion, and the Rev. J. D. Murray the amendment. Rev. F. W, Isitt spoke eloquently in favor of independence. ‘ y The Rev. J. Crump affirmed that the 514 r > votes in quarterly meetings represented * 1 ' vast amount of ignorance. ' The debate was adjourned at this stage. . - |