WESLEYAN CONFFRENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 8772, 12 March 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

WESLEYAN CONFFRENCE.

At the Wesley an Conference at Wellington yesterday the reports of the directors of tne 'New Zealand Methodist' newspaper, and of the Committee appointed by the Conference, were read, when the Conference resolved 'Methodist' newspaper ia essential to the interest of the church in the colony ; that the paper might be popularised and the circulation increased by the reduction of the prico to Id, plus the cost of postage, and that tho proposal of the directors to provide a guarantee fund for three years in case of a Um of L 125 be approved ; guarantees of 103 to '2os to bo accepted ; and that in the event of ita being necessary the contingent fund provide a sum not exceeding L 25 4s ; that tho Rev. W. J. Williams be reappointed editor, with tho assistance of an editorial staff consisting of tho Revs. H. R. Dewsbury, W. F. ParsonsoD, W. Baumbor, and J. D. Buttle ; that Conference direct every quarterly meeting to elect a committee to promote the improved circulation of the fuper." Cordial thanks were presented to the Rev. W. J. Williams (editor), the Rev. L. M. laitt (subeditor), and the directors for their services. The Rev. W. Baumber waß appointed secretary of the jubilee and church building funds, and a grant of L 75 was made to provide clerical assistance; LSO to be taken from the loan fund; L 25 from the jubilee fund. The report of the jubilee fund, which was read by the Rsv. W. Morley (secretary), showed that the total amount promised for tho fuud is L 9.943 Is lid. Of this amount L 5.735 9i lid has been already paid. Thanks were presented to the secretary for the very valuable services rendered, and it was felt that words could not express the indebtedness of the church to Mr Morley in this matter, The Rev. W. Baumber and Mr J. E. Brown were appointed treasurers of this fund.

The objects of tho funds raised by the week of self-denial, which the Conference have decided to hold, are defined as follows : —(I) Occupation of three now centres in the North Island, where population is rapidly growing and new sottlement3 are in rapid course of formation ; {2\ increasing demands of homo mission work generally; (3) engagement of two young ministers from England to assist in overtaking this urgent work. The time for the self-denial week will be the first week in May. Should the results fall short of the proposed outlay, grants to circuits and home mission stations will be subject to pro rata reductions. The report of Sunday schools was read by the Rev. W. B. Marten, showing 227 school?, 19,393 scholars, 2,060 teachers, and 35,771 volumes in the libraries. L 2.024 13s was spent during the year in school management. The Conference thanked the district secretaries, and the following gentlemen were appointed for the coming year:— Auckland, Rev. T. G. Carr ; Wanganui, C. E. Beecroft; Nelson, F. W. laitt; Canterbury, D. J. Murray; Otago, Rev. J. A. Luxford. The president of the Conference was elected general secretary of Sunday schools.

There was a large attendance of the public in the Wesley Church last night to hear the reports of the delegates to the Ecumenical Conference at Washington. These were presented by the Revs. W. Morley and J. Berry and Mr T. Allen, and very great interest was excited by the long and graphic account of the proceedings given by these gentlemen. The Conference will probably close on Monday or Tuesday next.