WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 8775, 16 March 1892, Page 1

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The Wesleyan Conference finished yesterday afternoon. The following resolution was passed ;—“ That the Conference, while diametrically opposed to Government grants for denominational education, is strongly of opinion that the Bible should not be excluded from the national schools of the colony; it therefore urges that by petition to Parliament, and all other legitimate means, pressure may be brought to bear upon the Legislature to introduce the Scriptures into schools, subject to conscience clauses; and appoints a committee to consist of such members of the Committee of Privileges as reside in or near Wellington, to confer and act with representatives of other churches on the subject.” On the motion of the Rev. S. Lawry a committee was appointed—consisting of the Revs, the President and Secretary of the Conference and W. Morley, with Messrs Jedson, T. Buttle, and W. Moxham —to enter into communication with other Methodist churches in New Zealand to take such steps as may appear desirable for the promotion of unity, and to report to the next Conference. In the course of the discussion following on the motion most of the leading members of the Conference expressed themselves in favor of the nnion of Methodist churches.

The Committee appointed to deal with matters in connection with the proposed memorial for the benefit of the widow and family of the late Rev. Alexandßr Rejd recommended mat an effort be made to raise LSOO to be expended in the purchase of a residence as long as it may be required by Mrs Reid, the property to be vested in trustees, and to be used after the abovenamed period for snch purposes as the Conference may from time to time direct, always keeping in mind the object for which the fund was raised.

On the motion of the Rev, Dewsbury, it was resolved that the Conference desires to place on record its most hearty appreciation of the visit to New Zealand of the Rev. Mark Guy Pearse, That visit bad been the means of a stimulus and spiritual quickening, and had igreatly strengthened the ties of affection which bind ns to the mother conference.

The Rev. Jk N. Buttle brought up the report of the Temperance Committee. Reference was made to the victory of the Temperance party at the Sydenham election, and the report stated that although the Supreme Court had been moved to prevent the people obtaining their just rights under the law of the land, yet it was hoped that the decided expression of opinion given at Sydenham would ultimately lead to the enactment of such a law as would enable a majority of the residents of adnlt age in any district by vote at the ballot box to secure the banishment of strong drink from their district. The Sydenham victory had special interest for Wesleyans, inasmuch as it was largely due to the personal efforts and enthusiasm of the Rev. L. M. Isitt, A hope was expressed in the report that the franchise would be extended to women, because the result would, in the opinion of the Committee, be a diminution of the traffic. The report regretted the death of Cardinal Manning, Rev. A Reid, and other leading temperance workers. During the year there had been a decrease of eight societies and 733 members. Wellington was the only district in the colony which showed substantial progress, the Increase being three societies and 350 members. The most backward case was that of Wanganui, where there had been a decrease of eight societies and 483 members. The Rev, W. Morley moved a series of resolutions instructing the Committee on Privileges with reference to the proposed extension of the ministerial term from three to five years. —The resolutions were agreed to. A resolution was also carried against boxing exhibitions, and the Conference closed with votes of thanks to the officers, Press Association, and Press of Wellington.