WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7914, 1 December 1887, Page 3

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

The annual meeting of the Wesleyan clergymen in the Wellington district (which includes Napier and Gisborne) was commenced yesterday in Trinity Church. There were present the 'Item \V. Lee and L. M. Isitfc (Wellington), Daniel J. Murray (Hutt), J. Ward (Greytown), J. Newman Buttle (Masterton), Win. Baumber (Napier), Edward Neilson (Norsewood), Otter Christoffersen (Mauriceville), Edward Stenberg (Makaretu), and J. A. Luxford (Gisborne). The Rev. William Kirk (Hntt) was unable to be present, and, leave of absence was granted him. , On behalf of the representatives present the Rev. W. Banmber congratulated the Rev. Mr Lee on his appointment as district chairman, which was greeted with pleasure by the various chnrches. Mr Baumber also cordially welcomed the district meeting to Napier. GENERAL BUSINESS. The Rev. Mr Baumber was elected secretary, and the Revs. Luxford and Buttle were appointed reporters. All the members present received permission to attend the Wellington conference in January next. The report of Wesley College, Three Kings, Auckland, forwarded by the Principal, the Rev. Alex. Reid, was reail by the secretary. It referred to the appointment of Mr J. G. Sliera, M.A., as Classical Tutor. Two of the ministerial students, Messrs Laws and Nott, liad successfully passed the New Zealand University examination. The other divinity students had made progress in all departments of literature. Mr Laws had been called out to assist -Mr Morley. There were also thirteen Maori students resident, who gave proof of advancement in knowledge. The total income on the College account for the year had been £063 ISs lid, and the expenditure £964 Is 3d. — On .the motion of the Rev, Mr Banmher the following resolution was carried unanimously : — " That this meeting receive with pleasure the report of the Principal of Three Kings College, but regrets his partial failure in health, and prays that he may speedily be restored to Btrength." RETURNS. The following district returns were laid on the table : — Churches in district 21, being n decrease of 1. Other preaching places 16, being a doorcase of 2. Ministers 11. Sunday school teachers 228, being an increase of 8. Local preachers 10, being an increase of 5. Class leaders 20, being a decrease of i. Members 800, being an increnso of 18. Members on trial 30. Communicants 263. being an increase of 1. Catechumens 101, being anincrcaso of 28. Sunday schools 27, being an increaso of v. Sunday school scholars 2498, being an increase or 113. Total nttendanoo at public worship 5670, being a decrease of 242. FINANCES. The Home Mission income was reported to be £180 17s, of which Wellington raised £90 ; the Hutt, £23 10s ; Grey town, £16 Is; Masterton, £11; Napier, £35; Gisborne, £5 6s. The expenditure was as ■ follows : — Scandinavian mission, £90; Gisborne misson, £80 ; Norsewood, £20 ; travelling, £4 16s. The foreign mission income was set down at £38 15s 6d, of which Wellington contributed £20 Is Gd ; the Hutt, £3 3s ; Greytown, £2 5s ; Masterton, £2 103 lid ; Napier, £8 11 <kl ; Gisborne, £2 3s 9d. The income of the enpernumary fund was £117 Is. The statement of accounts was adopted, and after the transaction of pome routine business the meeting was adjourned. Public Meeting. A public meeting was held in the church in the evening in connection with the claims of and trie work performed by means of the Home Mission. There wai a large attendance. The Rev. Mr Lee occupied the chair. The proceedings were opened with singing, followed by prayer offered by the Rev. J. Edwards (Methodist Free Church). The Chairman, in a pleasant introductory speech, referred in glowing terms to the beauty of Napier and its surroundings. In speaking on the subject to be laid before the meeting Mv Lee eloquently pleaded the cause of the Home Mission fund, describing briefly the nature of the work carried out by its aid. The Rev. Mr Banmber, in a speech dealing chiefly with the statistical side of the question, referred with satisfaction to the fact that the income for 1886 exceeded that for the preceding year by over £207, being £2828 4s Bd. The staff of Maori ministers in connection with the mission numbered eight, and the estimated cost of the Maori mission for 188G was £749 14s. There were eleven Home Mission stations —four in the Auckland district, one in Taranaki, three in Nelson, one in Canterbury, and three in Otago. Of these those at Whangaroa, Helensvillc, Coromande), and Tapanui were self-supporting. The Scandinavian mission in the Wellington district employed three agents who, on scanty stipends, were toiling hopefully, and, with evidence of God's blessing on their work, among their fellow-country-men. In 18S6 the Conference voted 4JDC for this work. Furniture grants amounting to £120 had also been made to six young circuits which had recently under' taken to provide parsonage accommoda lion for their respective ministers. The Conference also made a grant of £30C towards the maintenance of six students at Three Kings College. Mr Banmbei concluded with au earnest appeal foi support to the fund. Ihe Rev. Mr Ward delivered an in teresting address on " Labor," in wiiicl: 4

he spoke of the necessity for it, the honor and dignity of laboring, and the best aoit of labor, and concluding with an eloquent appeal to his hearers to regard laboring for God as the highest service possible to ma'i. The Rev. Mr Murray followed with a practical and most sympathetic discourse on "Thefar-reaching power of the Gospel ." The concluding address was given by the Rev. Mr Isitt, who dwelt npon the scope of the Home Mission, it? successful efforts, and the nrgent need for funds in order that its sphere of usefulness niifjht bo extended. The speaker concluded with an expression of hope for the sympathy and practical help of the congregation. The choir sang excellently during the evening two anthems— " I 'will sing of Mercy" and "Daughter of Zion." Several hymns were also sung. The collection at the close of the meeting resulted in £6 being added to the fund.