WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXII, Issue 7414, 3 December 1884, Page 3

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

•.anterlmry Wesleyan Church commenced in the schoolroom of the Barham street jbhurch yesterday » present—Tho ltev W Motley (President of the Conferenre, in the chair), Itev* John Abired, J, Crumr. W, CauaidJ, W. Itew«. W. Koall. E. liZ’ w, 3. Williams, 0. Bond. C. SUndaW. F. W. Isilt, P. W. Fairclough, L. Hud-ton, 11. F. Itelhwdl, To Koto, J. A, Lux/ord, and C. Garland. Tho meeting commenced by singing hymn 47H, and prayer* were offered by Miwsr* Crump, Bowse, Beat and Bond. The Itev J. Ahi red w»a elected Secretary, the Itev W, f. ’antic!! assistant secretary, tho Itev W, J. William* reporter to the New Xenland Stdhodinl and the Itev J. A. Luxford to the daily paper*. The Chairman aeltvered an excellent ftcldre»B, In which he referred to the recent deaths of the lau> Itev James Butler end Will*. The former had for a course of years laboured among ns, and ho thanked God for a course *°, run and a life m well ended. The Itev P. Will* was a young man distinguished for his earnestness of spirit and tungleno** of purpose. Suddenly and unexpectedly the summons came for him to go home. A student from Wet ley College—Mr B. F. Both well—had teen called out to supply Mr Wills' place in Fetmika* Tho of the mttting would bo of the ordinary character, and while there would be differing opinions on some subject*, be hoped our friendly inter* course and work would tend to the promotion of tho work of God and His glory. The Chairman concluded by givingabcarly greeting to the brethren who bad, during the year, come to labour in this district. Hour* of session were fixed from 10 to 12.45, and from 2.30 to 5. Arrangements were made for hearing the Probationer (Eev C. Garland), the student ( Eev B. F. Both well), and a candidate from Kaiapoi, preach. The President reported that the Eev C. Garland had taken his examination paper* in Hebrew, Greek, Butler's Analogy, Pope, Theology, and Beet on the Homans. The student and candidate will take their papers to-day. A communication from the Eev J. S. Smalley was received, and a reply wired to him. The Eev Te Koto, through the interpretation of Mr Bowse, gave an interesting account of his work among the Canterbury , Maoris, He ministers to 516 Natives, has charge of five Sabbath Schools, and reports 27 communicants. An application for a grant of money toward a Maori parsonage was referred to the Financial Committee, which meets to-day. Alter a prayer offered by Eev W. Bowse in the Maori language, the meeting adjourned till 2.30. Members re-assembled at 2JO, and after devotional exercises an obituary notice of the Rev James Buller, prepared by the Eev W. Motley, was read. Testimony of the worth and work of the deceased was given by Kevs Aldred, Bowse, Caanett, Williams, Crump, Fairclough and the President. The obituary notice of the Eev Peter Wills was prepared and read by the Eev P. W. Fairclough. The Eevs Kc&ll, Cannell. Crump, Fairclough and the President spoke cf the earnestness and Christian manliness of Bro Wills. Letters of condolence were directed to be sent to the widows of the deceased ministers, expressing the deep sympathy of the members of the district meeting with them in their recent bereavement.

The remainder of the session was spent in preparation for the work of the Financial Committee, which meets this morning at 10 o’clock.