WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10213, 6 December 1893, Page 6

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

ANNUAL SESSION.

. Tha annual session of the Wesleyan Church district meeting commenced in the Wealeyan Church, Baring square, ' Ashburton, -yesterday, at 2.80 p.m. The Bat W. tforley (Chairman of the district) E resided, and there ’were present—Bovs [. R. Dewsbury, W. Baumber, F. W. Isitt, L. M. Isifct, J. S. Smalley. W. G. Parsonson, C. H. Standage, 0. E. Beecroft, 8. J. Garliok, C. Abernethy, C. Griffon, T. W. Fairolough, S. ][iawty, D. J. Murray, J; Bellow. J. T. Nofct, M.A., C. Harrison and G. Frost. The Rev D. J. Murray waa elected Secretary, and the Rev J. Bellow Assistant Secretary. Reporters to the daily {tapers hnd New Zealand Methodist were also appointed. After devotional exercises, the Chairman

delivered an address, in which the work of the peat year was reviewed, and the business to be dealt with was indicated. It was decided to send a letter of sympathy to the Rev J. Aldred, who waa sot present, owing to physical infirmity. The Rev W. Baumber reported upon the easo of the Rev J. W. Smith (Papanui), now in Victoria recruiting his health. General regret was expressed that Mr Smith waa sot likely'to resume hia work for some time. A long and earnest discussion took place ‘ on the request of the Rev L. M. Isitt for permission to continue his present work in ' the Temperance movement. Several members sxpresaed a high opinion of the aer- ‘ vices rendered by Mr Isitt to the cause of v eocial reform. The present position of the movement in the Colony waa fully considered and freely discussed. It was decided by a large majority to recommend ' Conference to grant the request. The report of the Principal and Classical Tutor of the Theological Institution, Auckland, waa read by the Rev W. G. Parson son, and received.

(Pub Fbxbb Asscoutiok-I AUCKLAND, Dec. 5. At the Wesleyan district meeting the Suestion of Methodist union came up. The lav J. Simmons, to test the feeling of the meeting, moved that the principle of Methodist union waa desirable. Mr Shackleford moved an amendment—" That it ia premature to discuss the question until the whole of the Matbodist bodies are ready to unite.” Tho Rev H. Bull moved, aa a further amendment—" That while the'district meeting adheres to the principle of Methodist union, it iaof opinion that ita immediate consummation ia premature, owing to the unfavourable attitude of one section of the Methodist Union.” This was lost, and Ur Shackleford’s motion carried by 17 to 7. The report of the Circuit Committee to promote tho circulation of the New Inland Methodist not being satisfactory, Mr F. A. White moved that the paper should be wound up, ,as it was not in sympathy with the Methodist people. The Rev J. Law moved, as an amendment—

“ That in the opinion of this meeting, to further the interests of the Hew Zealand Methodist Union, there should be a change in the editorial staff.” 'The Rot D. M’Niooll said that ha thought' no connexions! paper would satisfy Auckland unless it was published in Auckland. Ha waa sure that the paper held the sympathy of southern people. After further discussion the motion and amendment were withdrawn, and the following motion, proposed by the EevS. Griffiths, waa carried ;—“That this district meeting while appreciating the ability and industry displayed by the present editor and recognising the difficulties of editorship, regrets to express its dissatisfaction with the paper as a, whole, .and to earnestly recommend that the editor should be desired to - meet to a larger extent those evangelical elements which so specialise and characterise our beloved Methodism.” DUNEDIN, Dec. 5. At the Wesleyau district meeting a resolution WBB carried as a recommendation to the Conference that the Conference lecture should be discontinued, or that discussion upon it be allowed in open Conference.