WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETINGS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXX, Issue 10215, 8 December 1893, Page 6

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETINGS.

CANTERBURY. On Wednesday a special evening session of the Wesleyan District Meeting, now Bitting at Ashburton, was held, when consideration was given to the question cf the establishment of the Christian Endeavour Societies. The last Conference had appointed a Committee to enquire into and report to the district meetings. The report was read and received. After discussion the following resolution was carried-—“ That this District Meeting recognises the value of the work done by the Young People’s Christian Endeavour Societies, and recommends that the Conference adopt the report of the Committee appointed by last Conference.” Another question remitted by the Conference for the decision of district meetings was the appointment of alternative representatives to the annual Conference. After soma discussion, it was resolved to request the Conference to recommend General Conference to amend the constitution in the direction indicated. At the afternoon session, the Rev H. R. Dewsbury was eleotad district representative to Conference. Business was resumed yesterday morning, attention being given to foreign mission affaire. The following returns were reported from the circuits:—Durham street <827 17a 6d, Sydenham .£2 As 7d, St Albans <Bl6 18s, Lyttelton .85 10a lid, Springston <B4, Leoston <B7 15s 6d, Kaiapoi <B6 9s, Kaiapoi special <B2O, Woodend and Amberley <B3 9a Bd, Rangiora .85 15a 7d, Timaru <B2l 7a, Waimato <B3O, Temuka <B3 9s, Ashburton <Bl7. Total <BIB9 16s 9d. A resolution was adopted requesting the appointment of a deputation from the mission field to visit the several circuits, and, failing this, the Chairman was requested to make the beat arrangements possible for the district. The following returns were submitted:— Supernumerary fund—Ministers'’ subscriptions <BI3B 13s. circuit contributions <BI9B 9s, total <8337 Is, Chijldrea’a fund— Income <8483 18s 3d, expenditure <8366. Contingent fund—lncome <8173 15s lOd, expenditure <B2O 8s 4d. A special grant was made in a case of affliction. The following statistical returns were road by the Secretary Churches 53, preaching places S 9, ministers 22, home missionary 1, Sunday school teachers 539, local preachers 99, class leaders 68. members £476, catechumens 823, Sunday schools 56, scholars 5558, adherents 14,123. The above returns include those from Mauri churches iathe district. The affairs of the New Zealand Methodist were reviewed. A discussion ensued, after which the following resolution was carried unanimously That this meeting expresses its warmest approval of the able and interesting manner in which the Neto Zealand Methodist is being edited, and sincerely trusts that the editor, the Rev P, "W. Pairclough, will be reappointed.” It was resolved-—” That the Circuit Committees be requested to give closer attention to their work, and to send occasional reports and suggestions to the Directorate.” The Timaru quarterly meeting sent forward a proposal that the removal expenses in connection with the itinerancy should be paid by the contingent fund.' Mr Holdgato moved the adoption of the proposal, which, after full discussion, was lost. The Sunday school returns were presented by the District Secretary. In addition to the items given in the statistical returns it was reported that there wore 10,682 volumes in the school libraries, and the total cost of management had been <8633. The temperance returns showed there were in the district twenty-two Societies, including Banda cf Hope, with a membership of 2369. The St Albans circuit presented arequest that a probationer should be appointed for another year. Conference was recommended to grant the request. The Rev H. R. Dewsbury presented the report of the Committee on Methodist Union. After discussion it was resolved—- «• That this meeting expresses its approval of the principle of Methodist Union, and requests the Committee to consider the suggested alterations in the basis of union and report to Conference.” The Committee’s report stated that forty-seven quarterly meetings had approved the .basis alterations, whilst font:

desired that the matter should be deferred, and two voted against union. The Lyttelton quarterly meeting recommended alterations in the conduct Of Conference business, the constitution of the quarterly meeting, the children’s fund, appointment of Circuit Stewards, and lay representation to district meetings, none of which were adopted. A recommendation of the Woodend quarterly meeting relating to the position of the Conference lectureship waa left to Conference.

On the motion of Mr W. Harris it was resolved —“That this meeting txpitesses its approval of the Connexional Secretary, and its satisfaction at the appointment of the Rev W. Korley to the office.” Tho reappointment of the Committee of the Churoh Building and Loan Fund was also recommended. It was decided to recommend Conference to request the General Conference to change the name of “District Meeting” to “District Synod.” The Rev W. Banmber moved—“ That this meeting desires to express its sympathy with the effort that is being made to secure the introduction of a Bible Textbook in the State schools.” Tho motion waa carried by a majority of two to ono. Tbo Rev J. N. Buttle moved "That this district meeting expresses its appreciation of tho work done by tho District Sunday School Union, and hopes that Sunday school workers will do their utmost to advance the interests of the Union throughout the connection.” The business of the financial session was then closed. The oral examination of Mr W. Harding, a candidate for the ministry, was then taken in ministerial session. The report of trial sermon was read, and after fall consideration it was resolved to recommend that Mr Harding should be received as a student for training at the theological institution, Auckland. The meeting then adjourned until the following morning. TPek Pbess Association.! AUCKLAND. Dac. 7. At the Wesleyan District Meeting the following resolution was carried That in the opinion of the District Meeting steps should be taken to effect au immediate repeal of the Alcoholic Liquor Act, and to bring into force the Direct Veto Bill proposed bv Sir Robert Stout.” WELLINGTON. Dec. 7. At this evening’s session of tho Wesleyan District Meeting, the following resolution regarding Methodist union was carried unanimously That this district meeting, believing that tho union of the Methodist churches of this Colony would be for the glory of God, and deeming the present an opportune time for the consummation of such a desirable object, strongly recommends Conference to approve of the suggestion made by the Rev H. S. Burgess to hold a Methodist Convention during tho sittings of the General Conference for the purpose of arriving. at a common understanding and agreement respecting; a basis of union/' After considering the position of tbe New Zealand Methodist, the following resolution was unanimously carried: — " That this meeting expresaes its hearty appreciation of the able manner in which the editor of the Methodist has conducted that journal, and believing that the paver meets the views and sympathies of the majority of our people, urgec upon circuits tho importance of pushing the circulation of this organ of enr dmroh; and further, that tho duvet ors should have their hands strengthened by tho loyal support of our throughout the Colony. We recommend to Conference tho appointment of the present editor.” DUNEDIN, Dao, 7. At the Wesleyan District Synod bn the tho-'question of union of tho Methodist churches in New Zeeland,' it was resolved, on the motion of the Secretary—“ That owing; to the want cf. unanimity in the district meeting the answer to this question be, ‘ No recommendation/ ”