ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1838, 4 December 1869, Page 5

ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE WESLEYAN CHURCH.

Thurtdny, Decembor 2 The meoting was opened at 10 a.m. by tho Ohiirman giving out a hymn ; after this whs sung, tho Secretary rend Romans xii , aud tho R-,'V. Messrs. Warren and ijuttie oiFctrcd praver. .Ml the ministers were present. A conversation arose, relating- to tho present state and future prosperity of the Ma->ri MisMOH. All their stations have been visited by the Chairman during the year. Tho very general spread of drunkenness, with its kindred vices, wns deplored. The meeting wore, however glid to find that there are u few place.-?, such as tho Wairaa Valley, in tha Hokiangn, wliero the natives ol themselves prohibit the admission of intoxicating drink. There aro streaks of light beaming o'er the darkness— hopeful prospects of a reaction in favour nl Christian instruction among sjme tribes. It was resolved that every eifjrt be made to sustain the present staff of missionaries in their work ns the most important ogoaoy to benefit the native race. Tho renvn'nder of tho day was taken up in the examination of tho probationers, written and oral, literary and theological ; also in tho matter of (.'hristian experience, for it is a cardinal principle in the Methodist Church to admit no mini into its ministry, whatever be his talents or culture, if he aft'ord not evidence of porsonul conversion, and of a divine call to the work. Grace, gilts, and fruit, are the criterion by which his qualifications must be tested, anil in all cases, at least four years' probation are required after the aeceptaneo of a candidate, who has been duly recommended and approved, before he can be received into full connexion with the Conference. Tho Rev. .). Berry having honorably fnlSllod his probation, and the District Meeting being well satisfied with his final examination, was eor-

liially and unanimously recommended to the Conference for ordination. The junior brethren wero appropriately exhortnd, and the meeting expressed its satisfaction with their piety, their zoal, and diligence. At 5 p.m. tho meeting adjourned. Friday, December 3. After a hymn had boon snnir, and the Scriptures read, tho Revs. Whew ell and Watkin engaged in prayer. The principal business that took up tho attention of tht>. medting to-day was that cf tho statement of the ministers lor the coroins; year. It is the province of the District Meeting to prepa-e a list of appointments to be presented to tho Conference for confirmation. The Jonference wi:.' assemble in Adelaide in January, IS7O. The removals will take place in the April following. U u tho official duty of tho Chairman to attend 'tho Conference. Recret was expressed that circumstances di I not admit of a co-repiesentative going with him. Tho following list of stations was adopted, viz. : — Auckland. —Superiatondont to be supplied from the South ; Joseph Borry, and one from England. Shortland. —James Buller, and one from England. ■ ■ New Plymouth.—G. S. Harper. Haglan, &;.—O. H. Schnackenberg. Otahuhu —J. *:mith. vVaiuku.—J. Law. Kaipara.—W. GHtto3. Hokiangu.—W. Howse. Wan!»aroi.—One wanted. Waikato.—J. Simmonda. The Ker. J. Whewell desires to be loft without a circuit for one year. The Rev. W. J. Watkin is left without an appointment, so that he may supply tho place of the minister which shall come from the South. The statistics of the several circuits wero, by tho request of the Chairman, handed to the Rev. H. H. liawry, that he may preparo a general schedule. At the hour of 5 p.m. the meeting adjourned until Monday, the 6th, at 10 a.m. 'the following are the appointments of the ministers for Sunday (to-morrow) : — Pitt-street.—ll a.m., Rev. W. Watkin ; 6.20 p.m., ,T. Boiler (sermon to tho young). Hiah-streat.— LI a.m., W. Kowe ; 3 p.m , W. Watkin (address to children) ; 6.30 p.m., John Smith. Parnell. —11 a.m., C. H. Schnackenberg ; 6.30 p.m., J. Simmonds. Grafton-rcad.—U a.m., J. Smith ; 11.30 p.m., O. H. Sohnackenberg. "North .Shore.—ll a.m., J. Warren. Mount Albert.—ll a.m., Gr. Buttle ; 3 p.m., J. Buller. Shorilind.—ll a.m., W. Gittoa ; 6 p.m J. Barry. Grahamstown, 11 a m., J. Berry; 6 p.m., w. Giitn S . ' ; Jlemuora.—ll a m., J. Whewcll. I Whau-road.—2 p.m., J. Wliewell. j TJnirm-atreet .—ll am., J. Walli* ; (3.30 p.m., W. Howe. j Onehunga.—ll a.m , J. Simmonds; G.3o' p.m , J Law. Otahuhn.—ll a.m., J. Law ;6 30 p.m., G. j S. Harper. j Woodvillo.—3 p.m., G. 3. Harper. ] Mungarei.—H a.m., Or. S. Harper.