ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 5020, 18 December 1877, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL.

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING. FIRST DAY. The annual meeting of the ministers of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Auckland district commenced on 21st November, in the Pitt-street School room. The Rev. W. Kirk, President of the New Zealand Conference, occupied the chair ; and there were present, in addition, the Revs. J. Hobbs, J. Wallis, T. Buddie, J. Warren, C. H. Schnackenberg, J. Whowell, W. J. Watkin, W. Rowse, R. S. Bunu, J. Smith, W. J. Williams, S. Garlick, H. Waiti; Messrs. Buttle and Salter, students from Three Kings, were present by permission. The Rev. W. J. Watkin was elected secretary. SECOND DAY. In addition to ministers present on previous day, the Rev. W. Gittos, of Kaipara, and W. Patene and Hamiora Ngaropi, native ministers, attended the meeting. The Rev. H. H. Lawry sent an apology for his absence, on account of ill-health. After devotional exercises, Mr. Garlick, probationer, and Mr. Buttle, student, received examination papers, which they were required to fill -up. Mr. Buttle, it was intimated, would preach his trial sermon at Pitt-street Schoolroom, and Messrs. Wallis, Watkin, and Williams were appointed to hear the sermon, and report to the meeting. When the question of candidates for the ministry was brought forward, the superintendent of the Auckland circuit recommended Mr. W. L. Salter and Mr. F. W. MartiD. The young men were at once furnished with papers that had been prepared by the Board of Examiners to test their literary and theological knowledge. The Auckland Circuit also sent in a request for an additional minister to reside at Ponsonby. Various questions were asked with regard to the probability of the support of such a minister, and, satisfactory replies being furnished, it was decided that, the Conference should be recommended to to the request of the Auckland circuit. Ihe need for a second minister for the Waikato circuit was also considered. It was shown that the circuit is at present far too large to be worked effectively by one minister, and it was resolved to ask the Conference to appoint a young minister, and to make a grant for the first year towards his support. THIRD DAY. The morning session was devoted to the oril examination of the two candidates for the ministry—Messrs. Salter and Martin. The examination related to the doctrines and polity of the Wesleyan Church, and the result was very satisfactory. The committee appointed to hear the candidates preach furnished their reports, and it was unanimously resolved that they be recommended to Conference as probationers for the Ministry, and to receive a course of preparatory traiuing at the Theological Institution. In the afternoon session the Rev. J. Whewell introduced to the meeting a native youthfrom Tonga, now on a vi3it. Two Maori students from Three Kings were brought before the meeting to be examined as to their fitness for entering upon the work of the ministry. The examination was conducted in Maori by the Rev. T. Buddie, and it revealed a very creditable acquaintance with doctrines and Scripture proofs on the part of the young men. On many grounds it w r as felt desirable that they should remain longer at the institution, but considering the need for ministers, it was resolved to recommend that they both be employed by the Conference in the work of the ministry. FINANCIAL MEETING. The following ministers and laymen assembled to consider the financial position of the various circuits iu the district: —Uevs. William Kirk (President), Thomas Buddie, James Wallis, John Warren, C. H. Schnackenberg, W. Gittos, W. Rowse, W. J. Watkin, R. S. Bunn, J. Smith, W. Williams, S. Garlick, J. Osborne, and [ Messrs. Prime, .1. Edsou, C. J. Stone, T. Buddie, T. McMaster, Wiseman, J. Bycroft, S. Barriball, W. Ashby, and N. Buttle. The first question considered was, What new erections have been completed during the year ? The circuits were taken in order, and the following erections were reported.

Auckland. — A new parsonage, new schoolroom, aud vestries at Pitt-street, and new galleries and a new organ now in course of erection ; a new church at Ponsonby ; a new church at the North Shore.

Mancicau.— A new church at Oneliunga, iS'ew gallery iu the (Jtahuhu church. Waiuko.—A new church at Taukau.

Hokianoa.—A new parsonage at Waiwa, built in place of the one burnt down last year. The next question considered was, what new erections do we sanction for the next year ? It was decided to recommend the Conference to grant the following requests : — WaiuivU —A new church at Pukekohc. Waikato. —The church at Cambridge to be enlarged. Kaipaha.—A new church at Mangawliare, Wairoa. The afternoon session was mainly devoted to a consideration of the reports from the ministers labouring on mission stations. The Rev. W. Gittos stated that the work among the Maoris iu his circuit wa3 improving alike in its moral, religious, and financial aspects. In his labours among the various European settlements, he had also met with cheering tokens of success.—Tho Rev. J. Osborne, in his work on the Wairoa, while not without some discouragement, had not been without some tokens of good.—The Rev. W. Rowse reported tho need that existed for additional ministers, in order to overtake the work iu his very large circuit. —The Rev. C. H. Schnackenberg give an account of his work in the Raglan circuit.— The Rev. Hamiora Ngaropi, and the Rev. Wiremu Patene, native ministers, of the work they had carried on during the past year.

The Rev. J. Hudson (Home Missionary at Mahurangi) attended, and gave a report of the work carried ou iu his district during the past year. The report of the Kev. T. .T. Jaggar (Home Missionary at Kaukapakapa) was also read.

Attention was devoted to the funds that had been raised during the year for the various connexional purposes. In addition to a review of the pa3t, the probable needs of the future were brought under consideration, aud the Conference was recorameuded to sanction certaiu proposed grants in aid of carrying on the work in various European and Maori circuits. The Rev. T. BuddJe, the Principal of the Three Kings Theological Institution, brought forward detailed reports of the work at the Institution during the past year. The report of the theological tutor referred to the satisfactory progress that had beeu made by both th<* European and Maori students. The classical report was also highly satisfactory, and the meeting cordially passed a resolution, approving of what had been done. Various other matters of detail were attended to, and the business of the financial meeting, in winch the laymen are concerned was brought to a close. FOIJKTH DAY. The miuistcrs met in the forenoon to consider the questions tliat remained to be looked at. The sympathy of the meeting was expressed with the Rev. H. H. Lawry, whose illness had prevented him attending any of the sessions. In exercising its power to elect a representative to the Conference Stationing Committee, the choice of the meeting fell on the Rev. T. Buddie ; the Rev. \V. Gittos was also requested to attend Conference. At the late Euglish Conference, held in Bristol, an elaborate scheme was accepted for the formation of Temperance Associations and Bands of Hope. The Aucklaud district meeting resolved that the New Zealand Conference should be asked to accept the English scheme in its entirety. As the next Conference is the last preceding the General Conference, to be held in Sydney in May next, where alone constitutional alteration can be made, a great deal of time was devoted to considering questions that had been specially remitted for the consideration of the aunual Conference. Resolutions were drawn up and forwarded to Conference on such subjects as the status of communicants, the test of membership, Sunday-schools, the itinerant system, aud leaders' meetings. WJ3SLEYAN HOMfcl MISSION. The annual Missionary meeting in connection with the conference was held on Nov. 2G, in the Beresford-street Church ; J. C. Firth, Esq., in the chair. There were on the platform the Rev. T. Buddie, Rev. Mr. Kirk, Rev. Mr. Schnackenberg, Rev. Mr, Rowse, Rev. Mr. Wil-

liams, Rev. Mr Gittos, Rev. Mr. Hudson, Rev. Hoani Waiheti, J. L. Prime, Esq.

The Chairman said a society such as that in aid of which they were met had very great claims upon the liberality and support of Christian men so long as their efforts were confined to converting men from a condition of sin and degradation. The work to be done in such a cause was not without difficulties. But while difficulties were considerable the sources of encouragement were also great. He had travelled a good deal in New Zealand, and regretted that while in the settled districts there was much to be thankful for, still on the frontier districts they were without the ordinances of religion or religious worship. He was gratified to hear of the success of the efforts which some of their missions,rie3 had made. He thought in all these efforts and endeavours they should hold hard by the anchor of prayer; men were apt to forget. (Mr. Firth illustrated the indifference and negligence of isolated settlers in respect to prayer.) He would ask the attention of the meeting to the statements made by the Rev. Mr. Buddie and Mr. Prime.

The Rev. Tuojias Buddle said the objects of the Home Mission were : 1. To open new places to Christian truth —following the pioneer settlers into the remote districts whither they went. 2. To aid the poorer circuits —circuits which had already a minister stationed there, but were yet unable from their own resources to support their own work, —and there were native circuits of similar character. 3. Affording assistance for the building of ministers' houses. 4. Also, for training students, English and native, for the work of the ministry. They could not look to England any longer for money to support the cause. England had much work on her hand in her endeavours to evangelise the nations of the European Continent. He was glad to say that Auckland was prominent in the support of this cause. The young ladies were especially active, and the Sabbath-schools contributed very valuable assistance. The following grauts had been made during the past year : —Hokianga, £IS4 Gs. There was one English and one native Wesleyan missionary in this place. Kaipara, £100, and a further sum of £50 for repairs to the missionary's house. The Kaipara circuit would soon be selfsupporting. To Kaukapakapa, £25; Mahurangi, £29 4s ; Wairoa, £50, together with £10 to purchase a boat; Ashburton (South), £100; Mornington, £100; Lawrence anil Roxburgh, £S. In aid of districts regularly established, £355 ; ministers' houses, £75 ; grant for furniture, £50 ; towards traiuing of students, £100. The native students in the Three Kings were supported from the rents of that estate. There were three English missionaries in full ministerial work, nine English " home missionaries " and five native missionaries also engaged in the work.

Mr. PiiUiE read the treasurer's statement, from which it appeared that the subscriptions collected by ladies amounted to £109 15s lid; collections at the Choral Hall (Sunday), £15 4s 9d ; Grafton Road, £3 15s 2d ; Parnell, £1 17s 2d ; Ponsonby, £2 Ss; which, together with Union-street and North Shore, amounted to £20 4s 9d ; Missionary box (Grafton Road Sunday-school), £1S lis sd; Thames district, £31 10s; Manukau, £20 ; Waikato, £10 ; Mahurangi, £2 3s lOd. There were several sources from which returns had not been sent iu,

The meeting was addressed by the Rev. Mr. Gittos (Kaipara), Hoani Waiti (Kaipara), Rev. Mr. Rowse (llokianga), Rev. JNlr. Hudson (Ma'uuraugi), Rev. Mr Schnackenberg (Raglan). A collection was made in aid of the Home Mission Fund, which realised £10 os Sd.

The Rev. Thomas Buddle, secouded by the Rev. Mr. Kikk, moved a vote of thanks to the minister and deacons of Beresford street Church for lending the church for the purpose of the meeting.—Carried by acclamation.

THREE KINGS THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. The annual examination of the Maori students of this institution was held on Nov. 30, in the presence of the Rev. Mr. Kirk (president of the Conference), the Rev. Messrs. Wallis, Gittos, Schnackenberg, Kowse, Williams, Watkiu, Smith, Garlick, the Rev. Thomas Buddie (principal of the Institution), Dr. Kidd (classical tutor), Mr. Oranwell (musical instructor), Mr. Prime (a member of the Committee of Trustees), the European students, and a large number of ladies and gentlemen from Auckland aud the neighbourhood. The Rev. Mr. Kirk, President of the Conference, presided. Mr. Joseph Bottle, as the senior European student, being called upon, testified to the uniformly high character and gentlemanly demeanour of the Maori students. A vote of thanks to the Principal and Mrs. Buddie, for their hospitality, was moved and carried by acclamation ; and the doxologv having been sung, the president pronounced the benediction.

After partaking of tea, the visitors left ; their parting salutation being expressed in the form of three hearty cheers.

PRESENTATION TO THE BISHOP (ELECT) OF WAIAPU.

A .meeting of the congregation of St. Mary's Parish, Parnell, and of the members of the Church of England resident iu tho surrouuding districts, was held on Dec. 3rd, iu the new Missionary School-room, Parnell, for the purpose of presenting an address aud testimonial to tho Right Rev. E. C. Stuart, Bishop (elect) of Waiapu, ou the eve of his departure for his diocese. On the motion of Mr. li. B. Lusic, seconded by Mr. Larkius, Mr. Schwartz Kissliug, churchwarden of St. Mary's, was called to the chair. The CiiAin.M.vy, in explaining the object of the meeting, said that it was intended that the Veil. Archdeacon Maunsell should have taken the chair, but Dr. Maunsell had been called to discharge important duties at a distance from the place where they were then assembled. He would not detain the meeting bj reminding them of the services which he had rendered to St. Mary's Parish. He would call on Mr. Larkius to read the address. The following is a copy of the address :— IVe, thu m-mhers of .St. Mary'.", I'arucll, and other friends d.sire lo express out- of your valuable services to ihu Church of Chrut here .mil elsewhere m the M is-ion lie.ul. Our wbh Is to c >i.vey to ymi some token of our gratitude tor your s.-Jf-deniil uu I edify.n,' labours, uur power to do this 13 but sal .1; -ince wo i;:u i our gratitude no adequate exi>r.-.-sion ; nor cm we in anywise otrer any row ml for what you will a.-eribe to the of C.O'l wilhin vou, aud to that alon-i. Your elevation to a luelier po-i:ion in the Church of Knglaml £ives us niinijltd fi-elu-jjs of regret and pleasure—regiet that you will he ausent fr tn us— but unfeigned plea-ure that you are elevated to preside over a diocese to which in Ood's providence >uu have been unanimously elected. We are glad that the see of Waiapu will have a chief pastor, whose aim will be sidf-eoniecratioii tn a high aud holy worlc, viz.. the promotion of do l's glory, tile honour of Chiist, and the edifying of II s 1 The ladies of the cr-ngiugation ask you kindly to accept on their behalf, as a token of their est-ein, this portable communion service of plate aud this article of domestic use

The male portion of tho congregation be? your acecptauce of this timepiece as a memorial of their regard for y.m and of their veneration fur your high ollice in tho Church.

Ami we assure you, Right luiverend sir. that all concerned in presenting to you these sin ill gifts, offer lit tin* same timo tliuir Rood wishes and pr.iyers, shared in by the ChtislUns of -.uokiaml in neutral ami by many friends unknown to yon, ihat the removal of your-M-if from amongst us may bo for your happincss and for > our success in the work of Christ. — (Signed, oa behalf of the subscribers.)

The presents were ranged oil the table, being of very elegant pattern and workmanship, consisting, besides the communionservice, of a haudsome timepiece aud buttercooler, supplied to order by Mr Isidore Alexauder, of Queen-street. The address was elegantly engrossed aud illuminated by Mr. Slator, of St. George's Day.

The Bi.suoi' of \Vaiavu (elect) in reply, said :—ln rising to aokkuowledge this most kind address, L am reminded o£ an anecdote I once heard from my great aud good countryman, Dr. Norman McLeod. He had at one time been enabled to do a kindness to a very poor woman in his parish in Glasgow. The lirst occasion of his seeing her alter his kindly intervention in her behalf lie was puzzled to observe her somewhat embarrassed silence. At last sha broke silence by exclaiming—"Deer Doctor, 1 canna speak for I'm jist like to greet." I feel something of the same kind of embarrassment. Aly heart is too full to spealc what I should deem it sufficient to say. I must say, however inadequate my words may be to expresmy deep gratilicatioi:, that I am grateful to you for this act of kindness, aud the expression of kind feeling in which it is conveyed. I feel that I have no claim of auy kind on this parish. It has been my great happiness during the past year to assist your revered

and honoured pastor (Archdeacon Maunsell) who received me with great kindness npon my coming amongst you. I felt it was my duty to give him all the help I could. JElaviug no claim, this kindness was wholly unexpected. I neverheard of it until I was told of this meetiug. But Air. Chairman, and my Lord Bishop, I think this munificent gift should be referred to on other than merely personal considerations. I take it in some Bense, as a recognition on the part of the donors of the spirit of unity in our Church in New Zealand, which spirit induces them to extend their regard to other dioceses of the Church, and in this case more particuiarly— the diocese to which in Providence of God 1 am called. I therefore receive these kiad gifts, not otily as a token of regard towards myself, but asanencouragement to the Christian work to be done. It is to me an assurance that you will continue feel an interest in the Dioce&e of Waiapu, and that you will follow me in your sympathies and with your prayers. In that diocese there is still a | considerable Maori population. There had been a breach in the continuity of missionary work there through the successive wars that have taken place. I shall regard the past year as a happy time that I have speut amongst you—seeing that I shall still have your sympathy. It is hard at all times to say farewell to those whom we esteem ; but we have many special consolations at a time of parting. .Let us not look at the shadows of things, but, rather to the bright side ; and be it our happiness to look forward to that time when all friendship shall meet its full fruition, and parting be no more. The Bisuop of Auckland said| that while those who were present, and many others, felt generally that the departure of the Rev E. U. Stuart from Aucklaud, involved a great loss to them—some had special reasous for being sorry to part with him. Kot a few would greatly miss the other two bers of the family whom Mr. Stuart would take away with him, and who had much endeared themselves to those who had come to know them. The Bishop had his special reasons for feeling sorry to part with Mr. Stuart, as one of the clergy of the diocese. He had hoped that Mr. Stuart would for many years help in the very important work of preparing Maori candidates for holy orders. The loss of Auckland would be the gain of Waiapu. They would all wish Mr. Stuart cordially God-speed.

The following address was read to Mr. Stuart in Maori by the senior of live Maori deacons preparing for priests' orders in the Missionary School: —

Our Father -tuart, —This is a farewell from m of the Maori Cuurch on the occasion of your leaving lor auother part, of the Lorn'* viueyard, to t,«*ke the pUce of »'Ur venerable father Bishop w iliiam-*, now past work an<l 1-tbour. You have been called to superintend the work of religion and to sow the Reeds 01 the Gospel in that part of the land whither you are going. We cannot, upou such an occasion, but bear in mind our venerable father wlvj laboured so long in th*i Btme Held. At the same time our thoughts, our desires for your good, our wishes for your happUt-ssf go with yon in this sayiug farewell Go, on the strength of the Gosp-l according to which you are called, and proclaim its truth to-those wiio Kit in darkness so ihat it may be a guide to thfir feet in the ways of peace accordinir to the words of our Saviour, who has said, " I am with you alway-, even to the end «•! the world."

Mr. Stuakt thanked the Maori students for their address, and accepted it as a link of continuity in the missionary work to which he had devoted his life.

Mr. \Y. H. Kissling could not help calling to the attention of the meeting the fact that the venerable Bishop Williams, of Waiapu, was at that moment on his death bed. The occasion appeared to be appropriate for offering some expression of sympathy to his family. (The company rose during the remainder of Mr. Kissling's observations.) There was very little dcubt that the labours of the veuerable bishop were soon to close. All must be aware of his invaluable services to the church in New Zealand.

Dr. Purcuas also spoke to the eminent services, the high personal character, the eminent literary talents of Bishop Williams.

Mr. Kisslino : I would ask that an expresf ion of sympathy from this meeting should be forwarded from this large meeting to the family of Bishop Williams. It is not necessary to move a formal resolution. The chairman may be requested to do it.

The Chairman .'intimated that; he would act on the suggestion of the meeting.