WESLEY AN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 5994, 2 February 1881, Page 6

WESLEY AN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

:[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] _ Nelson, Tuesday. The Rev. Mr. Morley 'moved, and the President seconded, "That in future Conferences the plan be so arranged as to give two evening sessions during the transaction of the ministerial business, and then three evening sessions during the general business ; the afternoons of these days to be left free, or to be appropriated to committee work."— Carried.—lt was next moved by the exPresident, and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Best, " That a Conference Bible "be provided which shall contain the signatures of all 1 Presidents of the New Zealand Conference from the commencement and be handed down to each future president, who should | it upon taking office." Carried. Mr. Morley moved and Mr. Bond seconded, That it is desirable that a better and more permanent provision be made for the support of the native ministers, and that the Revs, the General Secretary of Missions, the Superintendents of the Auckland and Manukau circuits, with Messrs. Edson, Hobbs, and T. Buddie, be a committee to take action in the matter during the current year." Carried. The committee appointed to report On the state of the Home Mission Fund brought up their recommendations, which, after a little, discussion, were approved. The net income of this fund for 18S0 was £2100, and expenditure £2194. For the sake of completing the home mission report and balance-sheet at an early date, the Conference decided " That circuit efforts for the home mission fund be made prior to the district meetings, and that secretaries be requested to forward accounts at once to the general secretary." It was further resolved, " That the Conference records its gratitude to God for His blessing upon the efforts made during the year for the further aid of the home mission." It also desires to convey its warm thanks to the congregations ol the Church throughout the colony for their liberal support of this important branch of our work, especially as this liberality has been manifested during a period of universal commercial depression. The Conference earnestly commends the claims of the Home Mission fund to the further generous support of the congregations, that means may be available to overtake and meet the demands of our Church work in the colony ; that the thanks of the Conference be presented to the Rev. T. Buddie and Mr. F. L. Prime for their set vices as general and financial secretaries, and also as treasurers of the past year, and that they be re-appointed ; that one of the Home Mission secretaries attend the Conference ex officio, and that his expenses in so doing be defrayed by the fund ; that the thanks of the Conference be presented to the Executive Committee for their services during the past year, and that the following gentlemen be appointed as the Executive Committee for 1881, viz.: The general and principal secretary the ministers of the Auckland and Manukau Circuits, with Messrs. Edson, Hobbs, Griffiths Wilson, E. Allen, and Buddie, W. Thorne, J. Gillies, Wiseman, McMaster, J. Bycroft, R. Arthur, and F. A. White. Rev. Mr. Moxham proposed, and Ret. W r . Morley seconded, "That a committee, consisting of the Chairmen of the districts, General Secretary and Treasurer, and lay representatives, be appointed at the first session of the mixed Conference, to consider the balancesheet, report, and estimates of the General Secretary and Treasurer, and report to the I Conference."

At 3 o'clock a deputation, consisting of Messrs. J. Pickard, W. T. Bond° W. Gilleson, W T . Sherwood, J. Heyho, and G. Sherwood, representing the Good Templar and Rechabite Orders, waited upon the Conference, and presented an address, chaste and beautiful, both in sentiments and in diction. The addresses having been read by Messrs. Pickard and Heyho, the President called upon the Rev. vr T ? reply to the deputation. x\lr. Bond assured the deputation that the Conference was in perfect accord with the sentiments and principles expressed in the addresses, and heartily sympathised with all mo\ ements for the moral elevation of the race and the suppression of those customs so prolific of vice, crime, and misery. Through him the Conference wished them Godspeed. Mr. Connell, of Christchurch, also on behalf of the laymen addressed a few words of cheer and congratulation to the deputation. Messis. Pickard and W . T. Bond liavin< r appropriately replied, the deputation with° drew.

, Bev. Mr. Best then asked the ear of the Conference for a minute or two, in order to solicit the prayerful sympathy of the Conference and connection on behalf of Ireland so fair by nature, and so foul by sin and blighted by centuries of degrading superstition. Mr. Best spoke feelingly 0 f the sufferings and perils of many Irish Methodists.

The ordination service at the Wesleyan Church last night was well attended. Four young men—Thomas Fee, Couelius Griffin, Saul Lawry, and Edward Nwlson-were solemniy set apart for the work of the Christian ministry by the laving on of nan as. The service was conducted by the president of the Conference (Rev. J. B. Richardson). After singing and prayer each of the candidates for ordination were calleu upon to state their conversion, present Christian experience, and call to the sacred otnee, which was done in a few wellcliosen words. The Pesident then put several questions respecting discipline, &c. administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and each candidate, on being presented with a copy of God's words, was authorised to preach in the Wesleyan Church as minister in full connection. After the imposition of hands by the president, secretary, ex-president, the Rev. W. Lee proceeded to give the charge, taking lor the foundation of his remarks 2 Timothy, 11th chapter, 15th verse. He spoke of the physical, mental, and spiritual qualifications necessary to a minister of God. He urged them to take care of their health. A sound mind in a sound body was necessary for right expedition of their duty. They were not to consider that their studies were ended, now that their examinations were over, but to give several hours every day to systematic study, and to be careful in the choice of books, so as to successfully cope with the prevalent evils ; also whilst seeking mental culture not to neglect prayer, but to seek the spirit of the Divine Maker who went about doing good. He spoke of the solemn responsibility of the ministry, and made some excellent remarks on pastoral visitation, and urged them whilst seeking the most effectual way of doing all things ever to be natural The service throughout was a most impressive one, and will long be remembered. After singing the Rev. J. Buller engaged in SKM the PresMent P—'lthe

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Auckland = PittwSt n V u and Rev - Dewsbury; rr > P°H e ge, Rev. Buddie, principal ; Home Mission, Rev. Buddie, general secreary, Kaukapapapa, Home Missionary: Mahurangi, Home Missionary; Grafton Road, Rev. . Oliver and Rev. Isitt: lhames, Rev. Watkin; Coromandel, Home Missionary; Upper Thames, Rev. Pinfold, Manukau, Rev. Bond; Waiuku and Pukekohe Rev. Caughey ; Waikato, Revs. Bull and Griffin; Raglan, Aotea, and Kawhia,

Revs. Slade, Patene and Ngarapi ; Kaipara, Revs. W. Gittos, Abernethy, and Waiti ; Wairoa, Rev. Spence; Hokianga, Rev. Hammond; Haweka, Rev. Te Kueri • Kawakawa, Rev. Walter ; Whangaroa, a Home Missionary; Whangarei, Rev. Hudson ; Tauranga, Rev. Barber ; Gisborne, Rev. Dillon. The Rev. Morley to act as Chairman of the District. Wasgaxui District.—New Plymouth : Revs. McColl, Harper, and Piripi; Patea, Rev. Luxford ; Wanganui, Rev. Williams : Raagitikei, Rev. Rowse ; Sandon, Rev. Worker ; Palmerston North, Rev. Smith; Yielding, Rev. Parsonson ; Rev. McNicolL Chairman of the District. Wellington District. — Wellington, Revs. Kirk and Bavin; Hutt, Rev. Connell; Greytown. Revs. Thomas Masterton and Dukes; Napier, Rev. Bunn ; Hastings, Rev. Dewsbury ; Norsewood (Scandinavian Mission), Rev. Neilson and two Home Missionaries ; Rev. W. Kirk, Chairman oi the District. Nelson District.—Nelson, Rev. Lee; Richmond, Rev. Berry; Blenheim, Rev. Carr; Hokitika, Rev. Lawry ; Greymouth, Rev. Standige; Motueka, a Home Missionary ; Kumara, a Home Missionary ; Rev. W. Lee, Chairman of the District. Canterbury District. — Christchurch : Revs. Reid, Baumber, and Gillan, Colombo Road; Rev. Wishworth, St. Albans ; Rev. J. B. Richardson (President of Conference), Lyttelton; Rev. B. W. Marton, Springston ; Rev. J. S. Malley, Leeston ; Rev. J. Armitage, Ivaiapoi ; Rev. Suramond, Rangiora; Revs. Taylor and Garrick, Timaru ; Rev. Beek, Waimate ; Rev. Leuis, Temuka ; Rev. Fee, Ashburton ; Rev. Keill, Amberley (a Home Missionary); Rev. J. B. Richardson, Chairman of the District. Otago District. — Dunedin (Trinity Church), Rev. E. Best; Mornington, Rev. Buttle ; Port Chalmers, Rev. Linsley : Balclutha, Rev. Gray; Milton, Rev. Wells ; Lawrence, Rev. J. Lowe ; Rosburg, Rev. j. W. Martin ; Invercargill, Rev. P. Fairclough; Oainaru, Rev. Crump; Tapanui, Rev. Murray ; Dunedin, suburban missionary ; Hyde, a home missionary ; and Waikouaiti, a home missionary; Rev. J. Crump, Chairman of the District. At 6 o'clock this morning discussion re the Independent Conference for New Zealand, Rev. Mr. Morley and Mr. Bavin made good speeches in support of it, and Messrs. Buddie, Reid, and Best against it. At 11 o'clock the ministers and laymen accepted the invitation of their Methodist friends to a Conference picnic on the grounds of Messrs. Snowden Brothers, at Brightwater. We went through the Waimea Valley and across the river, the journey occupying about half-an-hour. A better place could not have been chosen, and as I looked around and saw the happy groups of friends under the native bush (which surpasses the beaatiful Auckland Domain), the scene looked like some fairy land. The greatest attention • appeared to be given to the commissariat department, and all your special can say is that if the tables of all our other friends were laden with all the delicacies of the season like Bethwaite's and Mrs. Maddow's, then they must have been good indeed. I am sure that the exertions of the committee, and the indefatigable Mr. Bavin, were beyond all praise. Tickets by train] and entrance to the grounds and to the Richmond soiree at night, were sent to all the ministers and lay representatives, so that they cannot complain of -want of courtesy or attention on the part of the Nelson friends. The ladies have been ver y good indeed, and it would be very ungrateful did I not acknowledge their strenuous efforts to make everyone at home, and to supply all the cravings of the inner man. Ido not believe any place in New Zealand can beat the Nelson ladies and friends for hospitality. To-morrow "The Slaughter of the Innocents " commences, and some of the Southern members are going home, not waiting to the end of the session to draw their "honorarium." The Auckland members will leave by Friday's steamer.