Untitled

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6931, 4 February 1884, Page 3 (Supplement)

UNITED METHODIST FRFE CHURCHES.

The annual district meeting of the representatives of the abovenamed Churches in New Zealand commenced its sitting on Jan. 15 in Vincent-street ' hurch. Rev. C. Worboys was elected Chairman, and Rev. E. O. Perry District Secretary, with Messrs. J. Tattersall and .1. Saunders as sub-Secre-taries. and the Rev. H. B. Redstone and Mr. J. Wrigley as reporters to the l'ress. The assembly met from day to day and concluded its sittings on the 21st January. After the usual opening ceremony the Assembly ou Jan. 17 proceeded to the most important business that it had to transact at the district meeting, namely, the consideration of the subject of Aletnodist iJnion. All the correspondence relative to the question was then read. The matter had been laid before the different circuits and communications respecting the same received in reply, most of which were favourable to the proposal, and suggesting such alterations in the basis as they thought best. Letters were also read from the home authorities, intimatiug that if such union could be agreed upon by the Churches here, and it was thought best by the members in the colony thus to unite, they would not prevent theui so doing. Mr. Macfarlane then moved the following resolution : —" Thismeeting.whiloconourring in the distinctive principles of Church government, which have been maintained by che United Methodist Free Churches, fully appreciates the liberal concessions or the basis of union, and believing that the difference between the Cnurch government of the United Methodist Free Church, and the policy indicated in the basis of union to be inconsiderable in comparison with the advantages that union would afford in carrying out the work of God, cordially engages to enter ths proposed Methodist Church of New Zealaud, and hereby recommends the Annual Assembly to give sanction to the said union. It would, however, suggest such alterations in the basis as would not affect the fundamental principles, and as might appear desirable to this meeting." Mr. Bennett seconded the motion. Mr. Baxter moved the following amendment:—"This meeting, while fully appreciating the kindly feelings which have moved the various parties representing the Alethodiat Churches in New Zealand in the forming of the basis of anion now laid before

it, regrets to'observe the absence of several of our mogj; cherished principles, while it moreover Teams ffom documents placed before it that some' of the most important principles lai'd nowliifi the document are not favourably regarded tiy several of the circuits, some of whicn are among the most important of them, and therefore cannot recommend to our colonial Churches the adoption of the said basis, nor to the approbation of the home authorities." —The Rev. H. B. Redstone seconded tbe armendment.—The whole afternoon's session was devoted to the consideration of the subject. The discussion was continued on the ■ followiug day, when the vote of the representatives was taken on the amendment. Four voted for the amendment, and thirteen against it. Several other amendments were then proposed, but were lost, after which the original motion of Mr. Macfarlane's, approving of the union ou the basis proposed, subject to certain suggestions to be made, wa» put to the meeting, and the votes were thirteen for and four against. On Jan. 15 there was a gathering of the scholars of the Wellesley-3trtet Baptist Sun-day-school, in the schoolroom, the oc<._cion being the presentation to the successful recipients of the certificates and special certificates obtained by scholars of the school, at the Auckland Sunday-school Union Industrial Exhibition. The room was crowded. Mr. Thos. Spurgeou presided, and with a few kindly words presented the 22 certificates, and tne two special prizes which had been carried off. The special certificates were obtained by Miss Matthews and Alias Hoyes, who were in consequence presented with a handsome volume each by the school authorities in recognition of their industry. A goodly number of ladies and gentlemen, members of the Roman Catholic Church, assembled afc the Bishop's Palace, Ponsonby, at three p.m. on Jan. 10, to offer their congratulations to the Very Rev. Monsignor Fynes on the first occasion of his appearing in public in the insignia of the title of Monsignor which His Holiness has been j pleased to confer upon him. The annual ffi:e of the Sunday-schools connected with St. Mary's, Paruell, was held on Jan. 15 at Northcote. There were nearly 300 children, including the children of the Orphan Home, oonveyed by steamer to Northcote. Toe quarterly meeting in connection with the Wesleyan church at Cambridge was held on Jan. 11, when Messrs. Caley and Reynolds were appointed circuit stewards. The balance-sheet showed the income for the quarter at £94 143 lOd, against an expenditure of £S3 5s SJd. A very successful soiree was hold the same evening. At a meeting held in tho Young Men's Christian Association Rooms on the 17th January, it was resolved to form a, society for the purpuse of disseminating knowledge with regard to the evidences of Christianity, to be called the Auckland Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.— A coostitution on tiie basis of the Y.M.C.A. was adopted, rules were framed, members were enrolled, and a number of subscriptions were paid. The following gentlemen were clected officers and members of committee :—Mr. F. Battley, president : Mr. J. L. Wilson, treasurer ; Mr. F. G. Ewington, hon. secretary ; ■Mr. T. Buddie, Mr. John Buchauan, Rev. W. Caldcr, Mr. John Chambers, and Mr. Theo. Cooper, jun.