WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8423, 26 November 1890, Page 3

WESLEYAN DISTRICT MEETING.

The Districb Meeting resumed yesterday morning, the Rev. William Leo in the chair. Present : Rev. 11. H. La wry, A. Reid, W. Gittos, E. Best, J. Smith, J. S. Rishworth, J. Law, J. H. Simmonds, W. Keall, T. G. Carr, James' Thomas, S. Lawry, J. Dukes, C. H. Garland, S. Griffith, T. F. Jones, G. T. Marshall, A. C. Lawry, H. Paul, T. A. Joughin, Messrs. F. L. Prime, Dixon, W. 11. Smith, Reynolds, and T. MeMaster. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. W. 11. Smith gave notice that ho would move, " That it bo recommended to Conference that the press bo invited to send its own representatives to report lie Conference proceedings." STATIST lOA L RETURNS. The Rev. S. Griffith brought forward the statistical returns for the district. An increase of membership was reported. A comparison of the returns presented to the District Meeting of 187!) with those of this year reveals the gratifying growth that has taken place during the past eleven years. During this period there has been an increase of '21 churches, 53 other preaching places, 4 ministers, 240 Sundayschool teachers, 46 local preachers, 1721 members and communicants, '27 Sundayschools, 2030 scholars, 6715 attendants on public worship. The returns wero received and Mr. Griffith thanked for his services. REV. 11. Paul's TRAVELLING EXPENSES. A motion to pay Mr. Paul's travelling expenses in the Kaipnra circuit for the past year was lost on the voices. PROPOSED NEW STATION'S. An application was received from Mercury Bay tor a minister to reside and work there. At the present Mr. Stephenson, homo missionary at (Joromandcl, visits the Bay once a month. It was resolved that the district meeting recognises the need of increased Christian work in Mercury Bay and surrounding district, and that the home missionary at Coromandel be directed to give as much attention as possible to these districts. SUNDAY-SCHOOL RETURNS. The Rev. T. G. Carr presented the returns of the Sunday-schools. There was an increase of 490 scholars in tho year. The Rev. A. Reid asked in how many schools the catechisms are used ? Tho Rev. Mr. Carr replied that they were used in 47 out of the 70. The returns wero received, and Mr. Carr was thanked. TIME FOR HOLDING DISTRICT MEETING. Mr. P. L. Prime moved, "That the district meeting be held in the month of January." The Rev. S. Lawry moved an amendment, "That the district meeting bo held second week in December." Mr. Prime's motion was carried. .Afternoon Session. On resuming, the state of tho Circuit Fund was inquired into. . APPLICATION FOR ADDITIONAL AGENTS. Manukau.—An application was received from the Manukau Circuit for an appointment of a home mission agent to assist the superintendent. Rev. T. G. Carr was of the opinion that a probationer should be appointed, and not a home missionary. Rev. J. S. Rishworth thought tho time was not ripe for either a home missionary or a probationer to be appointed. Rev. S. Lawry said that lie was convinced that there was not only sufficient work, but sufficient maintenance. Ho was against the division of the circuit. He moved, "That this meeting considers it inadvisable that a home missionary be appointed to the Manukau Circuit, but suggests that the December Quarterly Meeting should consider the desirability of a probationer being appointed." Seconded by Mr. Carr, and carried.

Upper Thames. — The Rev. J. Law brought forward an application from the Upper Thames circuit, for the appointment of a probationer at Paeroa, Paeroa to form the head of a new circuit. The Rev. E. Best advised caution before dividing this circuit. If any be done, Paeroa should be still connected with Te Aroha, with the appointment of an additional minister to the circuit. Mr. Law's motion was negatived.

PROPOSAL TO UNITE THE THAMES AND I'AKROA.

The Rev. J. Law moved, " That the question of connecting Paeroa with the Thames circuit with the appointment of a probationer be referred to the . December quarterly meeting of that circuit for consideration, with a view of reporting the matter to the next Conference." Seconded by the Rev. S. La why and carried.

REPRESENTATIVES TO ECUMENICAL

CON KERENCK.

The question of appointment of a representative to the Ecumenical Conference which meets in America in 1891 was considered. A strong protest was made against the action of the last general Conference in electing two New Zealand representatives.—Nothing to recommend.

CHANGE IN ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS.

Mr. F. L. Prime moved, " That a change should be made in the order of Conference business, the ministers to meet lor the transaction of the business in the mornings and laymen in the afternoon." Mr. Smith heartily supported it. REPORTING THE PROCEEDINGS.

Mr. Smith brought forward his motion, of which lie had given notice, to invite the press to send its own representatives to report the proceedings of the Conference. It was, however, pointed out that the Conference was open already to the reporters, except when in committee, in the mornings. On this explanation being given, Mr. Smith withdrew his motion.

CHANGE IN CONSTITUTION OF STATIONING

COMMITTEE.

It was resolved, That we recommend to the Conference that the following be the constitution of the Stationing Committee : —The President and Secretary of the Conferences ex officio, the Chairmen of Districts, one representative from each district for every nine ministers and probationers in circuit work, or majority fraction of nine, and the General Secretary of the Home Mission and Church Extension fund." PROPOSED CONNEXIONAL FIRE INSURANCE. A motion to establish a connexional fire insurance fund was negatived. MISSION TO THE CHINESE. The Rev. E. Best moved: "In the judgment of this District Meeting it is our duty as a Christian Church to employ some suitable agent for the salvation and moral elevation of the Chinese living in our midst ; and we hope the necessary funds may be obtained by private subscriptions, without injury to the urgent needs of other departments of our work." In speaking to the resolution, Mr. Best reported that ho had already taken stops to collect information on the subject, and that one or two gentlemen had made liberal oilers in aid of the undertaking suggested in the resolution. Tho resolution was cordially seconded by Mr. W. 11. Smith, who offered considerable assistance in the event of the scheme taking shape. Tho motion was carried. education in public schools. Tho Rev. E. Best moved, " That while fche members of this District Meeting arc decidedly opposed to any form of denominational educationbcingsubstituted tor, or incorporated with, our present national system, we at the same time feel it is sadly defective in moral and religious teachinga defect which would be largely remedied by a series of well-selected Scripture lessons, to be read daily in tho schools, thus depositing in the memories and hearts of the children the only perfect standard by which to mould their character and life. A fitting conscience clause would guard the scruples of teachers, parents, or guardians. We hope our Conference will appoint a committee with authority to confer and act with representatives from other Churches on this subject." The Rev. A. Reid warmly supported the motion. The Methodist Church should take notion. He strongly recommended the adoption of tho selection of Bible readings as is adopted in New South Wales. They were quite sufficient on historical, doctrinal, and ethical grounds. VOTE OF THANKS. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the friends who have entertained the members attending the District Meeting. This finished tho business of the representative sessions. The ministers will meet at half-past nine to-day when tho business will conclude. .

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