PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1194, 18 January 1895, Page 29

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.

At the Primitive Methodist Conference > last week, the report concerning- the trust properties in the district showed that they \ were in a sound condition. The , total value of the properties, takingoriginal cost with enlargements, is <£30,412 18s lid, an increase of .£1844 10s 3d for the year, whilst the present debt is <£6252 7s 3d. The retiring president, the "Rev C. E. Ward, delivered an address. At the afternoon sitting, reports were received from the various stations, and in the evening a meeting was held to consider the work of the church throughout the Colony. The question of Methodist Union was discussed at Saturday’s sitting of the Primitive Methodist Conference, and the following resolution was agreed to, “ That while we sincerely appreciate the courtesy with which our brethren of the Wesleyan General Conference have discussed the question of Methodist Union, yet we resolve that we do not see our way to accept union on the basis offered, the concessions made by them being- small, while the sacrifices required from us include the exclusion of laymen from the questions of reception, ordination, final stationing and superannuation of ministers; being directly opposed to our church polity that a layman is eligible to a seat on any of our Church Courts/ 5 The whole of the delegates present voted in favour of this resolution. The Conference also resolved : —“That in the opinion of this Conference any union of the Methodist churches in this Colony which will meet with the hearty support of our people should be upon the lines of the basis of union similar to that of 1883/ 5 “ That this Conference places upon record its high appreciation of the Christian courtesy shown by the deputation of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in their addresses to us upon the question of Methodist Union, and trust the kindly spirit evinced by them and heartily reciprocated by us ihay ever continue/ 5 The Primitive Methodist Conference was resumed on Monday morning. The Missionary Committee’s report was received and discussed. Applications from ministers from other churches to enter the Primitive Methodist Church were received, but not granted. Arrangements were made for the return to England of the Rev J. Hindes, on account of sickness. It was decided that a church be built at Inglewood, and the Conference promised to render financial help towards its erection. An application to divide the Geraldine district and make Temuka a mission station was refused. Denniston was made a separate station, and Westport and Waimangaroa amalgamated. The report of the Probationers’ Examination Committee was received. All the probationers having passed their examinations creditably, they were each passed in their respective years. The whole of Tuesday was taken up at the Primitive Methodist Conference in the stationing of ministers. The following is the final draft of stations :—New Plymouth, W. S. Potter ; Wellington, J. Guy, E. Drake; Auckland I. Charles E. Ward, G. 11. Mann ; Auckland 11., J. Nixon; Invercargill, P. W. Jones ; Bluff, W. C. Woodward; Timaru, J. Sharp ; Thames, P. W. Boys ; Greendale, T. H. Lyon; Christchurch, J. Dawson ; Ashburton, J. Olphert; Feilding, J. Cocker; Halcombe, G. Grindley; Geraldine, W. Hanes ; Dunedin, W. Lay cock ; Foxton, S. Barnett ; South Invercargill, W. Woollass; Mission, Stratford and Eltham, G. Clement, J. W. Hayward; Waimate and Oamaru, J. Clover; Westport and Mokihinui, W. C. Wood, R. Raine; Hunterville, Home Missionary; Cheviot, 11. Williams; Inglewood, S. Henderson; Denniston, G. Carr; Gumdiggers’ Mission, lay agent; removing to England, J. R. I-lindes.

A deputation from the Good Templars of Wellington was received and an address replied to by the Rev J. Cocker.