THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1201, 8 March 1895, Page 16

THE CHURCHES.

UNITED METHODIST FREE CHURCH.

Chbistchukoh, March 1.

At the United Methodist Free Church district meeting to-day a deputation from the Christchui-ch Prohibition League urged the meeting to pass a resolution that no person who was a member of a racing club or was interested in the sale of alcoholic liquors should be allowed to, occupy any official position in connection with the Christian Churches. Christchurch, March 5.

At the United Methodist Free Church annual district meeting to-day, affairs connected with the Wellington Church occupied considerable attention. Eventually it was decided that the Rev H. B. Redstone be stationed at Wellington during next year, with power to deal with the Church there in conjunction with the district committee.

The Revs J. Hosting and J. Wrigley, the committee appointed to draw up a resolution in reference to matters placed before the meeting by a deputation from the Prohibition League, submitted the following, which was adopted, “An appeal having been made to this meeting by representatives of the Christchurch Prohibition League on the question of the relation of the Church to the liquor traffic and the gambling evil, it is in the opinion of this meeting utterly inconsistent for a professing Christian in any way to engage either in the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquor, or to aid the gambling evil. The rples of our Churches preclude anyone from being affiliated with us in Church membership who is identified in any way with either of the aforesaid evils.”

The Rev S. Macfarlane was appointed missionary secretary.

The following is the final draft of stations, as adopted by the meeting:—Addington, Rev C. Penny; Auckland, Rev A. Peters; Christchurch, Revs J. Hosking and S. Macfarlane (supernumerary); Mount Eden, local arrangement; Napier, Rev Worboys ; Oxford, Rev S. Hounsell; Pahiatua, Rev J. W. Griffin; Rangiora, Rev J. Edwards; Reefton, Rev J. Potts; Richmond, Rev A. W. Ashcroft; Waipawa,Rev J. J. Pendray; Wellington, Rev H. B. Redstone ; "Westport, Rev J. Benning ; Woodville, Rev J. Wrigley., : .v

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Nelson, February 28. The Genera! Conference of the Wesleyan Church wa3 opened to-day. The Rev D. McNicoll delivered an adaddress, in which he spoke of the good results of the year. There were 383 more members returned this year than last, and 2280 more hearers. There are now in connection with the five annual conferences 645 ministers, 84,164 members and 459,671 attendants. Thus in four years there had been an increase of 27 ministers, 10,795 members and 38,996 adherents. The Rev J. H. Simmonds was elected president for the current year on second ballot, and the Rev D. J. Murray secretary. A resolution congratulating the Rev H. Lawry on his ministerial jubilee was carried.

The first reading of the stations is* as follows :—Auckland, Pitt street, Revs S. F. Prior; Ponsonby, H. Bull; Mount Albert, T. Vealie; North Shore, J. H. Simmonds; Grafton road, D. McNicol and S. La wry ; superintendent of the Maori Missions, W. Gittos; Mahurangi, J. Laws; Thames S. W. Serpell ; Te Aroha, T. Joughin; Manukau, W. J. Williams,Franklin, S. Griffiths; Cambridge, J. Crump; Hamilton, J. Mather ; Kaipara, H. Paul; Waipa, W. Rewa; Paparoa, B. Roth well; Northern Wairoa, J. Blight; Maungamuka, P. Ralcena; Taheke, C. King; Whangarei, J. Pinfold; Tauranga, W. Sinclair; New Plymouth, J. H. Gray ; Waitara, T. Jones; Stratford, H. Bellhouse ; Opunake, T. Marshall; Wanganui, C. H. Garland ; Rangitikei, J. E. Thomas; dandon, W. Keall; Feilding, W. Judkins ; Palmerston North, W. Lee ; Maori Mission, T. Hammond ; Hawera, C. H. Laws ; Wei- , lington, W. Baumber, J. Ward and. R. Murray; Hutt, T. G. Carr; Grey town North, S. J. Gibson; Masterton, J. Dukes; Napier, W. Beck and L. Hudson ; Gisborne, W. Salter ;. Elcetahuna, S. Peryman; Otaki, ,W. Dawson; Nelson, G. Bond; Richmond, W. Connell; Blenheim,

T. Fee and Warihi; Hokitika, J. T. Burrows; Grey mouth, G. Spice; West Coast coalfields, G. Frost; Kumara, J. Smith; Christchurch, Durham street, H. Dewsbury, F. W. Isitt, W. J. Elliott; connexional secretary, W. Morley ; Sydenham, W. Parsonson ; St. _ Albans, J. Luxford and C. Harrison; Lyttelton, P. W. Fairclough; Springton, C. Griffin; Leeston, A. La,wry ; Kaiapoi, J. Smalley; Woodend, J. Dellow; Rangiora, S. Garlick; Tiraaru, C. mate, D. Murray ; Temuka, C. Standage; Ashburton, T. G. Brooke and C. Abernethy; Malvern, C. Porter ; Dunedin, J. Lewis; Cargill road, R. Taylor ; Mornington, J. Buttle; Port Chalmers, T. Griffin; / Balclutha, J. Chapman; Milton, W. i Thomas ; Lawrence, J. D. Jory; InvercarI gill, W. Oliver; Oamaru, W. Martin; Gore, W. Tinsley ; Wakatipu, W. Smith ; Riverton, T. Newbold. J. S. Rishworth becomes supernumerary. March 1. At the Wesleyan Conference to-day, the resignation of the Rev J. T. Nott, Canterbury, was accepted with regret. The Rev W. A. Sinclair was received in full connection, the Rev J. S. Rishworth for one year as supernumerary, and the Rev J. Crump in full work again. The Rev S. Griffiths was allowed a year’s leave to visit England. The Rev W. Morley was reappointed Connexional Secretary. Nelson, March 6. At the Wesleyan Conference a vote for the appointment of the Principal of Three Kings Institution was taken by ballot, when the Rev J. H. Simmonds was elected. 1 Applications for relief from the respon-

sibility of providing for married ministers were received from Tauranga, Wellington (the third man), Hastings and St. Albans, and were granted, Wellington and Hastings being required to pay special amounts to the Home Mission Fund.

A special session was held to consider the question of Methodist Union, but the debate was adjourned, In the second reading of station appointments the only alterations, as compared with the first reading, were:—Rev J. 11. Simmonds, Wesley College, Three Kings; Rev J. Crump, North Shore; Rev L. Hudson, Cambridge; Freeman's Bay, one to be sent; Rev Oldham,.-Franklyn; Rev A. Ashcroft, Inglewood; Rev" Bur-' row’s, Hawera; Rev Frost, Hastings; Rev C. 11. Laws, Hokitika; Rev J. A. Lochore, Riverton.

Adelaide, March 3. The Wesleyan Conference has decided fo refer the question of Methodist Union to the Federal Council Conference, with a request that polls of adherents be taken in the 'matter.

Bishop Wallis held a confirmation service at Bunnythorpe on Sunday. The Bishop, accompanied by Mrs Wallis, arrived from Marton on Saturday, and read the lessons at the Church of St. Barnabas on Sunday morning, the Rev Mr Devenish conducting the service. Confirmation took place in the afternoon, when there were seven candidates, and the Bishop preached. The music was ably given by the church choir and friends from Feilding, Palmerston North and Stony Creek. Visitors for miles round attended the service.