WESLEYAN ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4884, 16 November 1876, Page 5

WESLEYAN ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

The meeting re-assembled yesterday morning, and the opening devotional exercises were led by the Revs. Messrs. Smalley and Neilson. The journal of the former meeting was read and confirmed. - The Chairman laid on the table a communication which he had received from Mr. Buddie, covering a copy of proposed new regulations of the New Zealand Wesleyan Methodist Home Missionary'and Church Extension Society. It was moved - that it be at once read, and the proposed rules discussed seriatim ; and, after some slight emendations, they were remitted to Conference for approval A lengthened discussion arose anent the subject of Sunday-schools, and it was ultimately resolved that Conference he recommended to take into 'Consideration the advisability of forming. fOr-New Zealand a branch union in connection with the English Wesleyan Sunday School Union. The diversity in our existing method.of, conducting public worship was adverted to. All the ministers present spoke to the question, and it was unanimously decided to pray Conference to consider whether the time has not arrived when some change should be made in the rule respecting the practice of reading hymns verse by verse during public service. It was felt that the ■ circumstances which gave origination to the rule no longer exist, and that the present mode of reading the hymns very frequently tends to dissipate the spirit of devotion. From the statistical returns of this district, as laid on the table by the secretary, we extract the following 53 preaching places, 9 ministers,' 29 local preachers, 13 class-leaders, 383 full accredited members, 1464 Sabbath scholars, 4013 attendants on public worship. A vhry interesting conversation here ensued on the subject ,of evangelical effort. Mr. Richardson -spoke of -the difficulties with which he i had to contend in the Wairarapa Circuit, arising from the fact of his having no help in the pastoral oversight of a district so extensive; and he again directed attention to the necessity of appointing an additional minister to reside at Masterton. The report he gave of his work during the past year was, however, eminently satisfactory. Sir. Harper, who . resides at Gisborne, referred to the condition of, his circuit, and while acting in reality as a pioneer, nevertheless spoke hopefully of his prospects. Mr. Smalley emphasized the importance of pastoral visita-' tion, and the difficulties experienced by ministers in overtaking this work, consequent upon the pressure of other duties of equal importance. ’ He referred to a course of systematic visitation which: he had initiated at Napier with very gratifying results! Since the meeting of the last :district court, the new church had been erected,; and was now well filled by an attentive congregation. From the foundation of the Napier. Circuit, two years and a half ago, the friends had entirely supported their minister, and had only asked for a grant In aid to meet the connectional claims. The further continuance of this conversation was at this point s postponed, and ' the meeting Went into committee to make preparation for the financial Committee, which meets this morning at ten o’clock.