PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONNECTION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5555, 17 January 1879, Page 2

PRIMITIVE METHODIST CONNECTION.

The opening service iu connection with the seventh annual meeting of the New Zealand district of the above society took place on Tuesday evening last, when an earnest and impressive discourse was delivered by the Rev. Brownlow J. Westbrook, of the Ashburton and Geraldine station. On the following evening an ordination service was held for the purpose of receiving into the full ministry the Revs. J. Clover and J. Guy, the former of whom has been laboring during the past year in the Manawatu station, and the latter in Dunedin. The Revs. J. Dean, J. Dumbell, and D, Dutton, F.S.A., were the officiating ministers. The Rev. J. Dumbell delivered the charge to the candidates, and the Rev. D. Dutton, F.S.A., that to the congregation.

The regular business of the district commenced on Thursday morning, when the following delegates were present : —Ministry : Rev. J. Dumbell, general committee delegate; Revs. J. Dean, D. Dutton, F.S.A; J. Standrin, C.E. Ward, J. Ward, B. J. Westbrook, J. J, Sharp, C. E. Barley, J. Clover, R. W. Jones, J. Guy, and W. S. Potter ; laity : Messrs. Taylor, Edge, Clement, Beale, Rudd, Amies, Brett, Frazer, G. Ward, J, W. Bourne, C. Luke, and Carson. The following officers were appointed:—Rev. D. Dutton, F.S. A., president; S. Frazer, vicepresident; Rev. J. Sharp, secretary ; Rev. J. Clover, assistant-secrenary; Rev. J. Guy, letterwriter.

A variety of preliminary business was then got through, occupying the greater portion of the morning sitting; the remainder of the morning and the whole of the afternoon being taken up by a careful examination of the reports submitted by the various stations, which were of a generally satisfactory character. The meeting adjourned at a quarter to five o’clock.

The statistics submitted by the several stations will be famished is a subsequent report.