WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5301, 14 February 1879, Page 7

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

The sixth annual meeting of the Wesleyan Conference commenced its s-ittings Jan. 17th in the Pitt street Church, Auckland. There was a. largo gathering of miniaters from different parts'of the Colony, The session being open to the public, a large number of persons were in attendance, and the church was well filled. After calling the roll, the retiring President (Rev. J. Crump) delivered a comprehensive address in review of the past year. No death had occurred in the ranks of the ministry, and there had been an accession of eight candidates during the year. Great progress had been made by the Church Extension Society, but the loan fund was much needed.

The Conference then proceeded to the election of ita office-bearers, with the following result:—Rev. W. Morley, president; Rev. R. Bavin, secretary; Rev. J. Richardson, as-sistant-secretary; Rev. W. A. Lee, journal secretary; Rev. H. Bull, corresponding secretary. The President-elect (the Rev. W. Morley) delivered a very able speech, thanking the Conference for the honour conferred upon him. He pointed out the chief features of work to badone, and referred to the fact that twelve additional ministers were immediately required. The Rev. It. Bavin (secretary) also addressed _ the Conference. On 24th ult, Dr Borrowa, of Dunedin, was appointed lay treasurer of Home Aliaaion Fund. Me church properties, the Dunedin parsonage is to be sold, and other premises secured. It was reported to the Conference that the strength of the Wesleyan body in the Colony was as follows:—Number of churches, 151;. other preaching places, 110; miniaters, 58 j catechists, 8; Sunday-school taachera, 1269 j local preachera, 203; claaa-lcaders, 149; fully accredited members, 3192; membera on probation, 307; communicants, 840; catechumens, 374; Sunday-schools, 139; scholars, 11,147; attendants at public worship 29,051, aa against 27,512 last year. On the 25th the following candidates for the ministry were accepted : — Alesara N. Isitt, E, Park, \V. Slade, C. Abernethy, L. Hudson, W. Brooke, and J. Penfold." The offer of Alt A. Dean was declined on the ground of health. The annual returns: showed the statistics of the Church in New Zealand to ba—Churches, 263; other preaching places, 169 ; ministers, 65 ; catechißts, 12 ; Sunday-school teachera, 311; local preachers, 237; claas leaders, 169; numbers, 3515; on ' probation, 37; communicants, 850; catechumens, 396 ; Sunday - schoola, 166 ; scholars, 12,182; attendants at public worship, 32,494, being an increase of 1612, On the 25th the Pre. sident read a telegram from the Secretary o the Melbourne Conference, announcing tha death of the Rev. Mr Eggleaon, a leading minister of many year's' standing in Australia. A cordial vote ot sympathy waa passed, the Rev. Alessrs Buddie, Reid, Warren, and Lawry supporting. During the year 10 new church sites have been acquired bj gift, aud others by purchase. The. est--mated cost of new Bites and properties. . in 1879 is nearly LIO,OOO. The yearly* . income for the contingent fund, L6l7i 19s 10d ; children's fund, L 687,16.; educational fund, LlB9 3s 2d; supernumerary^ fund, L76o*. 3a. A committee has been appointed to consider the formation of a church-building loan fund of LIOOO7

The vital statistics for the month of January: for Timaru districts are—marriages, 11; births, 31; deaths, 17. There were only five deaths during the month cf December last. The increase of fatal cases is due to drought and*, soarcity of water.