THE WESLEYAN CONFIDENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7158, 24 January 1885, Page 3

THE WESLEYAN CONFIDENCE.

Fbidat, January 23,

The Conference resumed yesterday morning at 10 o'clock ; the President in the chair.

Tbe President informed the Conference that he had received a telegram from the Rev. D. M'Nicoll, stating that he had been compelled to return home on account of family affliction.

A telegram conveying fraternal greeting was received from the district meeting of the United Methodist Free Church, now sitting in Christchurch. —On the motion of the Rev. Mr Bavin, it was docided to acknowledge the receipt of the message, and in return to express the kindly feeling of the Wesleyan Church to tbe other Methodist Churches.

It was also agreed that a similar telegram be sent to the Primitive district meeting, also sitting in Christchurch. Under the question, " What ministers do we receive from other churches or conferences ?" the following applications were considered :— The Rev. James Thomas, of the Victoria and Tasmanian Wesleyan Conference, applied to be admitted into the New Zealand Weßleyan Church.

On the motion of the ex-Pkesident the application was agreed to. The Rev. Josiah Ward, late of the Primitive Methodist Church, Christchurch, applied for admission into tho Wesleyan Church.

Rev. W. Mokley stated the particulars in connection with the application. Mr Ward had resigned his position in tho Primitive Methodist Church, in which he had been highly successful. He made no reservation in his application, and it was entirely without limitation.

An irregular disoussion took place, in which Rsvs. Loe, Taylor, Oliver, Isitt, Beßt, Bavin, Fairclough, Rishworth, Marten, Crumn, Keall, Williams, Reid, Kirk, Standage, Buttle, and others took part.—The Rev. W. Morley moved —"That the Rev. Josiah Ward be received as a minister of this Conference, but with the understanding that for four years, financially, hs occupy the position of a probationer."—This was seconded by the SecbeTAKY and carried. , The Rev. W. Mobley read a Bimilar application from the Rev, C. E. Barley, late of the Primitive Methodist Church,—The Seobetahy of the Conference stated the particulars in this case, and moved a resolution to the same effect as in the previous application.—On being seconded, the motion was put by the President and carried. ._____.-_-, It was agreed that the request of the Key. Edward Barber to be transferred to the South Australian Conference should be granted.

The next business before the Conference was the examination of ministerial character, which occupied the remainder of the morning session. At the afternoon sitting, under the question " What ministers have died since last Conferonce?" obituary notices were read of Revs. Peter Wills, James Buller, and Wiremu Patene.—R9V. W. Keall read the record of the Canterbury district meeting relating to the decease of Mr Wills.—Rev. W. Morley referred to the excellence of character, devotedness of spirit, and successful work of the deceased minister. —Revs.|Crump, Taylor, Murray, Buttle, Keall, and the President gave similar testimony. Mr Keall also read the record of the Canterbury district meeting on Mr Buller's death, —Rev, W. Mobley said he had known Mr Buller for 19 years, and waß with ihim at the close of his career. Mr Morley spoke in touching terms of the last moments of his life, testifying to Mr Buller's unabated attachment to the Wesleyan Church and his desire to be employed in her work.— Tho Revs. Bull, Thomas, Kirk, Oliver, Bavin, Raid, Crump, the President, and others spoke as to Mr Buller's catholicity of spirit, kindness of heart, public spirit, and succeas in hia work. The Secretary read the notice of the Rev. Wiremu Patene'n death, prepared by the Roy. James Wallis, of Auckland. The decoased was senior Native minister iv connection with the Wealoyan Church. Hia great ability and distinguished gifts had been devoted to tbo work of the Church and for the welfare of tha Nativo race. Hia loyalty to the Government was a marked feature in hia character, and in the trying times of Maori disturbances in the North his influence and power hnd always been exerted on tho side of peace and recognised authority.

The Rev. J. N. Buttlh moved—" That a telegram bo sent to Mr R. T. Booth, temperance advocate, extending to him a cordul welcome to thia Colony, and expressing sym-. pat by, with him ,iv. his. work." —Thia was seconded by the Secretary and carried unanimously, i ■ »-i. The examination of the fourth year probationers, and who are candidates for ordination, was then proceeded with. At the request of the President, the Rev. J. H. Simmonds conducted the examination.