WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11047, 26 February 1898, Page 6

WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE.

ANNUAL BESSIO^f,

The twenty-fifth annual New Zealand Con- ; ference of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist i Church was opened in the Trinity Wesleyan I Church, Moray place, last night. After the ; singing of hyniu 478, tbe, rending of a* Scripture lesson by the secretary (the Her. D. J. Murray), and prayer, the roll was called, and the undermentioned ministers and lay representatives answered to their naraea:—Tho Rev?. W. Morley, W. C. Oliver, H. Bull, D. M'Nicoii, ' W. H. Beck, J. H. Simmond?, F. W. Isitfc, J. ; J. Lewis, G. Bond, H. 11 Dewsbnry, .J. • Thomas. P. W. Fairclongb, J: D. Jory, S. F. i Prior, Vv*. Baumbsr, C." Penuey, T. Fee, O. Gciffio, J N, Buttle. J. H. Gray. G. Hour,- ■ ssi!, L Hudson. J). J. Mnrrar, W. Tinoley, 'I T. G. Brooke, T. N. Griffin, J. Dukes, J. T. j Pinfold F.G.S., J. J. Mather, J. Ward, .T. G. i W. Ellis, R. Taylor, T. A. Joughiu, C. H. j Laws, J. T. Burrows, W. .Grigg, T. W. Newbold, W. J. Elliott, H. Beggs, H. B. Beilhouse, W. D.vvson, O. Porter, Vv\ J. Williams, and W. G. Parsonson; Messrs T. Hodgson, G. A. Buttle, E. J. White, G. Kent, M. Paull, J. C. Allen, M. X, Gilmour, J. Veale, jun , H. T. Joll, R, BurgoD, N. Andrew, J. A'Court,.C Collis, J. Kershaw, G. Tiller, A. Anderson, O. P-raguell, J. B. Taifc, W. W. Stiodgrass, W. H. Hodsou, W. Coote, W. Pankburtt, G. J. S'naith, M.<H:R., J. A. Fiesher. J. Clsworth, J. T. Brown, T. J. Deane, R. M. OressweH, J. S. Oliver, H. W: Psi'ryman, J. Sinclair, «T. Bsrnett, G. H.'-BHokwell, T. R. I Wait, S. Ayers, J. Withers, A. D. Hassall, .J. Jackson, J. Manchester, J. W. Miles, H ; M. •Toues, H. Grayburn, Eraest Rbaevear, J. C. Stephens, P. "Barkmau, W. C. , Crane, W. Wardrop. J. P. Simon,-"C. Duke, W.. Guest, R. j Wilson, J. Weatherall, G. R. George, J. Waus- j borough, J. Stephens, J. T: Smith, T. Allen, and J. C. Prudhos. The soece eeb apart for the public was fully occupied. president's addsbss. The retiring President (tho Rsv. P. W. Fairclough), who occupied the chair, delivered the following addrenu :— !

Dsar Brethren, —Your president is like ths ferryman iv ths old tale, who must row until someosie else takes the oars, and who is supposed to j:ie!d his seat with anxious dcligbt. He must bid a Jong farewell.to.all his greatness without a sigh. Indeed, wheu he feels, as I have done, that the cause of all the honours was not inherent in himself, but only a temporary appendage, he may be dimly conEcions of an undercurrent of resentment at that wit-h----oub -which he is little and unknown, and may exclaim with the simple Arcadian persecuted by luxury :

Give me again my hollow tree, A crust of braad, and liberty. Few men, however, would choose to be passed over in the allotment of tho honours incident to the calling to v^hi-ih life ;is dev6tad. Ido not pretend to be one of that few. Still, lam glad i.hat the year hits passad without disaster, and that this hour has come—bar but this speech. Giad to have enjoyed the kindness and the confidence of my church snd my 'brethren—a pleasure unalloyed ;-glad of new experience aud pf belated education, bub glad also to reckou them as history find not propheyo, I may now'sit mlodr and perhaps keep silence, because I have borne ir. upon me.

Oar church ia wise in its endeavour to secure tha circulation of "ffic?. It is not well that' any miuigte" should bucoroe cfficialissd—a hardened and impeniteut condition meted out to tho«6 who ars long in place. Neither is it well that the aptitude oil;-the msuy should remain untested because a few have been found to be safe. THE DEATH BOLL. The year has not been without its sorrows. ,A minister, ths Rev. J. Dellow, has fallen in mid career and with his armour on. Our deceased brother was a. strong, practical man, thoroughly devoted, and one who served God aod his generation'with zeal^s-ad varied gift?. Amcuig the laity Shis conference has been bereaved of one of its noblest members, an*3 our church of one of its most devoted and useful sons, ia the decease of Mr Robert Dawaon.

.We have had to mourn the: untimely cud of Mrs Kiohftrdson, widow of the lata Rev. J. B. Richardson, who perished in the Taratua. The deceased lady was an earnest philanthropist and 1 Christian worker. .

The houses of several of our brethren of the ministry have been invaded by death. The venerable Hanry La«ry has been bateavea of his helpmeet. The Revs. R. Taylor, A. Peters, and F. Quintrell have also besn called to resign .their partners iv life to God. InsAltheaecassa I have exprssscd'on your behalf and my own the deep sympathy that we have all folt.

Beside* these, mauy of our workers have fallen, and their works da follow them. Scores of desthbede have testified to the truth of the old saying, "Our people die well." T'aafi is a consequence of what is better still—they live well. And doubtless unto them is given A life that bears immortal t'ruic . v ln such great offices as- suit The full-grown energies.of heaven. < . • -. ".' DISASTBBS. ■■ -'"-' '; Disasters have besn abroad in many shapes in these colonies. Tornadoes have involved ] house and church and tree in indistiuguishable ; ruin; flronpht bas sujitt.'.n the flocks and the harvest, and even afcinted New, Zealand of her : abundance; fkes luve devastated towns and i cities, and dsvoured forest and pasture and | home and beast. Oar sun has been darkened I and the moon turned to blood by continents of smoke from beyond the Tasman Sea, and in our own islands the havoc of .firs has been terrible. We have not learned of these calamities unmoved by sympathy, which brethren on the spot have translated into practical effort for relief. PATRIOTISM. During the year the Diamond Jubilee celebrations have stirred all British hearts. We have rejoiced in that continuity which has permitted tUf. good and wise influence of the Sovereign to grow from much to more ; in the progress which brings the (sixtieth year into such sharp contrast with the first; in the planting of youug nations iD the world's empty places ; and in the evidence that our bow abides in strength.

We have learned to believe that Britain, in the main, ia just, snd that the chief British interest ig peace. We are not ashamed, therefore, to bring patriotism into contact with religion, and to prsiy that— The meteor flag of England May still terrific burn. Till danger's troubled night depart And the star of peace return. Still, iti troubles fhafc threaten we trust not wholly in horses nor iv chariots—nor yet m ships, hot we call upon our God. God of our fathers, known of old— ! Lord of our far-fiuag battle line, Beneath whose awfnl Band we bold Dominion over palm and pine— Lord God of Haifa, be with us yet, ■ Le3t"we forget—lest we forget! ! If, drunk with sight of powerswo.loosel Wild tongues that have'not Thee in awe— Such boastings as the Gentiles nse, Or lesser breeds, withoub the Law—, Lprd'Gpd of Hosts, be with lis vet, : ' Lest we forgut—lest we forget'!- ' •.■ \ ' ■ ' For'heathen heart that puts her trust '. ' In reeking tube and iron shard— .'■'■'• -; AH valiant dust that builds'on dust, i And guarding oalls not Thee to guard— ■ For frantic beast and foelisli word, Thy mercy on thy people, Lord !■'•

: The address .which you last year voted to her Majesty has been graciously received, aud the acknowledgment wilj be laid before you. You will also hear the kindly response of the newlyarrived representative of, her ;Majesty to congratulations which I sresauted on yoiir behalf. , . OTAGO'S JCTEILFJV '~ ~ , The great section ot onr colony is which we are now assembled is about to i celebrate itfi 'Jubilee. We rejoice in its prosperity, and in the stalwart aud elevated; character of its people, and gladly add onr tribute of veneration for its Doble founders. Bufc.t&is brings me to a note of'sadness. ' For'the first timeoar conterencs.in this city will hot'be privileged to hear the cheery tones of that'grand old mau Dr Stuart. -Take himf or all in all, we shall never see his like again. ■ t ,' : » /. ";•" ■■~ 1 coloniaij Methodism; ' Out brethren of Queensland have celebrated the. jubilee of our chnrch in that colony—our revered brother, the then president of the General Conference, taking aleading part in the celebrations. Our church there .is comparable in number* vrith our own at our first conference. That colony has perhaps the greatest future of all the Australia?, and our brethren there feel the solemn call of that future, and are labouring to lay a foundation' that will bear a great j superstructure. In Western Australia, too, ! Methodism is being carried forward with j apostolic zeal and with all appreciation of the need of adaptation altogether admirable. In i these young countries, that within the twentieth j century must rival European nations in population and wealth, there is a stimulus to devo- ] tion unexcelled in the world. The upward imj pulse now given to 10 spreads itself to hundreds in the increase of a century. A. SILVER JUBILEE. We ourselves have reached our Silver Jubilee, and in reviewing the past we have much causes to thank God and take courage. Throughout the 25 years we have, on an average, occupied 17 new places a year, and, without counting renewals and enlargements, we have built a church every two months; Meanwhile those who woriihip with us have averaged aa increase of nearly 40 per week,, so that we have grown from 20,000 to 70,000. Oar growth has, therefore, been much greater in proportion than that of the colony. A NEW DEPASTURE. During the year I havo visited a great part of Ihe colony,' and during two years alnioot the whole of it., I have been much impressed with the ■ material: progress I have seen, with the patient labouiraud the hearty loyalty of our

army of church workers. But I have also bsen impressed with the call to vigilance and activity that rings out to us from the growth of towns and the multiplication of small centres. In the towns new conditions are arising with

the growth of population, and there is a grave danger that snug and well-established churches j may not recognise aud provide for these. ■ New j method?, varied agencie?, and general adapta- ! tion are among the urgent Beeds of the time, i lam glad to say that in one of our cities— ' Cbristchurch—a new and happy departure has j beea made. Sister Christian, a deaconess, • highly recommended by Home authorities, has ] been appointed for practical Christian work : among tbe poor and unfortunate of the town. I had the pleasure of offering her a formal : . welcome on your behalf. Our prayers aud j ; sympathy will, I am confident, accompany her j ■ in her work. ! THE HOME MISSION FOND. | In regard to the utimulating of our general j I work, it is of the list importanca that our >, j home mission and church extension fuud ■ | should be maintained in vigorous life. We I i are thankful that the effort to extinguish the i | debt was successful. Thai is the glory of l».st ■: [ year. But a greater glory is waiting to be won ' in this year—that is to kftep out of debt. But i I beseech you not to harbour the idea that this may ba done by simply limiting the tx- ! penditure. That, of course, must be jealnisly | watched. But there is thab withholdeth more j tban is mete, but it teadeth to poverty! The I present extension of settlement is a seed time, j and undue economy of saad is punished in tbe j harvest. . , j

KVAHGRLISM. The Roy. D. O'Doucell bas continued to hold missions throughout the year, and has been the means of blessing to many. We need, however, some moats of reaching our smaller churches and outskirts of our circuits. I thiok that a tent and van mission, combining the j evangelist and colporteur, might be employed ! with advantage in ea.eh.island. With suitable i appliances and suitable "''sgeijfcs,- I am coniident j that suppott would bo forthcoming. j THS WORKING .OF UNION. j At the time when union took place between the Weoleyau, Free Methodist-, and Bible Christian Churches certain readjustments cf circuit boundaries wote mads. The idea was to promote fusion, to strengthen the weaker churches, and to secure certain advantages supposed to arise from large circuits. I think now, as I did at the first, that that reconstruc- ; tion was not -wholly wise. In **as aa f-ffert to : get ahead of time. 16 Itcked the patience aud j natural growth that m*ke; permanent'work. j In securing foaiou it has undoubtedly been sue- [ cessful; but it may be questioned whether the ! weaker churches, with the incentives to local loyalty and to Beif-relisnce somewhat reduced, have not been injured. In the matter of large circuits the ideal was lofty, but. unhappily, the practicable, as illustrated ia the lessons of many years, creeps along the ground In this, and in conferences yefi to come, ypu will have, to deal with efforts to readjust the re&ojvwtmentj. -The plain English of thepresenfc difficulty is not that (here is I*ck of complete fusion, or an absence of sympathy between the parts, but that iv acd around one of our cities we have more agents than are required. I trust that other portions of the colony, wish no such pressure, will not be. unsympathetic.'but that, whether in taking up n«w stations or in receiving candidates tor tl;e ministry, ue will keep the relieviug of thiß pressure steadily in view. THE AGED MINISTER*.' FUND. Ths General Conference of last November, though not much exercised by burning qnestfons, did much useful wprk. 16 devoted much time and ability ,J;o securing the stability of the aged ministers and ~widow!i' fund. Every church feels the desirability ot guaranteeing the age of its ministers against penury. In proportion as it succeeds,in doing this it lessens the minister's temptation .to wordly care during his »ctive life, aad secures Kis wbole-htartsd ser- ! vies. In no church should k provision for the i old age o5 its ministera. ''be regarded as j eleemosynary. ..It .is •• simply a payment under contract, for which, oh ths '.Whole, an ampl^, equivalent is repaiyed. But what is true id this Matter in evCTy, communion \b of j especial force in Methodisin'. - The itinerancy is j valued by the Methodist "Bn!; if there j were no provision far ,agV : or.failure of health, ! arid if disabled . ministers'became: a tax upon | the generosity.of their )a?fc;ch?,rgs,ic i§ evident | that ministers who; were Taph robust, or *»ho were i approaching , the jimit. of; service, would be j objected to. Thus the -itinerancy would be j rendered unworkable.■"." But; further, the itinei-- ' ancy imposes soms grievous hardships on ministers, especially during tbs potiod when children are being launcbed upon the sea of life. I bave no doubt that under, this kind of stress j Methodism would have lost many an able ! minister—the able ones have special tetupta- | lions—had it not been for .the-, sheet anchor of j tha pension lurid. '; i" < -,:'-.':

For these reasons our church has led the world in the matter of superannuation fuuds. Is bas regarded them as an insurance agaiusl; the humiliation arid the 'tax of aged poverty in its miaistry, as a guarantee of- whole-hearted service, as * stay to loyalty in times of strain and trial, aad as a lubricant to the itinorant system.

The Australasian Church possesses an un- j rivalled fund for these purposen, but it was 1 endangered by the heavy fall in- interest, which redii'ced tbe earning, power oE ths capital'by fully a fourth, aud by the losses inseparable from large invesr.mentc in such times aa have fallen upon us of late years. It was necessary, in order to preserve stability; to reduce pensions by 25 per cent.—a step taken with the utmost regret—and to raise the premiums. Miuisters are now to pay an extra guinea a year, and the circuits 11s additional for each minister employed. . . COLONIAL INTERCHANGES. The question of the interchange of ministers I between the various conferences has inherent I difficulties. There are always soma ministers wishful, on reasonable grounds, to remove to another colony—say from A to B. But it never happens that there are an equal number, of similar, status, wishful:, to move in the opposite direction, from B to/A. Hence there are attempts to move unwilling men, and resistance iG provoked. . .' .j The truth is'that there are two distinct classes oE interchanges. ■ There are those which arise in the nature of things, ftom considerations of health and the like. These, I think, should be listed, and made known in each conference, and be met by private negotiatiens under the authority of the annual.conference, They are purely executive eases, and chould be left to executive bodies. The General Conference should know no man after the flesh, should carry an ambulance for no man, and should i aob strain its authority to gratify one man's ! private wish at the expense or another's. ' The second class of interchanges exists m&iDly in theory. .1 mean those which are made on ; grounds of policy alorie,Hand for purely connexional reasons. li; wasj. the' original -theory of interchanges tbat; they iho'uld take place among men whose overshadowing influence if might be desirable to diffuse. Now, when the GeneraT'Conlerence effects such changes it will be in its proper sphere. SOUTH SEA MISSIONS! Oar foreign missions in the South Seas very worthily received much attention. We are proud of our missions. The results of them are so splendid tb.it; they are quoted an ideal the world over.. We invite the scrutiny of the world,' and we know that nothing but invincible prejudice can withhold a meed of praise. Bob, Be tbou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, Thou shalt not escape calumny. There is a communion whose leaders appear to reason thus: Protestantism is worse and more hopeless than savagery : , - Methodism is the worst form of Protestantism.: '■■■■ ■■•■■■•'■:

Therefore.: savages: converted to Methodism have sunk into-a yet lower deep, being hardened agxinsb the true cburcn. •

It is perfectly nafraral for those possessed of such promises andHauch logical faculty to lament that Mettioeiista should have bean inspired of tb.e devil to; go about forestalling the true church, and turning tens of thousands of practicable, cannibals into hardened ,heretics. It is also natural tb^t put friends ttf the premises and the conclusion should regard our succesies as disasters, and should follow Apostolic example. "We believe, and therefore speak." It is natural, I say, as I do not quarrel with nature, but view this phenomenon of mental form with interested curiosity. FURTHER MISSIONARY ENTERPBISE. The General Conference resolved to go forward.; A new Fiji is ooening to ua in the Islands of New Guinea. The harvest ia plenteoua, and the labourers in the field are few. Wo do not lacfc volunteers, but they are hindered by an ancient difficulty: "How shall they preach except they be sent ? " The church is appealed to for increased support, and we believe it will be forthcomibe. An additional secretary has been appointed to organise and systematise the i effort, and I believe that this colony will be [ visited every year by a deputation—and visited [ at a'time convenient to us.

Amoug the. friends of missions at the General Conference were some zealous spirits who wept for other worlde to conquer, and a proposal for inaugurating a mission in A.3ia was remitted to the annual conferences. I confess to a wish to see the field nearest to hand—where the need is greatest and the reward sure—worked with our undivided forces. STRIKES. A labour straggle of historic magnitude has cast itn ehadow over the year. The losses and the suffering involved are so tremendous that one stands appalled before them. Thi3 form of civil war is but little less barbarous thau the older form, and much yet remains for religion and civilisation to accomplish in the upraising of mankind. Every right-thinking man must earnestly desire the perfecting and strengthening of socisl machinery for the avoidtuce of these disastrous appeals to force and famine. For inyeelf, I believe that the legitimate outcome of the yoking of the forces of Nature, and the continuous improvement of labour-saving machinery, is not to pile np fortunes here and there, but to lessen huna?.n drudgery, shorten hoars of labour, aud ameliorate the conditions

, of life for all. But, of courss, before machinery j aud the forces of Nr.tui-e can do this, they must j be used and not restricted. ! THE LIQUOR WAtt. . i Foremost among the social problems that

confront all churches and all society stands the ! i Sphinx, Alcohol. ISosiety muso solve its riddle j jor be rent ia pieces. Around this monster, with : ! fluctuating hopes, the fciends of the human ! i race have long waged battle. Thair devotion ! ' and courage have bean splendid, and their ' i success, though some of the more sanguine may ' • feel disappointment., has been remarkable. ; I The public coiucieuca has beeu aroused, brazen ' : lawlessness ha 3. been . curbed, the ranks of i abstainers have been greatly reinforced, and I I f'ue average consumption of liquor has been rej dueed. ; What is still required is more and ever more i i progress along these lines. Let the Temperance J Army be steadily and patiently resruitad, i especially from the ranks of youth. I say ! " steadily and patiently," for the battle cannot | jbe won by au undisciplined crowd enlisted i j yesterday and ready to desert to-morrow. We i i must be rich in ■' Ironsides," with fixity of j ; principle. When bur army has grown—and ' grow it must .and will, for such a war as ours i can have but one ending whilst there is a heart ! in man and a God in heaven—when our army has grown to be a substantial and permanent majority oE the papul&lioa. it will lack neither I wisdom nor courage. We must labour to I hasten the arrival of that majority, and b2 i prepared to wait till it comes.' I beliove we are so prepared. , -, ■ j GAMBLING. Side by side with drinking, as a twin Colossus, stands gambling. It is a species of robbery with consent, which has become a prosperous t.-ade and uses a thousand arts to decoy tue simole. In its worst, but sti-l very common,- form it gets right behind conscience, and plots with greed j aloue. It is more insidious than drinking, because of its secrecy. 16 is fruitful in crime and i misery among tho otherwise respectable, and the purse of Fortunatus to the most d>kJcable ; class ia society. •»»- J It should bs part of our duty to fortiiy the ycung with a wholesome contempt for this wild folly. But I hold that this is nob to be done by a, wholesale condemnation of games auci sports. The "Autocrat of the Breakfast Table" spanks of some who would cut the kitten's tiil off becauae she plays with it. We shall do a muuli greater sacviea to society by showiug how a game can ba fin joyed for ife/s own sake than >by forbidding it because some may bst upon it.

DEVOUT PETRIFACTIONS. j There is inherent; conservatism in religious thought. Tee idea of fiualifcy is welcome to ib. It is not as a liquid flowing readily into the fissures' and crevices that changing times open in Hfe: It in. rather a viscidiEy ever on the verge of crystallising-. To maintain movement and to prevent crystallising is*bne of the gre»t difficulties of all church life. Religious feeling resists modification, and tends to stereotype whatever it associates closely with religion. The very language of religion is obsolete. The Sacred Book remains nuctianged while language alters. Tiires centuries gives us au authorised version obscure to the unlearned. Fifteen centuries giva to Rome the vulgate, or paople's Bible, no lopger for the people. So, too, theories .of the world and of man formed in an unscientific age, and' pafeifled by au uucrHical faith, remain like the rock* ia the stream to show how fast knowledge rushes on. Confesssions of Faith, after generations of -sjtiasj; inquiry, stand )ike trees with dead branches uuiouped. suggesting that the whole trse ,is dyii:g. Theories of verbal inspiration, or dictation, formulated in au age tliafc made credulity a vir;;ue, have reznaiued like icebergs uamelted in summer Reaa, to- blast with chill winds aad fogs the buds of faith. , :

Xhi3 conservatism of the religious mind—a purely human. characteristic, and no part of reiigiou itself—Uesps .the church ever entangled wltii her prat. 'She dsad hand grasps her shirSg, ! and a subble spirit of ancestor-worship haunts hsr. Thoie ia ai> endless confusion between the human and divine—much to the hurt of the divine. '•"". ■ MOTLEY BATTALIONS. In varying degrees religious people releasa themselves f i-om t.he pa-t—some freely, and some scarceiy at all. Hence they face the vrorld like *n army that dreams might conjure out; of ihs Tower of London. The magazirie rifle is there, with a drill of its.own, which is looked sskancs j»6 by the men with Sniders, and frankly eoi;demued by thofa with the muzzle-loaders—for j, they begin m opposite ends. But the flintlock | is grieved at the percussion cap, and the matchlock at the fliut. He of fcne arquebus, however, claims to be the only original and correct. Bat ho and all the ussrs of, powder and iron are involved in oiie condemnation by a remnant armed' with the crossbow.

I imagine a debate among this motley battalion. , " Icon," cries, the remnant;, "is the cause of all our disasters. It is hateful to God. Wood and string alone are lawful." " Nay, bub the slowly burning match is, the one essential," cries s.nocher. "Pool," rejoins a third, "it was the flintlock that won America, India, and Waterloo"-! ' • '

Surely, if a wise man could be heard, lie •' would say: "Good friends, yea veere all the best ia .your day, and your results-remain, : though you may Be in ths museum. You confound the accidental wish the esisentis!. The cms* essential i« iioi wood, or iron, or mate*), or flint, or this drill or the other, but pimply to propel a missile with efiect. You all do it, and in your time have all' done it beat."" THREE BEMARKS. I offer,three remarks- First, as.the change of weapons is net too danger of the nation, bat its safety, so fcho change that time may force upon the church is not its weakness, but its strength. Second, it is the varying degrees ie wiiich the couaerratisra of religious thought acts that causa lines of ""cleavage to appeal*—alas ! too | visibly—between Christians whose essential aim lis the same. Third, it'"■"is'^'thSs conservatism which cauaee the spirit and principle to be lost to sight ia the more palpable institution. The priest becomes more important than his message, and the garment than the priest. Or, to coma nearer home, a theory of creation, for instance, becomes associated with religion as an integral part, and the faith of mankind is wildly staked on that theory's proving true. A CAUSB OF INFIDELITY. It is, unhappily, the crossbow man who lovea to. challenge the world to siDgls combat. He speaks boldly on, behalf of the army, and is often taken as its true representative. He maintains positions long abandoned, and with ' flippant ignorance asß&ils theories and statements which, though they may not endure, command the respect of the strong "intellect* of the world. He convinces those who were convinced before, bat he confirms the inquirer iv his doubts. I am firmly convinced that foolish attempts to defend religion against science and the modern spirit have been a-.'most fruitful cause of infidelity. They have confirmed the belief that there 'is essential hostility. They have confounded hostility to »ome of the opinions oE some religious people with hostility to religion itself. They'have treated science as if it were the expression of the innate bsdnesa or of the, wanton caprice of itsprofessors ; but as it iff only the expression of awakened intellect, they - have repelled the awakened.. The divorce between; religion v and intellect so seriously threatened within the.past generation, but how, happily, less- imminent, was largely caused by the stubborn' prejudice with which religious teachers regarded the new world of thought. Armies of Freethought lecturers flourished on demolishing positions which ought j to have been .matters of indifference' to I religion. To set up a new infallibility, to lay a new embargo on thought, to create a iew sin of inquiry, was to repeat the folly .which rent the aucient church and drenched Europe with blood.

1 THE BEDROCK. • ' _ I am far from pretending that all the assertions and theories of scientific men are true. What I say is that religion should not be staked upon their proving untrue. Why should any one think that the Sermon on the Mount is a safe guide—if only they don't find the " missing link" ? Why should any fancy that the discovery of a trace of Israel in B^ypt would make the chapter on charity, more forcible p. What is the relation between the Golden' Rule and the Nebular Hypothesis ? Can arrow heads and stone axe* in auy position destroy the character of Jesus ? Can EUmite tablets or elemental organs make self-sacrifice ignoble ? Here is our bodrock foundation. Why may we nob rejoice in it, snd not vex our souls over the defence of; the . various mosses that may grow upon it? The kingdom of God is, riots-a bundle of opinions, or a group of institutions, but a set of eternal and indestructible principles elevating and sweetening life—"not moat and drink, biifc righteousness and peace and joy." j It is "whatsoever tliing3 are true, whatsoever thiugs are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoevsr things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report." "If there be any virtue, and if there be any praiai'," continues' the Apostle, " think on thesH things,"—aye, and teach them and defend.them. In devoting ourselves to the I practical teaching cf Christ, to temper and j conduct, to new heart; and life, to the forces of love and goodness, to works of righteousness j raid sympathy, we shall be troubled little b'v j unbelief and lass by strata and cave earth. Intellectual speculations, if .we be live men, must iuterest us. But there is no occasion for our being more than interested and impartial onlookers.. We can afford to Ut investigation take its course—and it will, whether we agree or not. It can do nothing against the truth. jße calm, therefore. If any opinion of our 6is I true we shall not lose it. If it he not true, more J truth, unpossessed as yefc, waits to enrich us. Theoretical truth is much to the intellect. But religion and virtue are more to the soul and conscience. There is in man a craving for religion and its peace, like the appetite for bread. All the staple articles of our diet have been criticised, exposed, and condemned by one expert or another. But tbe_ demand for food has not fallen off. This is not because of teamed disproof of tha' presence of the deadly j bacillus, but beoauso. appetite and food are j tbinys which God hath joined together. So. i aiso, are religion and the soal of man. Let not

the author of the course of sermons, or of the ponderous tome, lay the flittering unction to his soul that he has saved religion. It has saved itself —perhaps in spite of its defenders— by continuing to supply the deepest want of man. Spare your props, good friend : the sky I will not fall, though your props may suggest; ■ danger. ' | Be calm, I say. Stand still and see tbe salva- j • tiou of God—for when criticism shall have i I become inattentively devout; when discovery I ; shall have gone blind; when progress shall j ". have reached the ultimate, Religion, sitting j enthroned among ths powers that are eternal— j ! Lasting her lamp, an'l uaconsumad hsr flame, i Her nature and her office still the same, | In deathless triumph shall for ever live, ; Aud endless good diffuse and endless praise i receive. VOTES OF SYMPATHY AND REGARD. The conference resolved to send affectionate regards to the following aged ministers: —The i B-v*. B. Best, J. Law, W. Worker, W. Kirk, j W. J. Walkin, J. S. Rishworth, S. Macfariane, I and J. Smith. j The R-jv. H. Buia moved—" That the conl ference record their deep sympathy with the j'Rsvs. H. H. L*wnr, R. Taylor, A. Peters, F. Quinf.re'.l. Mrs Dsllow, aad the family of fae late Mrs R-r.-hardson in the great bsr«a?emeat they have sustained during the year."

The motion was c;ime^. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following 29 ministers, having been 15 j years ia connection with the church, were i declared eligible for election as president; : — Revs. W. Moriey, W. O. Oliver, HV Bull," D. M'Nicoll. W. H. Beck, J. H Simraonds, P. W. Isitfe, J. J. Lewi«, G. Bond, H.R. Dswsbury, J. Thomas, D. J. Joty, S. F." Prior, W. Bnumbsr, C. Penney, T. Fee, C. Griffin, J. N. Buttle, P. J. Murray, J. H. Gray, G. Hounaell, L. Hud- ! son. \V. Titisley, T. G. Brooke, T. N. Griffin, i J. Dak**, J. T. Pinfold, W. G. Williams, snd | AY. G. Parsonson. The first voting resnlted »s j follows :— Rev. W. G P&rsonson 27, Rw. J.-ST. ' Battle 19, Rev. J. Dukes 7, Be.v. W. IVlorley 6, Re». P. J. Murray 3, Rev. (J. Griffin 3. Rev. T. Fee 3, Rev. J. T. Pinfold 1, Rev. W. Baumb-.r 1. The total number voting was 79, so t.hat none of the candidates received au absolute majority,- and it was decided to take a second vote, the voting to be confined to the Revs. ParRnnson and Buttle. This votiug resulted in the i Rsv: Mr Parsomon seeuciuu 40 votes and the I Ray. Mr Butele 36. The Rev. W. G. Pareonson was cousyqueatly declared president of the confereoce aaudst applause.

JNme candidates entered tor the pose of secre- i ;ary, and the voting resulted iv the re-election ' >E the R«v. Mr Murray, who secured 64 votes, ! ;he President remarking that hes would nol; say aow many the others received. The election of otuer officers resulted as follows: —Assistant seccefcarius, the Revs. J. j Dukes aad J. X. Pinfold ; j lurnal secretary, the I Rev. Mr Newbolri ; corresponding secretary. 1 bhe Rev. D. M'Nicoll; precentor, the Key. J | Ward. . j The retiring President then welcomed the ! president-elect to the ohair, and hauded to him j tha insignia of the office lo which he had been j called. : The new President, who was received with hearty applause, said that if he were to state that be wai insensible of the honour which had be^n done to him be would say what was neither I gracious nor true. He had hoped the honouc i wouldnofc have been conferred, not because he did ' not recognise it to be an honour, but because" he ' was conscious of his own Bhortcomiujt. He ra- ! membered, too, the traditions of the chair— traditions which had been, so nobly fulfilled by the ex-preaident that evening. — (Applause.) That one should tremble to follow in bis foot- I atep3 wfcs only ns.tural, and he (the speaker) tremb'ad, too, as he thought of the work which lay before him, nntil he remembered the noble j Methodist brotherhood. — (Hear, hear.) He I knew, that the prayers of the whole of the mem- | bers of the conference would cot be lacking, ! and he asked th.em to make hia position asfcorti- j fortabie aud ss easy as it could possibly be by i what he knew would' be readily given—their j very heartioßt co-operation aud their smeared i prayers. Alter the vote had been tafceu, hit ! thoughts went to the old land, and he thoagbt. if he could send » message that evening to bis old father, who was just completing his flftyficgt year as a mioistar .of that church, in conneciion with the British Conference, he would like to sea the old man's face as he. thanked them aad raised his heart i:i thankfuines* God for the honour they had conferred on him that evening. For his father's sake, then, almost more thati for his own, he begged siucsrsSy to thank them -for this, the highest sense of expresaion of their esteem end regard. It was knovro, psrhsps, to all mem'osra of the confersnee that he had strong views. It might be that he had shown stron g prcjuoicaK, but that he could not say. In the occupancy of the chair, it would he his earnant endeavour to hold the reins of office with the utmost impnrtiality and juslicv.—(Hear, he-ir.) 'Whatever preenncsived iceao he had of church polity, he would make it his eiirne3b end«a7our not to allow them to weigh with him in the least particular." The other' day he wa3 struck by a rera'ark of Isn Msclaren's, and ha would like to close his opening remarks with ifc. In a Cnristnias greeting which the reverend gentleman sent round to iae churches there was a phrase that stuck in the speaker's memory. He said it to himself, snd he said it to his audieiica as thsy caremenced their sessions of the conference-^----•'Ba' pitiful, for all mea sire fighting a hard battle." Might God give them grace to keep this. —(Applause.) The Rbv. Bsc Mukrat rsfcurned thanks for his re-election as secretary. COIIPLIIIENTAET.

The Rev. Mr Bull moved—" That the very cordial thanks of the conference be presented to the Rev. Mr Fiirclough for his abie, faithful, and acceptable services as president during the past year!" The Rev. J. N. Butteb seconded the motion, which was curried by acclamation. In returning thanks, the Rev. Mr Faihclough referred to the great assistance" he had received from the secretary during the year, and moved a vote of thanks to that gentleman for hie good

work. ' " ' This motion was seconded by Mr B. Roseyeak and carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr Murray shortly expressed his gratitude for the vote accorded him.

THE STATIONING COMMITTEE. The Rev. Mr Morlei moved—" That is accordance with the permissive legislation on the subjact, the conference resolves on adding to the ministerial members of tho Sbatiouing Committee an equal number of lay representatives, aad that the election take place on Monday at the representative session, on tho principle of district representation—viz., Auckland and Canterbury three each, and the other districts.two each." The motion wai carried. HOURS OF SBSSION. It was decided that the hours of session foe the conference should be as follow : —Morning, 9.30.t0 12.30 ; afternoon, 2 to 5 ; evening (when necessary), 7.30 to 9.

..,...,. ; notices of motion; ■ ; ' ;- The following among'other notices of motion were,given:— , • . .

Rev. Mr Morley-—" That on the evening set apart on the ' Conference \Plan' for the conversation on the work of God the first hour; be devoted to addresses on the subject of foreign missions and the duty of oar churches in relation thereto, and that the president nominate thfl speakers."

' Rev. j. J. Lewis—"Th conference congratulates the Presbyterian Church of Otago on the attainment of its Jubilee; acknowledges with thankfulness to God the spiritual, educational, and national advantages that have attended its work; assures it of fraternal co-opsration and sympathy in all its ministrations, and prays that it may have an increas- ! iDgly pr-ssperous future; that the Wesleyan i ministers and circuit stewards of the Dunedin ] circuits be a deputation to convey the above to the approaching *ynod of the Otago Presby- j terian Church, the senior circuit steward of the Trinity Church circuit to be the convener of that deputation." APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. The following committees were appointed :■ — Spscial Home Mission Committee.—The president, the secretary, Keys'. ■. Dewsbury. Bond, Baumber. Prior, Faiiclousb, Oliver, and Williams (convener), Messrs 'I', Allen, Andrew, Tiller, Hodson, Peryman, and Wardrop. Committee for the Kxarniiiation of Connexional Balance Sheets, and reports thereon.—Revs. Bull, Fae, Mather, Messrs G. K. George, G. A. Buttle (convener), and J. Kershavr. Committee on' District Synod Recommendations.—Revs. r'Simnionds, T. N. Griffin, J. T. BurroWs, Messrs M. Paull,-J. A'Court, J. S. Oliver. Committee to Consider Recommendations of District Synods re Additional Teachers, New Stations, &c—Revs. Morley (i-.nnvaner), liswis, 1 Laws, Gray, Pinfold, Hudson, Messrs Blackwell, Hodson. J. T. Smith, G. R. George, O. Pragnell, and J. C. Stephens. Committee on Foreign Missions. — Revs. jtt'Nicoll, Prior, Buttle, Messrs J. T. Brown, H. J. .Toll, and R. Biirgon. ' , Special Committee on New Proposals.—Revs. Faivclough and Brooke, Messrs Manchester and I Duke.

Complaint was made that some of \h.e districts were not represented da the committees, and that some members were on two committes while ofcbers were on none at all. The Secretary stated that other committees had ye& to be appointed, on which work would be given to all the members. After some formal business had been disposed of, the proceedings wore closed with the singing of the Doxology and the prortounciog of the benedicHjHj. At a meeting in committee of the conference i yesterday afternoou (the Rev. P. W. Fnirclough, | president, in the chair) the first draft of stations was read as follows :— Auckland, Rev. W. J. Williams; Ponsonby, TSev. Peters ; Mount Albert, Rev. J. G. Chapman, Iteyg. Best and Law (supernumeraries); Three Kings College, Rev. J. H. Simmonds ; Freeman's Bay, Rev. Sinclair; North Shove, Rev. J. A. Luxfofd ; Grafton road, Revs. H. R. Dewabury and Mitchell, Rev. Lawvy (supernumerary); } Slaori Mission, Rev. Gittos; Mahurangi, Rev. \ Worboys, Rev. Worker (supernumerary); Thames, } Rev. Seroell; Up»er Thaiues, Eevs. Griffith and '

Burton; Manukau. Key. S. Lawry, Revs. Watkin [ \ and Riehworth ' (supernumeraries); Franklin, ■' i Rsv.' Oldham ; Cambridge^ Rev. F. W. Ifcitt; \ , HaruiltoD, Key. Hoskinir; Paparoa. Rev.Pendvay; ] Northern Wairo», Key. Gibson ; Whangarei, Rev. i Kothwell; Taurangs, Rev. Vealie; Coromandel, 'i ! R»v., Frost; Hel'-nsviHe,' Rev. A. W. Ashcroft; '' ■ Near1 Plymouth, Rev. Garland; Waitara. Revs. ' W. G. Tbomas and Lochore ; Stratford, Key. j ' Richards; Hawera, Rev. Laws; Opunake, Rev. ' Penney ;. Wanaanui, Rev. Bond ; Rangitikei, \ : Ray. Spence ; Sandon, Rev. Abernethy ;i?eildine;, ' Rev. Harrison; t JalmeistonNorthitev: Beck (Broad | strest), Rbv. Wrigley (Cuba street): Kivvitea, Rev. ■ Griffin ; West Coast mission, Rev. Hammond ; Wellington, Rev. Baumber-; Newtown, Key. Lawry; Thorndon, Rev. Jones ;Rev Redstone (supernumerary); Hutt, Ray. Gray, Rev. Kirk (supernumerary);" Grey town, Rev. Jas. Thomas, Hew Rowse (supernumerary); Mastertnn, Rev. Sin alley ; Napier,- Rev. i'arsonson; Hastings, Key. Martin ; Gi3horne, Rev. Blight; .Kketahuna, Rev. Dawson.; Otaki. Rev. *J. A. Hoskinc ; j ©aneyirkc, vacant; Waipawa, Rev. Qaintrell; | Wopdville, Key Peiym*n ; Pahiatua, Rev. Beggs ; j Nelson; Pi,ev.- Prior; Richmond, Rev. Marshall; 1 Blenheim. Rev. Keall; Maori mission, Hetaraka ! Wavihi; Hokitika, Rev. Ginger; Greymouth,Kev. Garlick; aiotueka. Rev. Potts; Rgefton, Rev. Pinfold; Westport, Rev. Blamires; Blurchisori, vacant: Christchurcb, Ray. M'NicoU ; Wast Belt, Key. Orchard; Richmond, Rev. BfillhouBe; Wooloton, liev. Newbold; St. Asaph's streat Mission, Rev. Porter, Rtvs. Macfirlane and i Smith (supernumeraries); coiinexional secretary, Kev.Bloriey; Colombo mad, Rev. Bulli; AJdingtori, Rev. T. E. Thomas. M. A..; Lower High street, Roy. Tinsley; St.. Albans, Rev. Lee; Papanui, Rev. Chappell; Lyttelton, Rev. D. J. ,1. Murray; j Springaton, Revs. Fee and Ryan ; Leeston, Rev. 0. Griffin ; Kaiapoi, Rev. Faircloueh ; Btlfast, Rev. 5 Read ; Rangiorn, Rev. Carr; Woodend, Rev. T. I N. Griffia : Oxf6rd;"Rev. R. J.-Murray; Amberley, I vacant;Tiniaru,Rev.Oliver;Waimate,Rev.Dukes, < Tenuika, Rev. Connell; Asbburton, Kev.Tiylor; S Willowoy, Rev. Mather; Malvern, Ray. Bowie; Dunedin, Rev. J. J. Lewis ; Central Mission, Rev. W. Ready; .Cavstll road. Rev. T. 'G. Brooke and ■A.: Ashcroft; Morningtoh, Rev. Beecrofc; Port Chalmers, liev. .Staudage; Balclutha", Rev. Elliott; Milton;. Rev. Houusell; Lawrence, Rev. J'>ry ; Invercai-gill, Rw. Buttle ; Uamatu,-Rev. Ward; Gore, Rev.. Ellis ; Wakatipu, vacant; Riverton,- Rev. Burrows; Roxburgh, . Rev. Joughin; Cromwell, Rev. Grigg. The «cv. H. ,W. Williams rests for a.year. The Rev. p. M. leitt attached to .Canterbury district without pastoral charge.. . ~..'. The Rev. -L. Hudson left without" appoint-, meat, pending negotiations as to transfer to Queensland. • ~' : ,".'..•