THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11675, 7 March 1900, Page 6

THE WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

(From Ora Owk 'CopjtEsroNDEXT.) ..■;/.:. '■•'■;' "' '7 -AUCKLAND, March-V6. ' .The Weshyan Conference devoted itself ; ;or. Monday evening to a. demonstration-in , -connection with the twentieth century fund in the. Pitt street Church. The President, .the;Rev,.-Messrs. Levis, Baumber, and Garland adyoca'ted' the. interests bf the fund. This morning., the conference, met,. in ■ministerial,', session,"when the Revs. A. B. ,Chappel,;'H.,r:. Blaimires, J. A. Hosking. 'and Arthur Ashcroft, who has served four years' probation, were orally examined, and received for ordination. A Native minister (Te Tuhi Heretini) was also examined orally through ,an interpreter. and passeel, a senior Maori minister (the Rey. Hauraki :■ Paul) being appointed to.' deliver ' a supplementary charge at tiie ordination service. The Rev. Harold Williams, a probationer, was reported to have'gone to Germany to pursue linguistic studies, and his crise was deferred. A deputation from the Ministers' Association dined with the conference, after wbich the conference.met in representative session, when Pastor Clark (Baptist) and Rev. Mr Farney (Congregational), on behalf of the Ministers' Association, delivered addresses of welcome, and the Rev. J. J. Lewis (Dunedin) and Mr W. H. Hodson (Nelson) replied. . The report of the general secretary of church property showed that £7553' had beon expended during the year in purchasing or erecting new buildings, and that at present the churches - and schools provided accommodation for about 66,000 people, and there ivas a parsonage foreach married minister of the church. The total value of the properties i.s now estimated at £222,159,..-with debts of about £40,000. Tlie general secretary (Rev. W. G. Parsonson) was heartily thanked for his valuable services, _and his resignation accepted with regret. The duties of the office were added to that of connexioiKil secretary. " A memorial from the Patea (Hawera circuit) for the appointment of a Home missionary ivas. lost. The Waitara circuit reported taking a second married minister. Westport, Sly' Albans' (second), Springston (second), and Malvern were relieved of their obligations to take, married ministers for one year. • ' The evening., session., was taken up with consideration; of the .statistical returns of the year. A, conversation on the work of God followed, when a. moyt profitable time was spent, a large number of ministers and laymen taking-part. The following resolution" was passed:—"This conference reverently acknowledges the tokens of the divine blessing upon the work of the year as evidenced in the j enrolment of 511 new church members, in the steady growing numbers of Sunday School teachers, and in scholars. • It finds occasion for gratitude to: God in the .spirit of unity and concord which prevails throughout our circuits, and in the fact that side by side with special offerings to the'century fund there has been an encouraging support of our various institutions arid agencies. It regrets to learn however tbat the returns show a, decrease in the number 6f estimated adherents, and views .with, deep concern a-tendency on the part of many: amongst us towanis .i less frequent attendance on the service of God's House. The statistics are:—Churches, 275; other preaching places, 400; ministers, 115 ; Home missionaries, 21; local preachers, 525; class leaders. 178; church members, 12.185; on'trial, 290; communicants, 1306; junior members, 1479; Sunday Schools. 284; Sunday School teachers, 2275; Sunday School scholars, 21,808: attendants on public worship, including Sunday School scholars, 67,058. Maori Statistics:—Churches, 12;' other preaching places. 76: ministers, 9; local preachers' 57'; clans', teachers (leaders) 21; church members, 812; Sunday Schools, 23; | teachers, 30 ; scholars,: 504. The question of privileges occupied considerable attention, when the following resolution', on the motion of the Rev. G. ■ Bond (Wanganui) was unanimously eav- ! ried:—"That the attention of the' Committee of Privileges,be drawn to the fact though there is noL'State Church in New Zealar.d, one Protestant Church only was officially represgnted at the recent colonial functions held at Wellington and Cliristclnirch in connection .with the departure of the contingents for South Africa, and that the committee be directed to take the necessary steps to secure proper recognition of other churches in future.' That "the committee be further directed to secure equal rights foi" all churches in connection with the chaplaincies of public institutions."