WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1460, 28 January 1886, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE.

In the Wesleyan Conference ufc Christchurch, on Monday, favorable reports having been received on the examinations, the preaching and leading of probationers, the following were passed in their respective years :—Messrs Marshall, Mather, Rothvrell, Lawry, and Wallis. Recommendations from the various district meetings were received and considered. The propriety of the appointments of a Conference evangelist was mentioned, but its discussion was postponed until the laymen should be present. The question of the appointment of a Maori evangelist to labor among his countrymen was discussed, and referred for further consideration to the united Conference. A deputation from the Christchurch Ministers’ Association waited on the Conference, presenting hearty aod cordial greetings. Examiners were appointed to conduct the examinations of the probationers and candidates for the ministry, for the year. The ordination service in connection with the Wesleyan Conference was held on Tuesday in the large Wesleyan Church. The congregation was good. The charge delivered to the Revs. Jones and Christoffersen, candidates for ordination, by the Rev. R. Bavin, was based onHeb. XIII., 17, It was a comprehensive and practical discourse, delivered in a fluent and pleasing style, and gained the admiration of both Ministers and laity. The unanimous thanks of the conference were given to Mr Bavin. The Rev. 0, Dean passed in his year as a probationer. The annual pastoral addreess as revised was adopted. Arrangements were made for the ordination of the Maori ministers in the North at an early date. The lay representatives took their seats at 2.30 p.ra. with the ministers, aod were cordially welcomed by the President, who stated that he trusted that with the minimum of speech the maximum of business might be despatched during their sitting. The matters claiming special attention would be the subject of higher education, which now pressed upon the attention of the Church, the Home Mission fund, and the question of social purity, on which there were strong resolutions from three districts, which indicated that the Church in the colony was prepared to taka the front position she had done in this matter in England. Their connexional organ, which had done such valuable service, would also demand their consideration. It was resolved that the standing orders of last year be adopted, and that all th® sittings be open to the public, The Kaiapoi and Woodend circuits were re-unitsd, and a minister was appointed to reside at Amberley. Horae Mission stations were created at Arrowtown, Roxburgh, and Tapanui, and additional m outers as® to be sent to Whangaroa and the western district of Otago,