Wesleyan Conference.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8604, 8 March 1897, Page 4

Wesleyan Conference.

Wellington, March 6. At the ministerial session of the Wesleyan Conference it was resolved to send letters of sympathy to Revs. Lawry Worker, Rishworth, Best. WatbirJ, and Smith (all of Auckland), and Macfarlane (Christchurch), supernumeraries»who were unable to be present owing to age and infirmity. Gratitude an 3 pleasure was expressed because of the presence of Revs. Dirk and Rowse. two ef the oldest members of the ministry. It was decided to hold a* monster temperance meeting next week and theßevs. Ready, Lawry, and Smith were appointed to deliver addresses. The oral theological examination of candidates for ordina tion was conducted by Rev. Garland who avoided most or the ordinary and antiquated questions, and dealt mainly with the modern phases of theological thought. The young men were equal to the occasion, and gave evidence of their knowledge of thought and writings of the day, while the questions and answers gave proof of their truly evangelistic belief, and evinced an intelligent grasp of recent research. The young men were received into full connection, and are to be ordained on Monday night. The president announced that during the year the Revs H. O. Craddock, M.A., and W. H. Judkins had voluntarily retired. A recommendation that the regulations and rules of the loan fund and home missions be printed once in five years instead of annually as at present, was lost. It was decided to have the minutes of the conference printed in the same way as thoseof the Australasian Confernces. A recommendation from the Auckland Synod to alter the boundaries of the Cambridge and Hamilton circuits was resisted by the Hamilton circuit and an appeal jras made to the Conference. Rev. .R S. Simmonds thought it was unwise to do anything. At this stage the Conference agreed to refer the matter back to the circuits. With regard to the two circuits in Palmerston North it was resolved that the two circuits remain us at present, but that they be earnestly requested to consider the question of union, The Conference adjourned until Monday.