WESLEYAN CHURCH DISTRICT SESSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 793, 8 December 1870, Page 2

WESLEYAN CHURCH DISTRICT SESSION.

The final sitting commenced at 10 a.m. yesterday. Mr Cumberworth's name was added to the Book Committee appointed on Tuesday. The district meeting accorded a rery hearty vote of thanks to the Rev. A. Reid, for his able and timely sermon preached on Monday evening, coupling with it a request that he j would allow it to be published in the daily newspapers. The Chairman expressed his thanks to the meeting, but stated that want of time to revise and complete his manuscript prevented him from printing it. The following motion was then carried . — " The Rev. W. Oliver, having travelled four years, and passed a highly creditable written examination in Theology, New Testament, Greek, and other subjects, is cordially* and unanimously recommended to the Conference to be received into our Ministry. Throughout Mr Oliver's probation be has given evidence of intense application to study; his preaching is generally acceptable, and he is a diligent pastor." A conversation upon Sunday schools followed, which led to the following recommendation to the' ensuing Conference— That in the opinion of this meeting no alteration of the constitution of our Sunday Schools will be satisfactory which doe* not provide for the vesting of control in one administrative court, instead of in two as at present. We recommend, therefore, the amalgamation of the School Committee and Teachers' Meeting under the title of School Board, or some analagous designation. As some dissatisfaction had been expressed respecting the deeds of Church property in the various circuits, the following resolution was agreed to : — " That the district iron chest be located in a suitable place in Durham street church, where all our deeds shall be deposited, and that a register be kept of the same ; the Superintendent Minister of the Chri&tchurch Circuit to be the custodian." It was also agreed that the trustees of the Durham street church be respectfully solicited to provide a suitable place for the safe keeping of the chest. The following table of statistics for the district was laid upon the table, showing the totals and increase or decrease upon the y9ar : — 107 churches or other preaching places (decrease of 2) ; 17 ministers (same as last year); 18 other paid agents (increase of 4; 51 Sunday schools, 435 teachers and 3060 Sunday scholars (being an increase of 13 schools and 75 teachers and 486 scholars') ; there are also 104 lay preachers (increase 13) ; 96 class leaders (increase 11); 1461 Church members (increase 75); 169 on trial for Church membership (increase 60); deaths of Church members during the year 8; total number of attendants on public worship 9900 (increase 2743). The lists of books read during the year by the probationary ministers were read, and suitable instructions given them respecting their reading for the ensuing year. Some other business of a routine description was attended to, after which a very hearty vote of thanks was unanimously accorded to those kind friends in and around Christchurch, who have so hospitably entertained the ministers dnring their stay. The session closed at five p.m. by devotional exercises.