ANNUAL SESSION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6757, 22 January 1890, Page 4

ANNUAL SESSION.

The seventeenth annual Conference of the New Zealand Branch of the Australasian Wesleyan Methodist Church commenced in the Durham Street Church at half-past seven o'clock: last evening. The J Bey W. J. Watkin, retiring President, ( opened the proceedings by giving out Hymn 478, "And are we yet alive?" which was sung by all present. The Eev H. Bull read Psalm ciii., after which the Eeva J. Aldred and A. Reid engaged in prayer. The Secretary, the Eev H. Bull, called the roll of ministerial members, when thu following antwered to their names I—Eeval —Eeva J. Aldred, A. Eeid, W. J, Watkin, W. Morley, J. A. Taylor, W. Lee, J, Berry, j W. C. Oliver, H. Bull, W. G. Thomas, J W- H. Beck, J. J; Lewis, W. J. Williams, « G. Bond, T. G. Carr, H. E. Dewsbury, W. B. Marten, P. W. Fairclough, C. H. Sfcandage, W. Baumber, S. J. Garliek, J. A. Sandford, T. Fee, J. N. Buttle, J. H. Gray, C. Abernethy, L. Hudson, L. M. Isitt, D.J.Murray, W. Tinsley, E. Best, T. G. Brooke, J.J. Mather, J,T.3urrows and W. Cannell. On the motion of the Eev W. Morley, the Eev C. E.. Beeeroft, for many years connected with the English Conference, was associated with the Conference. The rev associate briefly addressed the Conference. Hymn 500, "Oh, Praiseto*Onr Bedeeming Lord," was then sung; THE BETIEING PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The retiring President then addressed • the Conference. He considered they had reason to bless God that none of their number had fallen out of rank. Father Wallis and his wife still lingered waiting for the great change. He noted with thanksgiving that Bro Ball, their indefatigable Secretary, had recovered from his severe illness, and Bro Beck had also been spared to continue his labours, while another Brother, absent on f long travel, had returned to again labour amongst them. But though the ministerial rank was unbroken,, it was with pain and a sense of- loss he recognised the ■ departure of some eminent lay members. H& referred to the late George Gould, whose liberality and counsel were consecrated to the Wesleyan Church; Joseph Nancarrow, of Wellington, well-known aa a sympathiser with all church work, had been suddenly summoned away; Mrs Joseph Wilcox, third daughter of the late Bey John Hobbs, who had consecrated her womanly sympathy to the relief of many had died last year after a painful illness $ whiletheWellingtonChurchhadsuateineda serious loss in the death of Captain Thomas < who had succeeded Mr David Lewis at ! Thorndon. The Be v L. M. Isitt in the Sonth I Islsnd, sad the Ec» J, Ward, bad been j successful in pushing the cause of the New j Zealand Methodist. Conference woold hear full reports of their labours. Passing from home to foreign matters, he mentioned the viait of Mr Eooney and To Makait, who I had given interesting proofs of the success ! of mission work, and induced increased ' contributions to the Foreign Mission : Fund. Sevr Zealand church work had been carried on faithfully and efficiently. , All their agents ministerial had ful- ; filled their allotted tasks, and he believed ' the great Head of the Church h&d ' approved their labours. In some circuits j there had been many conversions. At Napier the grace of God had worked mightily, and in thia city and Province proof had been given of the saving and convincing power of the Gospel. The statistics for the year furmimed by the Secretary weres— ! Members v* 7y415 last.yoar %pfH j Churches «. 198 „ 192 ! S&bbafck Sphol&xs 19,276 „ 18,250 Attendant* „ 49,821 Communicants™ 1,378 iX %4SL There ate ttsw ti76 Junior members. ' This item appears for the first time. This return is exclusive of Maori members and attendants. There had been throngh the year revived attention on the part ! of ft considerable number of Natives to ! Christian ordinances, especially on the | West Coast of the North Island, where j Brother Hammond has charge With these j assuring signs he claimed that theirs was a ! forward movement, that the Captain of Balvation was at their head, and that under His leadership they would see yet greater things accomplished throughout the field* They had to war with evil in many forms, the drink traf&o bring, perhaps, the moat formidable ; and they could not abate their proteste- -against, or eiEorta in opposition to, tiite jnatenoi aeourga. JBh depkaedi

trated all the nooka where the •white nau went, while the brown man took to it all too kindly, especially in connection with horse racing. One of the prolific causes of this widespread epidemic is the horse racing business. It is praised by special pleaders, but the principal gainero are the publicans and spielers, together with those who rnn the totalisator. Government countenances ■ this sport that kills. The misery, and of ten j despair, wrought by this fever is not all ; seen or told. One of the most virulent I forma of immorality is that of cursing and { swearing and obscene speaking. Because j of this abomination the land need to put on sackcloth and ashes and mourn. Men— grown men, bearded men — utter words of blasphemy, indecency and j infamy, without too least compunc- ! tion, in the street, anywhere but in j Court and churoh ; and they do it in the j hearing of old and young, male or female. I They had had notes of warning as to a j tide of iniquity that was swelling round j their houses. Impurity of imagination I and life were terrible rife,, mostly in the ; cities of this fair land. Dark chapters of j human depravity were being printed and I published. Sin was bedizened in mere--tricioua garb, and enticements used to betray the unwary ; while alas, it was the professional practice of many who were verily guilty to enter the gates of infamy, and to promote the vice of tra cleanliness. Bro Berry had spoken kindly and plainly fromtbepulpitand the Press, and bis utterances have proved ineontesfcably preventive and profitable to many of our youth. He regretted the enormous consumption of tobacco in New Zealand, which was most injurious to growing youths. He adverted also to the increasing disregard of divine ordinances; a preference to take pleasure on Sundays instead of attending divine Bervice was painfully manifest. Many might think these views pessimistic of the spiritual condition of the people; but it was right to look at the opposing forces to God's work among men, that, with a correct apprehension of the powers of darkness they might cope with them more wisely, potentially, and with better hope of sneceas. Ho urged them to remember that God was with them, and would aid thorn to struggle against eyiL In restoring his trust he expressed his thanks to God that strength had been given him to perform tho duties of the Presidency. He thanked every member of the brotherhood for their prayers and good wishes, and added that his hands had been specially strengthened by the Eevs Morley, Leo I and BolL With this acknowledgment of j Sersonal obligation and recognition of tho rotberly loveof the church generally, here- j signed hia charge. The reverend gentleman : w&s frequently applauded during tho ! deliverance of his address. Subsequently | the Eev W. J. Watkin referred in feeling i terms to the death of the Eev T. E. Fisher, who was formerly a minister of , ' th? M«a>9dM Chareh. j BLBCTION OF OKMOBB3. j The Conference then balloted for the election of President, with the result that the Boy J.X Lewis, of St Albaos, was ehwen. The Bey W. Lee-was elected Secretary, and nominated the Eevs W- B. Marten and St. J. Garliek as assistants? the Bey «L T. Pinfold, Journal Secretary, and the Eev W. Tinsloy, Correßponding Secretary. The Bey W. Coo&ell was appointed precentor, and the Eev W-» J. Williams leporter toiiwConferenee. The Eev W, J. Watfeina then vacated the ohair, which was taken by the President-elect. The ex-President then welcomed the Bey J- J. Lewis to tho Presidency, com nutted to bis charge the Conference Bible andaaal, and invoked Godts blessing on his Presidency. The President select said thai he had been called to ft wwifcwn which W would sot have sought htmarlf, He assured them, of hta*e«nestr intention to do his duty- H&h&dbeen baptised into the Church of England, but the Methodists had been tho means of winning him tothe Saviour. In that communion ne hoped to live and die, their people would be bis people fv"^ their God bio God. Be referred to the preaching of the Cross as it was preached by Wesley and Waitfield as the foundation of the Weelejan RCreagtiu He urged the importance ©I the cultivation of purity of heart. He thanked them for the high honour they had done him, and looked to them tofltrengthen-hun- by their prayers. The Bey W. Lee returned tbanka for hia election as Secretary, and proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the ex-Pseaideat for the-earneflt* diligent* and courteous manner in which ho had dlaoharged -hbt

Eev J. J. Lewi3 upon his election to the Presidency, and seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and duly acknowledged by the Bey W. J. Watkin. A vote o? thanks was accorded to the retiring Secretary, the Bey EL Ball, on the motion of the Bey J. Uerry., eeeoaded, by the Bey W. H. Beck. LETTERS OF ESTEEM. It was resolved that letters of affectionate'esteem and sympathy be sent to Fathers the Beys Walli3 and Kirk, the former on account of extreme age, and the latter on account of M 3 in?.bility to attend the Conference. HOUTBS OF SESSION. It was resolved that the Conference shonld eit every morning from 10 to 12.45 o'clock; afternoon, 2.30 to 5 o'clock j- even* ing, 7.30 to 9.30, if necessary. IIEST DRAIT OF STATIONS. The Secretary read the following draft of ministers' stations prepared by the Stationing Committee at their meeting that morning, as the first reading for 1890 : — Auckland district — Pitt street, Beys E. Best, J. H. Simmonds; Wesley College, Bey A. Beid, Principal; North Shore, Eev J. Dukes ; Grafton road, Eevs W.Lee, Walter L. Salter, J, Wallis, Henry H. Lowxy, W. Worker; Maori Mission, Eev W. Gitfcos; Maburangi, Eev J. J. Mather j Thames, Eev W. K«all; Upper Thames, Bey J. Thomas: Manukau, Bey J. S. Bishworth; Franklin, Bey C. Giiffin; Cambridge, Eev C. H. Garland ; Hamilton, Bey T. G. Carr; Te Awamutu, Bey J. Griffiths Kaipara, Bey H. Paul ; Papara, Bey G. T. Marshall; Northern Wairoa, Eev T. F. Jones ; Hokianga, Beys T. A. Joughin, Hori Te Kurei, Piripi Pakens, Wi Warena Pewa; Whangarei, Rev S. Lawry; Tauranga, Bey A. C. Lawry; Baglan, Bay of Islands, Wha,ng«roa, Coromandel, Helensville and Wade, to each place a Home Missionary. Wanganui District — New Plymouth, Bey P. W. ifairclough; Waitara, Eov J. T. Pinfold; Hawera, Keys T. N. Griffin and E. J. Murray; Wanganui, Bey H. B. Dewsbury ; Bangitikei, Eev T. Fee ; Sandon, Bey W. Cannell; Palmerston North, Eev J. Law 5 Maori Mission, Bey T. Gt. Harunaond. Wellington District — Wellington, Beys J. Berry, W. H. Beck and C. H. Laws; Hutt, BevW. J. Watkin; Grey town, Rev J, Dellow; Masterton, Bey W. Bowse; Napier, Eev D. M'Nieoll ; Gisborne, Bey J. Ward ; Norsewood, Bsv E. Neilson. Nelson District — Nelson, Eev F. W. Isitt; Bichmond,. Bey J. Crump ; Blenheim, lie? EL Ball; Wairau, Bey H. Warihi; Hokitika, Bey J. Smith ; Grey mouth, Bey T. G. Brooke; Motueka, Kumara and ] Havelock, to each a Home Missionary. i Canterbury District — Durham street, ' Beys W. Morky, W. C. Oliver and j J. Aldred; Sydenhaui, Bey L. M. leitt; St : Albans, Eevs J. J. Lewie, C. JJL Standage j : Lyttelton, Bey J. A. Taj lor j Eaup&ki, I Bey T. Kotc ; SpriDgoton, Eev S. J. I Garliek; Leeston, Ejvs J. A. Luxford, Woodend, Bey D. J. Murray; Bengiora, EevW. B. Marten; Timaru, Bey W. J. Williamßj Waimate, Bey J. STcniut^, £ct It. C. Ijwwu j Aouljuimju, Eeva J. N. Buttle, J. H. Gray ; Malvern and Metkven, Horn a Biisaionariea. Otago District — Dunedia, Beys W.. Baumber, G. W, Spenee; Moruington, Eev Ju Hudaon ; Port Chalmers, Eev J. D. Jory; Balclutha, Eev W. (i. Thomas; Lawrence, Bgv B. F. Both well; Lavercftrgill, Bey W. Tinsley ; Biverton, Eev S. B. Fellows ; Oamaru^Bev W. G. Paraonson; Gore, Bey B. Taylor ; Wakat ipu, Eev J. T. ' Burrows; Boxburgh, Tapanui and Hyde each a Home Missionary, The Eev T. J. Walliß offers for foreign mission work. The Eev J. Blight will be appointed to a-cirouit to be hereafter determined. The first reading was adopted, and it was resolved that the second reading | of stations should be taken on Friday ! morning. Conference then*&djourned after singing the doxology and the benediotion pronounced by the President.