WESLEYAN CONFERENCE LUNCHEON.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6759, 24 January 1890, Page 3

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE LUNCHEON.

-» j This afternoon the members of the New ! Zealand Wesleyah Conference entertained a number of ministers of other churches at luncheon at the Metropolitan Temperance Hotel. An excellent luncheon was provided by Mr Klingenstein. The guessta of tho Conference were tho Beys Gordon Webster, R. Erwin, J. Hoatson, J. Crowes, 1 and W. Beady. ; After luncheon, the Bey Gordon "Webster made a brief address. He did not, he said, belong to tho Colony, but he had been much impressed with their clerical ' representatives. He might say tbe same ! of their lay preachers. He had been struck , by the fact that the Wesleyan Church | had many educated local preachers. He had been largely indebted to Wesleyan local preachers for supplying the vacancy in the pulpit of tbe Presbyterian Church at Lyttelton. He referred to the close 1 connection now existing between the Wesleyan aud Presbyterian churches, and remarked how important it was for the latter to have such good allies as the former were. The differences between them were, practically, not worth ingj The Eev J. Crewes -eferreito the union 'oE various Methodist bodies. Ho thought that any trouble between them wouldariso ; from their own fault. Some time ago there had been overtures with a view to union . here, but their parents, the authorities at Home, had told them that they were not ; yet of age and could not act for themselves in the matter. The failure to unite, then, was thus their parents' fault. He had been delighted to read of the increase in tho Wesleyan Church of New Zealand. He referred to the importance of the churches being united for aggressive work against evil, and of preaching what Wesley taught. The Eev J. Baumber reciprocated the kindly feelings expressed by the visitors. While appreciating the desire for union, he pointed out that tho separation into various churches doubtless arose from the providence of God, and that, perhaps, ' they would not have done Euch good work jif they had been always together. He re- ; ferred to the importance of following the ezample of Christ, and concluded by a reference to tbe system of itinerancy. The Eev T. Pee ako spoke on behalf of the members of the Conference, warmly reciprocating the friendly sentiments . of the vieitora. The party then separated.