THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE OF 1863.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1842, 14 March 1863, Page 3

THE AUSTRALASIAN WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE OF 1863.

[Prom the " Wesleyan Chronicle," February 10 ] The Conference commenced its sittings this year in the Melville -street Church, Hobart Town, Tasmania, on Tuesday, the 20 th of January. The Rev Thomas Buddie, who was nominated by the last Conference and appointed by the British Conference, as the President for the present year, presided over the assembly ; and without casting any reflection on those who have preceded him, no man has more worthily deserved the distinguished honor of President than Mr Buddie, for his long and faithful service in the cause of God in the Island of New Zealand. Long may his j valuable life be spared to serve the Church of Christ. . j The choice of Secretary of the Conference fell j upon the Rev James Bickford, of St. Kilda. The probationers who had travelled four years, and passed the various examinations appointed by our ecclesiastical economy, were cordially received into full connexion with the Conference, and solemnly ordained to the full work of the ministry by the imposition of hands. It was gratifying to the Conference to find that the great Head of the Church still continues to call and qualify men for the holy ministry, for while the Conference had to mourn over the loss of two ministers by death, yet from the various districts in these colonies cloven young men were received as probationers for the work of the ministry. It waa a cause of devout thanksgiving to Almighty God that during the year there had been several hundreds added to the Church, both in the colonies and on the mission stations; and several thousands were reported as being on trial for Church-membership but it was felt that the increase was by no means such as ought to satisfy the Methodist Church in the Southern World, and a long and deeply interesting conversation ensued, which was closed by earnest prayer to God for a more copiouadescent of the Holy Spirit upon our Churclfos and congregations. The divisions of New South Wales and Victoria into several districts, as recommended by the respective district Minutes, was gravely and earnestly considered by the Assembly, and resulted in the division of the former district into five districts, and Victoria into three districts. Every member of the Conference voted in favour of this important measure, believing that the division would meet with the cordial approval ot the Methodist Church, and secure the valuable and hearty co-operation of a larger number of the lay office-bearers throughout these colonies, and would throw upon thege several ne.w districts ,the responsibility of extending Metheiism in their different localities. The Conference gave its sanction to the establishment of a Wesleyan Collegiate Institution in New South Wales, and appointed the Rev John A. Manton as the Governor for the present year. The brethren heard, with pleasure, that steps are being taken for the carrying out of a similar. Educational establishment in Victoria. At the Connexional and Missionary Committee, which was held on Tuesday, the 27th, all the ■ Connexional funds wore brought under the notice of the lay gentlemen, when it was found that in no case was there financial difficulty or decrease. The statements of the General Secretary of our Missions, the Rev John Eggleston, were of the most gratifying character, respecting the state of the missions, and the liberality of the natives in supporting the work of God amongst them. The application of the Rev William "Button to visit England, on account of his declining. health, was brought under the notice of the Conference, and while that Body deeply regretted the state of Mr Butters' health, most cordially acceeded to his request, and as a mark of the high appreciation of his long and valuable services rendered to the Methodist Churches in these colonies, unanimously resolved that he should be appointed as the Representative of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Australia, at the next British' Conference. The Editor of the " Wesleyan $hroniole," the Rev William Hill, and the Book-steward, the | Rev William L. Binks, having received and accepted invitations to important oircuits in the colony of Victoria, it was found necessary to make an appointment of some Minister to discharge the important duties of Editor and Book-steward. The Conference appointed' the Ray John C. Symous to this responsible post of duty for the present year,, as recommended by - the Victoria, district meeting.

The religious services which were held^durjn'g : the session of the Conference were, on the whole, well attended, and a gracious influence rested on the congregations. God was pleased to give token of His presence and blessing, and it is believe^ many will long remember the Conference of 1868. It is impossible to speak too highly of the kindness and hospitality which the friends at Hobarfc Town evinced towards the Ministers assembled at the Conference, yet the conviction deepensWery year, that it is unwise to hold the Conference in those small districts, and that in futurethe' Con--ference should be held in. those cities"whefe we can secure the presence of the largest -number of Ministers. < The next Conference is appointed to be held in Melbourne, in January, 1864, and the Rev James Buller has been nominated as the President,