Unsettled Wesleyan Ministers.

Manawatu Times, Volume VIII, Issue 379, 8 October 1883, Page 2

Unsettled Wesleyan Ministers.

The following article m the New Zealand Wesleyan, by the gentleman who writes " On the Look Out," is said to refer to recent events at Palmerston North : — • From one or two things that have lately come to light, it seems not out of place to enquire how far the pre% paratory training of the young men intended for our ministry can lay claim to the attribute ofe thorough* ness. In this colony we seem to be placed under the painful necessity of putting even probationers of the first year m charge of important circuits; and that necessity involve* the obligation of taking .special care that the young men so sent shall be m a position to give as intelligent and trust wortliy representation of the doctrines and polity of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. Had we taken such special care ? Are we taking it now ? lam only top well aware of . the .disadvantages undel which our students labor, m the brev.ity of the period allowed them at the Institution;: but the conviction becomes more and more imperious that we bad better leave even, tempting fields unoccupied£or a time, than occupy them by men of de« fective doctrinal attainments and im« mature religious experience. Ia there not a danger of our resting satisfied with ? the simple assentgiven to our doctrines by the young men who stand upon the threshold of o£& ministry ? Ought there not to tie** far greater painj taken^tc* ascertain whether or not the young brethren whom we v send $o represent Methodism m any. given .locality are sufficiently well grounded m the faith of their Church as to be able, when necessity., arises, Jx> make something like a satisfactory defence of their position, i? In large circuits, like the majority of those m England where a young man would be under the guidance of a superintendent, and sustain ,but a ;'ve"ry small share if any, of circuit^ responsibility, his want of acburiitir acquain* tance with our doctrines] and polity , would matter- comparatively little. But m cases like too many m this colony, where a prob^iorier is left m sole charge of a circuit, and where perhaps the very' existence of pur cause depends to a large extent upon the fidelity and firm%es« of the minister, clearness of conviciron and strength, of principle are matters of supreme importance. Ife^does not of course follow that because a young man has obtained the most thorough mastery of our ecclesiastical principles, he will be proof against a yosm sible change of opinion; but w« ought not, m the change .of views of any of our young men, abe left to face the humiliating fact thai thim change ttyight probably have beenaverted if they : had a more intelligent apprehension %f sbfe views to which they formerly assented. It » a reproach to iia tHajt%ny' young" man ihould be sent pift into the work with an intellectua|*equipment so meagre and and immature as to leave him liable to be < toppled ovet by any* plausable and sectary who may happetftto crosa hit path. In such a time as this, when the very air seems charged with diiturbing influences, it ls^more than ever requisite that every 'front-rank man, as each minister by the solemf v necessity of his position must^bA^ should be v ready always to give^w answer to every man that asketh % reason of the hope that is m him.** Let us hope that? we shall, m future, be spared such faltering and failur* as will naturally enough provoke amazed onlookers to enquire— -" What is the value of the theological traim* ing given to the candidates for oar ministry?" j- '"; _ f . y .