Constitution English Translation

The following is an unofficial translation of the Church Book of Constitution, Regulations, and Basic Teachings. Upon ratification by the General Conference, the translation will become official. In the meantime, as the project awaits approval, this translation serves to assist all legal obligations that might require the English version of our Book of Constitution, Regulations, and Basic Teachings.

INTRO. TO FIRST EDITION

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THE CONSTITUTIONS, THE EDICTS AND THE LAWS

THE EXPLANATION AND AUTHORITY FOR THE FIRST EDITION

In the year 1743 John and Charles Wesley wrote a publication called, “The Edicts” for people to follow and those who gathered to keep company because of their desire to seek the truth of Godly behaviour and to assist each other. That was the beginning of the edicts for people to follow and the suitability of people to become catechumen in accordance with the Laws and the Edicts of the Wesleyan people of Australia.

Mr Thomas arrived in Tonga in the year 1826, at the decision of the Conference of the Wesleyan Church in Britain, and started to convert people. And with the assistance of the God there was progress in the work when people converted to Christianity, and the country was born again. In the beginning of the work, Taufa’ahau who became king converted, and he was named Siaosi Tupou I, and he dedicated himself to the work of God, and to elevate his people. The success of the work in Tonga was mainly due to his dedication and the wisdom of his leadership.

And it was his desire that there be a Conference of the Church in Tonga, and this occurred in the year 1885, and was called the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. But there were some of the people who remained members of the Conference of the Wesleyan Church in New South Wales, but in the guidance by the Lord of her Majesty Queen Salote Tupou and her forbearance and wise actions, the will of Siaosi Tupou I was completed and the people united in the Wesleyan Church of Tonga and was connected to the Full Conference of the Wesleyan Church of Australia. And in the Conference that was held in Nuku’alofa in the month of May, 1924, the Constitution of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga was adopted in accordance with the additions and corrections that were made at that Conference and it was called the Constitution and the Laws and the Edicts of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga, and beginning from the day that the King and the President sign. And the Conference directs that this Constitution be published as corrected, and it will become the Constitution and the Laws, and the Edicts, of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

It is I, who confirm on the 30th day of May, 1924.

(Signed by) Salote Tupou (Seal)

The Queen of Tonga

(Signed by) Setaleki Manu

President of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

(Signed by) Tungi

(Signed by) Kisi Taulani

Secretary of the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga.

Daily Readings

Lau Folofola Faka'aho
  
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"Grace"

Grace is the “the free and unmerited act of God through which we, the fallen creatures, are restored to God’s original favour” -- John Wesley.