WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1871

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 607, 20 December 1871, Page 2

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 1871

Possibly it is not the province of a journalist to interfere in the private affairs of a religious community, but there are times when rigid rules must be dispensed with in view of an evil impending. If there is any -religious denomination that in the past has fairly won a title to the watchword " Never Retreat" it is the "Wesleyan, but the pall of apathy seems to have fallen on Wesleyanism in Auckland aud if things continue as they promise, " Ichabod" may soon be written over our Wesleyan temples. A. few months ago the Wesleyans retreated from North Shore, shut up their chapel and sold it for a school. Now they are retreating from High-street, and are trying to sell it for a scientific institute. ° This is the way in which wealth and success in the gold-fields seem to be affecting our Wesleyan friends. When the Israelites were coming in sight of the land of promise they were warned that when they would get wealth in the land of milk aud honey they would forget the author of their wealth, and "bow down to other gods. The Wesleyans in the land of milk and honey weem to have fallen before the Grolden. Calf, and are selling their chapels as no longer needed. We wonder what the spirit of John Wesley would say if he could look down and see what they are doing that call themselves by his name. This craven hearted retrogression is certainly widely different from the • onward spirit that animated the Apostle of religious reform ; and those who hold it would act more consistently in !abandoning the name of Wesley. The fine old chapel in Highstreet is we suppose not respectable enough ; for with prosperity naturally come forth all the instincts of aristocratic feeling. Poor old Wesleyanism itself will by and by be voted unrespectable, and its members will ally themselves to other communions more given to the pomps and vanities. Such is life. Times change and we change with them, and possibly Wesleyanism is not the religion of prosperity. Far be the thought that it is improper to sell a chapel and erect another and a better one. In Melbourne, some years ago, the same denomination sold a little chapel erected on the corner of Collins street and Queen street, a site unsuitable for a place of worship, but enormously valuable for commercial purposes. With portion of the proceeds the same congregation had erected for them " Wesley Church." in Lonsdale street, one of the finest ecclesiastical edifices in the southern colonies, and with the balance were enabled to build and endow chapels all over the" colony. But in the proposed sale of the High street Church, the " pieces of silver" would not suffice to erect a building of similar size and capacity to the one surrendered ; nor, so far as we know, is it intended to supply its place temporarily or permanently by another building. To the attendants on services in this church it will be the rending of ties that should not be rudely and arbitrarily severed ; and to them and to the children in the schools it will be a dispersion that may have results that should not be contemplated with indifference. It is so unliko tho old spirit of Wesleyanism to abandon a field once occupied that wo wondor

the proposal has been for a moment entertained; and with the sincerest good wishes for the Auckland Institute, we trust that the Wesleyans, who constitute such a large and respected section of the community, will pause before committing themselves to a course that cannot be regarded as other than a retreat, and an abandonment for worldly ends of & means and sphere of usefulness, — a course of conduct which does so much violence to old memories of "Wesleyan enterprise.

AYe are gratified to find that the City Council have shown their good sense in the re-election of Mr Philips, as Mayor of the city ; and we look back upon our action in the matter with considerable satisfaction. A.s to whether the Mayor elect and the Council are pleased with the part vie have taken and the strong language we have used, we have the most perfect indifference. When a work is to be done we do it without the least regard to the opinions or feelings of those who may fancy themselves more immediately interested. In the recent case we crushed an incipient opposition, and by the force of hard hitting compelled one of the chief opponents, to come forward for his own credit and show his magnanimity in proposing the candidate. Mr Macready says the Star is a danger in the city. So it is; even worso than a danger: it is positive death—to abuse. So long as it continues to shine, it will pour light into dark places, and jobbery and corruption must fly before its beams. .Let Mr. Macready take a note of this. The Harbor Board assembled yesterday afternoon. A letter from the chief Harbor-Master was read, calling attention to the very dilapidated -state, and unsafe condition of Queen-street wharf. It was considered that until the arrangements with the Provincial Government were completed, nothing material could be done in the matter. Some discussion took place in reference to a motion to extend Holmes' wharf. It was agreed to, conditionally ; that if found practical, and the inhabitants pay half the cost of the same. Other matters of detail were discussed, and the meeting adjourned to the 28th inst., for the purpose of regulating the financial affairs of the Board, in connection with the Provincial Govermat>nt. A company, entitled the " Coromandel Tunnel and Gold Mining Company," has been formed for the purpose of constructing a tunnel in the auriferous range which runs through the Cups Colvilie peninsula, in order to afford public communication between Coromandel Harbour and Kennedy's Bay. It will also pierce the range in the immediate neighborhood of the richest mines in the district. ..,:... v; . - ..;... r < . fur farther forge : ' LONDON J ■ •■ tSCfiJ o- >-X

The first half-yearly meeting of the Cororaandel Excelsior gold mining company was held to-day at the Mechanics' Institute, Gr W Booker, Esq., in the chair. The Mining Managers report was read, which set forth the difficulties which had led to delaj in arriving at moro satisfactory results. Of these causes peculiarly hard ground was the principle. He hold out hopes of speedily obtaining much moro Profitable stono, and the Chairman of lirectors, confirmed this from personal observation. The Director's report was then confirmed, and the meeting separated. From an advertisement it will be perceived thatWlr R. J. Yates has taken the grocery store in Parnell, carried on for a long time by Mr Waters. Mr Yates is well known in the trade, having been for many years in one of the principal establishments in the city. He will doubtless meet with a fair share of patronage. We learn that the Choral Society havo it in contemplation to perform " The Messiah," in St. Paul's Cathedral, on Friday evening next. The election of a member of the City Council, in room of Mr Atkin, resigned, will take place on 3rd January. Various allotments and wharres belonging to the Harbor Board, will bo leased by auction on Friday next. The Duke of Edinburgh, steamer, will call at the Hot Springs on her way to Vussel to-morrow.