The Rev. Messrs Todd and Ryley.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 187, 10 June 1873, Page 6

The Rev. Messrs Todd and Ryley.

From "Notes of a Missionary Tour in Otago," contributed to the Evangelist by the Rev. A. B. Todd of Oamaru, we make the following extracts. After describing his journey through Naseby and St. Bathans, Mr Todd goes on to say : By the way we held little meetings in accommodation-houses, &c, till we came to Alexandra. We visited almost all the people in Alexandra. Mr Ryley preached on Friday evening, and I on the following Sabbath (20th April), when Mr Ryley preached at Clyde. At both places the attendance was large and encouraging. We met with the Committee at Alexandra, and they resolved to have the Manse removed from its present site to Alexandra. We called upon the individuals who composed the old Committee at Clyde, and secured their consent for the removal of the Manse. There is ample scope for the labours of a Minister at the Dunstan, with Alexandra as the centre The majority of the people at Alexandra arc Presbyterians, and require to be attended to. Having joined Mr Ryley at Clyde on the Monday, I thought it advisable to remain there that evening. From Clyde we proceeded to Cromwell, where we held service both going and returning. Mr Drake has the affection of the people, and his preaching appears to be appreciated. He visits nockbum, &c, in the neighbourhood, and now and then goes to Wanaka. The third Sabbath (27th April) we dispensed the Communion at the Arrow and at Queenstown to good audiences. We were six days in MiRoss's district, and preached ten times. • • • . In returning from the Arrow homewards we held service in the open air on the banks of the Kawavau. Mr Ross sent a message on the Sabbath evening that we would meet with the miners at 11 o'clock on Tuesday forenoon. The cottage was too small for them, and so we adjourned to the open air. The weather was delightful. There, surrounded by lofty precipitous mountains, some sat on chairs and forms, and some on blocks of stone ; men, women, and children, from thirty to forty, and listened with thirsty souls to the Gospel of Peace. The people were chiefly Welsh and Orcadians. The glistening eye and falling tear indicated the state of their souls Our fourth Sabbath was spent on the Waitaki, at Omarama, and Bonmore. We were sorry we could not visit Bendigo, where there is a number of Welshmen and others well-dis- i posed. On reaching Wanaka, we found wo I had no time to go to Cardrona, 18 miles dis- j taut. Mr Campbell was from home, being expected to arrive the day after we left. We had a fine meeting at' Albertown, in the! sohoolhouse. The teacher there is a Mr I Worsop. Mr Goldie, a miner from the Car-! drona, being informed of our arrival, came ! down to the meeting. He is one of the fruits j of the revival in Scotland. He was most ] anxious that we should go to the Cardrona, j but we were sorry it was not in our power. I He conducts a meeting among the miners j there, aided by one or two others. . . . ! It would be well if we had a man to send to stay a month or two at a time at each of these j places From Wanaka, after enjoying the magnificent scenery of the Lake, we wended our way homeward. The first day's journey was over a wilderness, in the Scripture sense of the term. For 30 miles and more there was no wayside house to rest and refresh ourselves and horse. So having made provision beforehand, we halted by a creek and boiled our " billy." Mr Rylevgot the water and I prepared the five ; and "we were soon rewarded by a billy full of good tea, flavoured with sugar and milk. Having partaken of our mid-day meal amid these solitudes, Ave made the mountains resound with a song of praise, and then proceeded on our journey. _ We crossed the Liudis thirteen times in passing through the Gorge. As we drew near to Morven Hills, we came upon a man in a fiat breaking in a horse in a very solitary place. We invited him to come to the meeting at Morven Hills Station that evening. A little further on we came upon two miners, one of them an old hearer of I mine at Oamaru. He and the horse-breaker both came to the meeting, some four miles or so. The most of the men on the station were from home. However, we held a meeting l with a dozen or so, which was appreciated. There are about thirty men there, and the most of them would subscribe if a minister ! were got for the Upper Waitaki. We were sorry that the manager was from home, but we were kindly and hospitably received. On Saturday the 3rd May, we reached Omarama. Next day I went to Benmore, 10 miles up the plain, and Mr R. preached at Omarama. The audiences were small but appreciative. We reached Kurau on the following day, and held a meeting at night. Mr Little, the manager there, reads a sermon to the people on the Sabbath, and engages in prayer. He has, | however, only one tune, which is a disadvantage. We hope this will yet be rectified."