RECEPTION OF DR. GERVASE SMITH.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1248, 7 March 1878, Page 3

RECEPTION OF DR. GERVASE SMITH.

The advent amongst us of a representative of the British Wesleyan Conference has been long looked forward to with great interest by the Wesleyan body. When, therefore, it was notified that Dr. Gervase Smith would arrive in Christchurch as such representative, it was felt that it was necessary on the part of the Wesleyans to give him such a fraternal welcome as would convince the English Methodists that, though parted from them by distance, there was still a bond of fellowship between them. With this end in view, it was resolved that the anniversary of the Durham street church should be made the occasion of formally welcoming Dr. Smith to Christchurch. The rev. gentleman preached at Durham street on Sunday last. A meeting of ministers and office-bearers of the Canterbury district was held yesterday morning, in the church, at 11 o’clock, for the purpose of meeting and welcoming the Rev. Qervase Smith, D.D., representative from the British Wesleyan Conference to the Australasian churches. There were present, the Revs. J. Crump, president of the New Zealand Conference ; W. Morlcy, secretary ; W, Canned, W. Lee, W. H. Beck, J, A. Taylor, W. Worker, J. S. Smalley, W. B. Marten, J. Aldred, J. A. Luxford, and about eighty laymen. The proceedings commenced by the president giving out the 515th Hymn ; after which the Rev. J. Aldred read Rom. xii., and the Rev. J. A. Taylor offered prayer. Rev. J. Crump explained the object of the meeting, and read some statistics showing the progress of Methodism in New Zealand at large, and in Canterbury more particularly, since the Australasian churches were formed into a separate conference from the British. The first minister stationed in Canterbury was the Rev. J. Aldred, and for the progress which had been made they were greatly indebted to the piety, zeal,' and liberality of their lay friends. He then read the following address, which was presented to Dr. Smith: — Christchurch, New Zealand, March (Jth, 1878. To the Rev. Gcrvase Smith, D.D. Reverend and Dear Sir, As the representative of the British Conference, we cordially welcome your arrival in Canterbury. Having our home at the very antipodes of England, we still feel that we arc one in faith, hope, and work with British Methodism. We cherish grateful recollections of tbe help afforded by the English Missionary Society to New Zealand in sustaining the mission among the Maoris for a long series of years, and also of assistance rendered in the early stages of the work among the colonists. Though we now have a Colonial Conference, and sustain our own mission stations, wc are still interested in the progress of the work in Engl nd. We have heard with pleasure of the recent legislation for the admission of laymen to the British Conference, and trust that there, as in the c lonies, the result will be beneficial. We also note the increased activity in regard to Home Missions, as a sign that the mother-church is stiff prosecuting her great work of spreading scriptural holiness through the land. Above all wc rejoice over the revivals w ith which in England you have been favored, and the consequent large increase to your membership during the past few years, and we cannot but feel grateful that the interest of English Methodism in the colonics has been manifested by the appointment of a minister of your stmding and influence as a deputation to our Australa-ian General Conference.

Permit us also to say that personally we offer you hearty greetings. Many of us have had tbo pleasure of hearing you ia England, and to all you arc known by your long and successful advocacy of the Metropolitan Building Fund. We trust your health will bo improved by your colonial travels, and that on returning to England yourself and Mrs Smith will have pleasant recollections of your brief sojourn in the Britain of the South.

Oar prayer is t' at you may be spared to labor many years for the common Master. Signed on behalf of the ministers, members, and adherents of the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the Canterbury district. John Ckusip, President of the Conference, Chairman of the District. Rev, W. Morley supported tho address, in doing which he referred to service conducted by Dr. Smith, which lie had attended in England, and to the firm eland the doctor had taken in reference to certain p tty persecutions for which the church had suffered in England during his presidential year. He quoted statistics, showing the prog pss of New Zealand Methodism since the establishment of a New Zealand Conference, which was considerably greater than in any other of the colonies; and showed that the New Zealand Church was fully alive to the duly of making suitable provision for the comfort of its ministers. He said the English Conference might render valuable aid to the New Zealand Churches by sending out two or three suitable young ministers annually for the next four or five years. Rev. J. Aldred felt that God’s blessing bad rested more abundantly on the Wesleyan Church than on many others. Eighty years had barely passed since Wesley died, and Methodism was now tho largest Protestant Church under the sun. He was glad to welcome Dr. Smith, and had been much blessed by his sermon on Sunday evening last.

Mr J. Ballantyne thought that the English Conference had made a wise selection in sending Dr. Smith. He was sure no one would prove more acceptable to the Wesleyans of this colony, and equally sure that tho doctor would be able to assure tbo British Conference of the unity and loyalty of New Zealand Methodists to the principles of Methodism,

Rev. W. Cannell welcomed Dr. Smith in the name of the Wesleyans of North Canterbury, and said that f)r. Smith was the first British ex-president that had paid a visit to this colony. Mr Garrick had no experience of British Methodism, hut highly honored the Methodist Church on account of the good lie had received from its ministrations, but thought its policy might he modified to advantage. A minister might, for instance, be allowed to remain in one sphere for a longer pei’iod than three years, and communicants admitted ns members beside those who meet in class. He also referred to the growing distaste for the services of lay preachers, and thought the preachers were themselves largely to blame in not keeping pace with the growing intelligence of the population. Rev. W. Lee remembered T)r. Smith in Leeds. Though proud of England as his fatherland, ho was thankful that New Zealand was now his home. He did not believe that non-attendance at the class meeting was the result of spiritual declension, and pointed out that the increase in membership, &c., was not owing to immigration, but was mainly the htma fide result of the church’s labor. Some years ago members of other denominations were included among their own, which have since erected their own buildings, and formed their own congregations.

The Rev. Dr. Smith was glad to sec ladies present, also to see so many laymen. The British Conference would be glad to hear of their sayings and doings in New Zealand. He had been told in South Australia that he would bo able to learn a thing or two while in the colonies, and he hoped he should do so. The address presented to him referred to lay representation, which he was glad to find was so well settled here, and hoped would be soon in England. He insisted on abiding by the principles of Methodism, while adapting it to circumstances. Its present position was the legitimate result of early Methodist movement. There was no need to legislate till there was a proved necessity. Legislators were like poets—not more than one was born in a century. There was a difficulty in the way of extending a minister’s term of residence, owing to the Deed Poll; but probably that would be overcome. It was important that the ministers should preach Christ. That was their first work ; other matters were of secondary importance. Above all things, they must insist on the Divine authority of the Bible, the atonement of Christ, justification by faith, and man’s absolute dependence on the Holy Spirit. There had been great ignorance respecting Methodist doctrine, but ho was glad it was being gradually dispersed. He urged the people to seek a ripe, rich, Christian experience, which was the most satisfactory evidence of the divinity of the Christian religion, and to adhere to the class meeting as a means of grace. The late revival among the Methodists in England, during which 25,000 persons had joined the Church, had settled the class meeting question there, and he trusted a way out of the difficulty respecting communicants would soon be found. The President then stated that arrangements had been made for Dr. Smith to leave for Dunedin this morning, the Wellington friends having magnanimously consented to forego the privilege of his services next Sunday, in order to permit of his visiting the former city. An adjournment was then made to the schoolroom, where an excellent luncheon was prepared. After lunch brief addrees3s were given by the Rev. W. B. Marten, of Ashburton, and by Messrs Walter Lawry and Broughton. In the evening a tea meeting was held in the schoolroom, which was very largely attended. The tables were very prettily decorated, and the provision was most ample. Trays were provided by the following ladies ; —Mesdames Harris, Wilkinson, C. W. Turner, Gould, England, Hale, Turner, Shepherd, Watson, Sorensen, Mein, Gapes, Prudhoe, Candy, Hewitt, Duggan, Ballantyne, J. L. Wilson, Rutland, Messrs Mouldey, Connall, and J. King. Contributions were also received from Mesdames Money, Dearing, Smith, and Johnston, and Messrs King. After doing justice to the provisions, an adjournment was made to the church for the purpose of holding a public meeting. There was a very large attendance, all parts of the circuit being represented. On the platform were, in addition to Dr Smith, the president of the conference, and several of the ministers of the circuit, together with some of the office-bearers of the Durham street Church.

The proceedings commenced with singing Ps. c. and prayer. Rev. Mr Morloy said as this was the anniversary of the Durham street Church, there was a special fitness in asking a gentleman who had been connected with the Church for many years to take the chair. H e alluded to Mr 0. W. Turner, who had been for many yem s secretary to the trustees, and he had much pleasure in asking that gentleman to preside over them that evening. The Chairman said that he did not intend to give them a speech that evening. They ail had before them a printed statement of the financial position of the Church, and he would therefore take it as read. He would only therefore briefly refer to the memoranda attached thereto. Mr Turner then proceeded to give a statement of the financial position of the circuit and Durham street Church, which shewed the debt to bo £2500. He might say as soon as the trustees had been relieved from the debt they would set about building a church like the Colombo road one to take in the large population around PMllipstown. The amount this year required to free the trustees was about £IOOO, and next year they would be prepared with a scheme for Church extension. (Mr Turner then read a memorandum of the amounts required during the year.) He had very great pleasure in stating that their constant friend, Mr Gould, had authorised him to state that he would give 20 per cent., in proportion to the collected, towards the reduction of the debt of £2500,

The choir then sang “ Blessed be God the Father” (Wesley). Rev. Mr Crump (the President of the Wesleyan Conference) desired to offer a warm welcome to the representative of the British Conference, Dr. Gervase Smith, on behalf of the New Zealand Conference. Ho trusted that any idea of alienation from the British Conference, if it existed in the mind of Hr. Smith, would be removed before ho left the shores of New Zealand. Far from this, they were one with the British Conference in the work of spreading the good tidings of the Gospel. Ho trusted that the day was far from them when the influence of their lay preachers would bo on the wane. The choir then sang “ The earth is the Lord’s ” (Mason). The Chairman then formally welcomed Dr. Smith to Canterbury.

Rev. Dr. Smith, who on rising was received with an outburst of applause lasting some minutes, said he was thankful at being able to be present there that evening, and to address so large an assemblage. He might say there was a particular appositencas in tho selection of the chairman of that evening, as he had heard the name of the father of the chairman (Rev. Mr Turner) since ho was a boy. Of all the names that stood out in his memory as connected with early Methodism in New Zealand and New South Wales, that of Rev. Nathaniel Turner stood out most prominently. It was therefore with sincere pleasure that he found a son of that noble man acting as chairman that evening of a meeting for the spread of Methodism in the particular locality in which he resided, being as he was the son of a father who had for his object the spread of Methodism throughout the whole of the southern hemisphere. Ho trusted that the rich memories of those who had gone before would act as an incentive to. make them follow tho footsteps of their fathers. There was really so much to speak about that evening that he hardly knew where to begin. They were there that evening to get off a chapel debt, and he thought that the chairman should have said £25,00 was required instead of £IOOO. He had always found that with a large object before them the congregationa would come forward nobly and extinguish the debt. Ho might say this that ho could not go into a London chapel and hear a report such as had been read that night. As London had done good work for them in the past it was now their turn to return this by contributing towards Methodism in London.

He said this, that religiously speaking, London was the most needy place on the earth, lie knew a part of London where forty-five Methodist families were located and were unable to get to a Methodist chapel. He did not intend to go further into this subject, but he merely mentioned it, as they perhaps might give him a small subscription before he returned to England on behalf of building a Methodist tabernacle in London. [Laughter.] King George and the converted people of the islands had given them £IOO towards this object, so that a start had been made. They intended to raise fifty chapels in London to hold 1000 each. Twenty-four had already been built, and Sir F. Lvsaght had offered £50,000 towards this work if the country would contribute £50,000. Ho (the speaker) had gone down into the country and had been promised £65,000. So they would see that they were in a fair way to have their fifty chapels built ere long. He desired to urge upon them the fact that the building of chapels and Sunday schools, and the support of the ministty, was God’s work. It was, therefore, incumbent upon them to recollect that by doing this they would advance this work. Grand as the works of the Great Architect of the Universe were, they were but links in the one grand chain of man’s life, and over all sat the Redeemer. He was paramount above all, and what people ascribed to chance was the carrying out of the grand scheme of salvation under the sway of the Redeemer. Science was also under the same government, and its teachings were overruled by God to the great end of the salvation of the race. When science was made the enemy instead of the handmaiden of God, she refused to accept the position. Let them look at the light which science had given them in the way of the conversion of the race. Even the last great discovery—the telephone—was, he believed, a means in the hand of God to carry forward the salvation of the human race. It was a great pleasure to him to feel that, though thousands of miles from the old land, lie still felt that he was a subject of Queen Victoria. The power of England was really greater than any of the famed countries of ancient time. [Dr. Smith then quoted a verse of a patriotic song, ending with “There’s life in the old land yet,” which elicited loud and enthusiastic applause.] He felt great pleasure at being able to say a few words to the juvenile portion of the large assemblage before him that night. Ho desired to urge them to decide now in the spring time of their life for the best. They had before them a great work ; their influence, though small, would be felt throughout their sphere. What they wanted was decision of character; let them, when once decided upon the right path, take it at all hazards, though the greatest difficulties stood in their way. Dr. Smith resumed his seat amidst loud cheers.

The chairman stated that the trustees would undertake to provide for £SOO of the debt spoken of by him at the commencement of the meeting. The collection was then made, the choir singing " Gloria in Excelsis Deo ” (Pergolesi). The Rev. W. Morley proposed a vote of thanks to the Rev. Dr. Smith for his services on Sunday last, and for the address he had favoured them with that evening. (Loud cheers.) He desired them to thank their lady friends for the admirable manner in which they had furnished the tables of the teameeting. He begged to move that the best thanks of that meeting be given to the ladies providing the tea. (Cheers.) The Rev. Mr Marten seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The choir then sang “ Oh, taste and see ” (Goss). The proceedings were closed by Dr. Smith pronouncing the benediction. The proceeds of the anniversary services, including the collection at the public meeting, and the promised subscriptions there, amounted to £9OO.