VISIT OF BISHOP SITTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 116, 9 May 1868, Page 3

VISIT OF BISHOP SITTER.

PUBLIC TEA MEETING. On Tuesday evening last, a public tea meeting was held in the Council Chamber for the purpose of receiving his Lordship the Bishop of the diocese. Considering the extremely short notice which had been given, a much larger company sat down to tea than was expected. The tables were presided over by ladies of the congregation of the Church of the Nativity. The comestibles comprised a variety of confections and other good things, and the arrangements reflected great credit upon the contractors, Messrs. Brown and Sutherland. About 134 persons partook of tea, and the company j was afterwards augmented by a number of persons who arrived late.

Upon the cloth being withdrawn, the Rev. H. F. Butt took the chair. A hymn having been sung, The Chairman said he was glad to see so many at their tea meeting, as these things were not so common amongst Church people as they were amongst those of other denominations. They were calculated to do a great deal of good. He had always thought they might celebrate the anniversary of their church. The object to-night was two-fold —to welcome amongst them their Bishop, who was prevented from meeting them last time by reason of the floods. The second subject was that of affoi'ding greater convenience in the church, which was too small for the congregation, and required considerable enlargement. The committee would give them a report as to what had been done.

Mr. Alfred Dobson said the informal tion he had to give respecting the enlargement of the church -would not be so clear as he might wish. Three months ago they held meetings with the view of considering what amount of additional accommodation was required, and the best way of proceeding as to the designs to be adopted. They took some steps to raise subscriptions! On the 3rd of February last, after a meeting had been held and £SO subscribed, there occurred a flood, which stayed all their plans. They saw it would fall very severely upon parties to contribute at that moment to increase accommodation when they had to provide current expenses. Many lost much during the flood, and after that a depression in business caused by it seriously staggered men’s minds. They did not think it was then the best time to press the matter. They let it rest till the people should have time to recover from their excitement. On the building site within the last two or three weeks they found themselves less forward than in Januaxy last. Some had put down their names to subscribe who now felt themselves unable to do so to the amount put down. The Committee, also } did not feel unanimous in opinion as to the best course to pux-sue. In January lost they had resolved that it was not expedient to remove the church from the' present site. A subsequent resolution was passed expressing the desirability of enlarging the building, and pxcviding for carrying out that object. On the com* : mittee’s going into the subject more in detail they were some of them of opinion that as regards enlarging the church, fencing and planting the ground, it would d be unwise to spend, so much money upon, ; that site. Under these circumstances the church officers wished to ask the opinion. , of the congregation before further steps n should be taken. But it was their inten-/i tion to call a meeting for next Tuesdayfc evening to settle the matter. There other sites 3ao\? ptocurable at not muel

outlay. They wished, then, to have the opinion of the whole congregation, and those not able to attend were invited to send a written opinion. If removed it was thought the site ought to bo somewhere between the Omaka bridge and the Maxwell Road bridge. Some had said they never saw the church crowded, but the church officers were frequently much embarrassed to find seats. There were oidy 18 or 20 free seats, and these were generally full. There were frequently vacancies in some other seats, especially those belonging to distant members, but it was impossible to tell before the service commenced whether they were going to be used or not. One of their church officers had no sittings, and there were other applications. No doubt there was a necessity for increased accommodation. They considered they should rather consult the congregation once too often than do anything to slight their opinion. The expenses they estimated at £l5O or £l7O. At one of their church meetings the subject of fencing in the church grounds was hi ought forward and many parties were eager to help in doing so, and in planting out and cultivating, to shelter , and adorn the grounds. (Applause.) The Right Rev. the Bishop of N klson, on being called upon by the chairman, said, he felt much obliged to Sir. Dobson for the clear and lucid statement he had made regarding the state of things and the question to be brought before them. The chairman had been good enough to say this was the first gathering of the kind. He trusted it might be the first of many, and productive of much benefit to the church generally. There was nothing harder than to afford information about what was going on in the midst of that body of which they might be members. These meetings did much to take away the reproach of ignorance as to church matters. If people doa’t take an interest, it is because they may not have been given information upon various points of interest, He had great pleasure in meeting them in this way. Certainly one meeting might bo similar to another, but not so altogether as regarded one’s feelings and affections. One went into a room of this kind, when there would be a chairman presiding, singing would commence, a tea would be dispensed, and addresses would be delivered, and so on. But they knew that certain peculiarities marked all these various places, and it was his wish always to throw himself into the spirit of them. He now tried to forget all the brightness and pleasure experienced at the Picton meeting last night, for Blenheim. And firstly, it afforded him great pleasure as the Bishop of the Diocese to see the good friend he and they respected so much—the Rev. Mr. Butt, —one in the providence of God called to carry out very important movements. In times gone by he had had much to initiate and to establish. For the future he hoped he would have quieter and easier duties before him. He was thankful that Mr. Butt considered it his duty not simply to confine himself to that place, but to give his attention to the adjoining districts, as far in one direction as the Kaikoura. He was glad he had been able to carry out that kind of work. If he described it he would say it was very much like that kind of work which an Archdeacon performed ; and he proposed when he returned to Nelson to request him to accept a title in consideration of the work he had been doing for many years past. It was said there was nothing in a name; but there was something in a name. The title of Archdeacon was one always really regarded in their Church with great respect, and in this case commended itself to the Church in respect of him upon whom it was conferred, seeing beforehand that the work had been performed by him to whom it was offered. But this had to be done formally. He could now merely announce before them of his intention to ask him to accept the office of Archdeacon of Marlborough. (Applause.) He thought in a short time he would have a good deal more to do to qualify them to be of use and conducive to the interests of the Church. He (the speaker) would feel gratified by Mr. Butt being willing to accept the best he could offer him in appreciation of what he had done in the Diocese of Nelson, and of the interest he hoped he would ever feel and take.- He was glad to find here as elsewhere many laymen to supplement the work of the Church. Some of these understood the spiritual wants of the Church, and the impossibility of supplying the ministrations pf a regularly ordained clergyman, and Krould be only too ready to ofter themselves Hi this matter of lay assistance. They were Hound to look on the things of others, and ■hi) st anxious to get the chief centres

well worked they desire that they, the districts, the richer and the nearer of access to the means of grace should be enabled to help the outlying districts ; enable them to multiply their services. He had to thank those lay readers who assisted Mr, Butt up the Talley and on the coast. It was a verysolcmn thing to minister in the congregations; and ought not to be taken up lightly but with the spirit of prayer and dependence upon the divine blessing. Many of the young look forward to help their pastor in work of this kind. It was a solemn office, because it was like a city on a lull, seen on all sides, and it was necessary that they themselves should see there was nothing in them contradictory to that they had to teach from time to time. He hoped some others besides the present would come forward and ex tend their ranks in this particular direction. There were many places where they might avail themselves of, the services of lay readers ; but there was a degree, in some persons, of what he would define as modesty and pride. There was a very thin partition between these two. Shyness had a good deal to do with pride. Nine-tenths of shyness was to be attributed to pride he feared. In some respects it was a good thing because it could be cured, as they knew pride was a sin. People did not like to break down before others. But he never knew one successful speaker who did not know what it was to break down once. Whether prepax-ed for teaching or othewiso they ought to come forward if they had a desire or saw a duty in doing so. One young man he knew in the midst of a maiden speech broke down and just when he found himself at a perfect stop said he begged to say he had lost the thread of his argument, and sat down. Next time he made both a better speech and carried it out to the end. Let them not be too anxious about their first appearances befoi-e people. Let them think moxe of their work in hand, not because they would say something but because they had something to say. Some young people thought they could do much better than other people. Let them try. Many parties thought they could deliver a better discourse, perhaps, than a clergyman, and on the first or second occasion it might be good, and even bettor than the average : but that was not the point; they had to sustain the interest and provide a continued supply of information. Then about the removal of the church, he should bo glad to see it brought about, unless there wero more difficulties in the case than ho supposed. It was a question whether, ns things were, their foundation was firm. Ho was inclined to think a change was desirable for many reasons. This now being the capital of the province, and the resources of the district being so large, these led him to desire that the Church of England should occupy a fitting place in the arrangements they had to make. One thing the Committee should like to be able to say, “I have got a site for you.” I don’t know whether any-ono has got a site to give for God’s glory. Ho did not like the way of some people, whoymight say they had got a site and grant it at a nominal price, and then when it came to tho point they would ask for it as much as any other body. The church should be easy to be got at and apparent to anyone passing along the main thoroughfare. In a dark, wet, and windy night the present one was the more felt to be out of the way. One church warden said to him the other day, “ I’ve got up to all kinds of excuses from people for not coming to church.” They were bound to do away with excuses .as far as possible. If the building was brought more in the way of the congregation it would bo more benefit them. He agreed with Mr. Dobson, because it was not filled that more accommodation was not wanted. On certain occasions more room was wanted in a church than usual. Additional seats would increase the amount derived from pew rents, so that they would really soon pay back the money paid upon them. He was anxious to see something more done with reference to the wants of the church. He was anxious to See some of those districts supplied not only by lay readers but ordained clergymen, especially in other parts of this Valley. There was a small endowment fund belonging to the whole diocese, as this got divided it was necessary for the earlier parishes to bear their own burthen and allow the endowment fund to go to less populated districts. There were a diocese fund and an endowment fund from which grants were made both to Blenheim and Picton., As the grants could be spared from these they would joe available for other quarters ; as it was intended rather as- a fixed fund for helping parishes for a short time, and after it was their duty to provide for tlxemselves. Since he had got more conversant with Blenheim and its neighbourhood he thought it was in in a position to support its own minister.

Last year only £75 had been contributed as a stipend to the minister; the rest had been made up by special contributions and a grant from the endowment fund. Blenheim was really of dimensions sufficient to justify the hope that Blenheim would not continue to require part of the funds of the diocese, but be able to remunerate an incumbent of the quasi parish of the parochial district. The chief obstruction at present to Blenheim being made a parish was that they had not sufficient funds for an incumbent. Till that was remedied they could not go further in that direction. They did not so much want large contributions as that more persons on their part would help on the work of the church. At home young persons in service contributed largely to the funds of the church if they took an interest in it. To them we look for assistance in our work here. People would take more interest too in the’ church if they contributed more to its funds. He was glad to have the opportunity to thank the officers who have taken part cither as vestrymen or as church officers. Sunday schools next deserved his attention. The Sunday school ought to bo made a nursery for the church. And if the system of provincial education made no provision for religious tuition, how much more necessary was it to attend to Sunday schools, and for churchmen to qualify themselves for teaching. They needed an increase of teachers and classes would be more numerous if more young men would come forward He saw many before him who had the necessary ability if they had the will. He would ask them whether God might not bless them more if they taught than if they were idle. If they waited,, too, till they had all the qualifications for any office, there were none they would ever have to take. No doubt they ought to have a certain amount of diffidence, but they should not be without some amount of confidence in the value of the talent which had been intrusted to their keeping and use. Some might bo loth to leave the social table, the conversation of friends, or the enjoyment of a book or such like, to go and teach ; but if they waited to do good without sacrificing some gratification of ease, they would always wait. They had only to look fit the "work and the wants of those for whom they had to work, and they would then cast themselves on the help of their Master and become useful in His cause. Ho would be happy to hear of some being induced to join in tho work from what he had said ; and they might believe him when ho said that those who worked tho hardest for Christ would themselves be the happiest. The brightest and tho most cheerful Christians were the most diligent. Those that had the work to do always got time to do something more. Whenever ho wanted anything done ho always went to one that had plenty to do and he was never disappointed. Of the prospect of the Church in Nelson generally ho thought he might speak on the whole with thankfulness, being one full of hope—not on account of tho present state of things but because their temper was favourable to an increase of tho work of tho Church in all directions. He hoped to hear of nn increased number of candidates for confirmation. A few would be presented to him next Sunday morning for public and actual entrance into their Church. Looking a little further, ho regretted to [think there were many without the means of grace. Along the West Coast very few efforts had been made for the large mining population. Services were given at Westport, but there were other places well populated that had no minister. This state of matters could could only be remedied by funds of the Church generally being forthcoming to support one who would carry the gospel in and out amongst the scattered population. It might bo difficult to find such a one. From Nelson ho was happy to say that colporteurs were sent out with Bibles for sale, and they had exhausted their stocks over and over again, being warmly greeted wherever they went. Regarding religion generally, he could not understand how matters might go, and what might be the end of changes. Because sceptical views were held by many whose lives were perfectly moral, some of the young mighti.be inclined to think they could not be wrong in enquiring into these free opinions; but it certainly was wrong, for what would unbelief lead to when all other influences died away. Many of those moral persons were brought up in families where their influences of religion formed their moral tone in tho first place. In the time of the French Revolution men saw to what atrocities and disorder the holding of sceptical views led to, and how soon they were banished from the scene. He hoped it might be given to them in New Zealand to have more communion amongst the different bodies of Protestant Christians. The only difficulty in carrying out this Was not in any want of desire, but

in the practical details. His idea was that the ministers themselves should not say much in tho matter, but leave tho laymen to bring about the change. During the Deformation the merchants did more than tho ministers. These great movements must find a motive power in the feelings of tho laity themselves. He could not expect much unlesss the body of tho members of tke Church of England, Presbyterians, AVesleyans, and other protestants expressed their desire to their ministers and discussed the practical details in carrying out such a work. Because they had their different places and forms of church government he did not see that they should be deterred from a hearty and seemly union. Although they had different folds they had one Chief Shepherd, There was a real union in faith and purpose though they went by different names. They were not separate in faith and purpose though some would wish to make it out. The Church was really invisible and consisted of members scattered throughout various forms of membership. He was not so anzious to take away the dividing rails, but to seo them make an effort in those things they had in common. There was a great movement afoot at home for the annexation of tho AVesleyan body to the Church of England. He did not suppose there were more members from connection in tho Church of England than in tho AVesleyan Church. Their differences may be conducive of a profitable rivalry between denominations. He dared to say they would have to make a strong stand for the AVord of God, and ho believed the Church of England was the real bulwark of Christianity and many others would suffer if that were swept away. Ho had detained them too long, but his visit was one rather of expectation. There was plenty to _be done, and they did not want any sleeping partners. He would have an opportunity of speaking to them again on special topics on Sunday next, and he hoped also young and old would come forward for confirmation. In tho afternoon ho would have a service at the Bush. He would be glad if any members of tho congregation would express their opinions upon the subjects he had spoken upon. He hoped God would keep thorn from such disasters as they had suffered from at different times in this locality. (Applause.) The Dev. Mr. Bussell on being called upon expressed his pleasure in seeing the Bishop of Nelson amongst them and listening to his address, tho catholic spirit of which was admirable, and ho agreed with him that tho points upon which they differed were not to be spoken of in comparison with those great points on which they agreed. A unity of spirit and fellowship was much to be desired. He hoped on any alterations or removal of their building they would be blessed with a largo measure of success. (Applause.) Bev. Mr. Butt said he was thankful for tho Bev. Mr. Bussell’s good-will towards them. Eor the flattering words of the Bight Bev. Bishop he was utterly unworthy, having been an unprofitable servant: being unabla to do much that ho would desire to do.

Rev. Mr. Tudor said he would not trouble them with an address, but as he thought the removal of their Church of much importance, he proposed that ten persons, including himself, should give £lO each towards the object. (Applause.) No one volunteering to second the proposal with the next £lO, — Mr. Hoe sox was asked his opinion of the removal, and said he thought it ought to remain, ns there was no nicer site in Blenheim. They did not depend upon waifs and sti’ays to go there. Next Tuesday evening the matter would come before them for decision, and perhaps the Rev, Mr. Tudor would allow his offer to stand over. (Applause.) The Right Rev. Bishop. —That is, gentlemen, on the other side of the question. (Laughter.) Mr. Wemtss said he would certainly have seconded the Rev. Mr. Tudor’s proposal had he not known that Tuesday was fixed for deciding upon the matter. He differed from Mr. Hodson, and did not think a large sum of money'should be spent in the present locality. They had to walk to the Church with great discomfort at times, and especially on dark evenings. He would second Mr. Tudor’s offer on next Tuesday evening if required. (Applause.) The Rev. Mr. Tudor said he would allow his offer to stand good for next Tuesday, (Cheers.) Prayer by the Bishop, followed by the Benediction, brought the proceedings to a close.

We regret to be compelled to state that the usual compliment to the representatives of the Press was omitted on this occasion, nor was any convenience provided for reporting: the proceedings.