REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 117, 16 May 1868, Page 5

REMOVAL OF THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY.

PUBLIC MEETING IN BLENHEIM

In accordance with the intimation given at the tea meeting last week, and since duly advertised, a very numerous meeting of members of the Church of England, and persons interested therein, was held in the Council Chamber, on Tuesday evening last. During the few days previously, the topic was the principal one in everyone’s mouth, and it was evident that the advocates of the removal of the Church of the Nativity to another site, had commenced a canvass, with a view of gaining their object. Those who objected to such a Radical measure, however, were not asleep, and pei'haps at no previous period had such a furore existed relative to Church affairs, and one which cannot be but be beneficial. We were pleased to notice that several ladies were present on the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Butt occupied the chair. After a short prayer, the Chairman stated the purport of the meeting, which was to consider the question of the removal of the present Church building to another site, along with its enlargement. He strongly advocated removal for the convenience of the congregation, and for attracting others to their services. They wanted also a room for classes and evening services, in a situation which would not be so decidedly objectionable as the present. He had received two letters from members. [Read them.] He would not read them, as he did not think it would he proper to do so. The writer of one objected to the removal. One person had offered to do work to the amount of £5, and another to give a certain amount of labour to help to gravel the road to the Church. (Cheers.) Mr. Wemtss proposed—- “ That it is desirable to move the Church to a more central site.”

Ho urged that in a short time they might require two Churches, one towards each end of the town, and it was possible to place both in a position free of floods. The Church might be moved to one of these sites. This arrangement might for a time lengthen the distance to some of the congregation, but they could go more easily to Church along the main road, either on dark or moonlight nights, But he wished to see the congregation make up their minds one way or another. (Applause.)

Mr. W. B. Earll seconded the motion. Mr. A. Dobson said the Church officers were undecided in opinion, and wished the congregation to decide for themselves in this matter. Mr. Wemyss’s arguments tended to anything but a central site—(applause)—and many would feel aggrieved by such removal. (Applause.) Mr. IvissiiiNG came forward and said he felt considerable interest in this subject, as it had been talked of between one and another with much spirit. He would propose an amendment —

*‘ That until the members of the Church of England are in such a position as shall enable them to support two Churches in this town, this meeting is of opinion that it is not prudent to remove the Church from its present site.” Mr. Johnson seconded.

Mr Litchfield said he could not see what difficulty there was in providing a vestry or class-room where the Church was. He thought, with the town increasing, and the probability of two Churches being required, the Church was better to remain where it was, with a good road made to it. Mr. Hodson rose—(applause)—and said he had been asked to express his opinion. If there were two Churches however small, in opposite quarters, it would be a great advantage to many parties out of town as well as those in it, as many parties were moving out of the town to live, whilst they had their places of business in town. They might then have two services, but that would depend upon the assistance Mr. Butt might get. It would therefore be no use moving to the centre of the town, and he would object to building on a small plot of land, as there would be no convenience for people who came from the country and wished to tie up their horses. Mr. 11. Matthews considered the Church was in an out of the way and inconvenient place. He thought it ought to be moved to a public road. Mr. Earll considered the Church was out of the way. If the Church was to be enlarged he would suggest moving it before enlargement, and place it where people could get to it.

Mr. Barleyjian said lie considered nine years ago the Church should have been placed up Maxwell-road or Grove-road. But till they had to erect two new Churches it was better to remain where it was. They had not shown where funds were to come from, nor had they a site to offer. The Chairman said Mr. Budge had long ago offered a site near Dr. Horne’s rest-

dence, and the Superintendent now offered one in the same locality. Mr. Lawrence asked if they had the power to remove the Church. The Chairman replied Yes, with the consent of the Trustees and the Bishop. The land could be sold or exchanged by permission of the General Synod. The Right Rev. the Bishop of Nelson rose amidst applause. He congratulated them on seeing so much interest taken in this subject. He would not offer advice on the one side or the other, as the question would come before him for approval in his official capacity. The proposer of the resolution had spoken of two Churches being required in course of time, and that idea had been before his mind for the last two or three days. If they had been beginning in the place, it was a hundred times desirable that they should have a building, as one speaker had denominated it four square, which could be approached from all directions, easy of access, and on the high road; but they were not beginning, and such a thing would be more difficult now when they might not be in a position to go through the necessary circumstances again. Nevertheless, he saw the two Churches looming in the distance. (Applause.) He did not sec if they put two bays on, it would be much more expensive if they moved hereafter. He did not see but that would meet the case. If the same interest and enthusiasm were shown in maintaining the services that they showed in that meeting, and the same kind of feeling prevailed, the time would very soon arrive when they would have to supply for more increasing wants. He hoped then they might be in better circumstances, both socially and politically. He thought they were pretty equally divided in conviction—those who wore for moving and those for remaining. If it should be decided that the Church should not be moved, he was anxious to see that they should not have met for that alone, therefore he would propose, if he got the consent of Mr. Ivissling and the seconder, the following addition to the amendment:—

“ And that they request the committee already constituted to maintain their efforts to enlarge the Church, and improve the approaches to it without further delay.”

The mover and seconder having signified their assent, The Bishop resumed : He did not think the question of a class-room was set at rest, however this question was decided. It was very desirable to have some accessible room on the high road, where Mr. Butt could meet young people and others from time to time. He hoped he saw the same promise in reference to the steps to be taken for the enlargement of the Church. The accommodation was not what it ought to be, and he should be very shy to admit any clergyman or another Bishop to view that Church as his. It was not in a fit state. Some persons since Sabbath last had enquired whether he felt sore about the knees or the elbows. He'thought people were very patient to kneel there in present circumstances, for lie could not see the decency even of a cushion anywhere in the part where he was. He was glad ladies were now present, because they would be sure to talk about it. (Laughter and applause.) He hoped they would work about it as well as talk about it, so that when he next came amongst them, he would see something better. People tried to make their own houses comfortable and goodly-looking, but they ought, if anything, rather to have the House of God on a higher standard than their own. He thought they had better collect the subscriptions without delay, for fear another flood should come. (Laughter.) He thought there were a great many in the neighbourhood who had only to bo interested, to have their names added to that paper. He would have liked if the Chairman had been able to say, “ I’ve endeavoured thoroughly to look into this matter ; I’ve been over all the ground and sites, and I hope you’ll decide upon the matter yourselves in a Christian spirit.” He (the Bishop) did not think a Church should be in a merely central place, for the centres became full of shops and stores, and very few people took to live in the centre. They would rather reside in the out-districts, and that appeared to be the inclination here. He hoped that whatever motion might be passed to-night, it was not too much to hope it might be passed unanimously. At the same time he did not mind a resolution being passed with a small minority. An Englishman that was timid about being in a minority, was not an Englishman worthy of the name. He had known such a thing as ah attempt being made to pass a resolution unanimously, by making it neither one thing nor another, but there was no fear of that here. He thought when they enlarged the Church, they should certainly add a vestry room; that the clergyman on coming from a distance might have a rest, or get a cup of tea made. He would suggest that

the young should have collecting cards to get subscriptions from those that had money they did not know what to do with. Looking at the increasing number of young men he had seen around them, they ought to endeavour to provide improved ventilation of the building, as well as enlargement. They might improve the windows and apse. These were certainly cunningly contrived, and looked as if made of more valuable material. There might be a carpet within the rails; the communion stall might be looked to, and other articles of furniture provided. Nimble fingers taking an interest in the Church could do much, and be more enlisted in the work of the Church. He hoped, but it would very much depend upon themselves, to be able to provide Mr. Butt with an assistant clergyman in the course of the year. (Great applause.) That hope could only be fulfilled by their providing for his support, and for those residing in other parts of the province he would consider it his duty and his pleasure to obtain such assistance as he might be able. When a clergyman had to go over extensive tracts of country, and especially over such roads as they had, it was scarcely possible to meditate much. He would find the thread of his discourse very much broken. For a place like this, the time that was spent in the saddle should be spent in the study ; he trusted the pathways would be improved leading to the Church. Cambridge, where he had the privilege of graduating, used to be subject to floods, but a lady came to their help that the students might suffer no inconvenience from the want of exercise. She left a legacy for making the pathways all round the neighbourhood, and it now formed a large and most useful trust. He could not tell whether any lady was to be found to follow the example here ; but if there were, he would certainly prefer that the trust should be given whilst the lady was alive. (Applause.) The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was passed with but one dissentient voice.

At the suggestion of the Bishop, the original subscription paper was produced, and a number of those present added their names, making the sum already subscribed for improvements £94 4s, exclusive of promises of, and in the form of labour. Mr, Dobsox, with some feeling, said it would hardly be fitting to avoid reference to the loss of one of their officers since last annual meeting. Mr. Moffitt, who had departed from their midst so unexpectedly, was one who had taken an active part in every laudable proceeding connected with the town. By the minute book he found that Mr. Moffitt was elected Auditor for the ensuing year. They all felt they had suffered a great loss by his death.

Mr. Wemyss said after what had fallen from the last speaker he would only move—

“That Mr. Kissling be elected auditor for the ensuing year.” Mr. Clai-ke seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr. Kissling returned thanks, hoping he would be found to fill the office to their satisfaction.

A vote of thanks to the Superintendent for the use of the room on this and previous occasions, was carried by acclamation, and after the usual compliment to the chairman, the Bishop’s benediction closed the proceedings.