The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, February 9, 1915. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1358, 9 February 1915, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Tuesday, February 9, 1915. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In an article headed “ Early Churches —historical and reminiscent ” in the jubilee issue of the Wellington Evening Post of yesterday, reference is made to the pioneering work of the Presbyterian Church, which is of interest to Foxton Presbyterians, having reference to the mission work of the late Rev. James Duncan. The writer says : “On 4th April, 1843, the Rev. James Duncan arrived in Wellington, having been sent out by the Reformed Presbyterian Church as a missionary to the Manawatu Maoris. He stayed in Wellington for a while until he could master the Maori tongue, and while here was called upon by what has been called “ a section of Presbyterians morally and intellectually influential” to be their minister. He had in his congregation English and Scotch dissenters aud members of the National Church of Scotland. Mr Duncan, though ministering to a different congregation, was yet associated with Mr Macfarlane in openinig the first church built by the settlers. Mr Macfarlane left for Scotland in 1544 and did not return. Mr Duncan having gone to his labours in the Manawatu, St Andrew’s was for some years without a minister. Mr Duncan and the Rev. John (Dr,) Inglis — who had also come to undertake Maori mission work —conducted services as frequently as possible, though they had to come from as far sway as . Foxton for the purpose.”