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THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND.

It having become generally known on Saturday last that the Bishop of New Zealand might be expected to arrive hourly from Port Nicholson, a public meeting was held that evening in the Surveyors' Mess Room, to prepare an address, to be presented to his lordship on his arrival. Notwithstanding the' short notice given, at the appointed hour a very large and respectable portion of the inhabitants were assembled. It having been proposed and seconded that Captain Wakefield should take the chair, Mr. Titchener, after a few prefatory remarks, proposed the following address, which was seconded by Mr. Tuckbtt : May it please your Lordship— Actuated by the i same feelings as those which dictated the addreis presented, to you on the occasion of your visit to our sister settlement of Port Nicholson, we offer you our sincere congratulations upon your safe arrival amongst us. Convinced that the improvement and ultimate happiness of the human race — the great object in the eyes of all honest men of whatever denomination — has been the inducement to you to leave the country of your birth for this of your adoption, and cheerfully to make all the ■acrifices which such a step requires, we cannot but feel assured tha^our residence in these islands will be attended with the most beneficial results, not only to the members of that church which has found in you so able and devoted a servant, but to the many others who, though differing from you in Wrtters of doctrinal opinion, have the most perfect confidence in the purity of your motives, and the .litest respect for your character and your talents. A remarkable feature in the system of colonization which has been adopted in these settlements, is the just provision which it makes for the future

support and happiness of the native population. The certainty with which. We contemplate your co-operation in the attainment of so desirable nu end, is not the least source of the satisfaction with which we hail your arrival. It was then proposed by Mr. Empson and seconded by Mr. Tod, that H. A. Thompson, Esq., be requested to present the address to his lordship on his arrival. The names of a large number of gentlemen having been given to form a deputation to accompany Mr. Thompson, and an evident anxiety existing with all to be of the number, Mr. Elliott expressed his apprehension that some inconvenience might arise from the attendance of so many, and proposed that the twelve gentlemen whose names were first given to the chairman be requested to form the deputation. This was agreed to, with the understanding thaj any person not being of the deputation might attend, if he wished to do so.

On Sunday morning the Government brig was 6een in the Gulf, and came to an anchor in Bolton Roads about ten o'clock. His lordship immediately landed, accompanied by the Rev. — Ray, and was received by H. Augustus Thompson, Esq., and Captain Wakefield. His lordship proceeded to the Surveyors' Mess Room, where the Rev. Charles Saxton was performing divine service; at the conclusion of which his lordship appointed half-past two in the afternoon for a second service, at which hour the room was completely filled. His lordship delivered a sermon, after the service had been performed by the Rev. — Ray. At the request of the Bishop, the presentation of the address was put off until Tuesday ; and, arrangements having been made for his residence in the house lately occupied by Mr. W. Curling Young, a large tent was, during the Monday, erected in the inclosure behind the house, which is intended to answer the purposes of a church. On Tuesday, at half-past twelve, the deputation waited upon his lordship. The attendance of the gentlemen residents being so very large, his lordship received the deputation standing in his room, and shook hands with all who were able to obtain admission. Mr. Thompson then read the address, and handed it to his lordship, with a few appropriate remarks. We have done our best to secure an accurate report of the Bishop's reply ; but as it is written from memory alone, we cannot of course convey more than a general idea of the scope of his observations, which were to the following effect: — Mr. Thompson and Gentlemen — I feel most deeply the kindness and warmth evinced towards me by the several communities .settled in these islands. The more gladly do I receive and respond to your congratulations, as to those which welcomed me in the sister colony of Port Nicholson, because of the open avowal that those congratulations proceed from a body of individuals professing a variety of opinions upon matters of vital importance. This circumstance brings home to |my mind a conviction of the sincerity of all who have placed their names to this document. Whilst, then, I gladly receive, and most heartily acknowledge this mark of your kindly sentiment towards me, I feel that you will appreciate what is said, if once for all my own opinions are declared to you. I would do this in language at once mild and temperate, yet firm and uncompromising. Here I find a community of individuals differing from one another in/ religious tenets. For myself, I arow myself a member of the Church of England. I take my stand upon those principles which have stood the test of three centuries — the principles of the Reformation. Since the days of the Reformers, the Church has had to undergo a fiery trial. Through the mercy and .grace of God, she has come forth from that trial unscathed, uninjured, and unaccused. I have been, and am, a member of the Church of England. I regard it as one of the most glorious privileges of which a man can be possessed, to belong to her communion. I have most carefully examined all her formularies ; they are in strict accordance with the pure word of God : and so wonderful is the adaptation of all her services and ordinances to the moral and spiritual wants of man, that I am almost lost in astonishment when my mind dwells upon these subjects. With these views, gentlemen, I need scarcely add that I can make no compromise in religion. Most thankful should I be were all of one mind in this matter. But, although it seemed right to speak thus plainly my convictions, let me assure you that I devcte all I have and all I am — every energy and every grace wherewith God may be pleased to endow me, 'to promote the welfare of these colonies. Because I am a churchman, I trust you will ever find me the friend of all — ever ready to communicate the advantages of my own knowledge, experience, and advice to all, whatever be their station, their colour, or religious denomination. If there be any mode of expression more clear than another, in order to convey to you my anxiety to assist all to the utmost, that is the language I should wish to employ. Gentlemen, there remains for me to notice the conclusion of your kind address, in which you introduce a most congenial topic ; and in which you allude to the system of colonization adopted in ther»- settlements, and to the just provision made for the future support and happiness of the native population. Yes, this is indeed a cause for congratulation, that we are engaged in the first endeavour in the history of British colonization to form settlements upon the principle of preserving and elevating the native race. Herein you may reckon upon my earnest and zealous co-operation. Who shall speak of sacrifices who is employed in this glorious work ? Here we meet with a race 'of men remarkable for their intelligence, remarkable for deep religious feelings — a race of men well calculated to shine forth' as a bright ornament of the British crown — the gem of British co- | lonies. I look forward to the period when we shall have institutions for their careful training ; | nay, I even anticipate the day wheron, God willing, I may lay hands upon a Christian* lirtive and commission him to go forth with authority as a minister of the everlasting Gospel. I feel naturally anxious about the native reserve*; for

upon their right use may depend the eventual success of those measures which are commencing for the advancement of the Maories, and tlie amalgamation of the two people. My own views have received confirmation this day from a letter written to me by Lord Seaton (better km>wn to to you as Sir John Colborne), a man of great practical experience. He observes, that all our efforts for christianizing the people of these islands must be warmly seconded by their instruction in other matters, so that in the next generation they may be enabled by their farming operations, &c, to secure for themselves a sufficient and comfortable maintenance. Allow me further to remark the necessity for the strictest justice in all our dealings with them, and to urge upon all to walk worthy of their Christian calling, that bad example on our parts may not prove as stumbling blocks to the aboriginal, inhabitants of New Zealand. Once more, gentlemen, I beg to express my obligations and gratitude for the attentions and kindnesses with which I have been received. The deputation then retired. About five o'clock on Wednesday morning his lordship, accompanied by Mr. Thompson and Dr. Wilson, started in one of the Company's boats for the Motuaka, and returned on the evening of Thursday. It is, we believe, his lordship's intention to make a stay of some weeks with us.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NENZC18420827.2.9

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 25, 27 August 1842, Page 99

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,607

THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND. Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 25, 27 August 1842, Page 99

THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND. Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 25, 27 August 1842, Page 99

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