SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEW-ZEALANDER. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MEETING.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 101, 8 May 1847, Page 2

SUPPLEMENT TO THE NEW-ZEALANDER. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MEETING.

On Tuesday evening last, the friends of the Piebhji. lian Church met in the Hull of the Me rhuiiirs' Institute, for Ihe purpose of adopting i ebullitions tow ar«U the erect ion of a church, and juocunug a clergyman fiom Scotland. At an caiJy huur the touiii, w Inch contains about 200 persons, Man filled to overflow ing } and we rejoiced to observe a large porion of our haid uorking respectable mechanics present. On the motion of W. S. Giahame Esq., Dr. Sinclair, the Colonial Secret aiy, was unanjmoijsh called to the chair. Ihe proceedings we»t« opened by an upptopiiate pniyt-r for the Divine Wesbing \>y Mr. Uoirie : after w-t.ich tlie chairman lead the requisition by which the meeting was convened, and made a few introductory remuiks explanatory of its objects. He also alluded to the incalculable benefits m Inch had Jbeeu conferred on Scotland bv the Mesbylerian

Chinch, ami the great necess.it> whica existed in Auckland, and its neighbourhood, for pastoral superintendance, and the ordinances of religion in accordance with those principles to which his countrymen had been all attached from their earliest years and were longing again to enjoy. He stated that the present movement had originated from no parly motives, nor hostile feelings, towards other denominations of Christians, but simply from a desire to meet the pressing destitution as icgarded religious instruction of a large portion of those who were iinnly attached to the Presbyterian form of worship in this commuiiity. A. Shepherd, Esq., Colonial Treasurer, then rose and made some very touching and impressive remarks, on proposing the fir»t resolution ; and in conclusion observed, that as so much time would jet elapse before a church could be built, and a pastor obtained, he would impress on all present the importance of attending to the state of their families, and endeavour to prepare the minds of their children for the seed whicii he hoped « otild soon be sown amongst them. He referred to the advantages they at present enjoyed by having t.ie Gospel preached both in the Episcopalian and Wesle) an Churches, and exhorted all present to attend upon these opportunities of public worship, until they had a Pastor of their own. — Mi. Shepherd then read the following resolution which he proposed to the Meeting for their adoption. 1. That there being a large portion of the inhabitants of Auck* land and it* vicinity, warmly attached to the principles o f the Presbyterian Church, and anxious to enjoy the ordinances of religion according to ils standards ; it is resolved, that a strenuous and immediate effort be made to secure that object, by erecting a suitable place of worship, and endeavouring to obtain a propeily qualified Pastor from Scotland. Mr. Why t law seconded the resolution, and ob. served, that he had much pleasure in finding him. self amongst so many of his countrymen in this far distant land, met together for the purpose of expressing their attachment to the Church of their fathers, and their anxiety to enjoy the ordinances of religion, in that simple form which they believed was in accordance with the word of God. It was not to be wondered at that Scotchman, especially, were attached to the Presbyterian Church, m hen it is considered that that Church had conferred such invaluable blessings on their native land, and their forefathers had endured such sufferings, and submitted to such saeiifices in maintaining its principles and defending ils liberties. It had been his, Mr. Whytlaw'* privelege, when lately in Scotland, to be present at the meetings of the General Assembly of the Free Church, and he expressed the wish that all present had witnessed, as he had done, the Christian spirit, the harmony and the zeal which characterized all its proc-e-lingi, and seen tlit thousands who daily listened to ils deliberations. On one memorable night he remembered being present when deputies were introduced by the venerable Dr. Chalmers, from the churches of Switzerland, France, Germany, and other parts of the continent, who had been sent to present the right hand of fellowship to the Free Church, and to express the admiration which the noble demonstration made by it had excited in the minds of their brethern in the countries tliev had come from. He, Mr. Whytlaw, felt it an honor to belong to such a church. The Free Church, continued Mr. Whytlaw, is not sectarian in its feelings or conduct towards other denominations of Christians. In proof of which he would advert to the circumstance, that whilst the honor of oii ginating the great movement, now in progress at home, namely the " Kvangelical Alliance," belongs solely to Mr. Henderson, of Park, near Glasgow, a much respected member of the Secession Church there, the Clergymen of the Free Church were thetirst to sign therequisition, calling the conference at Liverpool, at which not fewer than 17 deno niuatious of Protestants were present. It is earnestly to be hoped that a like spiiit will be displayed by all parlies here; and he rejoiced to refer to thesenlimenls of the Uev. Mr. Lawry, and the Rev, Mr. Muddle, expres-ed at the meeting recently held in that Hall for the promotion of asimilar'object to that which they themselves had in view. Mr. Wh)tlaw here read extracts from the published addresses of these gentlemen, and said, that he thought he expressed the feelings of every one piesent/as he ceitdinly did his own, when he said, that lie cordially responded to the sentiments referred to, and would rejoice tv go hand in hand with all who truly sought to reclaim the vicious and ihe ignorant and to guide them heavenward. Mr. WhylUw begged timber to observe, that the movement he was now endeavouring to support had arisen from no spirit of opposition, from no feeling of rivalry towards other bodies of christians — boti 10. bid that it should be to. lint, Sir, continued he, who could look unmoved on the multitudes ot our countrymen around us, who because they could not overcome the scruples they felt towards the forms of other modes of worship tiiuu (hat which they had been accustomed in their native land, were rapidly losing their church going habits, and were, with Iheir families, fast verging towards a state of absolute indifference to all religion whatsoever. It was lor me sake of tlie»e as -.veil as for their own sukes, that tue present effjrt was being made to piovide a place ol uotship, and obtain an acceptable Pastor. But now, as lo the method of raiting the money fur their present objects. He Mr. Wlutlaw hail supposed that iheir were near 1) 1000 Presbyterians in Auckland and its vicuiihj of these, he considered that about 200 might be both a-ble and willing to aid Iheir cause, and in Mat number probably would be found 0 to subscribe the sum of £50 making jcqoo 1 10 '• tf «• «• 30 «• 300 20 " " " " 20 «• 400 50 " " " " 10 ♦• 500 100 " " « « 6 •• fiOO Making a toial of „„ „... £2000

ii You see, continued Mi. Wujtlaw, tlie thing can ,1 be done if 3011 are only willing, (cheers and i laiigliier.) But as it might be inconvenient or s impracticable for many to pay such 6iuns at once, - it is proposed that payment of the 'subscriptions i be taken by instalments at four periods, the Hist ] instalment to be paid this month, the second in • November next, and the two following in the l montlu of May, and November IS4B, thus giving • you 18 months to pay the whole, by which time we expect to have our Church built, and a clergyman amongst us (Cheers ) licit Sir, it is now time to speak of what must be considered the most important part of our work, and that is the obtaining of a suitable Pastor from home, as all must allow that on his character and abilities the ultimate success of our undertaking wild under the Divine blessing, mainly depend. We must in lact have a superior minister, one eminent for his piety and talents, and whose prudence and sound judgment will command our respect and secure our confidence. When in Scotland he, Mr. Whytlaw, had an opportunity of conversing with many of the leading men of the Fiee Church, when he endeavouied to impressjihem with the importance of this field of usefulness, and the urgent need there was fot a faithful and devoted minister to labor in it, and he was glad to say that all to whom he spoke expressed the deepest interest in our case, but said" where are we to tind the willing man." On one occasion he had the pleasure of breakfasting with Dr. Chalmers at his own house, when he explained to him the condition of this colony and begged his powerful aid on our behalf. The Doctor felt deeply for our destitution and said " Tiuly, Mr. Whytlaw, I know not how we can help you, lor our very popularity puzzles us. Theieareat the present time more than 200 congregations belonging to the Free Church, )et unprovided with a Pastor; but if you can find the willing man, I am sure that our church will give all the aid in its power to forward your object." Thus, to find the willing man being the business, he Mr. Whytlaw did the utmost in his power to discover one, who might be both well qualified and willing to come to this country, and he is happy to state that there is good reason to believe that one in every respect suitable, would be vtilling to come if called by such a numerous and necessitous body as we are, and of him both Dr. Chalmers and several other eminent ministers of the Church said, •• If you get Mr. — - you will have the best man we could possibly give you." The Committee you may appoint this evening will therefore make it a special object in their communications with the Free Church, to endeavour to obtain a Pastorso highly recommended. Mr. WhUlaw further stated that in corresponding with the Colonial Committee of the Free Church he had suggested to them, that, in the event of it being found impossible, in the mean time, to give us a permanent Pastor, the church might allow one or other of her ablest ministers, who had " borne the burden and heat of the day" during the recent eventful times, and health required that they [should take a sea voyage, a two years leave of absence, and send him out to this colony, the climate of which might be so favorable for recruiting his energies. And thus our necessities might be supplied until a permanent minister could be obtained. In conclusion Mr. WlntUw, said that he had to apologize for the length of time he had detained the meeting, he felt that he had very imperfectly advocated the cause he had so much at heart, yet he could not but think it an honor to take part in the proceedings of that evening, which he hoped would be instrumental in ultimately conferring an inestimable blessing in the community. Mi. W. S Gralmme, in a neat brief speech, moved the 2nd Resolution, as follows : — 2. — That from information laid before this meeting, 'there is good reason to expect that a Pastor, well qualified by hit piety, talents, and judgment, to labor in this important bj)heie of usefulness, maybe obtained from the Free Chmch of Scotland, as also some pecuniary aid towards the maintenance of the said Pa>tor, during the lirst two years of liis ministry; a Committee bs appointed to communicate with tha Colonial Committee of tlie Free Church on tho subject, and authorised to state, that in the event of the Fiee Chmch being unable to send a suitable Pastor, the Colonial Committee ol that Church should lay our application before any otlier Presbyterian Church in Scotland, most likely to tupply us with a well qualified minister. Mt. Gorrie then rose to second the resolution, and said, that them tequired very I ill 1 o to iie said after the very full and encouraging statement given by his friend Mr. Wintiaw. The motion stated that a P<istor well qualified by his piety, talent, and judgment, should be obtained from the" Free Church ofScotland,''asalsosome pecuniary aid towards the maintenance of the said Pastor during the first two years of his ministry. Now, this was just what the meeting wanted— a little assiitance from home. He believed that no Church ever exerted herself more than the " Free Church of Scotland." The accounts given in the Newspapers were most astonishing, and notwithstanding her momentous duties at home, she was willing to assut us in Auckland. Now, seeing what she was able and also w iiling to do. let that meeting catch the same spirit and shew themselves Scotchmen; and he trusted that not only his own countrymen, hiii nidny Knglish and lushinen who nre tiieinlly to the cause, would cordially unite with them in the great and good work the) had in Iwind. lit hoped the meeting uonld shew by their subscriptions to night th.it they weie in earnext, and which would he creditable to themselves. He was higlih delighted to see such a respectable meeting, ami all so much interested in the proceedings. Mr. Gorrie concluded by sa)iiig— we must now make an extraordnmiy exertion, as we have dela)ed too long m coming fomaid. It is a shame thfit bo many Presbyterians shoul » l»ei i Auckland without a place of Wot ship, but hi us now do our duly. Mr. Mobertsun moved the 3rd Resolution : — 3. That the fo'.lon iug gentlemen namely, Dr. Sinclair, Messrs. A. Shepherd, 1) Itough, W. S. Grahame, W. Gome, m\ Whytlaw, J. Robeitson, J. Walkei, 11. Graham, 11. MacKenzie, K. Mitchell, W. Gooiil'ello*, and T. Cleghorn, live - of whom to be a quorum, be appointed the Committee, Air.

Whytiavv, C'uiu'ener, to communicate with the Colonial Committee of the Free Church of Scotland, receive and collect subscriptions and to adopt all other necessary meaiuie* to carry out the objects expressed in the foregoing ret,olutions. Also that A. Shepherd, Esq., be requested to act as Treasurer of the fund* collected, until Trustees be appointed by the subscribers. Mr. David Rough said, that in seconding the resolution he would only iresspass on the patience of the meeting for a short time to observe that he thought this Committee would have a very seiious and responsible duty to perform, for it was of the utmost consequence that the first Presb)teii<in Church should be established in Mu-li u manner as to command the respect of all' classes. It was not only the benefit of the present community (hat they had to consider, but of those also who might soon arrive in this Colony, and especially of the rising generation who were to live in it after our day. Hut although an onerous, still he trusted it would be found a pleasant duty ; for himself he looked upon it as a great privilege to be permitted to take apart in so good a work. We are seeking to connect ourselves with a Church which for its zeal and its sacrifices in the cause of religion is looked to with admiration by nearly the whole Protestant world. — With such an example then let us cordially unite and earnestly work together for so good a purpose, let our hearts be engaged in it, and soon he trusted we should see a Presbyterian Church assuming an eminent position amongst the other Christian Churches ot this country. But, he, Mr. Hough, was deeply impressed with the truth of Mr. Whytlaw's observation that the success and. usefulness of the Presbyterian Church would mainly depend upon its first minister; and lesc the gentleman to whom Mr. Whytlaw had alluded should be prevented from coming to Auckland, he thought that the Committee should both collectively and individually (as far as they had influence) strive to impress upon their friends at home ulio might be disposed to aid us, that we do not desire to have one who would seek for reputation by entering into controversy with chris* tians of other denominations, or by taking an active part in the politics of the colony, but one of the many excellent clergymen of Scotland, who would maintain the dignity of his church, by Hitf purity of his life, and his anxious care for tuo[ spiritual welfare of his peopie ; for such a Pas •/ tor would be a blessing not only to his own flocky but to the whole cause of Christianity and totue best interests of this Colony. The Resolutions were all carried unanimously J Before the second resolution vras put from then chair, Mr. Makepeace rose from the body of the* meeting and made a few remarks approving oC the objects of the meeting, and congratulated those present on the prospects they now had of obtaining what had long been their anxious desire, namely a faithful I'astor from Scotland. At the close of the proceedings, a portion o£ the 102 nd Psalm was sung, after which the subscription papers were laid on the table, and be- , fore the meeting broke up, the sum of £728 was subscribed j and since the meeting took place* the sum ot £392 has been added, making a total of £1120 at present on the subscription List.