The Pulpit.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 316, 2 March 1878, Page 19

The Pulpit.

DR. SOMERVILLE, THE EVANGELIST. On Friday evening Dr. Somerville, the noted evangelist, addressed a large audience at the Wesleyan Chapel, Manners-street. The building was well filled in every part, the gallery being likewise represented by a numerous and influential audience, which appeared throughout the evening to take a deep interest in the proceedings. On the temporary platform erected were seated the most prominent clergymen and members of the various congregagations in the city, together with a large number of ladies and gentlemen, who, with the whole audience throughout the Rev. Dr. Somerville's address, appeared to be deeply impressed, Even from an outside point of view, the meeting seemed truly evangelical, and bore ample testimony that the mission he had undertaken had not been in vain; for with that style of speaking which so captivates hearers, the rev. gentleman kept the meeting almost thoroughly entranced during his deliverance. The proceedings opened with the singing of the 64th hymn, after which the Rev. Mr. Luxford offered up prayer. The Rev. Mr. Reid then read from the 20th chap. of Revolutions [ie Revelation], and after a few hymns from the choir, Dr. Somerville addressed the audience. His remarks were eloquent throughout, and were mainly significant of the trust to be reposed in Jesus Christ, as the saviour of sinners. He observed that His message to earth had shown His great mission, and on His saving mediation depended that salvation to which they all endeavored to attain. The sins of the past could only be wiped out through Him, and if they appealed in a truly Christian spirit they would not be cast aside. The rev. gentleman was very graphic in many of his eloquent passages, and quite occupied the closest attention of his audience. He dealt with the spotless life of Jesus in language which fairly enthralled the attention of his hearers, and in describing His sojourn on earth, portrayed the sufferings He endured for the benefit of the whole human race, concluding his really most impressive address by an earnest appeal to all Christians to take time by the forelock, and put their faith in God. We might mention that the Rev. Dr. Somerville will deliver a special address to the young men of Wellington at the Odd Fellows' Hall to-morrow (Sunday) morning, at eight o'clock. SERVICES AT THE ODD FELLOWS' HALL AND THEATRE ROYAL ON SUNDAY. We have always heard that the natural progress of events usually bring about their own results; and the sway which the different prominent topics has exercised on communities has been in no place more thoroughly exhibited than in the city of Wellington. In every respect where questions combining the welfare and substantial education of a population are concerned, the Empire City may take credit for endeavoring to foster those best feelings which should regulate, guide, and command all Christian communities. The Rev. Charles Clark has been here, and his audiences on many subjects have filled our various places of assembly. Others of note have likewise seen that when real talent and honest worth have been brought forward, there has always been attentive listeners ; and d& facto the population of the city has been at all times shown to be open to the liberal, free, and intelligent expressions of opinion offered by those qualified to give voice to them. Our remarks have been thus far led away from the meetings of yesterday by the Rev. Dr. Somerville. On Sunday morning at the Odd Fellows' Hall, at the hour of eight o'clock, there was a good attendance, the reverend gentleman taking his text from the first chapter of John —"Behold the Lamb of God." His address, which was listened to with breathless attention, was most graphic. He likened the spread of religion to the spread of a mighty river, which from the source of purity from which it sprang enveloped all places, and all classes of people, and giving them that food without which they could not exist. In its flow, it might affect those who were not prepared, but who in the courye of its progress through their midst should have become acquainted with its outlet. He urged all to unite and become that grand body which had one special view, the salvation of sinners. In concluding his address, the reverend gentleman exhorted the young men present to attend his meeting on Monday (this) evening, and at the close of that to endeavor to form a young men's Christian association. At three o'clock on Sunday afternoon the Evangelist again addressed an immense meeting at the Theatre Royal, which was literally crammed. In fact, to use the phrase of " from floor to ceiling" would hardly describe the extent of the attendance. There was not even standing room in many places in the theatre, aud the audience, which must have numbered from 1800 to 1900 people, appeared greatly impressed throughout the whole of his deliverance. Taking his text from the 4th chapter of the Song of Solomon, 12th verse, "A garden enclosed is my sister, my spouse a spring shut up, a fountain sealed," the reverend gentleman, in terms eloquent and truly impressive, drew a parallel of the natural garden with that which existed in Heaven. All humanity, he observed, was Christ's natural garden. In it He endeavored to spend His time, its every flower and shrub was His own kindly care; their very scent and essence were His particular favor, and their brilliancy, energy, and growth his great desire. The cultivation of that garden was His glorious achievement ou earth ; the sum and substance of His great mission here below. But on looking at that garden which comprised plants and flowers from all nations, and the innermost portions of the earth — where the tropical bloomed with the plant from the Arctic pole He was always to be permitted to pluck one

where He might, and their attention was His own especial care. Those who had gone before, the many great standards of the church and State might be reckoned as so many blooms in that garden, in which they all occupied a place, and it was for them all to endeavor by their conduct to prove themselves worthy of that place in the mind of Jesus—the keeper of the garden in which they all had such a deep interest. Jesus intended that the garden should be open to all. Every description of plant was receivable there, and in a similar way humanity was alike represented. The well-known words of Scripture should alwavs be remembered — "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son;" and in thinking of that it was necessary for them all to take advantage of the opportunities offered them, and endeavor to make their peace with the other world. The rev. gentleman continued his address by drawing many beautiful comparisons between nature and religion as evinced in the thousand and one instances which surround creation, his language being eloquent in the extreme, most descriptive, and many times most pathetic as well. Evangelism, in its true sense of the word, seemed to flow from his lips, and in the closing sentences of his lengthened address, his remarks were listened to, as throughout the rest of the meeting, with the most breathless attention. One solid feeling seemed to pervade the large assemblage, that a gifted speaker was in their midst, — one whose path through life could well and profitably be henceforth devoted in the cause of Christianity. After the singing of a hymn, and an intimation regarding future evangelistic meetings, the audience dispersed. "THE BIBLE FOR THE WORLD."

Monday evening's crowded attendance at the Wesleyan Chapel, Manners-street, on the occasion of the lecture by the well-known evangelist, Dr. Somerrille, on the subject "The Bible for the World," was only another in the number of his many pleasing meetings which he has addressed. The chapel was crowded in every part; the numerous sections of the population appearing thoroughly well represented and greatly impressed as well. Evangelism in its true sense almost appeared to have thrown its halo around every one, and that the Bible and its precepts were the edification of the time. A number of clergymen were present from various denominations, as also the ladies and gentlemen forming the Evangelistic Society, whose services as the choir during the evening were of every value in assisting to carry out the great feature of the meeting, that of "The Bible and the World." After a hymn and some opening remarks by the Chairman, the Rev. Dr. Somerville commenced his address. In introducing the subject he observed that the Bible was truly infallible; and it was the only repository of sacred truths to be found existing — it was that in which God had stored up His promises — the record of the many truths He had through his Son showered upon humanity, and in comparison with which the modem signs of progress were as nought. It had been desirable, and frequently had been shown, that things had been done under the very finger of God without record, but the Bible was the great example of all, and in its exemplification showed all that previously might have been only accomplished in the way of miracles. Many of these had been heard of in the early days, but none had been known for the past 1700 years, and it was the Bible which had accomplished that great and glorious object. Many theories had been set up about the various Churches which had been formed under God's will. The positions of the numerous sections of the Church had likewise been duly demonstrated. Minds might also have changed, but God's word —the Bible —never had. Its foundation was secure, and, like the many fountains from whence its essence sprang, so was it being felt throughout the earth everywhere, distributing its great and everlasting fragrance for the beneSt of mankind. The world had heard of the early times of the Christian era, and although the Bible had lain for many years entombed, it at length emerged into light, and during the last fifty or seventy years more copies' of it had been distributed about the earth than of any other book at present produced. They had all seen pictures, many of which might have been framed in gold, representing the beautiful results of God's work, the amplitude of His doctrines, the comprehensiveness of His precepts, the adequacy of His ordinances, the sublimity of His desires, and these were all to be found in the Bible. That Book suited all classes in the world. Every face on earth was duly depicted, and their lineaments described. Let Heaven and earth pass away, as had been truly written, the Book would remain the same — the thorough, comprehensive, and truthful representation of God's word to humanity; and after the appearance of which, Christianity wns fully established. All Scripture was given by the inspiration of God, although many considered it was merely the illumination of Scripture, whereas, in reality, the truth was that inspiration meant the very substance of the Divine record. "Various writers had given different ideas about Scripture, but wherever they went they could never find fault with it: the wholesome truths it contained were always patent to them all, and never could be gainsaid. Differences had been attempted to be shown in the language of the Bible; but everyone required to bear in mind that it was written for all classes. It came stamped to them with the Lord's inscription, the one beneficent Creator, written in every dialect under the sun, and endorsed by all who lived under its rays. They might ask a musician to play many tunes, each one of a similar nature, from different instruments; but in the Bible the word was the same, and the harmony significant of that grand unison which characterised the whole of God's work. In an imaginary strain they might think of the

leaves from the various flowers and plants which budded and bloomed, not only in the torrid, but the frigid zone, in fact from one end of the earth to the other, and think that those leaves were each messages from the Bible, and the Book itself. To all ends of the earth it had been established, the grand saving medium by. which they might hope to attain to a true knowledge of Christianity arid those glorious ideas of that mansion beyond the skies, in which there were many places—a mansion which comprised, as the Garden of Jesus did, plants of every color and hue, in which it was to be hoped they -would be all represented. The rev. gentleman concluded a most eloquent address by making an earnest appeal to the audience to adopt the Bible as their grand standpoint, and in their passage through life keep it always in view as the one grand exposition in which they should hare faith in its sincerity, sublimity and truth, having so long withstood the buffets of the passing times. At the conclusion of the address a hymn was sung, after which an invitation was offered to those of the young men present to form a Christian Association. The evangelistic services so ably undertaken by Dr. Somerville, and which have already made their especial mark in our midst, were continued on Tuesday evening at the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street. The building was well filled in every part by an assemblage composed of different religious denominations, and the rev. gentleman's most exhaustive address was listened to with the utmost attention throughout. Choosing his text from the 11th chapter of the Book of Acts, 19th verse, referring to the preaching of the Gospel, he dealt with the subject in the most comprehensive manner. The love of Christ, as set forth in the Gospel, he observed, was omnipotent, and always ready to save; it was everywhere visible, both in them and around them, and would continue to endure. Likening that great love to the relief they all experienced when getting eased of pain, or saved from danger, when as it were in the midst of destruction. He made a most eloquent appeal to his hearers to take advantage of it when thev had yet time. The great point was that they should all be awakened to the knowledge of Christ and His love, and in so seeking to obtain salvation, they would be sure to find it. The most earnest and needy souls had nothing to fear — to them all alike, the rich as well as the poor, the most afflicted and distressed, the beneficence of Christ's love was extended, and His healing hand was ever ready to soothe and cool the feveied brow. What more relieving to the poor patient, tossing about on the bed of sickness, than the touch of the physician, whose presence promised health and strength? Scripture had shown that in Christ's life upon earth, He had gone into the highways and byways, seeking to shower His love upou all who came unto him, and in like manner His great goodness was still open for their acceptance. No matter how much they might be afflicted, or how far they were spiritually deceased, His hand was able and ready to save; no matter how dark the pit into which they might have fallen, His was the sunshine, the life, and the light through which they could alone be rescued. Salvation came to them, if they only wanted it, and sought it with a proper spirit, Christ being always present amongst them. As it had been truly said of Him in the sacred volume — "Where two or three are gathered together, there am I in the midst of you," showing that His love was alike to all. The reverend gentleman concluded his address by drawing some beautiful similes as to the love of Christ, and the flowers in His garden of mankind; and made a final appeal to his hearers to take advantage of the opportunity which had been offered to them through the dissemination of the Gospel. At the close of the address a meeting was held in the church, which was attended by a large number of those who had been present during the evening.

As previously announced, a special address for ladies was delivered by Dr. Somerville on Wednesday afternoon, in the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street, and as was only to be expected from the well-known ability of the rev. gentleman, there was a very large attendance, the church being well filled in every part. Although being announced as specially intended for ladies, who were accommodated in the body of the church, the meeting was however open to all who took an interest in the movement, an opportunity which was taken advantage of by a number of gentlemen, who were seated in the gallery. The proceedings commenced with a very impressive prayer by the Rev. Mr. Reid, after which the 119th hymn was sung, "Saviour, Thy dying love Thou gavest me." The Rev. Dr. Somerville then took his text from the 9th chapter of Ecclesiastes, 10th verse, " Whatsoever thy hand fiudeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." In opening his address he began by observing that there was quite a multiplicity of subjects which presented themselves to him in dealing with the grand work of Christianity, and to which, if they did justice to it, they required to devote their whole attention. Drawing a beautiful simile from the historical legend of the action of Queen Cleopatra, who wished to show her great contempt for all the wealth with which she was surrounded, and who was said to have dropped a pearl of great price in some liquid by which it was at once dissolved and drank it off, he observed that many of them in another way did likewise, by casting away the pearl of the immortal soul, which was infinitely more valuable than the pearl of Cleopatra. He further adverted to the conduct of the noble Roman lady, the mother of Scipio, who, casting aside all other considerations, with a mother's true instincts, determined to see her children educated in the true principles of religion so that they might grow up as ornaments to the nation in which they lived. Christianity was woman's great mission on earth, as in the education of youth they had the principal share ; they had the bring-

ing up of their children, and. it was to be expected that the.y should all take a deep interest in its progress. The reverend gentleman concluded his eloquent address by making a most earnest appeal to the mothers to assist him in his mission, and so do their duty to their God and their country. They could do so, he observed, in many ways — by the formation of class meetings, alike for young and old, and by endeavoring to abate the frightful evils arising from indulgence in strong drink, and assisting to establish reading-rooms for all classes, where opportunities would be offered to escape from the paths of vice. Another largely attended general meeting was held in the church in the evening, the rev. gentleman taking his text from the 14th chapter of Hosea, from the first to the seventh verses, more particularly dealing with the fourth verse, "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for mine anger is turned away from him." He alluded to the parable of the prodigal son, and exhorted them all to be earnest in their desire to further and promote the great cause of religion, by which they might secure that salvation which was open to all who sought after it.