The Pulpit.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 317, 9 March 1878, Page 8

The Pulpit.

THE EVANGELISTIC MISSION. The religious services which have taken place for some days past in Wellington as conducted by the Rev. Dr. Somerville, have been attended with that measure of success which most unmistakeably shows the deep and earnest hold that reverend divine has taken of the community. Since his opening address he has never failed to attract immense audiences, which have been regularly attended by the leading classes of the community of all denominations; his impressive style of delivery being such as to render it quite an intellectual Bible treat to listen to him throughout, for he never allows his audience to flag, but keeps their souls as it were fixed on his discourse. On Friday the Manners-street Wesleyan Church was again well filled, when the rev. gentleman chose his text from the 2nd chapter of Matthew, referring to the wise men of the East being directed to Christ by a star, when they worshipped Him and offered presents, after which Joseph fled into Egypt with Jesus and his mother. The whole chapter was included in the text, which enabled the rev. divine to deal with the subject most comprehensively, and in a manner to impress his hearers to the utmost. In referring to one portion of the text, he drew prominent attention to the many who made a profession of religion, whose minds were sordid — of the earth, earthy — and who did more injury to its cause than those who professed less. They were all in fact who professed the Gospel responsible for its progress, and in accepting its benefits were in duty bound to be earnest in their desire for its spread. On this theme the discourse was grand and eloquent in the extreme; every illustration of the text being given with that sublimity of idea which fairly carried away the attention of the hearer, and showed the urgent necessity of assisting in the great work of humanity and religion throughout the world. THE REV. DR. SOMERVILLE AT THE THEATRE ROYAL. Religious topics of all others, when spoken of in a truly evangelistic sense, curiously enough, continue to attract the world, and in this little world of ours — the city of Wellington — there has rarely been wanting an instance in which such has not been the case. Everyone remembers tlie recent agitation in reference to the Education Bill, wnen a certain section came promptly forward to prevent its progress through Parliament, and very properly got it liberally amended, so that the interest might be represented; and every one knew the result of that endeavor. But in the mission ordinated by the Rev. Dr. Somerville, and which has now been nearly carried to a conclusion, professing Christians of all denominations have been drawn before him, his gifted ministrations being such as to thoroughly enthral the attention of his audience, besides enabling them to derive many well-drawn precepts which, in religious calculation, must be afterwards reckoned in the measure of his efforts. Brilliant, characteristic, and eloquent, enthusiastic in the very highest degree, with a power of speech which clothes the truths of the Gospel with a color which cannot be misunderstood, it must be admitted that the reverend gentleman’s desire has been fully accomplished, viz., that of spreading the Gospel, so far as in him lies, to every creature. And in his efforts in that respect he has been ably assisted by the local Evangelistic Society, which, possessing members who have the cause thoroughly at heart, have done their very utmost to secure that free and open admission to all which has, and always will prove the grand medium towards a thorough re-vivification of the Christian Church. We are led into these remarks by the religious observances of Dr. Somerville, who has long ere this proved himself a thorough patriot in the cause of religion, and already has drawn such audiences to attend. On Sunday morning the Rev. Dr. Somerville addressed a numerous audience of professing Christians, and in the afternoon at the meeting at the Theatre Royal the place was fairly crammed. The text was given from Ist Peter, 1st chap., and 8th verse, “Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, ye believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” The whole address was one magnificent address of biblical reading from beginning to end, its every shadow showing

forth that God was for God and all—the one Almighty and all-saving Creator. Descriptions and similies interspersed the rev. gentleman’s theories in reference to the true religion of Jesus Christ and were persuasive in the extreme, clothed as they were with that tinge of the painted ideas of the other sphere with which the world has ere now become acquainted. The whole lecture from beginning to end was a most magnificent exposition of Christ’s life on earth, his many acts for the afflicted, and for those who had been dealt with — perhaps hardly through life—being beautifully drawn, so as to show that the saviug mercy of Jesus was the one end all they had to care for, as the brilliance of Christ’s wisdom; the extension of his power, the eloquence of his speech, were everywhere—here and there, and whereever they might go, He was to be felt; — from the scaffold to the grave He was to be found. His emblem stamped them all if they would only endorse it. There was nothing in the shape of want in His camp, which was the Church of Christ. All was there and prepared, and the blessings of salvation were their’s if they liked to partake of them, and take a part in that camp in which they all should occupy a such prominent part. With such a brilliant notion of eternity before them, the reverend gentlemen observed, they should make their endeavors —each and all—to promote the cause of Christianity, as it was that which brought “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” The reverend gentlemen went on to observe that in this faith in God there was love in the unseen, faith in the unseen, and joy in the unseen; and in each of these particular phases he fairly engrossed the very closest attention of his audience. Descriptive and intellectual as well, an evangelist in the true sense of the word, he appeared to enwrap every one’s attention, and concluded a most comprehensive address by an exhortation to remember their religion and their God.

Dr. Somerville and his addresses have been heard everywhere, but we think in no place to better advantage than in Wellington. The mark he has made amongst the social world will not soon be forgotten, his every exercise having been for the well-being of those who are so acquainted with his ministrations. During the rev. gentleman’s stay amongst us the Bible has been dealt with in its most comprehensive sense; its beauties have been unfolded, and Scripture has been taught in a manner which has rarely been heard before. As we have previously said, and may now with all conscience repeat, the addresses of the Rev. Dr. Somerville have been the most successful of any which have ever been offered to the city of Wellington; and, as such, have been well attended, the audiences upon all occasions being most attentive in the extreme. On Monday the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street, was crowded, when the rev. gentleman again delivered an address. He chose for his text the 6th chapter of the Epistle of John, 47th verse — “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth in Me hath everlasting life.” The rev. gentleman clearly pointed out that it was faith which brought them salvation; faith in Him whose blood had been shed for their eternal welfare, and who was always awaiting the acceptance of His grace. The address was an eloquent exposition of Gospel truths, and fairly glistened with similes and theories reflective of the study of the other world, and of that faith which duly possessed would undoubtedly bring “ joy unspeakable and full of glory.” The Rev. Dr. Somerville’s mission in this city closed on Tuesday, and the venerable evangelist has proceeded to Wanganui. His preaching has continued to attract with unabated interest large audiences. The reverend gentleman’s style of preaching while simple is original, indicates a profound acquaintance with human nature, is marked by a wide range of general knowledge and an intimate acquaintance with the Scriptures. But the most noticeable features in Dr. Somerville’s preaching are his remarkably apt illustrations and his unusual dramatic action. The former are always skilfully employed, never taking the hearer’s attention from the truth intended to be conveyed, but always directly leading to it; while the latter, though frequently excessive, is never offensive, but in the highest degree natural. When to those is added intense earnestness, it is no marvel that the reverend doctor should hold his audiences with wrapt attention for an hour and a-half, and that conversions should follow the venerable gentleman’s preaching, accompanied by a vitalising of the Churches.

At the noon prayer meeting yesterday, after one of Dr. Somerville’s usually stirring addresses, evidence was given of the character of the last fortnight’s work. Ministers bore testimony of numerous accessions to their respective churches, and of the cheering indication of an increasing continuance of those. Others spoke of conversions they were personally acquainted with, while an old and well-known resident referred to the pleasing fact that a larger amount of union existed between the various Churches of the city at the present than at any former time. This evening a convention of the united Churches will be held in the Manners-street Wesleyan Church from 7 to 10, when subjects of general and local importance will be discussed. The closing hour will be occupied by a final address from Dr. Somerville.

The services of religion so ably taken up by the Rev. Dr. Somerville were brought to a most successful conclusion on Tuesday evening in the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street, when a large assemblage again appeared to listen to the evangelist’s address. The theories brought forward during the mission of the reverend gentleman have been so able, so instructive, and so touching that no further reference may be necessary, although it must be stated that they have been accompanied with that graphic and illustrative power which the evangelist most undoubtedly possesses. In his hands the Book of God speaks volumes, and shows tlie many results which its various exhortations bring about, his in-

terpetation of the various portions of text being such as to positively enthral the attention of the audience. With the subject before him, and the audiences in front, Scripture in its true sense has been developed, and true religion shown — a religious treat to which Wellington has not listened to for some time back. Revivals and revivals have taken place, and prominent amongst these must be reckoned the work of Dr. Somerville, who takes the Bible entirely for his basis. Yesterday evening in the Wesleyan Church, Manners-street, the rev. gentleman gave a farewell address, when, in a speech of great length, he referred in the most eloquent terms to the saving love of Jesus, and liis all preserving power. Jesus was everywhere, his influence was always in them and around them, his kindness was always visible, never ending, never ceasing, but the same unswerving love which had always shown itself throughout the world. The rev. gentleman continued to observe that, possessing as they all did the right to salvation within their reach, it behoved them to secure it when they could, and so earn for themselves that everlasting mansion which would continue to endure. With brilliant illustrations of various portions of Scripture the address was interspersed, forming in point of fact a chain of Biblical truths grand and sublime in the extreme, words about which hitherto many were in doubt were explained with a vigor which in fact gave them life. In concluding his address the rev. gentleman thanked the clergymen of the city for their kindness during his mission, as likewise the ladies and gentlemen of the choir, together with the Press, for the assistance he had received during his sojourn in Wellington. During the evening he was frequently applauded, the audience throughout the whole of his address being most attentive.

The Reverend Dr Somerville proceeded to the Hutt on Wednesday, accompanied by his son and 18 members of the choir. He preached an eloquent sermon to a congregation numbering about 100 Europeans and 50 Natives. Mr. Baker acted as interpreter. Afterwards, tea, coffee, and other light refreshments were served in the school-room. The Natives appeared to be impressed with the feeling manner in which the reverend preacher addressed them, and were evidently much pleased with the excellent music of the choir. Several hymns were sung, in which the congregation joined, and which bad a very pleasing effect.

THE LATE BISHOP OF WAIAPU. Speaking of the funeral of the late Bishop of Waiapu, the Hawke's Bay Herald says: Close to the grave of the late Sir Donald McLean now lie the mortal remains of Bishop Williams—a man no less useful to this country in bis day and sphere than the late Native Minister. All classes of the community were present at the burial service, and excepting the occasion of Sir Donald’s funeral, which took place on a Sunday, we do not remember seeing so large a gathering in the cemetery. Most of the clergy of the diocese attended in their canonicals, and the service was impressively read by the Right Rev. E. C. Stuart, the new Bishop of Waiapu, and the Rev. H. W. St. Hill, the temporary incumbent of St. John’s. The Rev. Samuel Williams also read a portion of the burial service in Maori, which seemed appropriate at the funeral of the first missionary Bishop of Waiapu. This part of the service was read with much solemnity and feeling, and was engaged in by all the Maoris round the grave. As a mark of respect to the deceased, nearly all the places of business, public offices, and banks were closed from 2 to 4 o’clock in the afternoon. We noticed at the funeral most of our leading residents in Napier, and many of our country settlers. It was a touching scene, and one that will not soon be forgotten. The ministers of other denominations in Napier were also present, a fact which goes far to prove the estimation in which the late Bishop was held by all Christian religionists. All who spoke of the late Bishop mentioned him with deep respect, and the feeling throughout the large multitude who assembled to do show honor to his memory was that for affability, geniality, sound experience and caution, for Christian feeling and demeanor, together with a deep insight into the character and wants of the native race, the late Bishop stood almost without a rival.