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OPENING OF NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Yesterday the new Presbyterian Church was opened by special services. The church is barely finished, but the schoolroom was so small and so uncomfortable, that it was resolved to get into the new building as soon as possible, and yesterday was fixed as the opening day. The day was beautifully fine, and consequently the congregations were exceedingly large. However, before giving an account of the services of the day, a few remarks respecting the condition of the church may not be out of place. The approaches to the new church are not yet finished, but there is sufficient to show what will be done during the next week or two. The ground on which it stands is fully 14ft. above the street level, and the entrance will be by two large gates from Willis-street, from which start the side stairs, having nicely turned balustrades at each side. These stairs lead on to a large platform, 25ft. by Bft., and from this platform spacious steps, 15ft. long, lead up to the centre of a Doric portico. Here there are four columns, 21ft. high, supporting an entableturel,and pediment, from which springs a belfry and spire, in the former of which is the bell-chamber; this is open on the four sides, and neat balustrading is placed at each opening. The spire is covered with fancy cut shingles, the different forms of the shingles being brought out more prominently by the effective contrasts of the colors with which they are painted. The total height from the street to the final of the spire is 130 ft., and from its elegant appearance and altitude, it forms one of the most prominent and pleasing featui'es in the landscape, whether viewed from the sea or on shore. The entrance to the church from the portico is by three large folding doors, into a vestibule the whole width of the church. Two handsome stairs at each end of the vestibule leads up to the gallery, which is seated for 122 people, and from every seat of which a capital view of the interior of the church is obtained. The front of the gallery is panelled in highly varnished red pine and kauri, giving it a light and handsome appearance. Two large doors lead from the vestibule to the interior of the church. On opening these doors, the most prominent object that meets the eye is the pulpit platform, formed by a large recess in the back wall. This recess is painted in a beautiful shade of purple, and being picked out with gold, the effect of the background is exceedingly agreeable. At each side of the recess are two moulded pilasters, with an ornamental entableture, in the cornice of which is the emblem of the church, a burning bush. The front of the platform is decorated with ornamental panelwork, carved to correspond with the seats, and composed of some handsome specimens of mottled kauri and red pine. Prom this panelwork riseß two carved gas-pillars, with three branches and globes on top. The pillars and branches are picked out with gold ; there is also an elegant revolving stand for the minister's Bible and hymn-books in the centre of the panel-work. The choir are specially provided for in front of the pulpit, there being an enclosed compartment raised about Sin. above the floor of the church, and calculated to hold thirty choristers. This compartment is also formed of panel-work, with an ornamental railing on top. The floor of the church rises gradually from the pulpit platform to the doors, and the seats are arranged to radiate circularly from the pulpit, so that

every person in the church faces and distinctly sees the speaker. The seats are a marvel of comfort and utility, and instead of the oldfashioned book-board with all its inconvenience, Mr. Turnbull has designed a novel book-rack, which takes up no room, and is altogether an ingenious arrangement. The walls inside are wainscotted with moulded capping ; from that to the cornice is painted a warm sienna color, the ceiling beinopainted pale blue. Moulded ribs springing with a curve from moulded pilasters running up the walls, divide the ceiling into panels, and, as the whole of these, with the cornices are constructed of beautifully grained red pine having a high varnish, the contrast with the walls and ceiling is exceedingly pleasing. The seats are constructed of kauri, with red pine ends and coping, all highly varnished, and, as we have already remarked, are roomy and exceedingly comfortable. The windows are of ground glass, with stained margins of blue and ruby in alternate windows, and throw a soft and pleasant light over the whole church. Two sunlights in the ceiling, on a new principle, give a powerful and brilliant light at night, while there are auxilliary gas brackets in various parts of the church. A thorough system of ventilation has been introduced combining all the excellencies claimed for the Tobin system, and avoiding down draught by new and improved New Zealand patent ventilators on the roof. : At the rear of the auditorium there is a commodious vestry and anteroom on the ground floor, while a neat stair leads to several large committee rooms above them; the whole of these rooms are connected with the large schoolroom at their rear, which has served so well for a place of worship during the building of the new church. The church has been constructed by Messrs. Murdoch and Rose at a cost of about £4OOO, from the designs of Mr. Thomas Turnbull, architect of Temple Chambers, and that gentleman has personally superintended its erection. Talcing the church throughout, the simplicity yet beauty of its design, the extent of its accommodation, the chasteness of its decoration, the soft and harmonious blending of the colors, and the great beauty of the native woods employed (and it may be here remarked that the church is constructed entirely of New Zealand timber), and its capital acoustic properties, Mr. Turnbull may well be congratulated on having added another to his professional laurels, Messrs. Murdoch and Rose on the thorough and honest way in which they have carried out his instructions, and the congregation in possessing one of the finest churches in New Zealand. The first service yesterday commenced at 11 o'clock, the officiating minister being the Rev. Mr. Elmslie, of Wanganui. After prayers had been offered, in which the welfare of the minister and people attending the church in the future were specially mentioned, and hymns very appropriate for the occasion had been sung by the choir, which had its force augmented for the time being (Mr. Raymond presided at the organ) The Rev. Mr. Eliislte directed attention to 2 Pet. 21—" For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost;" and 2 Tim iii, 16—" All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness." He said one of the most characteristic features of the speculative age in which we live was the anxiety so universal amongst a portion of mankind to ignore the existence of the supernatural, and this was a tendency which became apparent not only in its dealings with the facts and phenomena of the outer world, but also in its dealings as regards the revelations of the Holy Scriptures. In saying that, he referred more particularly to those men who for years past have been taxing their energies and expending the resources of their learning and talents in order to account for the existence and influences of the Bible without recognising the finger of God. The results of the attempts, he need not say, had been unsatisfactory—as unsatisfactory, indeed, as were the efforts of the ancient Epicureans who tried to account for the existence of a beautiful world on the supposition that it was a fortuitous concourse of atoms or the happy production of chance. We cannot account for the existence of the world in that manner, and if we cannot account for the creation of this material world, with its teeming wonders and countless evidences of a divine Creator without recognising a Creator almighty and all wise, much less likely are we to account for the revelation recorded in Holy Scripture without recognising Divine inspiration. If the finger of God was needed in the one case, much more was it needed in the other ; for if sometimes when we saw nature performing strange freaks and appearing in strange shapes we were reminded that we had not yet taken account of all its capabilities, we remembered that never once in the ordinary development of human thought have any of the grand doctrines of revelation shown themselves. It might be that in some instances—so far beyond the range of human thought were those doctrines even in this age of boasted intelligence—there might be some gigantic intellect to stand aside or gaze in wonder and attempt to pick up a few pebbles on the vast shore; but the only manner in which he could account for the mysteries of the book was by recognising the truth announced in the text that "Prophecy came not in the old time by the will of man, but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." It was not his present purpose tospeakatanylength of thedoctrine of inspiration, although he might properly do so in preaching from the text he had quoted. He wished rather to point to the words as affording tha only proper answer that could be given to the question which might occur to many within those walls that day, " Why have we a church at all ?" Why have we a church at all, or what authority has the Church for the place and position which she holds amongst the institutions in existence in the world ? The age in which we live, notwithstanding all its shams, was thoroughly utilitarian, and in an eminent degree matter of fact; therefore it was not at all strange that such a question as he had indicated should sometimes occur in the midst of these busy times—in the midst of Christian intelligence and activity. In reply, he might say, taking up a very low ground, that the Church was a visible and familiar expression of Christianity, and that the Church or the influence of the Christian religion was of an inestimable value as a civiliser of the world. Even Gibbon, the historian, was ready to admit its value in this respect. He testified that the influence of Christianity had built up from the Goths, the Vandals, the Celts—from the barbarians of the past—the civilised and the cultivated European nations of to-day; and not long since Sir Bartle Freere, who had so long lived in India, delivered a lecture in which he had given explicit and valuable testimony to the influence of Christianity on the several tribes of that great country, showing how much greater was the tendency of Christianity to elevate the race than the religions of Buddha, Brahmin, or Mahommed. If any one put the question whether it was economic to have a church with its many and costly belongings he might reply—would it be economical to dispense with houses, shops, farms, carnages, and ships, and return to the style of life the New Zealander indulged in prior to the visit of Captain Cook. A moment's consideration drove one to the conclusion that not only is the Christian religion the greatest of civilisers, but that even civilised as we now are, were the influence of Christian religion altogether to vanish, we should deteriorate in respect of our social, moral, and intellectual habits and faculties. That was beyond a doubt. It might be that persons could point out the painful fact that in places the introduction of religion had not been attended with success as a civiliser, but the religion had been very partially received and its influences only partially felt, and in such cases they must wait till the time of the Gentiles had fully come. But if ho was called upon to answer the question, why have you a church ? he should not for a single moment think about taking his stand on the ground that it was useful as a civiliser ; he should take his stand on a higher ground, and say, " we have a church, because we have a Bible" a book, the breath of Heaven's inspiration, handed down from age to age from "holy men of old," from which the Divine

will is known unto the children of men. We have a church, because we have a Bible to ■ *,j Church ™ to existence, requiring us to unfold its teachings, to celebrate its ordinances, to publish among the nations the glorious gospel of God, and to instruct the nations in their duty to God. If any one conscientiously said there was no Bible, no book coming to man by the direct authority of Goof, that man could conscientiously say, "there is no church." But if men recognised, as he was confident all thoughtful and unprejudiced men must recognise—that there was truth in the text, and that divine authority dwelt in the Scriptures, then they must recognise the position and high importance whicb Holy Scripture occupied as regards the Church. They must recognise that the Church was of God, and recognising this, must feel that the highest and noblest service they could possibly render unto God in this world was that which they rendered in connection with the extension and maintenance of the Church of Christ. Turning to a more practical exposition of the text, he observed that the words "all Scripture," as used where quoted, signified the Old Testament, and then passed on to ask his hearers in what sense this book was profitable. He would now consider in what was that GocT given book—the Bible—profitable. It was profitable said Paul, writing to Timothy, for its doctrine, for reproof (for refutation, as more correctly it might be translated), for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. These four expressions were arranged in pairs: the former declared that all Scripture was necessary to teach us to avoid what was false, and the latter, " correction and instruction in righteousness," declared that all Scripture was intended to teach us what was right to do. _ It became them (his hearers) in the position they occupied on that occasion, to take a retrospective and prospective view of life. They were brought by the Providence of God to one of those turning points in their history from which they could look backward on the past and forward into the future ; and having both of these views before them, he purposed asking them how far they had profited by the efforts of the ministry—how far they had found all Scripture profitable in respect of those several uses indicated in the text. All Scripture was given by the inspiration of God, and it was profitable for doctrine —soms parts of it more, and others less—but. all profitable. " Give us religion," some men said, "without theology ;" but that was like many of the world's wise sayings, having very little to stand upon. Doctrine was the foundation of all Christian.life, and if religion did not rest upon the foundation of the Bible, doctrine would be a poor miserable thing. The doctrines that laid at the foundation of Christian life might be summed up in three headings, namely, ruin through Adam, regenetion through the Spirit, and redemption through the Lord Jesus Christ. He would ask them had they found this doctrine in the experience of their own souls—whether they knew of the doctrine, not in the letter merely but in their own hearts. He then went on to speak of the Scriptures as profitable for correction, and they all knew right well how difficult that part of the minister's duty was to perform, and how strongly he was tempted to shrink from the discharge of it, because of the danger incurred of giving offence. He might appeal to them at this turning point in their history to consider well this subject. Had they yielded to the influences of the ministry in times past ? Were there those present who had walked in the paths of folly, sin, and shame, and whowere now walking in the light of righteousness and peace. If there were any among them who had not yielded to these corrective influences, then he most lovingly and earnestly appealed to them to do so, and would remind them that the erection of that church would be another witness against them on that day when all would appear before the judgment seat of Christ Correction and instruction in the school of Christ were just as in every other school, they were so closely connected the one with the other. Every teacher knew that the new pupil had first very much to learn, and also somewhat to unlearn, and the two processes must go on simultaneously. In the school of Christ the process was precisely similar. The pupil must be corrected of old influences and habits, at the same time that he is increasing in knowledge and love of God and of our Saviour Jesus Christ. It would be a memorable event in their experience if that day's service in the new church were to be instrumental in bringing some of them to study the Gospel who had long remained outside of its influence. Was it not a joyful thought that this their first assembly in that new house might be the occasion of not a few making their escape from the kingdom of darkne-s and coming into the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. If they must confess that much valuable time had been wasted, and many golden opportunities let slip as touching the teachings of the ministry, why not resolve' to do better in the future—to buckle .on anew the armor of God, and fight as they had never done before—fight so that when the end came they could truly say, I have fought a good fight; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord will give unto me, and not only to me but to all that love him. Before the concluding hymn was sung, a collection was made, Mr. Elmslie making an appeal on behalf of the church, upon which there was a considerable debt. In the afternoon and evening the Rev. Mr. Sidey, of Napier, officiated, on each occasion delivering really earnest and elegant discourses;, but the demands on our space prevent us giving a report of them. The collections were large. In the momiHg, £SS 2s. 2d.; afternoon, £2B Is. 2d.; evening, £35 6s. 7d. Total, £lsl Is. lid. This evening the tea and public meeting will take place, and it is anticipated that the results will bring the amount received at the opening services up to £2OO.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM18751213.2.12

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4596, 13 December 1875, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
3,170

OPENING OF NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4596, 13 December 1875, Page 2

OPENING OF NEW PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4596, 13 December 1875, Page 2

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