ST. JOHN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5219, 13 December 1877, Page 3

ST. JOHN’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

TEA AND PUBLIC MEETING. A tea and public meeting took place in connection with the above church last evening. Tea was provided in the schoolroom at halfpast six o’clock, of which a large number of the congregation partook. Mr. McDonald, of Manners-street, was the caterer, and the utmost satisfaction was evinced at the liberal manner in which he had provided for the large assemblage, the articles being abundant and of the very best description. The tables were presided over by the ladies of the congregation, and the arrangements were perfect. After the tea meeting the company adjourned to the ehurch, where a public meeting was held. The proceeding were opened with an impressive prayer by the Rev. Mr. Shferriffs. The Eev. Mr. Paterson said he had around him many of his brethren from various parts of the colony who were attending the General Assembly, and who would address them that night. He therefore would not detain them long. There was ho special object of the meeting save for the purposes of reunion, and also that that day was the anniversary of the opening of the church. He would call upon the Eight Eev. the Moderator, who had presided at the late sittings of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, to address the meeting. That gentleman was well-known to be full of ideas, and as Moderator he had to remain mute. He would now have an opportunity of speaking on the various subjects which came before the Assembly. The Eev. Mr. Barclay said he believed that there were three ways by which ecclesiastical business was done—by reports, overtures, and motions. The first report he would allude to was one by Mr. Paterson on missions. He regretted that the mission fund last year showed a falling off in regard to the South Sea mission, and he would point out that it was essential, to, carry out this Christian work properly, to have funds, as the natives of the South Seas did not possess means; hence the missionaries must rely upon the liberality of the Church here. With regard to the Maori mission there was also a shortness of funds, but he was pleased to hear that the Church of Otago had also a Maori mission, and were possessed of plenty of funds and tew Maoris; and it was suggested that if we found the Maoris the Otago Church would find the funds. The- rev. gentleman next referred to the efforts of Mr. Bruce in raising subscriptions for the Widows’ and Orphans’ Fund. The result of his labor was that £6OO had been collected. With reference to residencies for ministers, he thought it was a wise economy to provide a manse in every case. He noticed that in the scheme no proposal was made for a manse in Wellington; but he hoped that when the Assembly again met here they would be able to hold their meetings at the manse of the minister. He spoke of the debt on St. John’s Church of £2OOO. However, he did not look upon that as a large amount for so rich a congregation, and was of opinion that ten or a dozen of the wealthy amongst them could pay it off in a few years. With regard to the Education Bill, he thought when the clause was struck out providing that the public schools should he opened with prayer, no aid should be given to denominational schools. After reviewing other matters, he referred to what was called Presbyterian visitations, and he thought in many cases they would be attended with good. It was proposed to draw up a manual, and distribute it among members of the Church, which be believed would do a great amount of good. It was also decided to have printed an exposition of the Presbyterian faith, as it was astonishing the want of knowledge which was displayed by members of the Church. If the pamphlet was distributd widely it would do a large amount of good. He spoke of the funds lying to-the credit of the Church, and instructions were to be given to the trustees to invest the money more profitably than at present. The history of Presbyterian Assemblies was the history of religious liberty, a history of vast and successful efforts to extend spiritual knowledge and the establishment of religious liberty. ° He concluded by expressing his stron" hopes of the progress of X s resbj feriauism in the future. , , ~ The Eev. Mr, Bruce said a remark had been made to him that evening to the effect that he was not to make a dry speech, but say somethin" funny. He was asked to begin with the sustentation fund. That was a question of money, and on that question most people were serious, and he was afraid he would have to make a dry speech. The sustentation fund was for the support of ministers. Some congregations had not done their duty in supporting°minister3, and it was proposed to deal with the question generally, so that the Church could do as a whole what could not always be done in particular cases. It was proposed to give every minister a salary of £250 each. They would all recognise that that was not too liberal a salary. Certain checks were provided that each congregation should do its duty. He alluded to the sphere of the Moderator’s labors being in a remote corner, but he hoped ,to see him in,that position which his eloquence and ability so well fitted him to occupy. A more perfect union of the Church would be brought’ about by the establishment of a sustentation fund, and they would thus have a closer knowledge of each other. It would also bring about a state of things by which each minister would receive his salary on a stated day, so that his mind would not ho diverted from his true work by pecuniary embarrassment. If all the branches of the Church combined, he had no doubt that the sustentation fund would prove to be a glorious success. They had recognised that Wellington was the capital of the Church, as well as the capital of tho colony ; and it behoved the people of Wellington to do their duty, or tho question might arise of removing the capital of the Church to another place. (Daughter.) However, he had no doubt that the good people of Wellington would do their duty.

The Rev. Mr. McLean, of Queenstown, alluded to the kindly reception ho had received in Wellington, Before he came North ho had

but an indefinite knowledge of its people, and he was glad now to find that they were his brethren ; and he hoped that brotherly love would continue to increase. He remembered reading -the voyage of Columbkill from Ireland to Scotland to dispel the darkness of' Druidism, and he thought his mission was nobler than that of Robert Bruce struggling for the Crown of Scotland, and hurling the invaders back from his native soil. _ When he looked upon the number of people in spiritual darkness, he thought his life would be well spent if lie succeeded in bringing even one of those within the fold of religion. He spoke of the knowledge he derived from his attendance at the Assembly. The Rev. Mr. Waters said he simply came to Wellington to express the goodwill of the Chnrch of Otago to the* Preabyterial Church l of New Zealand. The meeting was a social one, and he believed it was absolutely necessary to cultivate a spirit of benevolence ; and he would address himself to the younger' of those present. Some time ago a Dunedin newspaper called him a blasphemer for connecting cookery with conscience ; although there was no doubt that it was a great element in social happiness. A pretty face and a good figure also entered into it ; but there could be these without a home being happy. ■ But good sense and a knowledge of cooking would go along way to make a happy household. He advised no young lady to have anything do with a man who had not a good conscience. He would carry back with him the highest impressions of the people of Wellington and its ministers ; but Svould advise the young people to look to cookery and conscience. ' The Rev. Mr. Fraser, of Waipukurau, said he felt much in the position of the Irishman who was picked up, and asked if he was dead. “No,” he replied, “I am not dead, but I am speechless.” Well, he would say the General Assembly had knocked the speech out of him. He alluded to Sabbath schools, and said it was a modern institution, but still it did not receive the prominence it deserved. In America more attention was paid to Sabbath schools. They were calculated to strengthen the hands of parents. They had to step in and take the place of those parents who neglected the spiritual education of their children. The best book to be chiefly used in the Sabbath schools was the Bible. It was the word of God, given to us that we were . not to live for a time, but for eternity. He exhorted parents to send their children to the Sabbath school, and to see that the instruction of the school was supplemented by that of home, and also to see that the instruction of the school was not counteracted by what took place at home. He compared the Sabbath school teacher to a flower in Texas which always pointed to the north, and often saved travellers who had lost themselves. The Sabbath school was to teach the heart more than the head. He remarked at the General Assembly that there should be a due observance of the Sabbath. After ’ reading an article in a paper that evening he was sure he had struck the nail on the head. There was a paper in Scotland which was somewhat noted for certain opinions, and it was recognised that the safe course was to take an opposite view. He was satisfied on reading the Wellington evening paper that day that it was a journal of that description, and he would advise his hearers to take an opposite view. The Rev. Mr. Paterson said they should not conclude without expressing their high appreciation of the efforts of Mr. Raymond and the choir, who had contributed so much to the enjoyment of the evening. A vote of thanks was accorded with acclamation. In this connection, we may mention that the rendering of the various pieces of sacred music by the choir was really excellent, and showed that the able tuition of Mr. Raymond has had a splendid result. The solo by a young lady, “ I know that my Redeemer liveth,” was particularly worthy of praise. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the ladies for their efforts in making the tea greeting a success, and to the visiting brethren of the General Assembly. The benediction brought the proceedings to a close, and the large company separated at a quarter past ten.