Presbyterianism in New Zealand

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24409, 21 September 1940, Page 4

Presbyterianism in New Zealand

Dr Elder’s book is divided into three sections, “The Period of Beginnings to 1860.” “ The Period of Growth, 18601940,” and “The Church and the People.” In the first section Dr Elder gives the essential details of the birth of Presbyterianism in Scotland as introduced by John Knox, who was bred in the school of Calvin and “had set before himself the essential ideal of an educated democracy.” He deals briefly with the subsequent political upheavals, the result of which, he writes. “ served to mould and develop the characteristics which had been engraved upon the character of the Scottish people by the Reformation.” Dr Elder then continues with the coming of the Church to New Zealand. and the preaching of the first sermon. This was by the Rev. John Macfariane at Petone beach, on March 8 1840. The establishment of the settlement and the Church in Otago, by Captain Cargill and the Rev. Thomas Burns, is faithfully dealt with, and the author then describes the beginnings of the

Church in other parts of our country, concluding his first section with an outline of the expansion of the Church in Otago and Southland The second section brings to us the period of growth from the beginnings in 1860 until the present day. It opens with an outline of the development of the Auckland Province, not only as far as the Church is concerned, but also in the political and commercial aspects. The effect of the Maori wars upon the Church is also well illustrated: “One memorable incident occurred on September 14, 1863, when the settlement of Pukekohe East, 10 miles south of Auckland was the scene of a heavy engagement during which the gallant garrison maintained a determined and successful resistance against a superior force of Natives, who were finally repulsed when reinforcements arrived The little church with its battle scars still stands, recalling one of the many struggles between Maori and pakeha.” From this point Dr Elder proceeds to a thorough survey of the Dominion, detailing the rise of Presbyterianism and the story of pastoral and industrial de-

The History of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand. 18401940, By, John Rawsoh Elder. C.M.G., M.A., D.Litt. (Abdn.). Illustrated. with Maps. (Presbyterian Bookroom Christchurch), £1 2s 6d

velopment in each province. A chapter on the Union movement, in which the binding of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand into one body is explained to us. and a chapter on “The Church in the Twentieth Century,” conclude this portion of his work. The last instalment in this illuminating volume bears the title “The Church and the People.” Chapters on “ The Backblocks,” “ The Missionary Enterprise Abroad,” “Th e Church and the Great War," “ Education,” to mention but a few, and concluding with “ The House Built on a Rock,” written by the Right Rev, J, Lawson Robinson, M.A., Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Mew Zealand form the substance of this section. Mr Robinson asks the question. “What of the Future?” and answers it in these words; “No unprejudiced eye can look back over the past years without a quickening sense of the presence and guidance of God. . . . From small beginnings the Church has grown until it has become a force to be reckoned with in the social and moral life of the Dominion. Its branches have spread not only to cover its religious activities in the home. field, but also to give shelter to numerous enterprises in social service, education, and foreign missions. It has interpreted its mission in terms of everexpanding purpose, and it hands down to this present generation the task of carrying forward its work into the years that are to come. It lies in our hands to make the future of the Church even more gloriou c than its triumphant past.

Tins centennial volume shows the work of an institution in which faith is justified. It is the record of a Church Whose work has been dedicated to the furtherance of Christian education, extended not only to those of our own races, but also to the peoples of China and India, to the natives of the Pacific regions. For a hundred vears. Dr Eider says, the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand has striven to adapt the methods and organisation of Presbyto the needs of an outpost of the Empire where problems are essentially different from those of older lands. And he proceeds: “The endeavour has served to establish a Church which can boast that its influence extends throughout the Dominion, and that its contribution to the national life has been of outstanding importance. The proud motto, ‘Nec Tamen Consumebatur.’ has been worthily upheld.”

The author is to be congratulated upon the way in which he has performed a difficult but not an uninteresting task. His book will form a basis for the future education of youth in this country concerning their Church history, and the stirring tale unfolded within its pages, the memory of the quiet courage and fortitude of the early pioneers, cannot but thrill. The illustrating maps contained in this volume, the majority of which show the location of preaching places and Presbyterian Churches in New Zealand, the photographic plates of personalities and places, and the etchings by A. H. McLintock, including a study of the First Church of Otago, provide an added interest. An appendix consisting of a Register of Ministers from 1840 until the present day is included, short biographical notes, being given with every name. J. S. P.