PRINCIPAL RAINY. PUBLIC WELCOME. Auckland, September 6.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 401, 11 September 1889, Page 3

PRINCIPAL RAINY. PUBLIC WELCOME. Auckland, September 6.

The member a of the Auckland Presbytery assembled in full numbers at 6.30 o'clock last evening in St. Andrew's Church, for the purpose of welcoming the Rev. Principal Rainy, D.D., to this part of the colony. The Rev. T. Norrie presided, and opened the proceedings in the usual way. The Rev. J. Macky then moved— "That the Presbytery extend a very cordial and hearty welcome to the Rev. Principal Rainy, D. D., who now visits the court as a commissioner from the Free Church of Scotland, and invite him to take a seat as an associated member. . The Presbytery further expresses its gratification at being honoured with a visit from the Principal, not only because of the high and influential position in the Church to which his distinguished abilities and services have raised him, but also because of the wise and warm interest in the colonies thus manifested by the church he represents. The Presbytery further expresses its deep sense of gratitude to the Free Chuich of Scotland for the assistance it has always so willingly and liberally rendered in carrying on the work of church extension, not only in this part of the colony, but throughout the whole church, and it begs Dr. Rainy to convey these expressions of gratification and gratitude to the proper authorities. The Presbytery further expresses the hope that Dr. Rainy's visit to this part of New Zealand will be as productive of interest and pleasure to him as it will beof stimulus and profit to the Church." Mr Macky expressed his thanks to the Presbytery for asking him to move this resolution. He considered that he was fitted for the post, as he was the oldest minister in the Auckland Presbytery. He was also glad that Mr Carrick was to second the resolution, as he was the minister of the oldest church connected with the Auckland Presbytery. Mr Macky then "welcomed Dr. Rainy on behalf of the Presbytery. The Rev. A. Carriok, in seconding the resolution, extended the hand of cordial and Christian welcome to Dr Rainy, coming, as he did, as the distinguished representative of a church which they all venerated. They regarded with pleasure the visit of one so widely and properly distinguished as Principal Rainy. He expressed regret that under our present education system the youth were not taught the truth contained in the Scriptures. He feared that not being taught obedience in leligions matters, their young people might forget to obey the laws of the land. Speaking of he position of the Presbyterian Church in .Auckland, Mr Carrick said as a church they had not yet been able to raise many ministers themselves, but they had. some, and had also received acquisitions from other churches. Mr Carrick then enumerated the names of many great men who had been connected with the Church (jgif Scotland, and said that in the future not the least amongst them would be the name of Principal Rainy. Aft^er a few further remarks in which he alluded to Dr. Rainy's advocacy of a feeling of brotherly love with other churches, Mr Carrick concluded with a few word3-of'hearty welcome. The resolution was then adopted with acclamation. Mr Norrie then conveyed the resolution to Dr. Rainy, and in doing so said that he was "himself one of the fruits of the Free Church of^Scotland. Dr. Rainy, in replying, spoke feelingly of the cordial welcome he had received, and the kindly references that had been made to himself That welcome he felt was much more due" to the public character he held in connection with one of the Home churches — one which had assisted to promote church life in these colonies. Dr. Rainy then went on to say that at Home they still had interest in the progress of the Presbyterian Church in the colonies. It might not be as strongasitshould be, still the feeling existed, though it might require refreshing again. He believed that at Home they were not indifferent to the colonies ; the trouble was that thefr impressions of the colonies were vague and behind the day. If his visit to the colonies might result in the dissipation of this vagueness, then he should feel that his visit bad not been in vain. He had been greatly impressed with the remarkable adaptation of the old system to the conditions of the life that were developing in all these colonies. It was striking to- him to see the Church working out here without any friction. He had been much impressed by what he had seen. He sometimes thought that coming as he did into a community like this, he could see the work done better than those who lived here and laboured. In their own country there was a sort of prestige attending the Presbyterians that carried them along. Here it was, however, so to speak, upon its trial. Here they had to take hold of those who favour the Presbyterian form of worship and lead them on. If Presbyterianism commended itself to the people of New Zealand, then it would hold its ground, and that was what they should aim at. Presbyterianism should create unity and independence. It had, however, what might be termed some inherent weakness, such for instance as lack of inspection. The old way was Presbyterial visitation, but nowadays the tendency was to let every herring hang by its own head. But their ministers required inspection, and their professors also. They had adopted at Home the system of evangelical deputations. This had resulted in a good deal of practical useful work, but still more was needed, and they had now decided again to start Presbyterial visitations. He considered something of that kind necessary. Presbyterianism also suffered from a certain want of executive promptness. They were apt to be slow -where more speed would be better. He learned, however, that in Auckland the Presbyterians had once had a gentleman who was supposed to attend to that kind of work. He did not see any reason why this change should not be effected, . but without any violence or revolutionary measures. He referred to these matters as things that would interest those .Vho were thinking how Presbyterianism could successfully be worked. Some reference- had been made to the subject of unity. Well, the primary object '6t unity was success, and it was a question whether churches contiguous to each other should not unite.just the same as 'in these colonies the various Presbyterian churches had done. He thought that a union between the North and South Presbyterian churches of New Zealand would also be advisable. He felt that the Presbyterians here were working for the common good of the community. It was necessary for success that other churches phould be equally successful. Let them not be working in the spirit of a sectarian desire to get the better of other churches, but to do their utmost to advance the cause of Christ, which was common interest of all churches. He very cordially reciprocated the kind expressions of good feeling which had been tendered to him. He considered that colonial ministers did a large amount of earnest, honest work, and it would be his duty to represent that to the church at Home. He should be greatly pleased if anything he could do would further the cause of the church in the colony, and

supply it with further elements to continue the good work now being carried on. The Rev. Mr McKinney also made a few remarks welcoming Dr. Rainy, and asked him to use his influence towards continuing the grant of the Free Church of Scotland to the church work in this colony. The Presbytery then closed with prayer.

THE CONVERSAZIONE. At 8 o'clock, a conversazione was held in the Choral Hall for the purpose of further welcoming Dr. Bainy. There was a large attendance. The platform was decorated with flowers and evergreens. On the platform was a strong choir,, which was under the charge of Mr Culpan. Mr J. M. Lenuox presided, and made a few introductory remarks. He expressed great pleasure at having so distinguished a visitor with them that night, and referred to the good work done by Principal Rainy at home. ' ' Choir, " Shine Qn, O Sun.'' The Rev. R. Sommerville next addressed a few words of welcome to Principal and Mrs Rainy. After a humorous allusion to his own failure, through' over-sleeping, to join the deputation ,ot ministers who set out from St. James's manse at 6.30 o'clock that morning to welcome Dr. Rainy at Onehunga, he proceeded to speak of the prominent part which their visitor had taken in the effort to bring about a union between the Fr.ee Church and United Presbyterian bodies in Scotland. Here all branches of the Presbyterian Church met in a common church court, and he believed that so far as the two divisions of the church he had named were concerned, that would soon be brought about at Home. He hoped that Dr. Rainy would be spared to see this result, which he had so earnestly worked for, accomplished. Mr McLean then sang "First in the Field." The Rev. Mr McKinney next spoke, and created a laugh by refeiring to Dr. Rainy as a fine sample ot the produce of porridge and the shorter catechism. He regretted that the programme had not given a larger place to Principal Rainy and less to the Auckland ministers, for what he had seen of Dr. Rainy's utterances in the other colonies and what he had heard for himself that afternoon, had created the desire to hear much more. He particularly admired what Principal Rainy had said in Victoria in regard to the national system of education ; but he would need to speak in this colony also on the subject, and to say that the Presbyterian brethren had not lifted up their testimony properly against this godless system. It was very sad that the Piesbyterian Church should be lukewarm on this subject, while such a man as Professor Huxley was zealous about it. They knew _ Huxley's views about the Bible, but he had said that there could be no substitute for the Bible in the schools of the country. (Applause.) Principal Rainy had said that the men who framed the system, had a " maggot in their heads," buo he (Mr McKinney) thought they were Inclined" to infidelity (A voice : "No.") oV to indifferentisru, as was, perhaps, the^ person who had cried out "No." He believed that a wise Providence had guided Dr. McGregor in the address which he had delivered in Auckland recently, and he believed that address had been productive of good. (Applause. ) He proceeded to speak of the attractions of the climate of New Zealand, and hoped Principal Rainy would take home a favourable report of them. Mrs Harrop next sang " Calvary.' The Rev. T. F. Robertson next spoke of tho feelings of reverence entertained by the younger men in the Presbyterian Church towards Dr. Rainy. He was glad to say that here in the colonies we had forgotten home ditlerences,and stood united in heart under the old blue Presbyterian banner, that had stood for Christ's crown and covenant, the battle and bhe breeze oi many centuries. He believed the hearts of all of the lace members of the Established, Free and United Presbyterian Churches of Scotland, and the hearts of the Presbyterian sons of Ireland, would rejoice in the few facts he wished to lay before that meeting. Upwards of 46 years ago the Free Church separated 'from the State, gave up her endowments, churches, glebe and manses for conscience' sake. She thought she was doing right in the sight of her Lord and King. She thinks so still. Certainly her self-sacri-fice made many believe in the reality of religious convictions. The cold, proud Sectarian and Mr Worldly Wiseman might sneer at her zeal and want of worldly wisdom, 'but, really, viewed from her present position, and from the only possible position of the church ' in the colonies, she felt she was not fooliph. Certainly, loyal hearts and true in Highland glens and on the city streets, in the workshops and behind the plough, on the exchange and at the counter, in the lawyer's office and Court of Session, and even the large majority of Scottish members of Parliament, telt the day of her self-sacrifice a proud day for Scotland. They felt that her spirit, in the conflict for spiritual freedom from State control, was the' spirit of Apostles, Reformers, Huguenots, Puritans and Covenanters. They echoed in their hearts the glowing words of the cultured, critical, and literary Lord Jeffrey : "I am proud of my country; there is not another country on earth where such a deed could have been done." The 474 ministers v/ho leffc the State Church in 1843 were now increased to upward of 1,100, ministering to some 350,000 church members, and to many thousands of adherents and children. These had built for them upward of 1,000 churches and manses, at a cost of upwards of £3,000,000. The nation had not yet taken up the education of the young into a national system, and the old parish system was leaving thousands of children to grow up in ignorance, so the Free Church built some 600 schools and three normal colleges for the education of teachers, at a co&t of £150,000. These schools she had presented to the Government without money and without price. ! She had built three theological colleges at a cost of £63,000, and endowed them with £135,000. These colleges have 16 professors and 318 students. Dr.- Rainy, of Edinburgh, is the Principal of the largest — the largest theological college in Scotland. (Cheers). For Home Mission work in the Lowlands, Highlands, and Islands of Scotland she gives £13,000 a year. Dr. Rainy is convener of the committee for the Highlands and Islands, and is becoming quite a Highland chief. His heart was touched with the moan and cry from our Highland hills, and the Gospel he had sought to send there was the earnest spiritual Gospel of Jesus Christ, in deepest sympathy with the poor and suffering, and in firmest opposition to all oppression and wrong. Mr Robertson next alluded to the mission work accomplished by the Free Church, and to the fact that representatives of the Presbyterian Church were widely distributed over the continent ot Europe — in Gibraltar, Malta, Nice, Genoa, Florence, Naples, Lisbon, Vienna, Rome and other parts. The annual total income of the Free Church of Scotland was about £600,000 a-year, and she had placed as a freewill offering of her people afc fche feet of Christ her King since the disruption upwards of eighteen and ahalf millions. As a sure sign that Sootland had not repented of anything she had done in the past, and that the Free Church

was nofc yet in old age or decay, she had increased her membership last year by about 3,000 people and her income by upwards of £40,000. After describing the position of Dr. Kainy in the Church, and stating that he was loved because he was a leader and teacher of men — a living, practical, evangelical Christian, Mr Robertson concluded with the hope that his visit to New Zealand would be the means of quiokening and deepening the spiritual life of the Presbyterian Church. Miss Tait sang the solo " I Cried Unto the Lord," and the choir rendered the part song " By the Shady Greenwood Tree." An interval of 20 minutes here took place, during which the audience adjourned to the ante-room, where they were abundantly supplied with light refreshments.

DR. RAINY'S ADDRESS. Dr. Rainy next addressed tho meeting. He was received with applause. Be regretted that his stay in the colony was bo short, because he would have liked to have supplemented his too scanty gleanings, more particularly with regard to the life and work of country ministers. He considered that Providence had placed them in a glorious land, with beautiful mountains, fertile valleys and spten--did lakes, though it certainly ■ disturbed his notion of a lake to find that they could boil potatoes there. (Laughter.) The people who were growing up here would be a wonderfully-favoured people.He might have objected to the want of a genuine winter— no snowballing, no skating, no curling, but then he remembered that they had winter on their mountains in pex'petual snow, and he understood # that at Lake Wakatipu there was opportunity for skating for about one week in the year ; so chat eveu as to the New Zealand winter he could not take unqualified exception. This was what he had to say about our land. Now what about the people? He must $ay that, a kinder people than the colonial people to deputies never existed, and he could not imagine anything more fitted to spoil a person like him than the treatment which he had everywhere met .with. But when he went Home what should he report ? It had been continually impresssd upon him that they wanted money to help the churches and men to preach in them, but if he took Home a glowing account of the country and the people they might ask at Home, "How is it they want the mouey ?" (Laughter.) He found in the colonies tho best representatives of the English, Scocch and Irish. He supposed that the best blood in those races, in many respects, had come out to found new colonies, producing an , ener- ' eretic, progressive, vigorous people. He believed, however, that if the people out here had many good qualities, they had also a good deal of human nature ; this meant that there were always difficulties to be overcome, lessons to t>e learned, progress to be made, a continual strife between good and evil. But prominent to him was the vast amount of good material which, if set on tire with a baptism of the Holy Ghost, would result in great gain to mankind. Here he saw the beginning of a* group of nations. They were forming their own institutions unhampered in any way whatever and it was to him a sight full of interest. What would the result be when their his- | tory came to be written ? There were great forces shaping themselves in these colonies. They had come of a good stock', and let them prove themselves worthy of it and of the grand position they occupied. They should resolve to keep their politics and other institutions high and pure, and prepare a future for the land, so that by .< and by their children would look back with pride to the noble men and women who prepared the institutions under which they were sheltering. But he wasHhere to speak of'Presbyterianism. Here they were free from the peculiarities of race which distracted them at Home. Why could not all the Evangelical Christians here become united ? (Hear, hear.) That was a thought which must press itself upon the mind of every man at one time or another. They should reduce friction and competition as much as possible, and induce co operation and combination throughout all Christian communities. If that were really to be looked forward to, then the first • step was frank recognition of the work done by each other. For a Presbyterian church to be successful, they must take care to maintain the quality of the minister. They should keep in view the necessity of keeping up *a highly-qualified ministry. The colonies required peculiarly , well-qualified ministers if Christianity was to hold its ground. It was also an essential principle of Presbyterianism that the laity should also co-operate vigorously with the 'ministers in the Church. He did not mean merely in the organic business of the Church ; 'they should work inthe whole 6f the church matters. If the ministers felt that the laymen were as much filled with spiritual zeal as themselves, it would help to fire them. There was a kind of respectability about the churches which was satisfactory so long . as it did not become too monotonous and lukewarm. But when the genuine spirit of Christ was • in the Church they forgot to copy from each other, but looked to the Master himself. He had had frequent representations made to him that the Church at Home should send out men as well as money, and he would take care to represent that When he got home again. He 1 felt that- in some instances such aid was requisite. -He recognised that here everything was to do, and a great weight was thrown upon, the people in establishing Church institutions. Sfeill, he exhorted them to be true Presbyterians themselves, and take care to assist their home mission as well, as the mission at the New Hebrides. They must remember that at home the people were also passing through serious depression, which had extended over nine years, so that the Church's funds were not superabundant. Some reference had been made to the present system of education, but as a stranger it was hardly his duty to deal with what was a domestic question. But this question was being agitated at Home, and the discussions which had come up here would come up there. Setting aside men whodid nob care for religion, he had found in the colonies Christian men who regretted the exclusion of the Bible from the schools, while still determined to keep up the secular system because they believed it to be a necessity to national life. They considered it a matter of great importance that there should be a national and united school system. The future of the colony in many important respects depended upon it, and in order to maintain it so, they -held that it must be a secular system. He would say that they were paying a very high price. He thought it incumbent upon them to show some other practical way in which the end would be gained that would be secured by having the Bible in the schools. He agreed that there was a good deal of religious instruction that should be left practically to the Church, or if a portion of the school time was to be | given to it, it would not be expected to be given by the school teacher. All that he would ask was that the teacher should read suitable passages from the Scriptures, arid he was confident that there wae ' enough common senseamong the teaching profession | to prevent this regulation f rom beingabused.

Who were going to be conciliated by the exclusion of the Bible from the schools? Inthefirst place, would theßoman Catholics be conciliated ? They knew that the Romen Catholics were not a bit reconciled to the schools, whether the Bible was in or whether it wa3 out. It was nob the kind of education that their principles would allow them to accept. Then it was said that the Church of England was aiming at denominational education, and it was very important to'keep the education secular. It seemed to him, however, to be a very extraordinary thing to adopt a system of education which the Presbyterians could not accept, which the Church of England laity, many of them, and some of their clergy, could not accept. He totally disbelieved the objection that with a conscience clause, there would be any difficulty, or that the matter could -nob be arranged without uny friction at all. (Applause.) Supposing it was necessary to shut out denominational education, then do it ; bub weie they to shut .out such a precious volume that had done mor« for English literature than any other education ? Could they call it education which brought up their childreh'in ignorance of the greatest book of all? He concluded by thanking them for all the kindness shown hirn^in the welcome tendered, and exhorted them to labour faithfully for the cause and (kingdom of the Dord Jesus Christ. (Prolonged applause.) The Rev. Mr Macnicol moved a vote of thanks 'to the ladies and others who had assisted. T.his was carried unanimously, He also announced a lecture by Dr. Rainy to-night on the "Presbyterian Churches of the World," and stated that there would bo a harbour picnic on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. A vote of thanks was accorded to the Chairman on the motion of Principal Rainy. The Rev. Mr Monropronounccd the benediction, and the meeting separated.