The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 319, 18 November 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 1880.

Th<; Rev. Gmige Birelay preached in tlie Presbyterian Church,'J’emuka, on Sunday last, and we deeply regret to see that lie is totally blind. This afflicti ni, to a gentleman rtf .Mr Barclay’s sensitive temperament, most bo felt to be a great trial. Mr Barclay was the first clergyman that was set led id South Canterbury—lns diocese ext -nding from the Bangitata on the North to the Waitaki on the South, Thnarn being the town wh'TO he took up his residence. It is no some fmirt- en or fifteen years s'nce he arrived amongst ns. From the first Mr Barclay worked hard, in order to keep np Sunday Service, not only in Tim mu, but in Temnka, Geraldine, Scotsbum, Pleasant Point, Winchester, and other stations ; and this much may be said of him that he was never absent from his post at the princip d stations, wet d ly or dry day—often fording the Opihi, Temuka, and other rivers, when few would risk their lives in doing the same. After a numb nr of years Timani felt discontented with having only an equal share with Temnka of Mr Barclay’s ministerial services. This discontent ultim itely riueued into a resolution to cut Temuka off. Temnka, on its parr, not caring to dispense with their minister, very pluckily set themselves to work, and, in a very short time, found the funds (no easy matter in those days) to enable them to give Mr Barclay a better salary than lie had received in Timani, and had also the boldness to tell the Timaruites to look out tor another, as they wanted Mr Barclay all to themselves. A call was the result, which Mr Barclay accepted, and thenceforth his parish included Temnka, Winchester, Geraldine, and Pleasant Point. For several years services were held at three of these places every Sabbath—two of Mr Barclay’s elders supplying his place, to some extent, at some of these places on each alternate Sunday. This parish, in its turn, becoming clamorous for more ministers’ services (for it is a fact that Presbyterians do not favor lay preaching), made up its mind that an additional clergyman was wanted, and resolved (bat Temnka should be formed into a separate parish ; Geraldine and Pleasant Point also bning formed into separate parishes, Mr Barclay having the option of choosing either to settle in. He very soon decided for Geraldine, where he now remains as Presbyterian clergyman for that parish. We have not always been able to row in the same boat with Mr Barclay We have said he is extremely sensitive, and meeting with persons of similar temperament, the old saying that iron sharpens iron is consequently verified. Nevertheless, it is also a fact that such men are warm hearted and forgiving. We therefore most rea lily forgive the p,\st, as we feel sure Mr Barclay will on his part—letting bygones bo bygones. We go into the.merits of the case, and say, without fear of contradiction, that Mr Barclay lias been neglected. During ail these years of labor and toil, which no doubt have helped laigely to bring on him his present affliction, he has not, that we are aware of, received a single present from any of the congregations who have received so much instruction from his well stored mind. South and North we hear almost every weetc of valuable testimonials being given for services not a tithe of the- amount of Mr Barclay’s, but . he may well say (although he never complained), that You never gave me a kid that I might make merry with,” myTriends. During all these years Mr Barclay had not only to provide horses and buggy, but had, to provide for others besides. Buggies and other presents have been made to most of the active spirits who have helped to forward the cause of their Heavenly Master, but Mr Barclay haa been allowed to go without. Some will be ready to say it was partly bis own fault; this may or may not be the case. It is not easy sometimes to control one's temper when they feel agrieved. Another reason might be, with more jusdee, put forward. Mr Barclay is too independent and too proud of his great attainments to he dictated to. Well, there is no denying Mr Barclay R an able man, and gifted withal, to a very great extent, with a ready command of the choicest of language which makes any one, who lias a fairly

cultivated mind, admire his able addresses If he is somewhat proud, of them, why should not he be. It has cost him many days’ and nights’ hard study—which now tells upon him- to gain the knowl-dge which lie now so refreshing]y imparts to others. He would not he humane if he did not err. Hitherto, however, all that Mr Barclay has to thank his many friends fo", is their keen criticism. The time, however, is now come when something moie ought to be done, and this is the apology we have to offer to our readers for dwelling so much on this subject. Had the gentleman referred to hcen allowed the blessing of eyesight, few would have been able to stand in his way, or say to him ‘ What doest thou.’ He is able, this is granted, to push his way in any sphere of this life, but the. terrible affliction of losing his eyesight altogether is a calamity that only those who experience it can understand. We say, thin, ii is time that some notice was taken of Mr Barclay’s long unwearied services. Ibis likely he will shortly have to go in quest of the best advise for an operation, and before he leaves ns a substantial testimonial should be presented to him. It is too common a practice in these colonies for the public to use (heir public men as they do their horses—work them as long as they arc able to work, and then turn them adrift to shift for themselves. But in the case we now have in hand we feel sure there is hot a part in South Canterbury that would not liberally respond to a call for such a purpose. The Masonic and Oddfellows’ Lodges also would no doubt warmly take up the work. It is to be hoped, therefore, that a movement will be set on font, and committees burned for the purpose of giving the Rev. gentleman (the first Presbyterian clergyman that was settled ia South Canterbury) a. very substantial token of the respect in which lie.is held by his old friends, not only in connection with Ids own body, but others who have associated and held counsel with him during the years of his pilgrimage. We heartily sympathise with him in that affliction which makes him dependant upon others for any intellectual morsel, which to literary men, ia more refreshing than their daily food Wo leave the matter for a time, but shall not rest,till something is done in the direction indicated, and shall be glad to receive any communications upon the subject, or any suggestions from those who wish, as wo wish, to reward to some small extent the services which can no longer be persevered in by the gentleman referred to. We take up this subject without any hint or suggestion from anyone, but having often had a tusael together, we feel it a duty, and a duly which we'nill'persevere in carrying out to ultimate success.