LECTURE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2713, 18 September 1894, Page 3

L E CTURE.

The Rev. W. S. Potter, Primitive Methodist Jubilee agent, lectured on -'Friday evening last at the chapel, Geraldine, to a very fair audience, considering th*t a downpour of rain came on just before people left their homes, and continued all the evening, thus keeping many at a distance from attending. The subject of the lecture was “ The Rev. .Robert Ward, pioneer Missionary”; but, before entering upon this the lecturer Exhibited a number of capital lantern

fliiitw of a miscellaneous character, mostly

- representing scenes in various parts of > New Zealand; Auckland and places about its precinets, having special prominence on .account of the many interesting Maori ' aoenesto be obtained thereabouts. Groups of photos were also thrown on the. screen, one bringing before the audience several prominent laymen of the Primitive Methodist connection, notably amongst which were Messrs Goldie;, Luke, Dumbell, Long, Dean, ■’ Taylor, Whittikar, and Harris. Another interesting group of photos was that of the whole of the Primitive Methodist ministers in New Zealand, which brought : several well known faces into view, such ■a the Beys. W. C. Wood, Woollas,

Woodward, Hinds, and Williams, besides ■ others who had ministered in the churches ' in this district in days gone by. The lecturer was very happy in his remarks, an ant each view as it came on the screen, ' and gave a most interesting account thereof to the evident delight of those

present. Mr Potter next entered upon the subect of the evening, commencing ' by exhibiting the best early photo. he : could obtain of the Rev. Robt. Ward, when the pioneer was in the prime of life. The Rev. Robt. Ward stood in the ' front rank of those who first came to the colony, and a complete history of New Zealand could not be written without his . patna being referred to, because in ’ intellectual capacity and moral goodness ‘ he was too great to “be passed by. He was born on January 11,1816, of humble parents, his mother being a schoolmistress, her boy doubtlessly inheriting her intellectual capacity, which was more than ordinary. At the age of 15 he was converted, and became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church. He then commenced to make the best use of his - time, and almost committed literally to memory the New Testament, and the Pilgrims Progress. After a successful career as a local preacher, in March 1835, - when only nineteen years of age, he entered the ministry. He successfully passed all his examinations, was ordained, end entitled to the marriage privilege. Daring the first nine years of his ministry he .laboured with increasing success at no l«*a than seven stations ; the changes in those d«ys were veiy frequent. During the last 5 years of his ministry in the ' Old Country there were many conversions, and during the last year no less than 400 - were -recorded. At this time it was pointed out to the missionery committee < that Robt. Ward was the man wanted for a mission field in the Antipodes, and thus ho was unexpectedly called upon to come out to this colony to establish a mission in New Zealand. On May 3rd, 1844, Mr Ward with his wife and family set sail from Gravsend. He conducted service* on the passage out, and after 4 months had passed they arrived off New Plymouth, [Here the lecturer showed a picture of Mt. Egmont, and a picture of the Sugar Loaves; scenes that would first meet the eye of the pioneer on his arrival ] . The settlers were chiefly Cornish and Devonshire folk, and had been holding meetings in cottages on the Bible Christian plan, and were looking forward to the arrival of a minister, but the Home authorities could not see their way clear to send one. When, however, they heard Mr Wajd preach from the text «It is a faithful saying, and worthy of : all acceptance,” etc., these people found themselves heartily approving of the new minister, and it was not long before they offered to join the Primitive Methodist Church, and the preacher gathered round him s great many people. Mr Ward’s desire was to be a missionary to the Maoris, and by the time the Rev. Mr Green came to New Zealand to assist him, Mr Ward had sufficiently mastered the Maori language so that he was able to leave Mr Green iu charge of the Europeans, while he went to visit the - Maori pahs. He met with many singular experiences amongst the Maoris, and at the end of a very short time ho deemed it impracticable to carry on tho work of . a double mission, Mr Ward then went to Port Nicholson to establish a mission where Wellington now is, apd afterwards established one at Auckland, where fie had

jan eventful ministry; the Californian goldfield breaking out, numbers of his people left, and he had to open a day school to make his income meet the demands of his family. When Mr Ward had been 25 years in the colony he took a trip Home, and preached in Spurgeon’s Tabernacle to a large assembly, that cried “Gj on, Go on,” when he had finished a lengthly discourse they wanted more of it. In 1872 Mr Ward returned to New Zealand, and established a mission in Christchurch, the Cambridge Terrace Church being erected. In 1874, Mr Ward returned to Wellington, and in. October 1876 he occupied the Sydney Street pulpit for the last time. He died in harness, and was buried on October 16th 1876, at 60 years of age. If anything, Mr W ard was real; he hated shams, and was terribly severe on the hypocrite. He was a good man at heart, and was was known to walk fifteen miles on a dark night to visit a sick person. Mr and Mrs Ward made little provision for their old age, but spent their money on the education of their children. One son occupies to-day a prominent position in journalism, having recently received an appointment on the London Times; two sons are in the Christian ministry, and the other members of the family are honored members of society. As a preacher, Mr Ward was a workman that had no need to be ashamed. He was also a successful administrator. He was a true friend. As an author he was not *without honor. A volume of lectures and his “ Life Among the Maoris” had a wide circulation, and it was a pity his sermons were not in print. It was somewhat difficult to report Mr Potter’s speech to any great extent, as the lights in the Church were turned out, which made it next to impossible to take notes. Thus we are unable to do the lecture the full justice it deserves. At the conclusion of the lecture a few more New Zealand views were shown, and, on the motion of Mr Amos Sherratt, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.

On Sunday morning and afternoon the Rev. W. S. Porter preached at Geraldine to large congregations, and at Temuka in the evening. This evening he will deliver his lecture in the Temuka chapel.