OLD PETER PIPER ON CHURCH POLITICS, &c.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 14 March 1868, Page 3

OLD PETER PIPER ON CHURCH POLITICS, &c.

(To (he Editor of the Tuapeka Times.) Sir, — Taking a stroll through our snug quiet township the other day, my thoughts reverted to the future — caused, it might be, by what is passing in our present history ; and I could not help congratulating myself and my fellow-townsfolk on a glorious future. We have hitherto managed to get on by dint of great perseverance, notwithstanding our ups and downs, our hopes and our fears. Hope now, however, prevails; and we must buckle on our harness for another conflict, and see whether we cannot woo Dame (fickle) Fortune again. Our Government, thanks to our " Chief," are ever ready (as far as they can), to help those who are so ready to help themselves as the Wetherstonians have shown themselves to be. We are getting the "needful" to assist us in prosecuting oar search for the precious metal, and this time we are sure to win — there is no doubt about it ; and the Government will not be the losers, while the district will be the gainer. Our Progress Committee are alive to the wants of the township, and are looking well to the paths of their feet, in providing better waysioT themselves and others; and as regards the dam, I trust the engineer has put off any accident which is likely to happen to it as long as good old Bryan lives. I think there is no danger to the present generation at leasi^ Then we have the^ new Brown road to Gabriel's, and when the bridle track is finished, we can then take horse and ride all round the square. Stay, let me examine^ these magnificent Wetherstones braes. Here at the top above Clarke's (the wealthy squatter) there is a fine view, and nearly a square. In these days when th?. t>ovince is making such efforts to acclimti-iirio . beasts, birds, and fishes, we could have here a splendid park of Nature's own, and a few hundreds laid out upon it would make an excellent dear park. Then the thought very naturally suggested itself— What kind of deer would best suit. No sooner thought of than settled, that we should have little Brown dears. Then the pasture. Oh, this is the very best pasture in all the Province, for Tuapeka boasts of the odour of its Bay. Would'nt it be sublime to have a park. Then I would sing — Wetherstones braes are bonnie, Where amply grows the tutu ; Tis there I found the "ready," And health and peace to boot ! But I must leave this to a local celebrity, as it is not my forte making verse. I had just returned from my rambles, when I had the honor of a call from Sandy What-do-ye-ca'-him of the Thingum, as oor Tammaa would say ; he is coming up the walk to the door with a collector's book in his hand, and as he is known to be an inveterate beggar, I shall have a yarn with him on church matters. I dare say he is out on a tour on behalf of the " kirk." " Good morning, Peter ; " " Good morning, Sandy. What's up now; are you turned bum-bailiff? You have such a ' way ' on you, that you look as if you had some important business on hand the day, Sandy." " Yes, Peter," (drawing himself up a' his full length, and appearing to feel the importance of his mission) ; "It is indeed an important work, to be even an humble laborer in the Lord's vineyard, and more especially to find the ways and means in such times as these. Yell put down yo\ir name, Peter, on my list," handing me a book well filled with a goodly number of highly respectable names. I say this, as Sandy's friends are all of the respectable class. Let me see, here are Dobbs, Fob and Co., Malt, Hops and Co., Swipes and Co., Salts, Senna and Co., Pill, Plaister and Co.— these are the merchant class ; you don't call on small men ; you should have passed my door, Sandy, for it is not much I can give." " Oh, but, sir, it is your great name ; you know that's everything. Your ■ pound is well nigh as good as any other man's. What shall I say, Peter?" "It's a great shame, Sandy, that you should have been so long in clearing the debt upon your church ; you should have done it long ago, before any other church was thought of, and now it will not be so easy to accomplish your purpose. You are yagleep at your church. There must be SOI }ething wrong, Sandy— wrong, radically s ron s> sir -" " Wellj x see there is a great^^ a P^ and coldness on *^f part of the oongrj33^«W^ the congregations, Peter ; oukWWJI worse than others. We have a minister who is not only talented, but pious, and of considerable energy." "I am quite aware of that, Sandy ; but a minister may preach himself gray, and see little fruit, so long as the precious seed is unwatered by the prayers and good, kind, and loving offices of faith and charity of the people." "Well, it may be all true as you say. What shall I put down, Peter ? " " Yes, Sandy, there is much due to the congregation for its coldness and apathy, and I must say this matter should have been done long ago. You are wearing your minister out with anxiety. His mind should have a more lofty elevation than mere pounds, shillings, and pence. His mind should be kept free from any embarrassing circumstances. He should not even know wben the church is in a financial difficulty. Keep your minister's mind easy, and you will reap the advantage, and cheer him by a hearty co-opera-tion in all his works of usefulness, and there will not be wanting those who will second your effort ; and what I say to you, I say also to the gentlemen who are interested in another church. Let them

go on and build churches, they will be-all wanted yet, and may be all full and overflowing, if we are alive to the great privilege of helping on so noble«a cause. You can put me down for £ ." " Thank you, Peter. Good morning." Old Peter Piper.