LAWRENCE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND THE REV. MR. MARTIN.

Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 18, 13 June 1868, Page 3

LAWRENCE CHURCH OF ENGLAND AND THE REV. MR. MARTIN.

A public meeting was held in the Schoolhouse, Lawrence, on Monday evening last, having for its object the expression of sympathy with the Rev. Mr. Martin, and the desire on the part of the convenors of the meeting to take such steps as might be deemed advisable to secure a continuance of the rev. gentleman's services during his stay in the district. The meeting was pretty well attended, chiefly, however, consisting of members of the congregation who were at the previous meeting, which so unanimously endorsed the action taken by the Church Committee. Mr. Vause was called to the chair ; and after explaining the object of the meeting, said that Mr. Bennet, the conveno* of the ineetimg, had something tangible to lay before it. Mr. Bennett said that, as one »f the movers in getting up the meeting, previous to making any remarks, he would say that he had not come forward for the purpose of condemning the actions of the Committee : he gave them every credit ; they had worked arduously for the good of the Church. He had come forward from purer motives — from a sense of duty, and to do an act of justice to their good, pious, and talented minister. The meeting was well aware that, upon the' first occasion of Mr. Martin's preaching there, the Committee very wisely engaged his services. They were not only surprised at the ability, but also the zeal which he displayed as a minister. Since he came amongst them the Church had been crowded. They had built a parsonage ; and everything was going on well till the " evil spirit " referred to at last meeting came amongst them. They would shortly have been able to build a church. It seemed that Mr. Martin, in coming there and bringing his family, had been put to an outlay of nearly £200 ; and he had also been obliged to supply himself with a couple of horses, which must be admitted were necessary luxuries for visiting outlying districts : they had cost him some £60 or £70. The most of those at the meeting had heard or read Mr. Martin's letter, which stated that he was now in debt about LIOO, which ho had been obliged to borrow from a friend ; and they must be aware that debt was at all times a great incubus on a sensitive mind. He had no doubt that Mr. Martin was acting under the impression that he would never again be free, and was rather more importunate in his demands than he would otherwise have been. His demand, if acceded to, would have placed the Waitahuna and Blue Spur contributions in the hands of the Committee, and relieved Mr. Martin from pecuniary auxiety. Some of them might think, from all the figures which appeared in the report, that Mr. • Martin was making his " pile." But what was the real state of the case ? Why, he had received L4O from Lawrence, LlB from Waitahuna — an extraordinary amount, more especially placed as he had been, with sickness in his house, and the large amount which he had been obliged to pay out of his own pocket. He (Mr. Bennett) did not wish to blame the Committee if they could not see their way to guarantee the sum asked ; but he would ask those of them who were employers, and who had a faithful servant, if he were to explain that Ms expenses were so large that he could not live on Ins wages, and that he wished an advance sufficient to enable him to clear his way, and if not complied with he would be obliged to leave ; that he had overtures from other places, but had no wish to leave } would they reply by saying, " No, we shan't give it you ; your agreement is up to-morrow, and the sooner you clear out the better ? n He contended that Mr. Martin had been treated in a similar manner by the Com- j mitte, whose repor.t was not only keen and cutting, but every point in it was strained to tell against Mr. Martin ; and j to strangers, who did not know both sides, of the question, would be hurtful to Mr. Martin, as a minister. He had called upon Mr. Martin ; and in speaking of the loss to the Church through his not preaching, Mr. Martin said, if the congregation requested him to do so, he would have no objection to remaining with them till the end of the year, which would be about the time they might expect their new minister from home. He (Mr. Bennett) held that the Committee, by the conrse they had taken, were undoing much of the good which had been accomplished by Mr. Martin. He therefore thought that Mr. Martin should be retained as long aa possible, as many people did not care te hear lay readers ; and the congregation, once disunited, might never be reunited with the same unanimity again. The first resolution he had to move, was as follows: — "That this meeting express their deep regret at the prospect of losing the' services of the Rev. Mr, Martin, as minister of the Church of England congregation of -Lawrence, and their strong disapprobation of the harsh and summary manner in which his services have been dispensed with." As the resolution did not find a seconder, the Chairman rose and said, that lie very much regretted, to «cc an object of such vast importance treated with such cold indifference. He thought Mr. Martin had won the affection of the people of Lawrence, and that a warm feeling of regard would have been shown at the meeting. As he was in the chair h,e could not make further remarks ; and

as the resolution had not been seconded, he must declare the meeting as having lapsed. Mr. Bennett stated, that what action he had taken had been from good motives ; and he thought the principle that " when a man is down keep him down," was actuating the meeting.— (Cries of "No, no.") The meeting then dispersed.

Mr. Bennet has favored us with the other resolutions whioh had been prepared to be laid before the meeting ; they were as follows :—": — " That this meeting express their high appreciation of the talents, amiability, zeal and faithfulness of the Rev. M. H. Martin, as a minister of the Gospel, their sympathy with him in his present circumstances, and their earnest wishei for his success wherever Providence may call him to labor ; and further desire to convey to Mr. Martin their earnest request that he will continue his ministerial services so long as he may be able to remaim in the district." "That a subscription be opened for the purpose of presenting Mr. Martin with a testimonial, expressive of the respect and sympathy of the meeting ; that . a committee be appointed to carry this into effect ; and that a copy of these resolutions, signed by the chairman, be presented with the testimonial."