FAREWELL SOIREE TO THE REV. DE. COPLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 193, 19 October 1871, Page 4

FAREWELL SOIREE TO THE REV. DE. COPLAND.

A farewell Soiree was given to the Rev. Dr Copland, by the members of his congregation to celebrate his leaviug the Presbyterian charge in Lawrence, where he" has laboured for seven years, for another in Dunedin. A very large number sat down to tea — in fact it was the most numerously attended soiree ever given in the district. Mr. Jamison took the Chair, and the following gentlemen occupied the platform:—R ev. Dr. Copland, Rev. Mr. Men zips, Rev. Mr. Bull, and Messrs. M-JSTicol, M'Lelland, Stenhouse, and Paul Ah Chin. "When the tables had been cleared,

The Chairman said they had met in ver\ r auspicious circumstances in one way, having been provided with all that was good in the way of eating and drinking; but, on the other hand, the circumstances were sad : they had met to bid farewell to their pastor. The Doctor was about to leave them : and in meeting together as they had done, they showed that he had their best wishes, and gave expression to the feeling thai; the work he had carried on amongst them so long and so well may be carried on even more successfully in another sphere of labour. He need not say anything further, aa there were many speakers -to address the meeting. The hundredth psalm was sung, after which

The Chairman said the first business to be gone into was a matter Mr. M'Nieol had to bring before them — something that if the Doctor was at all apt to forget them, would deprive him of the opportunity of doing so.

Mr. Alex. M'Nieol, in presenting a handsome timepiece and ornaments to the Eev. Dr Copland said : — On me has been conferred the honour of presenting you with this clock and ornaments, and in doing so I have much pleasure to inform you that it is the spontaneous offering of only a fow of the many both within, this congregation and out of it, whose esteem and respect you have always had and will carry with you. It is necessary to say from a few, for, owing to the limited time there was to arrange the matter so as to be prepared to present yon with this mark of esteem to-night, the majority of your friends did nofc get an opportunity of contributing. Had the congregation and the public been systematically canvassed, there is not the least doubt but. that the gift would have assumed a more substantial form ; however, I believe from what I know of you that I do not err in saying that you would much rather prefer the unsolicited offering I have now the pleasure to ask you to accept. The congregation have met here to-night to do you honour at this public soiree, and I do believe their wish will be taat the looking in the face of this clock in future years will keep fresh in your mind the faces of all those who were privileged to wait on your ministry in Tuapeka. In conclusion, sir, I offer you this as a mark of respect and es teem from ail denominations — (applause) — who will keenly feel and deeply regret the removal of one whom it will be hard to replace ; but above all,- 1 offer you this in the name of those who, with yourself, rejoice in the spread of the glorious gospel of the grace of God, and who pray that it may be a means of stimulating you in the arduous work to which you are called, and that you will receive the blessed reward of those who have been wise to win souls — souls that will shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever. — (Applause.) [The clock is a very handsome one of Egyptian design, the case being of black marble inlaid with malachite, and the movement constructed on the latest and most improved principles, with a visible jewelled escapement. In the front of the base is a . silver plate, on which is neatly engravedthe following inscription :—": — " Presented to the Eev. Dr. Copland by a few friends and well-wishers on the occasion of his leaving Lawrence. October, 1871." Accompanying the clock is a very handsome^ pair of bronze figures representing Norwegians skating by torchlight. The above testimonial was pesigned and supplied by our local watchmaker and jeweller, Mr James Hill, and reflects the .greatest possible credit on his artistic skill, and is also a fitting tribute from the congregation of their appreciation of their late pastor's labours.] The Eev. Dr. Copland, in replying, said the task which fcheirlrindness had devolved on him that evening was one from which he would willingly have shrunk. Ho needed not an additional proof of their kindness, seeing he had already

received many.- His first impulse therefore, when "he first heard of ifc was to request that it should not be done ; not because he did not appreciate their kindness, but because he felt it was quite unnecessary. However, it occurred to him it would not be well to check such feelings of kindness, as they shewed that the same good feelings which they had always held towards him had not abated, but continued t6 the- end. He therefore accepted the magnificent mark of their esteem, which showed : tbat their sympathy and good wishes were with him. If there was a language of presents, as there was said to- be of flowers, the gifts which had been presented to him from time to- time since he came amongst them might ,be said to be expressive of love and' labour. Since he came amongst theinhe had received a chair in which to. study, a cloack in which to ride. The. Teviofc people, by presenting kirn, with, a horse, snowed that his visits, tlera were acceptable ; and more recencyhe had received another valuable horsefrom his own congregation, expres-. sive of their desire to ligthten his la-. bours amongst them. All these gifts,, which had culuminated in the magnificent present they had just made him, had given him a lesson which he had) tried to learn, namely "Work while it is called to-day ; for the night coaieth whenno man can work." He hoped their present'would keep before his mind that lesson, and he further hoped that when he looked upon it elsewhere it would • lighten his labors. The" period of his resi-, deuce in Tuapeka extended over seven years. That number of years marked out a very important period of life, and at its termination it may be well to look at the changes which have taken place during that time. Asa Church they had passed through many changes, always, however, of a progressive character. The infancy of their Church was a strong and vigorous one. At the present time, as would be brougl t before the mpeting by Mr. Stenhouse, the Church during the past year had exhibited a degree of vigor which spoke well for it. They must not rest content with the position gained, but, having pi'ovided themselves with churches, they must extend their assistance to those who are less favored, and lend their help to the heathen. "While they considered their own position as a Church they could look with pleasure at those who wore joined with them in the early times, and who had now got plac >s of worship of their own. He trusted that with the increase of ministerial aid in the district there would be not only more work done but a greater concentration of Christian energy. But there were other aspects in which as a community he might be pardoned for touching upon. The district had advanced from what he might term " diggerhood." At that time the township of Lawrence, although it had been surveyed, was only partly occupied. The canvas buildings which then reached up Gabriel's Grully have all but disappeared. Lawrence has become a. municipality; the era of .mud has passed away, and we can now walk the streets in comfort. Institutions pertaining to' civil life have been steadily advancing. They had obtained a new schoolroom. Instead of the small iron building of some years ago they now possessed a large and commodious edifice which roflected credit on the place, and instead of its being a merely elementary school, it had been raised to the position of a Grammar School, andwas conducted by a very efficient master. They bad also an Athenaeum to meet the wants of the community, and although its programme was limited, he hoped" it would go 6u and prospez', and that its members would seek to enquire into every new thing. He trusted, with these many proofs of advancement going on around them, there would be a corresponding advancement in every other respect. He did not think the district had advanced to that settled social position to which similar places in the home country had attained. The inhabitants did not meet much in each other's houses and enjoy friendly conversation which tended to knit society together in a way which was for the happiness of all. Then, in looking to the future, in the old country there was a large increase in population going on, so much so that cities which were comparatively small were growing into provinces. He was astonished to learn from a German that the city of Berlin had now three or four times more population than it^ had twelve years ago. That same in-, crease was going on all over the world, and no doubt in a few years they would find a tide of immigration flowing towards New Zealand. Ti-is place will doubtless receive a fair share of that tide, so that during the course of the next seven years the population of Tuapeka would be vastly increased by immigration as well as by other causes. Bearing upon this point, he might state that during the term of his residence in Lawrence he had married seventy couples, and he had no doubt the other ministers had married as manyj or ' perhaps more. That, he considered, showed that the community was in a flourishing state, • , and if it went on for several years "" the place would assume the appearance of a large city : be was more confident off this from the energy he saw displayed to obtain a railway, and. other things for the district, H§

hoped that there would be influences at work which would knit the community together with the ties, not of self-interest, but of brotherly feelings, and that ultimately the place would be distinguished for that righteousness which exalteth a nation. He hoped all present would do their best to leave the world better than they found it-r-ihab they would seek to lay out their talents to the glory of God — not only glory to God in tbe highest, but to promote peace on earth and goodwill to men. In conclusion, the rev. Doctor said lie would thank them once more from the bottom of his heart, for not only presenting hitn with the handsome — the magnificent token of their kindness, but for all the feelings of forbearance, of sympathy, of courtesy and kindness which he testified he had uniformiy received from the whole of the community. ( Great applause.) Psalm 137 was then sung, after which

The rev. Mr. Menzies rose and said he was ready to take part in the evenings proceedings, and express his opinions heartily and cordially. He appreciated these farewell meetings in one respect ; they brought out the feelings that exist towards the minister. Dr. Copland, he said, was not a man that was known at once, and he thought he might say that the Doctor and he were just beginning to know each other. During his (Mr. Menzies') residence in Lawrence, he had always found Dr. Copland a valuable leader in any public movement. He found that he could always cooperate heartily with him. On this account he regretted his removal for his own sake. On Dr. Copland's account he (Mr. Menzies) might be allowed to say that he knew what hard work in preaching the Gospel is — the wear and tear brings a man ,tQ a certain pass when he must have a change or something else. Some people think ministers have a lounging, easy life, but they don't know the stretch of thought required to get something •ready for Sunday ] how this sometimes brings them to a dead lock. He, therefore, wished the Doctor good cheer in his new field of labour. He would have a wide sphere where he was-going, and he would carry with him a deal of .exp^ence. From ail he knew of Dr. Coplsind — ojia g,-^ 1 common sense and his ability for the rniniSLvy — he felt certain he would be the means of doing more good in the position which he was about to occupy. But these partings are very hard to bear. Many things will come up before him — things which are written on the memory never to be effaced — photographs, if he might so speak, which will live in the memory throughout an endless eternity. Simlidr experiences would no doubt exist in the memory of those who had been adherents of Dr, Copland — sanctuary memories, — seasons of fellowship with God enjoyed by some. But then there may be memories of another kind, not preserved in the Upper Sanctuary, but' "Vise where, solemn appeals to which the answer has been given, "Go thy. -way for this time." That might be a style of speaking not fitted for a tea meeting, but they must remember that the occasion was a solemn one. He would' now only express his- regret personally at the Doctor's removal, and hoped the congregation would get an efneent labourer to fill his place.

Mr. M'Lelland was then called upon. The people at the Blue Spur deeply regretted that Dr. Copland was leaving them. For himself personally, he might be allowed to say that in Dr. Copland he would lose not only a dear minister, but a sincere friend ; at the same time, he rejoiced that the Doctor was going to a sphere of labour more congenial to himself, wkere his talents would be brought to bear upon a larger community. Even though absent he did not "think Dr. Copland would be lost to the Tuapeka section of the community. After making a few practical remarks, illustrated by appropriate anecdotes, Mr. M'Lelland concluded by .expressingthe hope thatthe congregation would give their new minister, when they got one, even greater moral support than they had given to the Rev. Dr. Copland.

Mr.' Paul Ah Chin expressed bis re.gret at the removal of the Doctor, but hoped that at Dunedin he would be prosperous.

Mr. James Eobertson was then called upon. He said that it gave him great pleasure in seeing so many taking an interest in the meeting. He was one .of those who, while regretting Dr. Copland's leaving, believed the change would be for his good. Although removed from them, he would not forget them, he had the church's welfare so thoroughly at heart. Mr. Robertson then in a brief bnt eloquent Speech drew attention to a bad sign of the present times, namely, the hasty manner in which many people form «heir opinions.

Mr Dunn, of AVaitahuna, was called upon and paid a tribute of praise to Dr. Copland on. behalf of the Waitahuna congregation. He might mention that the people of Waitahuna had petitioned the Presbytery for a minister,of their own. Had it not been for t&e departure of Dr. Copland that petition might have been delayed, and their privileges would n.ot hav.e been enlarged. The Rev. Mr. Bull then addressed the meeting. He said there was a degree of solemnity in the thought of one about to leave them who had laboured .with such energy and faithfulness as p,v, Copland had" done. 0n account of

the short period which had elapsed since he (Mr. Bull) came to the district, he had not had many opportunities of knowing Dr. Copland so well ns many of -his friends present, but so far as he knew and had seen and heard of him, he felt certain he would be a great loss to the district. Mr. M'Lelland had referred to the loss which would be experienced to that portion of the Church to which he belonged 5 he (Mr. Bull) might say on behalf of the Methodist Church that be was confident he was expressing their feelings when he said they -deeply regretted Dr. Copland's leaving the district. From the members of the "Wesleyan Church he had also heard Dr. Copland spoken of as a laborious worker and a zealous preacher. His removal, he hoped, would be an advantage both to. himself and to his people. As two writers might give a different description of the same place they had seen — one. touching upon points that the other had overlooked, so with two ministers, one might present certain portions of truth to his hearers that another might fail to do. Where so many binding, endearing, and solemn ties exist, the Church cannot help feeling aggrieved in saying farewell to one who has laboured so long and so zealously amongst them, and he could only conclude by expressing his own wish ancl the wishes of those of the Wesleyan Church here, that Dr. Copland may be long spared and be successful in the sphere of labour to which he has been called. (Applause.) • Mr. Stenhouse rose and proposed a vote of thanks to the gentlemen who had kindly given their presence and spoken during the evening, and also to the ladies for the excellent tea they had provided. As secretary of the Church, he might state that during the past year the congregation had e\ inced unusual prosperity. The atnpunt which had been contributed to the Building Fund was £500, £200 of which was contributed at the Blue Spur. By making this statement he. only wished to show there was a desire to further the work in their midst and encourage their minister. (xA.pplause.)

The Chairman said that before singing the last verse and receiving tne benediction from Dr. Copland, he, in the name of the congregation would give him the right hand of fellowship, and say that the rev. doctor carried with him their cordial and hearty wishes for his welfare.

The Rev. Dr. Copland said it was unnecessary for him to say much in bidding them good bye. His feelings were too strong for expression then, although he was a man whom the world thought cold. So strong were his feelings that he could not venture to touch upon them. He apologised for not calling upon many friends. There had been meetings every night during the last waek. He wished to make that statement, as some might think he had neglected them. He had now to say to one and all of them, Good bye.

Hymn, " Letnot your hearts with anxious thoughts."

The Rev. Dr. Copland having pronounced the benediction, the meeting separated.