PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT HAVELOCK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 370, 4 July 1874, Page 3

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT HAVELOCK.

The opening of the above building was celebrated by a soiree on Tuesday evening last. About 300 persons were present (including a large number of Lawrence residents), who sat down to an excellent tea. The tables — two in number — Were sumptuously supplied with many kinds of dainties, and presided over by several of the ladies of the district, and volunteered their services in preparing; jfche edibles and making the necessary arrangements. "After amplfe justice had been done to the good things provided, an interval took place to allow the tables to be removed, after which the building was quickly and densely crowded in a few minutes* The audience was addressed by six Presbyterian clergymen. The chair was occupied by the Rev. J. Skinner, the pastor of the congregation. The choir of the Lawrence Presbyterian Church congregation, under the able leading of Mr. Alex. Humphrey, discoursed sweet music, at intervals, during the evening. The proceedings were commenced by the choir singing the 135 th Psalm, after Which *

The Chairman, in a few congratulatory remarks, observed that it was not his intention to occupy any valuable time in giving a speech. He would necessarily be very brief, in order to allow the " great guns " of the evening to have their say* He would first call upon the Treasurer, Mr. Clarke, for a few words to show how matters stood in connection with the Church from a financial point of view. Mr. Clarke stated that it would cost the Committee close on £420 to erect the present building. That sum they had resolved to pay the contractors in three instalments, which were on very liberal terms. To meet that expenditure they had received iv Waitahuua alone, £150 ; by collection on Sunday last, JB15 ; by the present soiree they expected to realise £60; and the Manuka Creek Committee had promised £50, although he thought they would be able to make it £100 instead of £50. He said there were two ways of meeting the balance of the amount, vi%, by borrowing money and paying a per centage as interest; or by getting the debt cleared off by immediate payment. He earnestly urged the congregation to pay t>ff the debt at onee — in fact, he was entirely opposed to borrowing money for the purpose under any consideration. The balance could .easily be cleared off by all putting their hands in their pockets and subscribing liberally. He said there was any amount of money in the district. The past year had been a very successful and prosperous oneHlor •very class of tho community. In concluding, Mr. Clarke mentioned that the Committee were thinking about erecting a manse for Mr. Skinner, the building in which that gentleman resided at present being very inadequate for the purpose for which it was used.

The Rev. Mr. Cameron, who was the next speaker callad upon, said he felt great pleasure at being present during the evening. He was confident that their meeting would be remembered by every one in the district — far and near. There had been nothing like it on the goldfields before. He congratulated them M a congregation for the minister they had amongst them, and also for such a magnificent building as a place of worship. He trusted they would all become earnest and united workers for the advancement of God's kingdom. After a few remarks, the Chairman said be had great pleasure in calling upon his old friend, the

Rev. Mr. M'Ara, of Balclutha. The rev. gentleman, on rising, said that he always had considerable difficulty in making a soiree speech : — in fact, he would rather prepare a number of sermons than speak on an occasion similar to the present. In sermonwriting one had only to fix upon a text for a subject, and then it was an easy matter to "follow it up. Whereas, at a soiree, there was the probability oh the one side of being very dry ; and a danger on the other side of showing too much levity. The -rev. speaker took occasion to refer to the inestimable character of Mr. Skinner. He had the privilege of being educated at the same college at Edinburgh as that gentleman, and being a fellow student of his, he was in a position to speak of him. He trusted they would sustain and support Mr. Skinner with their most hearty sympathies. The minister, lie forcibly remarked, ought not to be alone in the carrying on of the work of the district. If the minister is to be prosperous mnd successful in his efforts, they should uphold him by earnest and faithful prayer. By so. doing, the blessings of the G-ospel message would permeate -throughout the •whole district. . Mr. M'Lelland, of the Blue Spur, was the next speaker on the list. Owing to the number of " great guns " who were present, he remarked that he would not detain them '"with a lengthy speech. He congratulated the congregation, and the minister for the amount of good work that had been done that day in the district. He was pleated to see so many learned Doctors of Divinity present — more especially those ministers who luxuriantly nourished on the banks of the Clutha. He concluded a very

desultory address by referring briefly to the y>«ny advantages derivable from prayer. The Rev. Mr. Chisholm, of Tokomairiro, then addressed the meeting. He sincerely congratulated the assembly on what had taken place on that day. When he was Moderator of the Presbytery some few years ago, he paid the district two or three visits. Waitahuna at that time was an extremely «mall and unpopulated district. He never imagined— in fact, he had not the slightest conception— that the district would become «o important and extensive in so short a period of time. After referring to the Church and the large concourse of persons .assembled; he asked the questions: What does all this mean? What is it intended to tea** ? He confessed that they were always in the habit of forgetting the result of tho end hi view. To illustrate this point, be related an incident in his own experience. He Wa» an old colonist, and well remembered ioarneying with a friend from Tokomairiro to Gabriels Gully, som« twelve or thirteen rears ago with heavy swags on their backs. tattle knowing the whereabouts of these diggings, they asked a shepherd, whom they incidentally met, to be pointed in the direction «f Gabriels Oully. The Blue Mountain* were pointed to by the shepherd, and ' the/ wew tow to keep the Mountains in view,

and they would be enabled to reach their destination in safety. This they attempted to do, but unfortunately wero lost on tho ranges, and were obliged to lie down in their blankets in the open air. On the following morning they resumed their weary sojourn, and reached a comfortable hut about dinnertime. They commenced to cook some victuals in the hut. Immediately afterwards his companion was quite jubilant at the fact as he imagined of the diggings being in sight, and tho chance of reaching the end of their journey before nightfall. But to their great disappointment the supposed, diggings turned out to be a mob of cattle grazing leisurely. What an important thing, then, it was to to have the right end in view, and not to be misled. The speaker urged the necessity of keeping in mind the calling of the minister, and the great end all present should have in view of giving their souls to God.

Mr. Paul Ah Chin, Chinese" Missionary, delivered a short address. He referred chiefly to missionary work in China, Fiji, and the South Sea Islands.

After the choir sang a portion of the 148 th Psalm,

The Rev. Mr. Allan, of Inch Clutha, addressed the meeting. He feared he was too highly pleased for his own comfort — in fact, he was considerably troubled with his own happiness. He well remembered the first time he passed through the Waitahuna district — it being the first time he had seen a goldfield. At that period he was terrified at the sight of a digger ; but now, he rejoiced to say, he never felt more happy than when in their company. He believed that his presence amongst them that evening would do him -a world of good. The rev. gentleman then referred to the difficulties and discouragements that tend to depress the spirits of ministers, in the work of God. He urged that the religion of Christ carried with it the power and l»fficacy required to ameliorate the hearts of men. If its power existed in the hearts of a community they would not be satisfied with shams — nothing but real sincere worship would satisfy them. Far better have no religion at all than an artificial and powerless one.

Mr. Walter Miller was next called upon. He said he had every reason to congratulate tho residents of the district on the very substantial and commodious Church that had been erected. He considered the work had been well performed by the contractors. • Mr. Miller gave a very interesting sketch of the Province generally from the time when he first landed in the Colony — some twenty years ago ; and concluded by giving some valuable advice to the rising generation, who, he considered, were the making of a young and rising district like Waitahuna.

The Rev. Dr. Stuart, of Dunedin, was the last speaker called upon by the Chairman. The rev. Dr. stated that he was compelled to curtail his address, which would have taken half an hour in delivery, owing to the lateness of the hour. He commenced by stating that he was firmly of opinion that a great and prosperous future lay in store for the Province. He would not despise small beginnings, however trifling. The largest and most important countries in the world had risen to eminence from small beginnings. He instanced, as an illustration of this remarks, the case of two extensive and important states of America, viz., Virginia and New England, from which, he trusted, a few beneficial lessons might be learnt. During the reign "o Queen Elizabeth, a small section of Puritans, who were at that time very rigorously persecuted on account of their religious doctrines, were compelled to leave England and seek shelter in the low marshes of Holland. Not contended with their fate in that country, they resolved to emigrate to America. Prior to their departure, they set apart a day for prayer and fasting to God. They embarked for their destination about the middle of June, and arrived in safety in Codfish Bay at the latter end of August, 1620, after an extremely perilous voyage. On their arrival, they sang praises to Almighty God for their safe deliverance. They held a consultation amongst themselves, and appointed one of their number as a G-overnor to watch over their interests. The rev. gentleman detailed the many difficulties they had to encounter. Winter set in with undue .severity ; and out of the 101 souls who arrived, 50 were in their graves at the close of the winter season. Those who s arrived were sincerely devoted to God. In twenty years after their arrival, they increased rapidly, and numbered 22,000 strong. They were not indifferent as to the education of their children, having gone to considerable trouble and expense in erecting a suitable University for that purpose, and which in the present day was the largest and best conducted in the known world. Our space will not permit us to follow the rev. gentleman, in his remarks, to any f uthcr extent : suffice to say, that he considered that New Zealand was destined to become, as more than one astute statesman had remarked, "The Britain of the South." In concluding, he hoped that the blessing of the Lord would rest upon them and every continue with them.

The following votes of thank 3 were unanimously carried, amid loud and prolonged applause :—": — " To the Ladie3," " The Choir," " The Speakers," aud to " The Committee."

The Benediction having been pronounced by Dr. Stuart, one of tho most pleasant and successful gatherings ever held in Waitahuna was brought to a close.