OUR SCANDINAVIAN MISSION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 871, 16 September 1881, Page 2

OUR SCANDINAVIAN MISSION.

[Abrigded from the New Zealand WeS' leyan.]

When the train arrived at Masterton, at 10 o'clock on the morning of the 9th of July there was ready a trap with an intelligent driver in oharge, waiting for the English preacher. In a very short time we were on the Opaki plains, and turning to the right, crossed the new bridge and went on the maiß road beyond, bending round to due north. Skirting some low hills we soon came again to open ground again ; and a few miles further on we saw the dense bush, right and left, in everincreasing quantity. A little beyond Dreyertown—nine miles north of Masterton—the scenery became more and more grand. All the materials for magnificent scenery were there—the immense trees were rearing their heads in the bright aunahine—totara, matai, rimu, and other varieties in great profusion. On either side were what poets call " the everlasting hills"—at any rate, the hills were there; but so thickly covered with forest trees that you could only see the rough outline of them. At Inst we turned off the main road to the left, asoending ft hill and then descending into a finely-wooded valley—the outskirts of Mauriceville. Then we drove up the winding road of another ascent, and came to Mauriceville South. The settlers here had been industrious, and the forest was being transformed into small fertile farms. One more ascent, and then, when we had reached the summit, another valley appeared in Bight, In a few minutes the larger part of Mauriceville North was visible. The most prominent feature in this settlement is our new church. It iB built on a jutting knoll, part of the range of low hills on the right, and some fifty feet above the road. In front of the Church was a small flagstaff, to which was attached a red and white flag. Two other flags or banners, were gaily flying on or near the Church, on one of which was inscribed "I'aith, Hope,and Charity." At 3 p.m. 9th of July, the first service was held in the new Church. A foundation, or memorial stone was duly laid inside and beneath the communion rail. Pastor Neilson had travelled from Norsewood in order to be present and assist on this festive occasion. He and the resident pastor took aH active part in the services. The Rov W.G.Thomas, trom Greytown, gave an address explanatory of the doctrines, Sacraments, and discipline of the Christian religion as held by the Methodist Churohes, Pastor Neilson translating it into Scandinavian. The people sang with all their hearts —" both young maids and men, old men and children." And when it was the music of their father-land led by the good and Clear voice of Pastor Neilson, the effect was most edifying. Pastor Ohristnfferston read a document containin? the history of the Mauriceville mission up to that date. This navian, and a translation into English, with a New Testament, a copy of New Zealand Wesleyan for July and one of most recent copies of Daily were in due time deposited in a cavity of the memorial stone. Towards the close of this deeply interesting service came the collection. Neither the collector nor the people appeared to be at all scared at the sight of the bright plate that was passed round in the presence of the large congregation.. I frankly confess it did my heart good to see how they managed the whole affair, There was no hurry° as if this, a necessary piece of business, must be got through with the utmost possible speed on account of it' unoleuMtness. The collector stood before you for ut few seconds, and in the most modest and yet manly way, gave the impression that he expected you to contribute something, and that he was quite willing to wait in order to give you time enough to produce the cash. In About 9 or'lo minutes everybody had the opportunity to give, which they did in the most willing and cheerful manner. It may be well here to give a short description of the church and congregation. The building, outside measure, not including the base of the spire, is 31ft. Gin. by 18ft. It is capable of seating, with the gallery, 100 people. A good bell has been suspended in the tower, which is useful in such a scattered district in giving tho people far and near due warning of the approaching service. The cost of the church, labor estimated and money given, amounts to £149175. Before these services were begun, the total debt was Ml Pastor Christofferson both planned and, to a very large extent, built the church with his own hands. His good lady did all the painting of the church, and a very good job she has made of it, On the Saturday and Sabbath the collectionsjeachod £fi 0s 2d, leaving at that time the small balance of 15 deficit on the whole affair. A central aisle divides the interior sitting accommodation. On the right hand side, as you enter the church from the front, are' seated the men, and on the left the women. As a whole, both were intelligent looking, and most devout in their worship of God. In evidence of their intelligence, I noted the precision and accuracy in their enunciation of the vowels as they wero singing together. Few English 'congregations pronounce their vowels so accurately.. The women were remarkably neat in their appearance, Several of them—not yet Anglicised—wore colored handkerchiefs round thoir heads. Others had got more fully tinged with English notions about dress. Almost without exception, the attire was simple, neat, an.l good. All were good hearers-: and, although only a part of the English portion of the services was understood by them, tiie attention aud interest were well maintained throughout. The four services altogether qocupied nearly eight hours, but I don't think I saw one person taking out his watoh and clicking it as a broad hint to the preacher that he had had quite enough for that time. All seemed eager to hear about God and Jesus Christ whom he has sent. W. G. T.