TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2181, 1 July 1886, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU.

LECTURE BY JtKV. H. BULL. The Rev. Mr Bull delivered a lecture in the Wesieyan Church on Monday evening, on " Scotland's Great Hero," this honour he claimed for John Knox, the great reformer. The chair was taken by Mr J. \V. Bridjjman, who briefly alluded to the subject of the lecture and also the many other heroes who, like Knox, were Scotia's sons. Before the lecture some musical selections were? rendered. Mrs Creamer sang ''The Or[i!ian's Prayer " very earnestly ; Messrs, John and I). Fry executed a flute duet excellently ; after which Mr Creamer sang "A rolling btone gathers no moss." At the close of the lecture Mr and Mis Creamer sang " What are thejwild waves saying" exceedingly well. On rising, Mr I Bull, who read his lecture, said Scotland had produced many great heroes Wallace, Bruce, Knox, and niiny other*. Among the many gi eat men who benefitted the world by their diseoveiies, abilities, and science none had done su, in a more marked degree, than the great reformer who was the subject of the lecture. The term "hero" a^ applied to Knox was eminently appropriate, for it required heroism of no ordinary kind to brave the trials and persecutions of the time m spreading the truths of the Gospel. In the face of persecutions by men holding high positions in. the Church and State the reformer fearlessly preached to the people, pointing out to them the true way of salvation. Not only were the ecclesiastics and some of the nobility bitterly opposed to him,, but Mary Stuart herself tried by; every means to p"ut a stop to what wore* considered hi* dangerous heresies. The' more determined Was the opposition the more resolute Know became, and when the treat that, if 'he attempted to preach in St. Andrew's, armed men would be there with orders to fire on. him, was made, his friends, in their solicitude for his safety tiied to dissuade him from the attempt, but he remained firm in his resolution, and did preach with no evil results to himself, but With the best results to his , hearers. The lecturer said that in every land were the Anglo-Saxon language is spoken the benign influence of Knoxs principles are felt. Mr Bull went on to describe theabuses which existed at the time, and traced the causes which led up to the reformation, and which led the people to embrace the reformed faith, how preferment in the church did not go by merit but by influence, and not uufrequently by force of arms. The people were weary of this and the many gross impostures which were perpetrated. The time was ripe for the labours of men like Knox ; that this was so was prwved by the faot that these labours were attended with suoh success, a,nd the influence of this great mar was indelibly stamped upon the Scottish nation and all Protestants for all time. At the close of the lecture a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Bull was moved by the Rqv.iMr Mather, who spoke in eulogistic "terms of Mr Bull and the lecture.' In the course of his remarks Mr Mather said that the Roy. Mr Rish worth had promised to come here in about six weeks time, and give ,a lecture on the South Sea Islands, illustrated by diagrams, maps, and curios collected in the islands. There would be no charge for admission, but a collection would be made in aid of the Foreign Mission Fund for preaching the Gospel .to the natives of New Britain and other islands.

WANT OF A MEDICAL MAN. IjTow that Dr. Blunden has left we have no doctor nearer than Cambridge or Hamilton, and in a district so thickly populated a 4 this such a position of affairs may be productive of the worst results. If an accident happened, or some one was seized with a sudden illness, the patient might die befp.re medical assistance could be procured from either of the two places referred to. In a Urge district like thia there is an excellent opening for a doctor, and the wonder id that someone has not come here befoie now. Dr. Blunden'n practice was large, so large that; he told me on one occasion he would be glad if someone would take the Lower Wai pa district off his hands, as this end of the country was large enough for him. Lest theie should bo any misapprehension as to his reason for leaving a place so good as this is represented to be, I may state that it was on account of the health of a member of hie family who required a change to the seaside. The medical profession does not appear to be overdone in New Zealand, or we should have had a, doctor here ere this. I would suggest that the chairmen of the three town and two highway boards call public meetings at the usual places to take steps to secure the services of a medical man, and that these meetings be held as soon as possible. If they weie held simultaneously it would be a saving ot time, tor this is a matter of great importance and admits of no delay. It may seem odd that such a district as this should have to resort to such a method to get a doctor, but as no one appears to be ready to fill the \acancy without getting a "call," the sooner we do it the better*— (Own Correspondent.)

Notice of intention to take land for a road in the Puniu Survey District is gazetted m another column. Visitors at Te Avoha Club Hotel last week :— Mr R. K. McGregor, Mr J. Craiff, Mr F. Dann, Mr J. Donald, Thames ; Mr J. Livesey, Mr W. Martin, Mr W. Joues, MiK.C.V.S., Auckland.