PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NORTHCOTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 193, 15 August 1889, Page 2

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NORTHCOTE.

(To the Editor.)

Sip.,—l am nob a resident in Northcote, bub ib really appears to me that the writer signing himself "Union" is unnecessarily disturbed about the Novthcote Presbyterians. As a matter of tact, very few, if any, now connected with the cause belonged , to any congregation in the disbricb. Many were nob attending any place of worship. So far from the effort being a failure, there are manifest signs of substantial success. About forty partook of the communion when it was last held. The church which is about to be erected, will not materially increase the expenses. The present building, which, though good as a public hall, and lot hitherto at a cheap rate, is nob for many reasons so desirable as a church. It is well-known that the erection of a church in Northcote was contemplated, and as the Anglican Church is the only other in Northcote, with the rapid growth and prospects of the district only prejudice would lead to an objection. The very nice Wesleyan Church on bhebopof the hill in the distance is in the borough of Birkenhearl, and may be regarded as a suitable provision for that locality. If a church was thought bo be desirable, surely the Presbybei'ians had a right bo-erect one, having'waived their previous claim, and beingsolarge a proportion, if not a majority of the Christians in bhe district. In reference to the 'financial .position of the church, doubtless the smallnoss of the sum paid to the missionary is to be regretted, bub probably ; thafc does nob represent all he has received, and is nob lees than similar agents in connecbion with other churches are paid. He is satisfied, and if the 'arrangement is'mubually satisfactory what is ib to " Union," or any other objector ? They know their circumstances', and having the ordinary measure of intelligence and Christian principle, can manage their own aifah'3. In pioneer work there must be come self-denial, and if under such circumstances those concerned waited until the neighbourhood was fully formed ib is reasonable to suppose that the work done would, in a large measure, be left undone. As a matter of i'acb, the Presbyterians have evinced the spirit of religious rivalry in a smaller degree than ether sects-that might be named. It does appear to me that there is a great deal of cant in this talk about Christian union and church rivalry; and not infrequently those who have ihe moat to cay in _ its favour; are the greatest sinners against it; advocating it strongly when it seems to be their interest to do so, and going as strongly against it when ib suits them. No doubt the evilv should be abated, and removed as far as possible, bub it does appear to me that Norbhcote is not by any meims a serious example of those evils. The fact is, the different sects meet the requirements of different types of mind and Christian life. The divisions in these secte appear to outsiders to be needless, and probably are so, but the Anglicans suit a certain type not mob by the others, Mebhodism does the same, and certainly Preebyterianism has its mission, at least Pi esbytcrians think so ; and thoy mean to prosecute itab Norbhcote, tho opposition of certain objectors notwithstanding.—lain, etc., Examiner.