PASTOR BIRCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 82, 8 April 1891, Page 2

PASTOR BIRCH.

PRESENTATION OF TESTIMONIAL.

St. James's Hall waa crowded last evening by persons sympathising with Pastor Birch. Before the doors of the hall wero opened a crowd of over 100 per=ons were in waiting, and by the time the meeting commenced all the available sitting accommodation was occupied. When Pastor Birch appeared on the platform, attended by Messrs P. Herapath (chairman), R. Fry, C. B. Stone, Woodham, and other gentlemen, a perfect storm of applause broke forth. A choir was in attendance, and the proceedings were commenced by all uniting in singing " Blest be the Tie thab Binds Our Hearts," after v. Inch Mr Fry engaged in prayer. The hymn " Be Glad" in the Lord aud Rejoice " was next sung. Mr Fry then said that their brother Mr Herapatb had kindly consented to take charge that evening, he being a great sympathiser wish Mr Birch. He might mention, with reference to the statemenb bhab many persons had signed the testimonial under a wrong impression, the Committee had decided to make it publicly known that anyone who had done so could have their names removed upon communicating with Mr Knight, bub so far no ono had applied (applause), but the Gospel Temperance Mission, whose Secretary had signed as Secretary. Ono member of the Council had therefore been moving in the direction of having that name erased. At a meeting held that afternoon the Council had decided on the motion of Pastor Birch to remove the signature of the Secretary of fcheGospelTemperanceMission. Mr Fry then read an apology from Mr W. H. Smith for non-attendance, on account of a meeting at the Helping Hand Mission. Tho Chairman said that all would be glad to welcome Mr Birch back again. He did not come there to apologise for Mr Birch, bub to sympathise with him in the greab persecution and persistent opposition, he had undergone during the last few months. The crisis that had led to this demonstration had caused them all pain, still it was necessary that they should vindicate MiBirch from that persistent ill-will that ho had experienced almost since ho first arrived in Auckland. (Applause.) Mr C. B. Stone said that there were friends present that night from the Tabernacle who perhaps would not liko what he should say, bub he would try and be careiul not to be too strong or intemperate. Ho asked all to be quiet in that meeting, and would be prepared afterwards to meet anyone outside. He did nob mean pugilistioally. The duty ho had to perform was both pleasant and painful—pleasant because it was a presentation to one whom they esteemed, and painful because the sympathy was needed owing to the cruel treatment ho had received ab the hands of those who should havo helped him in the work of the Church, and which treatment had compelled him to resign the pastorate. In presenting tho testimonial, ib was a pleasure fco be able to say that the hundreds who had signed it wero friends who loved and esteemed Pastor Birch, and who deeply sympathised with him in his late trouble with the Tabernacle Church. They would ever wish him God speed wherever he might go, for many hearts and homes had been cheered by his presence, and hundreds had been blessed and lifted upwards by his preaching a full salvation, and what Cod has in store for all those who will by faith tako hold upon His, rich promises—a full salvation nob only from sin, bub from the power of the devil. The happy face and cheery smile of Pastor Birch had helped them many a time, and his fearless denunciation "of sin—whether in the believer's heart or in the heart of the ungodly—had turned many to seek and find pardon. The painful" part was the causes of the pastor's resignation. They did nob wish to be misunderstood, or to say anything that was not strictly in accordance with truth and honesty (applause), nor show anything of feeling that might look or sound nnchristianlike. (Applause.) They did not ' want to show any spirit such as they said the opposition had shown ; but ib had been very painful to wibness what he had ; for though laid asido with sickness during all the time pf tho lasb trouble ,and the climax of affairs, still, from letters in the papers, statements by frionds who had visited him, by letters ho had received from folk far and near, and lastly, by that abortive attempt to reply to a plain statement of facts written to the Star of March the 10th called a "Church Circular" —all had tended to show the bitterness that existed, and the strength of feeling manifested against the pastor. How untruthful, how distoi ted, how childish some of the assertions made, and how mean some of the measures resorted to by people who ought to have known better to prevent people from signing the testimonial, instead of calling upon the Church as a whole to present one themselves to the retiring pastor. He was sorry to hear that even some'of bhe ministers were keeping themselves aloof from Mr Birch since his return and had refused to sign the testimonial. Even one of their own Baptist ministers was asked at the time of his Sundayschool annivereary to send Mr and Mrs Birch an invitation to be yet refused to do so, though numbers of his own people would have been very glad to have seen them there. No wonder the world pointed to them and said, " Behold how these Christians love one another." He also referred to the action of certain members of the Gospel Temperance Mission re the secretary's signature. Mr Hill gave his consent bo himself for the secretary to append bis signature to the testimonial. Since then one of Mr Birch's bitterest opponents from the Tabernacle, for reasons best known to himself, had moved to have tho name erased. They bad already heard with what result. In preparing that testimonial the Committee wrote nothing thab would look like bad spirit, nothing strong or intemperate. Members of the opposition would have signed had they consented to take oub bho wcrds, "nnd in our opinion unjust." That the Committee could nobdo,as they were unjust—very unjust. (Applause.) As to the " Church Circular," he would refer to one clause, which stated, " They who wrote the letter to the Stab of the 10th of March, and others, are taking steps to secure the return of Mr Birch, and by forming another church under his guidance split up bhe Tabernacle Church." This sbatemenb was quite untrue. He was sure those who may perhaps have asked the pastor to come back and preach to them "never thought of such a wicked thing as "splitting up the Tabernacle Church," bub merely of securing one whose ministry did them so much good, lifting them heavenwards, not mystifying and depressing them. Speaking for himself, he might state thab the pastor could nob rind one word in his (the speaker's) letters about a " fubure" or " another church under his guidance." The pastor had an invitation to Sydney, but he had not yet decided what ho would do. If Pastor Birch decided to work in Auckland, then he should go with him. He had been a deacon of the Tabornacle until Monday, when he resigned, feeling that ho could no longer work as an officer of a church manifesting the spirit ib had been done. He was now free to acb, bub bhe Tabornacle friends surely neednobfearanother church ormission hall, when bhey heard that there were still 20,000 people in Auckland who did nob attend church. There was plenty of work for half-a-dozen Mr Birches. (Applause.) He was glad to see ono clause of the '' church circular " stated that " they I admire and esteem Mr Birch as a Christian gentleman," bub he wondered how they would have treated him bad they not so " admired and esteemed him," and why they wrote such a circular at all. when they knew ho waa

such a Christian. This wa3 really too thin, it would not wash. It was because Mr Birch had been boo Scriptural for somo that had caused the trouble. The devil did not like Scriptural holiness, and he stirred up even the Church against ib. (Applause.) They would find that the world said give us a real religion, ono worth the having, one thab could keep them living right in everyday life, and it would accept it, not that sorb of thing which some churches called religion. It was Mr Birch's fearless preaching c. y- : rist sin in any shape, and at every opportunity, that troubled those who were nob prepared to give themselves wholly up, owing to, perhaps, some darling sin, perhaps some questionable practice in business or in bheir social life, or hall-dozen of other causes ; and to be told of these made bitter enemies of some of those who should uphold the preacher of holiness. Mr Birch had at any rate the melancholy satisfaction of knowing that he was nob bhe only Baptist minister that had had trouble with tho church ; tbe Baptists must certainly be a very cantankerous lot. All the Tabernacle pastors, one aftor another, had had to leave with very sore hearts. The present dear pastor, who was with them, had many an aching heart over them years ago, and his own son vowed he would never enter a Baptist church again, and had, he believed, kept his vow. The next pastor he should never forget about, and the long hour he spent with him walhing up and down the road in tho moonlight, talking over his troubles with the church, jusb before ho resigned ; and the last pastor, Mr Spurgeon, resigned under cover of failing health, but ho (Mr Stone) well knew whero the sore spot was. Mr Birch's case had certainly been worse, because perhaps lie could boar a little moro before he gave in. (Applause.) He was pleased to" see that ab bhe Tabernacle Church meebing the nighb before, bhe voto of censure was only confirmed by a small majority of seven votes. Ho had told them that a vote of censuro under existing circumstances at the Tabernacle was rather a compliment than otherwise. Mr Stone than handed tho following testimonial to Mr Birch on behalf of the 2,000 peoplo by whom it had bfcon signed : — To Pastor Birch.—Rev. and Dear Sir : Wo, the undersigned, being members and adherents of tho Baptist Tabernacle and other Churches in AucKland, and citizens, desire to place on record our high appreciation of, and our thorough belief in, your Christian character. During the sixteen months of your pastorato'ab the Tabornacle, we have had abundant opportunity of learning your sterling worth and true nobility of heart, enabling you to livo and teach those principles of our moat holy faith as contained in the Word of God. We desire to convey to you our heartfelt sympathy that circumstances of a most trying (and in, our opinion unjust) nature have led you to resign the pastorato of the Auckland Baptist Tabernacle, where much good has been accomplished in tho hearts and consciences of a very large number, who are now members of the Tabernacle and ether churches. Many a home has been made happier, and many an individual cheered by your unostentatious charity, which has been dispensed irrespective of creed. We shall ever pray for your success in proclaiming that blessed full salvation which you love so well, and we earnestly desire that the richest blessing of Almighty God may rest upon you and yours, wherever you are called by Him to labour, whether hero in Auckland or elsewhere. Assuring you of our aflection&te regard, wo are, dear sir, yours faithfully. Then followed the signatures, which included deacons and stewards of the Tabernacle, members of bho choir, tho secretary and treasurer of tho Sundayschool, representatives from the Sailors' Home, Salvation Army, Kohimarama School, Helping Hand Mission, members of overy church, including 1150 Baptists. The testimonial was handsomely illuminated and enclosed in a morocco caso.

Mr Birch was received with prolonged applauso. Ho said such a gracious present from such a graceful audionco made persecution, if it could be called such, a glory and a blessing. (Applause.) He thought, after that, ho might take it for granted that God had been, and still was, with him. It was truo thab thero had been some opposition, bub iv saying so ho meant no improper rcflecbions. However, when he placed before him the men and women who had co unjustly opposed him, and thoso men of honour who wero with him, ho felb he could bear all bhat had been brought against him. He thought thab if men ot integrity and consistent Christian life had spoken of him in the terms bhat had been used by tho opposition, he would have gone from Auckland wibh a broken heart. Bub when ha found the true men who would stand by him, he felb bhat to come back to Auckland was liko coming back to homo and paradise. Before coming to Now Zealand ho read a letter in London from the Auckland Tabernacle, which stated that after purging the roll there remained 600 good members ; and also tbab the church was united in the bonds of love. On hearing thes6 stabemehbs Mr C. H. Spurgeon said, " Why, old man, bhis church has dropped down from Heaven for you." His prayor on his way oub in the steamer had continually been thab God might make him worthy of such a church. Howover, when he arrived he was surprised to find tha6 thero had never been a meeting of the church ab which more than 300 members had bean present. The others lived in • Fiji, Melbourne, London, and elsewhere. Ib thus appeared thab from some cause ho had been, unwibtingly no doubt, grossly deceived. Moreover, ib was not a church filled with bhe Holy Ghosb, bub a church divided. He was told bhat his preaching would fill the Tabernacle, but divide the church ; that he would make a rent. Ib was of the highest importance men should have a righb view of God. He had preached the all-embracing love of God, not thab of a God who loved a few. He had preached the faith bhab showed itself by good works. Not long ago he met a young man who was in trouble because he gave up a position rather than provide music for a music hall, gave it up because these places disgraced those who otherwise might be good wives, and instead ieft them in the gutter like orangea that had been sucked. He asked if people who had business connections with those houses where poor lost women pandered to men's evil passions, were they fib to sib ab the Lord's table? It was because he had preached against such practices thab he had been opposed at the Auckland Tabernacle. (Applause.) He also met with opposition owing to what ho had said aboub the land. He had stated that Christians should do their utmost to lift the burdens that afflicted humanity. Thoy in Auckland were nob bread-winners, but they were only distributors ; and if the farmers"were not prosperous the people of Auckland must suffer. They wanted the land to bo free and to havo more men upon it. Ho had spoken against the 10 and 15 per cent, charged by the Bank of New Zealand and other companies, and he almost wished that he had yiolded to the desires which had been expressed by many that he should endeavour to enter Parliament. In this colony there were seven million acres locked up, and it would romain locked up until men went and settled round it and enhanced its value. Ho would like to have a Bill passed to enable the Government to sell all the uninhabited land in tho colony t n those who would use it, and to givo the > coeds to the owners. He had also v. ,yd that capital and labour should love one another, that they should be like the bride and bridegroom. Without that, havoc i must come. He had taught obedience I in children and patience in parents, I

and that was the holiness which stank at tho Baptiso Tabernacle. With reference to sinless perfection, he had not taught ib, bub he had spoken of tho spirit of perfect obedience. God, our Father, asks us to bo loyally obedient to Him, and requires us to do our duty. It was this teaching of his that stank in the Auckland Tabernacle. Religion was service to our fellow-man, "To visit the fatherless and widow in their ailliction and keep ourselves unspotted from bho world." The Lord had undertaken to be in us as a spring of water, and he would keep us clean as a flowing brook does the pebbles. St. Augustine had well said thatevery Christian might livo without sin by bhe grace of God. As for certain persons who believed thab their sins, past, present, and to come, were pardoned, it did not exactly matter what they did. Ho taught thab a seller, because he was in needy circumstances, should nob be beaten down to a ruinous price, bub should receive the price that was right between man and man, and God looking on. Thab a man should nob " do others," but do to them as he would be done by. Their bankruptcy law* might legally whitewash a man, and might allow him to settle a nice little income on his wife, but if ho left others to suffer on his account and did not strive to remove his debts, even after fifty years, lie did a great injury to his fellow man. He had always hated the ringing of bhe bell and tho paid sittings at the Tabernacle, which tended to place a line of demarkation between tho poor and the rich. He objected to class distinction, and would liko to see the godly poor as eligiblo for office in the church as iho rich man was. Whether he remained in Auckland or not, he wished to makoibknown that nomanwasabandoned. And ho would preach tho Gospel to every creature. If they built a new house, need bhey break up the old one ? Was there nob room for a new house, considering the number of peoplo in the city who never went to any church ? Let their gentle love, their bravery for God's truth, and thoir godly lives be shown forth. Let them pub their shoulders bo tho wheel and uplift this Auckland and make it an honour to God and a praise in the earth. (Applause.) Short addresses were given by Messrs Knight, Baker and Hay, after which "God Be With You Till We Meet Again " was sung. Mr Fry then presented tho following testimonial from 167 residents of Onehunga:— "Reverend and dear sir,—Wo, tho undersigned residents of Onehunga and surrounding districts, desire to placo on record our high appreciation ot, and thorough belief in, your Christian character, and sympathise with yon in your present pastoral difficulties. We also desire to convey to you our heartfelt thanks for the devoted and consistent manner in which you have ministered to us in the public service, and to the sick and distressed amongst us wherever called upon during the months you havo been resident in Auckland."

Mr Birch thon briefly returned thanks on behalf of his wife and himself, after which the meeting was closed with prayer.