METHODIST ADVANCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 48, 26 February 1929, Page 8

METHODIST ADVANCE.

OPENING OF NEW COLLEGE.

CEREMONY OF UN VEILING.

DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING

Combined with the dedication and official opening of the new Trinity Theological College and hostel, which takes place to-morrow afternoon, the Methodist Church of New Zealand will celebrate an important development in its work in the Dominion. Many historical events are recorded in the new building by photographs, memorial tablets, and valuable books and documents. By a jubilee campaign for funds which was launched three years ago, the college has been completed free of debt. The generosity of Methodists in all parts of the Dominion has contributed to the success of the scheme, and the result is a splendid three-storey building on one of the most elevated sites in Auckland. Of chief interest from a historical point of view is the library, with a large open fireplace, above which is inscribed in Oamaru stone the well-known phrase used by Bengel, a teacher of John Wesley: "Spiritus Übi Est, Ardet" (wherever the Spirit is, it burns). The library occupies the whole of the lower portion of the wing fronting Carlton Gore Road. All its furnishings and shelving accommodation are in oak, and conspicuously plac«l is a copy of a picture in the city art gallery, "'ln Time of Peril." Memorial Portraits. Portraits of numerous personalities, including Charles Lamb, Dr. Johnson, Scott, Thackeray and others, have been presented by the Rev. W. J. Elliott, expresident of the Methodist Conference, and a set of four pictures of the original home of the Theological College at Three Kings, two interiors and two exteriors, has been given by Miss Gunson, of Takapuna. Among the many photographs relating to the life of John Wesley are two engravings in the library, and a picture in the common room, showing Wesley preaching at the Market Cross. Various drawings and engravings in the , library and in the principal's room are | descriptive of early colonial life and the missionary enterprises of the Methodist I Chureh. An oak table is in memory of the late Mr. Arthur Aldred, a son of one of the early ministers. Displayed in the dining room, in the main part of the building, is a panorama of Jerusalem, and an oil painting commemorates the late Mr. A. C. Caughey, a generous benefactor. Other large portraits are of three past principals, the Revs. C. H. Garland, J. H. Simmonds. and Alexander Reid, and an early missionary, the Rev. John Hobbs. Since the college was founded in 1876 there have been eight principals, whose names are contained on a tablet in the principal's office. The first principal was the Rev. Thomas Buddie, and the Rev. J. H. Simmonds. who this year celebrated the sixtieth anniverstary of his entering the ministry, holds "the record for the tenure of that office, a I period of 15 years. A new tablet will [ contain the names of the principals of Trinity College, commencing with the Rev. Dr. C. H. Laws. I A magnificent bequest to the college, i made 40 years ago by the late Mr. John Probert, is commemorated on a large I tablet over the door of the principal's | office. A similar memorial tablet lias | been erected to the late Mr. John Edson. I a large portion of whose bequest was I used in the construction and furnishing |of the library. The common room was I erected and furnished by Miss Diana Kent in memory of her father and mother, the late Mr. and Mrs. George Kent, of Newmarket. Dignified Building. The architectural features of the buildings include vaulted cloisters, suggestive of quietness and seclusion, around which two of the wing« are built. The larger rooms are panelled in rimu. with pure white plaster panelled ceilings. In the two classrooms. the one for the use of the principal and the other for the resident professor. the walls are of smooth plaster finish, and the desks and benches are of rimu. In the principal s room is a large coloured plaster model of the Holy Land, on trestles. The upper portion of the building is devoted chiefly to dormitorv accommodation. with the necessary provision for the staff, and at the rear of the college is the two-storey residence of the principal. in a warm red brick finish, similar to the large building. To-morrow's Programme. To-morrow's function will include the unveiling of a stone of commemoration and also the act of opening the college by Mrs. A. C. Caughey. The Presiding minister will be the Rev. .T. F. Goldie". president of the conference. Assisting ministers will be the Rev. W. J. Elliott"! ex-president: the Rev. A. N. Seotter. secretary of the conference: the Rev. Principal C. H. Laws, and the Rev. Professor H. Ranston. A financial statement will be given by the treasurer. Mr. A. Peak. Addresses will be delivered by the vicepresident of the conference. Mr. T. P. Hughson: the Rev. E. R. Harries. Moderator of the Auckland Presbytery: the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher, chairman of the Congreeationa 1 Union of New Zealand: and the Rev. .T. .T. North, principal of the Baptist College.