To the Members of the Presbyterian Church, in Ahuriri.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 1, Issue 16, 9 January 1858, Page 4

To the Members of the Presbyterian Church, in Ahuriri.

Dear Brethren, — When, on the occasion of my first visit to your promising Town an<TDistrict, I had the pleasure of meeting some of your number, I expected to have it soon in my power to visit you again and to make some arrangements for the carrying out of the purpose which I then intimated — that, namely, of having a Minister settled amongst you. My engagements, however, have been such as altogether to prevent me from realizing my expectation. I do not think, however, that this has very materially inteifered with the promotion of the object refered to. Something has already been done towards the advancement of it ; and something more may easily be done for the gaining of the same end. This will, I am persuaded, be done by you without any delay. The interview that I had with those of you whom my short stay among ' : you permitted me to see, convinced me that there was a general desire for an opportunity of statedly worshipping God after the manner of your fathers ; and that you were most willing to do all in your power towards the comfort and the support of a Minister of the Gospel who would abide with you to labour in holy things. All that I have since learned has tended to deepen this conviction in my mind. Under this impression, and perceiving the impotant field of usefulness that presented itself in your extensive and highly favoured District to a devoted servant of Christ, I, immediately after my return to Auckland, wrote to Scotland — giving the Colonial Committee an account of what I had seen and heard ; and lequesting them, without any loss of time, to appoint an able and experienced Minister, who should reside at Napier, and take the spiritual oversight of all the Presbyterians in the District of Ahuriri. By this time, then, it may be expected that the Committee alluded to will have made their appointment, or be nearly in a position to do so. It will therefore be requisite that some arrangement be made, preparatory to the arrival of a Minister amongst you, with the view of facilitating Ms success when he enters upon his work. What these arrangements should be you will yourselves be best able to determine ; and I have not the smallest doubt of your making them with promptitude and completeness. Of the importance to yourselves and your families of having the ordinances of the Christian religion statedly administered to you, I need say nothing. Of this you are already fully convinced. Neither do 1 require to point out the satisfaction that you will derive now and in after years from reflecting that you have helped to build up the interests of }• our community, by seeking to place them on the only sure foundation of a country's welfare — that, namely, of a vital and pure faith ; for to this will your own religious convictions most surely conduct your thoughts. And, with those feelings and convictions presiding in you minds ; you will not fail to take those practical steps which are necessary, to establish he cause which I believe you to have all at heart. My time will not permit of my saying more at present ; and perhaps it is not necessary that anything more should be said. I have requested Mr. McLean, who takes a deep interest in the matter with which this letter is occupied, to call a meeting of all who may be desirous to see a Church and Minister established amongst you — at which you can decide upon those practical measures which are essential to the success of your undertaking. I remain, Yours with much affection, D. BRUCE, Presbyterian Minister of Auckland.