THE ENGLISH CHURCH IN MARLBOROUGH.

Marlborough Express, Volume XVII, Issue 125, 1 June 1882, Page 2

THE ENGLISH CHURCH IN MARLBOROUGH.

The following, from the pen of the Rev. J. lieighton, who was recently on a visit to this district appears m the " Church Messenger " :— At the request of the Bishop, during the absence of Archdeacon Butt, I visited the Marlborough District, beginning the week after Easter. The first two Sundays were given to Spring Creek District and Blenheim, and during the intermediate days I had abundant opportunity of making the acquaintance of most of the residents m Marlborough Town, Spring Creek, and Tua Marina. I held services and preached at each of these places on the 16th of April, The residence of the Rev. A. Hermon m the district, and hia' faithful and zealous ministry have been blessed, and additional interest m the services of the Church is manifested. The attendance at the throe places— Marlborough Town, Tua Marina, and Spring Creek— and the spirit that was m the congregregations, showed a great desire for the means of grace and the enjoyment of them. There is a considerable population now settled m these districts— though it is scattered over a wide area —and I was strongly impressed with

the feeling that the district is ripe for a resident minister to be settled there. His time will be fully occupied m pastoral visiting and preparation for Sunday services, and the large number of young people growing up all round invite and will repay his attention to them m Bible classes m different centres. If the people continue to support the Stipend Fund as they have begun, there will bo a moderate provision for the Minister, which, if i possible, should bo augmented by a grant from the General Church Fund. Great life and vigor seem to prevail m the Blenheim Church congregation. Tho Sunday School, which is chiefly under the care of Mr and Mrs Hodgson is especially flourishing. I followed the road south to see the various families settled on the sheep-runs, and received the kindest hospitality from all. The Awatere and all beyond it, were new scenes to inc. It Was a great pleasure to see the families at Blairich, Altiraarnoch, Richmond Brook, Starborough, Flaxbourne, ICekerangu, The Shades and Woodbauk on. the Clarence. I had hoped to be at Kaikoura for one Sunday, but though I could have reached it wit l ! tolerable comfort, I found I could not ride the distances necessary to return for the Picton steamer to be at my post m Nelson again at the time appointed. Much to my own disappointment, therefore, as well as of others, I decided to spend the Sunday at Kekerangu. And there were good roasons for it. for no minister had been able to be there on Sundays for many months, and before that for many, years. I held service m tha „ school-room at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., and the ohildren came at 3.30 for catechising and hymns and address. The services were well attended, some of the elder children came to all three. I was agreeably surprised to find the children so well taught m the catechism—hymns also, and fair knowledge of Scripture— and bo remarkably well behaved, polite, and respectful. I found that their mothers had cheerfully taught them. They have an excellent public school on the Station. On the 31st I began my homeward journey, receiving the same kind hospitality — andmakingacquaintancewith some of the station-hands, where I had omitted it on my first call. Where it was possible the men were invited to join m family prayers with us, and the children were pleased to learn some of our Sunday-school hymns and r tunes.. It would be a great boon if we could spare a clergyman three or four times a year to hold services m these and. similar districts. I hope to visit them again m Novembers-dis-tributing the Sundays. I cam be absent; m different places. - 1 wad favored with fine weather, and very much enjoyed the journey, and was benefitted by it. My thanks are due to all who, were, so iind.to me. 1 commend to God's blessing the few • words I was able to speak at each place ;. some experience of this kind of. life is necessary to enable one to make' the most of opportunities, and I was new to it. . .. , . ■...,.