THE REV. JOSEPH LONG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 330, 2 December 1864, Page 6

THE REV. JOSEPH LONG.

Titf. following is the reply of the Rev. Joseph long to tlie address of his late congregation on Wednesday evening Inst: — My Bet.oyti> Fiiunds, —It is with deep emotion that I rise to ear a few wordß in reply to the very dutiful and affectionate address you have now presented to ine on removing from the pastorate of this Church. The ministers of the Church and the attendants on the ministry in this sanctuary will understand my meaning when I f imply say we have loved each other " with a pure heart fervently-" I have felt a growing interest in your spiritual welfare for some time past ; tho Jove and energy of my nature ha been gathering and gushing forth towurds yon more and more, and thus, under the blessing of the Divine Spirit, we have had in this Church intelligent, and joyous intercourse together, as became pastor and flock. 1 fear that I would not have easily separated from you only for one reason : the health of my dear wife lias not been good for the last two years: this alone has led us to desire a change, and the authorities of our church, with their customary kindness, have considerately given us a station, the change to which we hope, with God's blessing, will fully re-establish her health. Much as I deeply feel at parting with you, I am persuaded that this is simply a duty I owe to her whom I love " with a love 'more tender than mine own life." Beloved Friends —In reference to this spontaneous and substantial token of your esteem for me and mine, I fear I cannot in words set forth how much we appreciate your delicacy and great liberality. It would be worse than sheer alTectation on my part were T not to say that your present is both serviceable and acceptable, but while I feel there is no cause for humiliation in saying this much, God is witness that in receiving it thus from you I estimate the gift a thousand times beyond its pecuniary value. I accept it as a free-will offering from loving hearts, and beg to assure you that mv love and esteem for you will not be diminished when Tam far away. It will always afford me great joy to hear of your affairs —" that you stand fast in one spiiit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the Gospel." I would avail myself of this opportunity to sny a word about-the unexpected kindness of some of my old Taranaki friends. It is now about six years since I left that place, but when they they heard that we were about to leave New Zealand a few of them privately and spontaneously united their donations and, by a valued friend, in n letter full of kindness, sent a sum sufficient to buy a watch and chain for me, which I shall ever keep in memory of their love. It is, indeed, no common love thus unites us, and struggles to find expression after so long an interval. The people of Taranaki are a noble people. They have been occasionally abused and belied in the public papers, but after spending nine of the best years of my life in earnest and incessant labour from one of the provinces, as it then was, to tho other, I distinctly say that our gracious Queen (God bless her) has not in all her vast dominions a more loyal and devoted people than the settlers of Taranaki. 1 pray the Giver of all good that they may soon have peace secured to them on a lirm basis, and that their province may soon bs as fair and beautiful as in past days when 1 enjoyed a kindly welcome to the hearths and homes of a loving people. You will excuse this addenda to remarks on the kindness you have shown me and mine. I trust God's blessing will ever be upon you and upon our dear brother who has come to labour among you. ] ! Bhall not be jealous if you love him as you have j loved me. I shall not repine if he have a hundredfold more success in the great work of the Holy Ministry ; and now I would devoutly bless you in the name of the Lord—the Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord lift upon you the light" of his countenance ; the Lord give you peace. Amen. Joseph Lono.