THE REV. JOSEPH LONG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 334, 7 December 1864, Page 7

THE REV. JOSEPH LONG.

The following is the reply of tho Rev. Joseph Long to tho address of his late congregation on Wednesday evening last: —

Mv Uiii.ovKD Emends, —It is with deep emotion that T rise to say a few words in reply to the very dutiful and aU'cetionate address you have now presented to me on removing from tho pastorate of this Church. The ministers of tho Church and the attendants on the ministry in this sanctuary will understand my meaning when I simply say we have loved each oilier " with a pure heart fervently." I havo felt a growing interest in your spiritual welfare for sonic time past; the love and energy of my nature ha been gathering and gushing forth towards you more ami 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 ilock.

1 fear thatT would not have easily separated fioin yciu only for one reason : the health of my dear wife has not been good for tho last two years: this alone has le i lis to desire a change, and the authorities of our church, with their customary kindniss, have considerately ' given us a station, tlie 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 »ni persuaded that this is simply a duty 1 owe to hr Wiium I love " with a love more tender than mine own hfe." Beloved Friends—ln refereneo to this spontaneous and substantial token of your esteem for me and

mine, I fdar'T cannot in -words set forth how much W ° .®PP rec ' a t° you? delicacy anH great liberality. It would be woree fhari sheer affectation on my part were I not to eay tliat your present is both serviceable and acceptable, hut 'while T feel thero i? no cause for humiliation in saying this much, God is witnJjs that in receiving" it thus from\on i estin.ate (lie gift a thousand times beyond its peeuniaiy vjvlue. I accept it as a free-will offering from loving hearts, and beg to assure yon thnfi my love and esteem for you will not be diminished when lam far awm . Tt will always afford me great joy to hear of TOUr :i .'>]]■* " that you stand fast in one spiiit', with one Jiiud, striving together for the faith of the Gospel." I wo ill d air ail myself of this opportunity "c eiry a ""°rd about, ihe unexpected kindness of some ol my old larunaki friends. It is now about six years since ' 'eft that place, but when they they heard that we were about to leave New Zeal-und a few of them privately and spontaneously united: their donations .unci, by a rallied friend, in a letter full of kindness, sent a sum sufficient to buy a watch and chain for me, which 1 slmll ever Veep in memory of their love. It is, indeed, no common love thus unites us, and struggles to find expression after so long an interval. Ihe people of 'J avimaki aro a noble people. They have I! i n 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 the other, I distinctly sny that our gracious Queen (God blefs her) lias not in nil her vast dominions a more loyal and devoted people than the settlers of 'l'aranaki. I pray (he Giver of all gOod that they may soon have peace secured to tliein on a firm basis, and that their province may soon be as fair and beautiful as in past days when I 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 nust God's blessing will ever be upon you and upon our dear brother who has come to labour among yon. 1 shall not be jealous if you love him as aou have loved me. I shall not repine if he have a hundredfold more success in the great work of the Holv Ministry; and now I would devoutly bless you in the name of the Lord—the Lord bless you and keep }on : the Lord lift upon you the light of his countenance ; the Lord give you peace. Amen. JosEra Louo. —December 2.