SOCIAL MEETING IN THE BRUNSWICK HALL TO BID "FAREWELL" TO THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1133, 2 July 1867, Page 5

SOCIAL MEETING IN THE BRUNSWICK HALL TO BID "FAREWELL" TO THE BISHOP OF NEW ZEALAND.

Last evening, pursuant to announcement, a social meeting, comprising representatives of every class in the community, and the various religious deDominations, was held in the Brunswick Hall, for iht. purpose of bidding farewell to His Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand, on the eve of his departure for England, to attend the conference of bishops from all parts of the world, ■who are in communion with the United Church of England and Ireland. His Excellency Sir George Grey was present. On the platform, besides most of the well known ministers of the Church of England ministering in this colony, the Bev. Mr. Buller (Wesleyan Superintendent of the district), Eev. Mr. Bruce (Presbyterian), Be v. Mr. Cornford (Baptist), there were, we should think, not lass than six hundred people present. The proceedings were of the most interesting character throughout, and the greatest desire upon the part of all present was to honour to the distinguished guest of the evening.

It had been found by the committee who had taken the responsibility of regulating the proceedings and furnishing the tea, that so closely was the whole area of the hall packed that tea could not be served in the ordinary way, and consequently the expedient adopted was that of dispensing the tea by a few ladies and gentlemen who were particularly active on the occasion, and the services of gentlemen were enlisted, which, we should also say', were willingly rendered to carry round the trays of tea, cakes, fruits, 4c.; in thiß way every person was served with little difficulty. _ When tea had been served, his Honor the Superintendent took the chair. His Lordship the Bishop of New Zealand occupying the seat at his right nand.

The Very Rev. Archdeacon Lloyd r«ad the beautiful prayer used in the Church of England service, " £revent us, O Lord, in all- our doings," followed by another impressive collect, "O Lord Christ -who did'st walk on the sea of Galilee arid did'st calm the wavjs, bearing thy Apostle 3 to the haven where they would he," £c. The Choir then sang "How Lovely are the Messengers." The Choir was under the. immediate direction of Mr. Joseph Brown, and included some thirty of the beat voices, male and female, in the province. The Chairman called on hiß Honor Mr. Justice Moore to address the meeting. Mr. Justice Moora said that he considered it a very great, though unexpected, honor to be called upon to open the proceedings of a meeting of that description. He could hardly tay on that occasion that he came quite unprepared to say something; but, if so, it waß rather to follow than to lead. He had not, indeed to more a formal resolution, oat rather to make a few' observations with reference to the purpose for which all had met there on that evening. When his Eev. friend, Dr. Maunsell, called on him to ask' him to take part in the proceedings of that evening, he could not say why he should have been so honoured nulees indeed it was as the representative of another, ww excellent chief justice, Sir G. Arney, who wag

bo well known to the people of the province of Auclc land, and who, had he been present, would havi taken a very active part in the proceediugs. Whei he at first understood that there were two or threi resolutions to he moved, and that he (Mr. Justice Moore) was to speak to the question of Churclorganization, he felt considerably puzzled, as that ol all others was a subject which he could hardly think himself competent to discuss. It was evident however, that nothing good could be done withonl organization, and to every institution which men had to carry out, it was necessary, and it would not be possible for tho Church to do without; for if there was no organization there would be no Churoh. But it was fortunate for him there were no such resolution, and, therefore, he must cast about for a topic on which to speak. As lie could not spoak on Church organization with authority, neither could he occupy the place of praising his Lordship, whom they had [ met in such number to bid farewell to. His Lordship needed, no praise from him, for his .praise wns in all the churches. (Cheers.) He (Mr. Justice Moore) could not give further effect to what was already so well known. He had been thinking only a few days ago what ho should say, and he had met with two views of the synodical conference, which he would read. He had read a latin proverb, that it whs good even to accept advice from an enemy, and the two views which he would read were given first by one who was a bishop, and nest by one who was not a bishop, but expected to be in that exalted position soma day. Their advice must, therefore, be considered as advice proceeding from two friends. You have met your bishop to-night to bid him farewell on the occasion of hie. going to England to attend a great Synod of the Church, or a Conference or other great meeting of this kind. Stranger and pilgrim aa he (Mr. Justice Moore) was, it was not for him to speak of the objects which were contemplated by that great gathering, at which bishops would attend from Ormurand lode, from Ethiopia's sands and Greenland's icy mountains. His Lordship was going to Old England, which men loved the more when thoy left her, and perhaps the more because they had left her; and to that great centre of opulence—that city which was becoming larger every day, and still increasing—What was his Lordship going there for? The two friends and advisers to whom he had referred, one of whom was a bishop, and the other expected to bo a bishop, gave note of warning. One of these was Gregory Nazianzen, who wrote somewhere about the fourth century, just before the dark ages. That bishop said that he had never known any good come out of these Synods where men indulged in contention and set themselves up as judges of other men's wickedness (laughter). Now, the friend who was not a bishop, writing of the approaching meeting in the last number of one of the great reviews which had only reached the colony this last mail, (Dean Stanley) describes it as a preposterous scheme of a free national gathering, and although the excellent primate who convened them intended they would come in friendly spirit, and with the sincerest desire to confer for the welfare of the Church, yet, said orratherwrotetheiradriser.who was not a bishop," it suggested whether there might not be swords under myrtles— engines of warfare harmless I only when useless, and also suggested whether there ' might not be some likeness to the divinities, who, under the disguise of fatal gifts, betrayed the city of Priam (laughter)." Now, was that to be tire sort of gathering to which their right rev. friend was about to go. If so, he had better indeed stay at home here in his adopted country. But his Grace the Arohbishop who convened the meeting gave assurance that it was not a meeting of that kind that was contemplated. The meeting was for the settlement of many practical questions, not for any declarations of law or definitions of doctrine. He further stated that he, while he assented to the petition which proceeded from the Metropolitan of Canada, repudiated the notion of making canons for the guidance of the Church, which wouldbe a proceeding in direct opposition to the Crown. Therefore, it was not a meeting without law that his Lordship the Bishop was going. There would be difficulties arising, but nothing was worth contending for which was not obtained, through some difficulty—which was not difficult to get. There may be difficulty enough to make the people pause, and make their bishop pause ; but that seemed the greater reason why he should go. The only thing that he could suggest wa3, that they should ask for that guidance, which, asked in rAliance upon the promise given, would be had, and there would be no reason to regret that their bishop, having faced many perils by Bea and many difficulties by laud, would come back, bringing with him such a report as the Church would rejoice to hear.

Major nest addressed the meeting. He said he had desired to say a few words to the meeting upon the synodical in the Church which had been instituted by his Lordship, the Bishop of New Zealand. He would ask permission to depart slightly from the subject as laid down. Going back to the period cf his Xiordship's arrival, it became very soon obvious that some form of Church Government would be necessary in a new colony; a Government perhaps that would be based upon voluntary principles j and for a Church so placed having no connection with the State, it became necessary to devise a system of Church Government dissimilar to any that had been previously known ia connection with the Church of England, and suited to the wants of th e colony. This Church system, as it now existed in New Zealand, was devised chiefly by his Lordship, who, then with but little experience, and with scarcely any precedent, wisely brought about and matured that syßtem, which they sa»r now in its highest consummation hearing fruit. That system adopted by the members of the Church throughout the colony had beenj acknowledged even by dignitaries of the ChDrch of England to be suited to the circumstances of the colony. That result had been owing almost solely to his Lordship's exertions. 'There had been setn during the 25 years his Lordship had resided in this colony political forms of constitution rise up and go down; there had been the Government of the Islands of New Ulster and New Munster, City CounciU, Corporations, and Boards of Commissioners —all kinds of local institutions had changed by the procedure and efflux of time. That which his LordBhip has inaugurated is the same still, the only change perceptible being that it is more perfect. It were unnecessary to say more on the subjeot of Synodical action. There were other matters of great importance to the Church of which his Lordship had not been' unmindful. There had been already endowments of considerable value for the benefit of the Church. There was, for instance, an endowment fund applicable to the maintenance of the clergy of parishes, amounting to £5351; the diocesan fund, amounting to £1333 ; native ministers' training, &c., fund, £3500 ; and a diocesan truab fund for general purposes, of whioh the income was £160 a year or thereabouts; and beyond all these was the institution of St. John's College, with its fellowships and exhibitions. These showed the provision that had been made by his Lordship for the Church. These were to be the nuclei—the germs, as it were—out of which were to grow the fruit of prosperity for the Chnrch. He (Major Heaphv) would mention one or two things which showed his Lordship's practical chaiacter—he alluded to the subject of insurances. It occurred to hiß Lordship's mind that the pensions for the clorgy should be enlarged, and not having capital sufficient in his hands for that purpose, he commenced a By stem of insurances on the lives of clergymen, which was extended also to insurances against accidents from fire without any capital, except capital which might be considered applicable for extraordinary purposes, or which he supplied from his own resources. It Mas found that these insurances went on steadily and profitably to Buch an extent that there had accrued profits to the extent of £686 on fire insurances, £274 on life insurances, and £1,600 on the pension fund, making a total of £2,530, whioh might strictly be called profits which had accrued from no capital. (Hear and cheers.) But it should be' known that the endowments to which he had referred belonged to Auckland alone. There were ether endowments at Wellington and Nelson, of which he (Major Heaphy) need not speak. But he had often met his Lordship during his miaistrations in the interior, and often thought whether it would bo - possible for him to meet his engagements at the meetings of the various boards-where his presence was required. In all such occasions, when his Lordship had fixed the time he had never been known to fail. This gave encouragement and a desire for punctuality in those with whom his Lordship worked. His Lordship would leave these endowments so Becure that they would not incur loss during his absence, though his absence would be felt as a lobs to the Church, which would make his return be more eagerly looked forward to. These endowments would be a monument of his Lordship's connexion with the colony.

The Bev. David Bbuce said it gave him the Sipcerest pleasure to bear his testimony in accord ■with the whole community who -were assembled or represented, to the good that had been done by the devotion to duty and eelf-aaoriilce of their diatin-

guished and Eight Bev. guest. (Cheera.) There seemed to bo . a peculiar appropriateness in selecting his Honor Mr. Justice Moore to open the proceedings with a speeoh, for "It is meet and becoming in the law to do homage to the Gospel." (Cheers). Therefore, Mr. Justice 'Mooro had done himself great honor. On the part of tho Ohuroh which he represented—the Presbyterian body —he would say there was no man held in higher esteem or in greater respect than Bishop Selwyn.

3 (Cheers). This was folt without a reservation and a without envy. That feeling was based upon the good b work, in the prosecution of which His Lordship had t been the instrument. His virtues and his talents - wore known well. Few others had a greater opportu--1 nity of knowing the great work which His Tjordship i had done. He (Mr. Bruce) had travelled through T most parts of the country, and there he had seen the 1 results of that work, and there were few places where he had been that he did not see the trace of the foot prints of Bishop Selwyn. (Cheers). Bishop Selwyn had given to his own church and the cause of Christianity in New Zealand, the benefit of great and splendid abilities. His self-sacrifice and i devotion were in every work visible. He had not only the most distinguished Christian virtues, but he had the eyes of a shrewd man of business.. He (Mr. Bruce) had much pleasure in mentioning on such an occasion the kindness and urbanity which the clergymen of the Presbyterian body had always [ received from the learned and Right Beverend ) Bishop, whom they were assembled to honor. Bishop Selwyn had, with great willingness, lent a helping hand to *all the missionaries who were laboring in these islands, so much so that his memory would be ■ embalmed in the hearts of many of them to their dying i day. Hence it was so easy toprocurefunds forreplncing the missionary vessel the Southern Cross when, ; unfortunately, she was wrecked in the channel outside the harbour"; and if another, such emergency would arise the Presbyterian body would be willing ' to pay again their tribute towards replacing the missionary vessel. "With reference to the Conference which Bishop Selwyn was going to attend, it wu not for him to say anything on that subject. But he, in common with all Christians, could rejoice in anything being done which would strengthen the hands of their distinguished guest, and those who were labouring in the Church with him, to make them and him still more useful in their time. He trusted that Bishop Selwyn, with hiß family, under the kind watching and guidance of Heaven, would be conducted safely to old England, and that he might be spared to be again so honored "when he returned to be 9 blessing to the land he had adopted. (Loud Cheers.) The Eev. Dr. Maunsbel said he was pretty much of the opinion of the learned judge who read the warning given by two very eminent members of the Church, ancient and modern, of Synods. He thought there was nothing to be feared or to hope for from those authorities who had propounded from the bench opinions affecting tbe Church. They might be told, in the words of the ancient cynic, " Stand aside, that I may see the sun." There waa a great difference in the constitution of the churohes connected with the Church of England, apd those over which, Bay, Mr. Bruce or Mr. Buller presided. In these chnrohes it was not considered that dependence was necessary to union. If it were desired to see the ill effects of the dependence of the colonial Churohes connected with the Church of England, they need only look to America. There a people was found mustering three millions when the declaration of independence waa signed, but only 200 ministers could be gathered together. In this country the system had been only twenty-fire years in operation, yet here, according to the Church Almanack, could be found 100, and this had not been the case if they had gone on living in this dying kind of way. (A laugh.) By God's good providence a man hod been supplied to the Church in this colony, who •was able to understand the real position—to see the wants of the Church, and to devise measures to supply. But what was the state of the case, when logal authority said that colonial bishops had no authority; people who believed in the Queen's supremacy found there was no supremacy, and were, so to speak, thrown on their beam ends. Everything became unhinged. But so wise were the provisions made by his Lordship, that nothing was disturbed. Then another legal light told them that the bishop had the same functions in the colonies, but that the civil courts were sufficient for anything that might arise in a colonial diocese. Supposing himself (Dr. Maunaell) to be accused of naughtiness and brought before Mr. Beokham or his friend, Mr. Justice Moore (loud laughter), were not those lawyers making confusion worse confounded (laughter), and there seemed to be something of the same kind among the bishops. Union did not of necessity follow dependence upon a political government. Union was to be formed by their common standi' •on great prinoiples, and so long as they kept that place there would be little danger. It had been B&id that a bishop's duty waa to visit his clergy, inquire and bring them before him. Take the case of their dear friend and brother, Bishop Patteson of the Melanesion Mission, how was he to visit his clergy, inquire and bring them before him. When he considered that £8000 had been subscribed for missionary enterprise by the other churches while their Church scarcely subscribed one-fourth of that sum for the propagation of the gospel he (Dr. Mauueell) felt grieved. It was the duty of the people to support those missions. Then there was the people of St. Matthew's coming up like a Maori chief decked in feathers, who boasted they had the Bishop so long with them. They had only half the Bishop, while St. Mary's had the whole of him. (Cheers and laughter.) And then the gentlemen of St. Matthew's had taken upon them the functions of the ladies in making tea. "Well, it was not half so good nor half so sweet as it would have been. (Loud laughter). 'Well, there were ladies from St. Matthew's who went to St. Mary's, and the gentlemen need not array themselves in such fine feathers. He was sure that the ladies would agree with him that Bt. Mary's had by a long way the preference, and he would therefore say " St. Mary's for ever!" (Cheers and laughter.)

The Hev. James Bullek said that he was happy to be favoured with Buch an opportunity of. expressing the high opinion ho entertained of their distinguished and Kight Rev. guest. He had not often, nor very long had the opportunity of late of seeing that eminent prelate, but he had long Bince, when living among the Maoris, been impressed with his urbanity and kindness exhibited in many ways, and he was sure that his Lordship's conduct must have had a very deep-seated and enduring influence over the interests of their common Christianity, as preached in the Islands of the Pacific. Bishop Selwyn had been engaged for a quarter of a century in the propagation of gospel truth. He questioned much whethor any other man could be found who could have accomplished all that Bishop Selwyn had accomplished. He was entitled to the respect and admiration of the whole community. He had laid the church to which he belonged under the deppoEt gratitude to him, for he gave io her service talents of the highest order— undertaking labours of body which only the strongest could endure, which, being united to apostolic zeal and great devotion and self-sacrifice, had achieved the greatest results. He gave his whole mind to doing the wort of Christ, having made provision, educational and religious, for the beneficial employment of her endowments. Not only that, but he has marked out the necessary steps in a very practicable plan of evangelising the islands of the Archipellaao. His name will bo handed down aa the founder of the English Ohurcli in New Zealand. The section of the church to which he belonged had always boasted of its connexion with the Church of England : to call it a dissenting Church was a misnomer. The illustrious Wesley was a member of that Church, and would nover to the time of his death allow that he dissented from it, and had the things ho advised been recognised, his followers would not have been obliged to form a system of church government for themselves. During a great number of years, he (Mr. Buller) had good opportunity of seeing all thoso who were engaged in the work of the Gospel in these lands, and Bishop Selwyn had always set the example * of preaching that &ospel to all sorts and conditions of men, whether European or Maori. A man of profound learning and simple habits, ho had devoted his life to the service of his Divine Master. He hoped thair dear friend, Mrs. Selwyn and family, womtl have a prosperous voyage to old. England, and that under God's providence they would return in the fulness of blessings ar:d happiness to renew their good works; and might the labour of the Lord prosper in their hands.

Mr. Wiliiam Bowa said for twenty-two years it had been his lot to live in out districts, and during that period it had been . his good fortune' to see his liordship' the Bishop of New Zealand, who had frequently preached the Gospel, and whose words of : encouragement and kindness were- engraven in the heartß of all the people who had heard. Hia(Mr. Eowe's) feeling

on that occasion was one of Badness. Had been engaged in the Waikato, and he could state that the workmen, whether in the field or the mine, whenever they heard of his _ Lordship being in the place, left their employment, and were glad to bear from him the truths of the Gospel. Ho was there to present to his Lordship, on the' evening of his departure for England, the thanks of those workmen, and to express their prayers for his safety, and their hope of his return in renewed health.

The Superintendent announced the Bev. David Jones, to whom he might offer on the part of the people of Auckland a cordial welcome.

The Kev. David Jones said he owed hia position to the fact tha f . he belonged to a Ohurch which had for a long period the benefit of his Lordship's ministrations. (The rev. gentleman recapitulated the ministrations and services of his Lordship.) On behalf of himself, as a minister of the Ohuroh over which_ his Lordship presided, and on behalf of the parishioners, he tendered to his honored bishop their thanks. (Cheers.)

Dr. Kidd, L.LB., said that it was only as a parishioner of St. Matthew's that he was privileged to say anything. He could say, as a colleague of the lato Edmund Burke had said to that statesman, " ditto" to what had been said by tho Bev. Mr. Jones.

Mr. Joseph Cochrane said ho could bear testimony to distinguished services rendered by his Lordship to the parish of St. Matthew's. There was but one feeling in that pariah. The arduous work of a large parish had been done by his Lordship. The learned Archdeacon had pronounced some strictures upon the usurpation of the' functions of ladies by gentlemen in making the tea. His learned friend must needs be told that it was some ladies of St. Matthew's made the tea. (Cheers and laughter.) " How beautiful are the feet." Hia Honor the Superintendent said that the opportunity which had been given him of presiding over that meeting was fully appreciated. He could not help feeling many thoughts passing through his I ™ md - It Was pleasant to see such a large assemblage met together to say « fdrewell" to his Lordship. For himself he confessed that his Lordship | nad laid him under very deep obligations which, he could not forget. From the first time he met his Lordship he had enjoyed the acquaintance of tbe night Eev. Prelate. He therefore felt a pleasure in presiding over that meeting. When he saw that large assemblage met for such a purpose, he was quite sure that ■ had it been possible they .would, as did the members of the primitive Church, accompany him to the ship. The dangers which his Lordship had many times undertaken, as, for instance, when, he placed his valuable life on the little vessel Undine, to carry him away to his missionary labours. They would all feel his absence from Auckland, bnt he felt sur wherever his Lordship went he would be doing good for Ifew Zeaiand, and for that particular section of the Ohurch of Christ to which he belonged. It had been strange indeed if the Bishop's great services in Auckland had not been recognised, and to that all denominations were then present to testify. He had always been regarded as identified with the best interests of Auckland, and been recognised as a good bishop, a true colonist, a good neighbour, a worthy and holy man. (Oheers.) He had gone long journies throughout the land, visiting the churches, and by marking out those points of distance had conferred incalculable benefit on all persons travelling through New Zealand. Ho had given encouragement and support to missionary enterprise and every struggling settlement in the province. It might be said by him as had been said by the Apoßtle Paul, " Wherefore I call you to record this day, lam free from the blood of every man." Tour Lordship (turning to Bishop Selwyn) on behalf of the people of Auckland, I return you thanks ; I have always not only as a father in Christ, but a good neighbour, a good colonist, and one who Las up to this tine been ever ready to identify yourself with the best interests of this province. (Oheers.)

His Lordship then came to the front of the platform and spoke as follows:—Ladies and Gentlemen : There is something sorrowful in a meeting of this kind, for it looks too much like a final parting. Of course there must be something gratifying in being the object of such a meeting under all circumstances, but I do hope most sincerely that it shall j. lease God that it may not be a final parting. There aro several reasons which make me think that if it please God to prolong my life, it will notrbe so. (Cheers.) The first reason is, because I think they would not give much in Ttngland for what remains of a min after twenty-five years' missionary service in the colonies. The second reason is, because there is no provision made, or very little, for the support of any succeasor to mysolf in this present office which I now hold, and therefore I mast hold on till I can hand down that offir to one who can live in it. But there is a third re-son, and that is, that I begin to feel that the work to be done here is just about to begin; and though I cannot look forward to many more years of life and strength, yet it remains my duty to devote what remains to mo of health and strength to the work which now for the first time seems to present features of singular blessing and promise. Mon seam now to become for the first time of one united mind. As the Superintendent has said truly, from the first it was well known my hope for this country was bused on the cordial union of the two races as one people under the same Sovereign. I hare_ repeated again and again the words which were dictated to me by one whom His Excolloncy well knows in the deed of gift by whioh that institution, to which reference was made this evening, was handed over as a college and school, and which wore—that it was to be given " that the young men of both races might be brought up in the new principle of Faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to the Queen." Thatawas the feeling of the majority of the native people at that time the gift was made, namely, in 1844. I will not enter upon the causes which disturbed that feeling—there have been faults, may be on both sides—but you well know that my feeling was to come out here as a missionary to the native people. When my friends in England heard that £ was coming to Vow Zealand, one amongst them, a man of piety and a shrewd man great common sense, said to me why there were not more English people' in all New Zealand than were to be found in my own parish at Windsor. But he forgot one circumstance that there wore at that time 100,000 native people in New Zealand, the largost portion of which had even then made a profession of Christianity under t'.e guidance of those who preceded me. I came out here, I fully admit, mainly to benefit the native people. You all know that a first love is that which clings longest and nearest to the heart, and therefore cannot be given up so readily. If I have served the natives well I hope that my countrymen will not think that I have not served them ill. If there appeared aleaning to one side, when the collision came, there should be some remembrance of the objeot to which I first attaohed myself 5 and if my countrymen will now bear with me, I will say to them that I am ready to completely forget all that has paseod as if there had never been any misunderstanding between us. (Cheers.) I am by no means in a state of mind that would make me disposed to say anything which would hurt the feelings of any man. But I will mention one circumstance, and if the gentleman to whom I am about to allude be present, I hope he will pardon me. It iB not far from this place that a meeting was held, at which a speaker, while describing a "monster of iniquity, and an enemy to Lis fellow-creaturcs," when asked to name this dangerous individual, exclaimed " the Bishop of New Zealand." I believe my fault in the opinion of some men at tbat time was that I desired that which has now come about to unite ub in desiring, if it please God to grant it— namely peace. I saw that gentleman at Matamata enjoying the peace that has come, and himself become an advocate of the peace which we are so united in desiring—peace upon which the prosperity of this province depends, and a peace, the continuance of which, I hope, we are all willing to work out. That joint system is now beginning to take effect, in which system the two races may be regarded as one people; under the authority of the Queen. His Honor, I believe, has gone about holding meetings with considerable success, and ; at which large numbers of the native race attended. The natives are beginning to see the advantages of this union. It is for these reasons, I say, that I look forward to the future of this colony as if it were about to begin a new work. 'That we-should be a united people, that we should work out the destiny of this country together, and enjoy together those advantages which ' Providence affordß if it were only to assist in His work,, and for this alone I should be happy to- come - baok and work out j the original purpose for which- I first came j to this colony. - There are other subjects which I should like to touch - upon on the j present occasion. About this conference which has been spoken of to-night, my going to it is an act of dutiful obedience to one who holds the highest place I

in our Church. I have never lost anything by obedience, but rather gained by obedience to my predecessors. Archbishop Hawley asked me to come out > I then dutifully obeyed. Next it pleased God to give_ me Bishop Patteaon, but the order came from him who occupied the see of Canterbury. I mty have hoped for more than Dr. Maunsell, but I have no fears. It has been said, without much consideration, I am sure that I was desirous of going to show that we were .desirous of being independent of the mother Church." I have no such desire.. I go only desiring to carry the expression of your feeling, which is, that we are united in following the teaching of our Mother Church, just the same as if we had been in our own native country : to carry out our liturgy. If it is true that this service has been found impressive, then I go to say that if we had departed from them the people would have risen np against us for having done so. As to the Ohurch constitution I am sometimes mentioned as the author of that. But there is something more touching in the history of the first drawing up of that constitution—in the fact that tbe draft of it was drawn up by Sir George Grey when lying on a Biok bed in Taranaki. Thus probably it vra* the force of thoughts that come to a man in the time of siokness, when he lays aside the wearinesß and anxieties of governing men, the troubles and cares incident to his position—it probably was the feeling which would come to a Christian man so placed to give the benefit cf his experience in drawing up a frame-work to operations of the Church, which frame-work, if it is fitting, were ao necessary to the Church as the body of a man was to contain his , ;ul. So far, then, as that is concerned, it was the Queen's representative who drew out an original draft of our Constitution. N«v it appears to me there has been a signal providence in the selection of the men who have been sent out to aid in the missionary work of New Zealand. It was said at ona time that any man or anything was good enough for the colonies. Perhaps some men of I business here can tell.us how far that obtain?. (Laughter.) It was, indeed, thought that a man who was not good enough for anything at home was' the best man to be sent out here. But, as had been said by Mr. BullerJ England has parted with some of her good men and sent them out to 1 thia service. • Scotland has also parted with somo of her best men and sent them to this work, and Ireland too has parted with good men and sent them to the same field of missionary enterprise. When I think, as I do with reverence and affection of my first chaplain, the Bev. Thos. Whiteheadwhose memory is embalmed in the hearts of all who knew him, when I was yet unacquainted with him, walking a solitary and unknown undergraduate in the College Garden at Cambridge—he, the first man of his year, the senior medallist, who had gained more prizes than any other man of luß time—he joined me and placed himself at nry «ids, having- led me to believe that if I aßked him he would come with me. (Cheers). He did come, and he died, but the death of that man was more precious than the life of many others. The sameprovidencesentmeßishop Abraham. Before he left England he came and told me—he was then in a useful and lucrative position—he told me if it pleased God he would come to me at the end of the half century; and he did come in August 1850, just nine yearo after that conTersation. He d&voten himself willingly and worthily to the work of the Churoh. I gave him up to the district of Wellington, at a time when he was as my own right hand. I was told by the Superintendent of Christchurch that if the only thing I had dGne was to send Bishop Harper, I had done good. That man is respected and loved by all his people. I desire that all should feel that this conntry has been lingularly blessed in the men whom it pleased God to Bend to minister among the people here. I trust that all who Bee their ministers engaged in the duties of their calling, seeing that they are men worthy of reverence and respect, willisana from them their ownduty, and give those ministers the benefit of their prayers: the greatest benefit which a minister desires, being to seek the work of God prosper in their districts. Dr. Maunsell i has disposed of all that was necessary to he said in reference to St. Mary's Parish. Of course I believe him in all that he has said in my behalf. (Laugh- | ter.) As to St. Matthews, a good deal had also been said ; but some attention must be given to the sister Ohurch of all Saints. The only thing that tro übleß my mind at the present moment, is what is to become of Saints." I must leave it to Mr. Cochrane, to Mr. "Williams, Mr. Jones, and the other parishioners to do something in this direction. Mr. Breo, a gentleman well known to you all, willingly offered himself, placing himself entirely in the hands of the prishionera as to the question of maintenance. Now, that is a duty which ought not to be forgotten in my absenoe. I cannot assist very materially in that. Let it be considered carefully &mong you, and let the one united parish be be ministered to by the two clergymen each, of whom has shown his thorough fitness for the oflSce, as ha been proved in the Parent Ohurch, you will then feel a pleasure-in fostering " All Saints" as I have felt a pleasure in fostering St. Matthew's. And now as to peace, I must speak of the religious peace which we have enjoyed, myßelf and my brethren assembled here around me. I call to mind that during 25 years I have never had a disagreement with any one of my brethren of any religious persuasion. lam thankful! for this. I know to whom alone is owing this satisfactory peace.. The feeling from the first among us has been to support each other as Christian men, one with another engaged in this work of the Gospel. There might have been at the first a little difficulty. The Church Missionary Society had a large number of clergymen, but any

onwho had come to our hut would have seen there was no distinction—that all were united one with another, and though all might not be hble to co-operate in the one external system, all could Bay they had not hindered one another in the work by unseemly discord. "We have lived in peaoe and harmony all, though meeting in our respective paths of duty—arranging those cycles of duty in such a manner as that we should not interfere with each other. There has never been any bitterness or disagreement with any one of our Christian brethren. This was something to be thankful for. As for those " breezes" that do occur, I should not like myself a stagnant atmosphere. I appreciate the Btorm in Alpine regions, of whose inhabitants it can be Baid— " Where the lond tempest and the torrents roar, But bind him to his native mountains more." So my dear friends, I cannot take leave of you with any better wordß than I have spoken ; that the approach of a state of peace is full of hope for the future; Accept my parting blesßing, which I give with a thankful heart, and with the assurance that this will be one among many reasons which will induce my return to my old work in New Zealand. His IoKDSHir then pronounced the Benediction, and the proceedings of the evening were brought to a close.