THE REV. WARLOW DA VIES ON THE EVENTS OF THE PAST YEAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4406, 27 December 1875, Page 3

THE REV. WARLOW DA VIES ON THE EVENTS OF THE PAST YEAR.

The Rev. Warlow Davies preached a sermon *~-st «vening in the Congregational Church, Beresford-street, on the above subject, t Jong for his text the Bth verse of the 79th Psalm :—" O, remember not against us former iniquities, let they tender mercies speedily prevent us; for we are brought Tery low." He commenced by remarking that it had been said that there is a tide in the affairs of men. This saying was quite true, and there was hardly a more fit and expressive emblem than in comparing the reverses and prosperities of mankind to the tides of the mighty ocean. Times of great prosperity in the history of nations were generally followed by a reactionary movement of unusual depression, just as the flow of the tide was succeeded by the ebb. After giving some instances of this, Mr. Davies proceeded to say that there ■were other times when the state of the ■world was between the two extremes. The year 1575 was one of those times. It was often noticed that immediately before a great storm the state of the weather was generally quiescent, that there was stillness in the atmosphere, an oppressive feeling which was ominous of the near approach of some terrible war of the elements. So it was with the year now passing away. The first great event of the year of a serious character ■was the sudden and terrible loss of the immi grant ship Cospatriek, the news of which sent such a thrill of horror through the breasts aot only of the colonists of New Zealand, but also of the people of Great Britain. The lev. gentlemen referred in forcible language to the confusion which must have prevailed among the passengers of the ill-fated vessel when she was discovered to be on fire, the rush for the boats, the loss of life which ensued, and the trials which the three who escaped had to endure. He spoke also strongly upon the subject of intemperance, and considered it the duty of the ministers of the Gospel to impress the matter, both by precept and example, more deeply on the minds 6t the members of their flocks. If it had not been for the sailors of the Cospatriek trving to gratify their passion for strong drink, and thus inadvertently setting fire to the cargo of the ship, there could have been little doubt but that the numbers of persons who were so quickly hurried into eternity by that catastrophe would have reached our port in safety. The next thing which had interested the world was the result of the explorations which had been prosecuted iu Syria. A great deal of discredit had been thrown by men famed in the scientific world upon the veracity of the accounts given in the Bible of the creation and fall of man. It is strange tha*; science, •which had striven so hard to throw doubt upon the truths contained in the Word of God should have been ihe instrument in the Almighty's hand of completely refuting the statements which had been urged against its being inspired. The Daily Telegraph, a paper which was noted as the supporter of the yiews of the scientific free-thinkers before mentioned, had sent to Syria a gentleman of high literary attainments and deep research, named Mr. George Smith, by whom the discoveries had been made. Tablets had heen found by him giving accounts of the Creation, the Fall, and the Deluge, which were startlingly similar to the accounts given by Moses in the Book of Genesis. The arrogance and pride of the wicked had once more been abashed by the incontroTertible evidence thus opportunely brought to light in favour of the truths of the Bible, and he had no doubt but that God would, from time to time in the future, afford equally convincing proofs as the occasion might demand them. The next thing of interest which had claimed their attention during the year was the great religious awakening which had occurred in Great Britain. The rev. speaker dwelt at length upon this subject, pointing out the blessings which would be sure to flow from it, and expressed a hope that New Zealand would experience a similar visitation. He shewed how Mr. Moody had been eminently fitted for his great work by giving a short sketch of his Fife. The noxt topic that was spoken upon was the conflict of opinion which had taken place between Mr. Gladstone and the leaders of Roman Catholicism in England, and which had resulted in the publication of several pamphlets by Mr. Gladstone. The ref. gentleman denounced the Church •of Rome as having in no way changed from the spirit which actuated it dnring the Eiiddle ages, and urged his hearers to de-' termined and uncompromising opposition to its encroaching influence. It was the Church of lying treachery, adultery, and other sins £ u of an equally heinous character, because, as -j?',* long as it could be proved that they were "-» means to an end, and that end the bringing over of people to the Church, they would be cone! <■ ■••"d, and he had evidence in support of his stu:i ■ He counselled the members of his con 0 ;^-' f ion not to allow their children to attend, tuhools instituted under the auspices of the Church of Rome, and conducted by teachers of that persuasion. He would sooner put his child in the fire than allow it to attend such a place, to the great danger of the undue influence which would be exercised upon its mind. In proof of the fact that Popery had lost none of its persecuting spirit, he pointed to the massacre of great numbers of persons by a mob of people, led and incited by Romish priests in San Miguel, »town of about 40,000 inhabitants, situated in Central America, and which had taken place during the present year. The military were obliged to turn out and had to fire on the mob. Some of the individuals were killed, of which upon their breasts were found passport J to eternity, upon which were written these words above the signature of the Bishop:—"Peter open the gates of Heaven to the bearer, he was killed in the cause of religion." The next subject alluded to was the news of England having purchssed * large number of shares in the Suez Canal, a fact which pointed out the gradual approach of the time when there would, ensue a terrible contest for the. possession of the East. The sickness which lately prevailed in Auckland was next touched upon, and the rer. lecturer oonclnded hie address by urging upon the minds of those preeeut the greas necessity of being prepared for death, and of regarding it aot with feelings of terror and dread, but as* a" happy release from this world of care and tronble to one of never-ending bliss.