SUDDEN DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN WARREN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6872, 26 November 1883, Page 5

SUDDEN DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN WARREN.

We regret to record in our columns this morning tho death of the Rev. John Warren, of heart disease, on Saturday afternoon, at his residence, Park Houbb, corner of Hep-burn-street and Ponsonby-road, The sad event, though cot unexpected, owing to his delicate state of health for months past, has yet been somewhat sudden. The complaint (heart disease) which the revorend gentleman Buffered from first developed itself when he resided at Onehunga, in Juno, 1879. In December of that year ho removed to Auckland, where he has since resided. He was almost coufined a prisonertohis home, though in fine weather he could go into the garden, but the cold weather tried him very much. He suffered at intervals from spasmodic attacks,' some of them being very severe, and necessitating frequent medical attendance. On Saturday last he partook of dinner as usual, and was very cheerful. About half-past one o'clock he sat down in his chair, looking over some numbers of the Graphic, and conversing with his wife and daughters in his usual happy way. Then for a few minutes he went out of the room as far as the back door, but returned, saying that it was too cold for him. While standing iu the room a spasm came upon him, and he fell backwards on the floor. The usual remedies were applied, his devoted wile helping as she could, but in a few minutes he breathed his laßt. Dr. Evans was called in, but there was nothing left for him to do but to declaro that life had fled. So has ended the career of one of the early baud of Wesleyan missionaries, who had almost reached three-score years and ten, forty-four of which had been spent in New Zealand, with but one break in 1873, when he visited New South Wales and Victoria as a representative from New Zealand. Tho following biographical particulars concerning the career of the deceased gentleman will be read with interest, not only by those belonging Ito the Wesleyan communion, bat by the public at largo, to whom he was well known : The Rev. John Warren was born in the county of Norfolk, England, on the 26th April, 1814. His father was Mr. William Warren, a gentleman farmer. It waß the son's ambition in his youth to knoiv, and to be able to perform all a farmer's duties. He lost his mother in his childhood, but not before her teaching and prayers had made a deep impression on his mind, and in a stepmother he found a kind guardian and a godly instructor. At tho age of seventeen he became a member of the Wesleyan Church. In a little while his character and ability as a thinker and speaker were proved in the vocation of a local preacher, He was soon introduced into the itinerant ministry, and travelled two years in England, and was then designated for the New Zealand mission. He left England in 1833, with his young wife. The vessel in whioh he sailed

was bringing a roinforcement of workers to the South Sea Islands. She called at Tos-

mania, wh6n Mr. Warren was detailed by the Rev. John Waterhouse to the Launctston circuit in that country, to supply a lack of service, and there he laboured for part of a year. Being relieved of the charge, he was instructed to proceed to hia original appointment, Hither he came in 1839 with hia wife and child, landing at Manguugu, Hokianga. In answer to the urgeut request of Mohi Tawhai, the chief of the distriot, he was sent to form a new station on the Waima River, lie was present at the nreat meeting held at Waitangi, Bay of Islands, on February 6th, 1840, when tho treaty between Governor Hobson and the leading Maori chiefs of the North of New Zealand was signed. He also witnessed from the further shore the sacking of Kororareka (Russell), in the Bay of Monde, by tho Maoris under Hone Heke on March 11th, 1545. For nearly 16 years Mr. Warren occupied the lonely station at Waima, knowing in its intensity the doty of a pioneer missionary ; yet rejoicing in seeing the Maori mind moved to the reoeption of the truth of tho Gospel of peace ; in the giving up of their heathen practices, and becoming acquainted with the truths of Christianity. Often has he fired the hearts of English congregations by hiß reoital of the wonderful

work of God among the natives during those years of labour. In answer to his request to be appointed to an English station because of the educational requirements of his children, he was sent by the first Australasian Conference to Nelson in 1855. With great ability and zeal he accomplished five years of service in that town, leaving as a monument of his wisdom and energy a new church, built upon a purchased site in a central position. He was transferred from Nelson to Wellington in IS6O. There he sustained his reputation as an eloquent preacher and careful administra-

tor. Hisnext removal was toAuckland, where he was well known and appreciated. He had preached the opening sermon in the first Wesleyan church built in Auckland. It was of wood, and was used as a school-room after the brick church in High-street was erected in front of it. High-street Church was then the principal place of worship of the Wesleyans. In conjunction with the late Rev. Thomas Buddie, his colleague, and with the principal members, the purpose to build a new sanctuary in Pitt-street was formed. Mr. Warren's voluntary duty was to advocate the cause, and with groat enthusiasm did ho make personal appeal to rich and poor throughout the community for contributions towards the erection of that tabernacle. He succeeded in raising a large sum of money. Hard times came upon Auckland, in which all interests suffered, and the Pitt-street trustees groaned under their burden of debt, and almost lost heart, but Mr. Warren urged that it was not a mistake to buy the land and build upon it. Time has vindicated his soundness of judgment and spirit of enterprise. In 1866 Onehunga was Mr. Warren's appointed home, being put in charge of the Manukau circuit, extending then as far as Mercer and Waiuku southward. In 1569,- because of the severe affliction of Mrs. Warren, and from the monitions of pain .and infirmity in himself, he asked to be relieved from the duties of the full work. His request was granted. He continued to. reside in Onehunga, where his wife died in 1576. Hia health having improved, he assisted the succeeding ministers, not only by counsel, but by regular Sabbath service given all through the circuit. His church-building power was here again exhibited; for, had it not been for his liberal example and generous advocacy the present Wesleyan church in Onehunga would not have been built. In this general usefulness was he engaged when suddenly there came upon him a stroke of heart disoase, severe and terrible. This was in Juue, 1879. Death seemed imminent, but he was spared toliveafewyearsmoro. During that period his Christian character mellowed and deepened—his friends finding him genial, intelligent, and charitable. Few men had a more sensitive nature than Mr. Warron. He was ever ready to listen to the tale of distress, and to show mercy with cheerfulness. He was of truly catholic spirit—loving all good men. He took great interest in the political histofy of Great Britain and of the colonies. During the Waikato war he delivered in this city a lecturo on the relation of the Government and settlers to the Maoris, and the sentiments thereof went far and wide, and were generally approved. His love for the Maori led him to wish the Queen's authority to be established in the country. As a preacher Mr. Warren was excellent—his style being logical and forcible. His exposition of sacred truth, and his exhortation to receive it, were alike clear and sensible. His judgment was sound, and giveo unreservedly to those who consulted him. He was staunch in his ipve for the Church in whose ministry he had spent his best energies, but was kindly affectionate to all who sought to honour God. He was a Christian gentleman and philanthropist. The deceased clergyman leaves a widow and two sons and four daughters to mourn their loss. Three of the daughters are in Auckland, the othor daughter and sons in Cantorbury and Westland.

The newa of Mr. Warren's death was not generally known till yesterday, and the tidings were received with feelings of sorrow and regret at the various vVcsleyitn churches, the pulpits of which were draped with black.

The funeral will take place tlm afternoon the cortiSge leaving the late residence of the deceased, corner of Hepburn-street and Pon-sonby-road, at three o'clock, for the Pitt, street Wesley an Church, where a ahort mortuary service-will be held before proceeding to the Symonds-street cemetery.