LECTURE ON ST, COLUMBA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9219, 23 November 1888, Page 3

LECTURE ON ST, COLUMBA.

Ox Sunday evening, the 18th, the Rev. R. McKinney delivered a most interesting lecture in the Presbyterian Church, W ark worth, the subject being St. Columba, to whose memory that church is dedicated. The rev. gentleman said he considered it desirable that seme departure should be made from the usual routine of hammering away atone particular subject, and that during the summer months he proposed to give frequent lectures on subjects kindred to the present, for which he had ample precedents, as biography was frequently a Bible subject. In introducing his subject he said that, although there was only one perfect example for us to follow, there was much in the lives of many good and pious Christians who had left deep impressions in the sands of time which we might well emulate and profitably follow. One notable example be found in St. Columba, who although a monk, with whom some held they should have nothing to do (which wiis only a bad form of ignorance), had proved himself a good Christian in the largest sense of that word, and in proof of which he quoted from the Rev. C. Kingsley's poem, published in Good Words in 1863—a poem written by a Church of England clergyman, and published by a clegyman of the Church of Scotland. The rev, gentleman traced his subject's lineage back to the ancient royal family of Ireland, from which the present Marquis of Lome traced his descent, as also our reigning Queen Victoria, and although Columba had a good claim to the crown of Ireland, he had been educated for the Church, and preferred the position of missionary monk. The saints career was closely followed, from his education to his settlement in lona, his life and work, his learning, his piety, devotion to his work, the overcoming of his natural temper and his after love of peace, were all held up as well worthy of being followed, while his learning, industry, and oratorical ability were something marvellous. His voice, it is said, could be heard a mile away ; his presence was noble and majestic. His work and life ended together; the latter took place in his cell, while transcribing Psalm xxxiv., in the 74th year of his age, like a shock of corn fully ripe. The work of Professor Blackie. of Edinburgh, was quoted, as also that of 'the Duke ot Argyle, as throwing light on the noble work and life of this truly noble man, and the rev. lecturer concluded an interesting account of the life and works of the distinguished Christian who had passed through times of adversity and persecution of which the present day could form no conception, and whose name would continue to be revered by generations yet to come.—{Own Correspondent.]