THE PRESBYTERIAN JUBILEE.— DELEGATES TO THE COLONIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9387, 10 June 1889, Page 3

THE PRESBYTERIAN JUBILEE.— DELEGATES TO THE COLONIES.

TO TUE EDITOR. Sir,—A friend at home—a well-known man—writes me:—" New Zealand is to be visited by two well-known ministers here. Dr. Rainy, the Principal of the Free Church College, left Edinburgh thie morning (he sails, I understand, by the Oceania); and Dr. Macgregor, of St. Cuthbert's Church, leaves about a fortnight hence, probably by the Carthage." I expect that Dr. Macgregor requires a change ; and a change ot wort is said to be equal to a rest, for he cannot be idle ; his great mind is too much for his feeble body. Some years ago he needed relaxation, and went to America for some months, and was the honoured guest of the Governor-General (the Marquis of Lome) and the Princess Louise. If he does as much good to these colonies as he did to the States and Canada, and especially to Manitoba, on his return we may well congratulate ourselves on his visiting us. A man like him, who is the esteemed friend and frequent guest of the Queen, and who is known and respected by all classes, from the highest to the humblest, possesses a great power. I, therefore, hope that even on the lowest ground of selfishness, if the nobler feelings fail to actuate, our Government, railway companies, shipping companies, our Governor, leading colonists, and all classes will accord to this illustrious man a fitting welcome and hospitality. When recently in Scotland it was my privilege on two alternate Sunday nights to hear Dr. Macgregor.give a lecture in aid of the funds or the St. Cuthbert's Young Men's Association, an association to succour the needy in Edinburgh, irrespective of creed or country. St. Cuthbert's Church seats between 3000 and 4000, but to say it was crowded on these nights was no description. The subject was "Britain's Heritage." I have heard many of the most eminent men of our time, in Church and State, except John Bright, but I never heard anything to equal Dr. Macgregor on these occasions. Ho showed the advances of our race not only in our native isles, but in what lie called the Greater Britain beyond the seas. He showed not merely the bright side of progress in wealth, culture, science, and greatness, but he also faithfully presented the dark side of the picture—poverty, misery, and crime. It was a vast collection of the most valuable information presented in the most instructive and attractive manner. He traced out leading causes, but he also pointed to consequences. To use his own words in opening the second half of the lecture, he said, " I have formerly spoken to you of Britain's privileges. I purpose tonight to speak to you of Britain's duties and responsibilities." The earnestness of that vast audience was something to remember. The sanctity of the place and the proverbial reverence with which the Scottish people still regard the Lord's Day, scarcely restrained them from bursting into applause, but the suppressed murmurs of approval could not be misunderstood, and when thesplendid choir led off the 100 th psalm there seemed to be but one soul animating that mighty assembly. Ife was a thing that could not be forgotten. — I am, etc., Wμ. Arch. Murray. Mount Pleasant, Piako, 3rd June, 1889.