THE MARSDEN CROSS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13435, 13 March 1907, Page 8

THE MARSDEN CROSS.

UNVEILED BY THE GOVERNOR.'

AN IMPORTANT NATIONAL EVENT.

THE CEREMONY DESCRIBED

[BY TELEGRAPH.—-OWN REPORTER.]

Russell, Tuesday.

The ceremony in connection with the un-

veiling of the Marsden Cross at Rangihoua, Bay of Islands, was performed by His Excellency the Governor this afternoon, in the presence of a large and representative gathering of Europeans and natives. The monument, which will henceforth be one of the most interesting in the colony has been erected on the site on which the first Christian service was held in New Zealand, and conducted by the late Rev. Samuel Marsden, nearly 100 years ago. The day was fine for the occasion, and the function passed off with all the success. befitting an event of such national interest, as the marking for all time of the historic and hallowed spot on which the doctrines of Christianity were first expounded on New Zealand soil, and where it may also be said was laid the genesis of civilisation in this country. , The residents of the Bay of Islands, of both races, combined to do honour to the great occasion, and the gathering was in every way worthy of a district that is so much in historical associations as the pioneer settlement of' New Zealand, and the place where the foundation of our national life was planted ' by the band of hardy and adventurous spirits, the record of whose labours amidst •all tnc privations, dangers, and difficulties of the stormy and turbulent days of the past, will ever occupy a foremost and honourable position in the annals of British colonisation; .' ' - . • The story of the life of the late Mr. Marsden has "already been well told in the columns of the 'Herald, and need not be again referred to in detail. The movement for the erection of the memorial, on the place on which the Divine message of peace and goodwill I was first delivered to the Maoris, was initiated by' Archdeacon Walsh, to whom the largest share of the credit attaching to its successful consummation is undoubtedly due- It was in the latter part of 1905 that Archdeacon Walsh, in an article published in the New Zealand Herald, drew attention to the advisability of suitably marking an event of such deep* and far-reaching importance as that which took place on Christmas Day, 1814. Since that time the movement has been pushed steadily forward, and'to-day the memorial is an accomplished fact. SITE OP THE CROSS. The site on which Mr. Marsden preached his famous sermon/and on which the cross has been constructed, is not such a prominent one as many of the witnesses of today's ceremony had anticipated, but of course fidelity to historical facts has had , to be given precedence over all questions j of position. The seletcion of. the site for I the first mission station was limited to the | territory of the friendly chief Rmitara j Hongi .and Korokoro, which extended along . the north-western shore of the Bay of, Is- ■ lands. A block of 62 acres, extending inj land from the beach, was purchased by , the Church Missionary. Society' as a site for the settlement, and; houses' were soon j built .and gardens brought under cultivaj tion. On the mission being removed to I Kerikeri, however, it. was no 'longer reI quired, and was sold, with -the exception j of one acre, which had originally been reI served as a church site and burial ground. j This piece extends down to the beach, and includes at least a portion of the ground ( enclosed by Ruatara for the historic Christ- ! mas service, The exact location of the ; Ljhoundaries of this acre was fixed bv Arch- ; I deacon Walsh and Mr. W. J. Wheeler, disI trict surveyor, about three months ago, as i a. preliminary to the erection of the meinortdftf. There was no difficulty in identify- ■ ulg the. spot. The site is the only nearly ■ 'level space in the neighbourhood, being aT little shingle slope above the beach, where j Mr- Marsden and -his party must have landfed. Local tradition stated that the exact } spot occupied by the initiation church pulj pit, improvised by Ruatara with old canoes. i was sheltered by a spreading pohutukawa i tree, but this handsome landmark is stated , ] to have been destroyed by fire many years | ago. • '"'■"■-. - •■ " - )■ DESCRIPTION OF THE MONUMENT. ] The memorial, which was designed by ! Archdeacon Walsh, takes the form of a }' Celtic, cross. It has a total height of 20ft Bin, and is constructed of Melbourne, blue- | stone,'the step and base, which covers a ■ space of about 12 square feet, being of New j Zealand blue-stone. The entire structure, j : which ha* a total weight of about 23 tons, | rests upon a solid concrete foundation, j • Some of the blocks ot stone weigh nearly I three' tons, and the task of landing them j in the surf from the scow which conveyed I the 'material from Auckland was no easy I one. The vessel, through being detained ! I by adverse, weather, did not arrive a! the | bay until Tuesday last, but no time was. lost in pushing on the work of erection, which was, however, completed only yesterday. The cross was put up by Mr. J. skill, under the supervision of Mr. Goldsbro', architect. The front of the cross, facing the' bay, bears the following inscription in large sunken letters: —"On Christmas Day, 1814, the first Christian service in New Zealand was held on this spot by the Rev. Samuel Marsden." GATHERING AT RANGIHOUA. The visitors from Auckland who attended the ceremony arrived at Russell at nine o'clock this morning in the s.s. Clansman. His Excellency the Governor and suite arrived about the same time from Whangaroa in the s.s. Hinemoa. The Auckland contingent included the Anglican Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Neligan), Archdeacon Cole (of Taranaki), the Rev. H. A. Hawkins, superintendent of Maori missions, the Rev. J. McWilliams, home missioner, and Messrs. W. Brackenrig and Goldsbro. Amongst others who took part in the function in addition to Archdeacon Walsh, were the Rev. G. A. Boler, and several other clergymen of the northern part of the diocese. The s.s. Clansman ran an excursion from Opua and Russell free,of charge to Rangihoua (or Oihi as it is sometimes called). She had a large crowd of passeng"' ers, including the Auckland visitors, •thers made the journey in small boats, or travelled by land from the surrounding settlements. The Governor, and party went over in the Hinemoa, and both steamers anchored about three o'clock, a-quarter of a mile from the beach. The task of landing in the surf by oil launches and rowing-boats had then to "be faced, and this was not devoid of a little diversion. Owing to this difficulty and delay in arrival at the bay the majority of the passengers on the Clansman could not be landed, and they, had to be content with watching the proceedings from the steamer. The Governor, who was accompanied by Captain the Hon. A. M. R Bingham, A.D.C., Captain Boscawen, hon. AID.C., and Mr. H. C. Water-field, private secretary), landed at a-quarter to four p.m., and was received by Bishop Neligan, Archdeacon Walsh, and the representatives of the pakehas and Maoris of the district. The party then walked along the beach, a distance of three or four hundred yards, to the site of the cross, where many people had already arrived. Despite the fact that so many would-be spectators were steamer-bound there was a large gathering around the newly-erected monument. AN INTERESTING SCENE. The scene as the assemblage of the two races were gathered around the foot of the cross was -one of no ordinary interest. The monument itself, with its face veiled with a Union Jack, occupied the centre of a small clearing of about half an acre. By its side the New Zealand ensign floated triumphantly from the top of a stout sapling, and immediately behind a few paces higher up the grassy slope could be seen the iron railing enclosing the graves wherein the mortal remains of Mr. and Mrs. King, two of the early missioners, are lying in peaceful repose. As the eye wandered from this sacred spot to the left of the clearing, it rested upon the former site of Ruatara'a pa, .with its trenches and terraces

still clearly standing out, though the whares /arid palisades, with its inhabitants, have t long since disappeared. On the right could be seen the gently sloping ground formerly occupied by the homesteads of the missionaries, the levelled sites of the buildings being plainly discernible. On the beach just below the cross the surf broke leisurely with a. measured roll on the shingle, whilst just off the shore of the crescent-shaped bay were a number of small railing craft, and further out the steamers Hinemoa and . Clansman placidly riding at anchor just about where, no doubt, the brig Active dropped her anchor when Samuel Marsden landed from her. close on a century ago, on his peaceful mission to a warlike tribe oi aboriginals. Truly was this an inspiring and impressive picture, and . one to be long remembered by all who took part in the historic ceremony. THE CEREMONY. On arrival at the cross the piogramme of the ceremony was commenced by the singing oi the well-known hymn, "While Shepherds Watched their Flocks by Night." This beautiful hymn was particularly appropriate as expressing the spirit of the text of Mr. Marsden's first sermon, Behold I Bring You Glad Tidings of Great Joy." The next hymn which was sung-after the first two speeches had been delivered, was- the Old .Hundredth, "All People That on Earth Do Dwell,'* this being the hymn with which Mr. Marsden opened his service on the same spot upwards of 92 years ago. Special prayers were said by the Bishop, and the other hymn chosen was the familiar, " 0 God, Our Help in Ages Past.*' Whilst this hymn was being sung a collection was taken up by the natives in aid c£ the Maori Mission. NATIVE REPRESENTATIVE'S SPEECH. The first speech delivered was that given by Hare Te Neihie, as representing the Maori people. As they stood there before the rock, he said, memories ot the work of Samuel Marsden were brought back to mind. The work of Mr. Marsden and the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi were two very important events in the history of the Maori people, and it was well that both should be fittingly commemorated. By raising this cross., to 'Samuel Marsden a just tribute was being paid to a great and good man, and he was pleased to be the mouthpiece of the native race on such an occasion.' He specially thanked the Governor and the Bishop for the part they were tak-, ing in bringing this event, to such a.successful conclusion., (Applause.)

ADDRESS BY ARCHDEACON WALSH.

Archdeacon Walsh,' on behalf of the donors, welcomed Bis Excellency the Governor, and the Maori and pakeha representatives to the gathering, which, he said, marked the successful consummation of an important movement. He apologised for the absence of the Hon. Henry Williams, who had intended to speak on behalf of the old mission families, but who was prevented by age and failing health from being present. Apologies had also been received, for the absence of the Rev. J. K. Davis, an. immediate descendant of one of the early settlers (who was detained in Auckland by professional duties), Dr. Hockeii, of Dunedin, who was editing Samuel Marsden's journal, and Mr. Percy, Smith, late Surveyor-Gene-ral, all of whom had taken an active interest in the movement. In referring to the history of the movement, he 6aid that some years ago an old friend suggested to him the advisp.jilit'.y of erecting a monument of some kind'on the spot. For a. long time . the.project seemed hopeless, for while the idea .met with cordial approval there were very few offers of (substantial help. It was not until after I'm friend's death that any definite step was taken. Then the widow of this gentleman (and he was glad to see this lady present that day) offered him £100 towards the cost of the monument, He then, made an appeal through the Synod and through: the New Zkaland Hkrald, and other newspapers, for funds to supplement this donation." In response to this appeal a large, number of subscribers came forward, * including His Excellency the Governor, the Bishops of Auckland and Wellington, Bishop Marsden (a son of the late Samuel.Marsden); Dr. Hocken, Mr. J. N. Williams (of Hastings), and others. The total 'result was the collection of over £200 from bet ween ■ 200 and 300 subscribers, amongst: whom, he .pleased to say, were a large number of natives. (Hear, hear.) With this money he. had been enabled to procure the substantial cross that they now saw before them. The site chosen was,the;exact one on which Samuel Marsden ■• delivered - r his historic sermon. The site was also memorable, as being, so far. as was known, ihe first land ever purchased from the Maoris, it -having been bought by the Church Missionary Society. Ho acknowledged the assistance received from Mr. W. C. Kensington, Under-Secre-tary for Lands, arid Mr. W. J. Wheeler, district surveyor, in regard to the survey of the site, the latter having devoted part of his holiday to this work. He also thanked the Northern Steamship Company for running the free excursion that day, and all others who had assisted with the movement. He concluded by asking the Governor to unveil the cross. (Applause.) THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. His Excellency then unveiled the cross, bringing the face of the monument and the inscription into view. He said that be felt it a great privilege to be permitted to take pari in doing honour to the memory of so honourable a Christian, and so brave a man as the late Samuel Marsden, and one who had done so much for New Zealand. (Applause.) He was not, perhaps, so well qualified to speak of the value of Mr. Marsden's work as some of the others present, but he had read something of the life of that great man. It was often remarked nowadays that Christianity was not making the progress that it should make, and there was a tendency on the part of its workers to become disheartened and discouraged. With such a monument before them, however, they should be able to draw courage by remembering Mr. Marsden and the difficulties and dangers that he nad surmounted -with such splendid success. (Applause.) He congratulated Archdeacon Walsh on tho satisfactory result of his labours in connection with the erection of the cross(hear, hear) —and, in concluding, said that he was proud indeed to have had the opportunity of unveiling the memorial as a symbol of Mr. Marsden's life and faith. (Applause. ) ON BEHALF OF THE PAKEHA. Mr. J. B. Clarke, in speaking as the representative of the pakehf, families, expressed regret at the enforced absence, owing to illness, of the Hon. H. Williams. He had much pleasure, as the youngest son of one of the early missionaries, in thanking the subscribers for the liberal manner in which they had assisted in the erection of the memorial to the memory of tiie first apostle to the Maori race. To Archdeacon Walsh special thanks were due for the trouble he had taken in the matter. (Applause.) The spot on which they stood was not only that on which the first Christian service in New Zealand had been held, but it was also the site of the foundation of the first English settlement in the colony. Prior to Mr. Marsden's arrival hardly any Europeans had visited the colony, with the exception, perhaps, of a few runaway sailors from the whaling ships, and some escaped convicts from Sydney, whose influence on the natives, needless to say, was not for the best. Mr. Marsden was the real founder of, the colonisation of the colony, and the success of the work that he inaugurated was largely due to the labour's of the missionaries, whose work he supervised for more than 20 years. Then the peaceful occupation of the colony was accomplished. (Applause.) Although war broke out in 1845 the principles of honourable warfare were observed, and no unfriendlines- was shown towards the missionaries or me peaceful settlers. (Hear, hear.) Referring to the early missionaries (the graves of two of whom were close by), he said that one could imagine but could not fully realise the feelings of the first of the band, as with their wives and children they watched the Active with Mr. Marsden on board sailing out of the bay, and thus severing their connection with the outside world, and leaving them at the mercy of fierce, even if friendly, savages. The courage of the soldiers who stormed the deadly breach in the excitement of the hour was small compared to the passive and sustained courage of these men and women, which extended over months and years. (Applause.) He spoke of the good influence exerted by the family life of the missionaries on the native gills and young women who lived in

their households. He also referred to one of the last acts of Mr. Marsden New Zealand in christening the children of several missionaries, and naming them after himself. These persons bore a name honoured in the annals of missionary work in New Zealand. (Applause.) THE BISHOPS ADDRESS. The Bishop of Auckland, as one engaged with the moral aspect of the national life, said that he was glad to speak on such an occasion. As His Excellency hud said, Christians were rather too prone to look upon the gloomy side of things. Men, women, and children, however, on looking on the cross before them looked upon a sign which should make their hearts brave and give them renewed vigour with which to earn.- on their work. (Applause.) The previous day was the anniversary of the day on which, in 1845, Russell, then the capital of New Zealand, was burned and sacked by the Maoris. The action of the friendly natives on that occasion was well remembered, and the story of -warfare at that time was abo a story of honour. On the side of the harbour on which they were then standing they also had a record of a story of honour in the simple life of that great British Imperialist, Samuel Marsden. They who were gathered together in this far-off corner of the British Empire were doing honour to the memory of one of God's bravest .«ons. who. in implanting the first seeds of Christianity in the colony, had earned the right to be termed a founder of British colonisation in New Zealand. (Applause.) New Zealand would always treasure in her annals the names of two great men in Samuel Marsden (1314) and George Augustus Selwyn (1842). The names of both these men were enshrined in the annals of the Empire as those of men who had done a truly great and Imperial work. (Hear, hear.) As New Zealandcrs looked upon that cross and the graves near by, and reflected upon the benefits of the labours of those early missionaries, they might well say, as Bishop Selwyn often said, " My lot is cast in a goodly heritage. Speapinc' of the cross, lie said it was Celtic in form, a distinguishing feature being the circle around the arms. Thus was the svmbol of eternity, and it conveyed a lesson which should inspire all who looked upon it and thought of the acts of Samuel itfarsdea which ~ would live throughout future generations, and l have an effect upon New Zealand immeasurably great. (Applause.) THE PRAYERS.

The special collects which were said by the Bishop during the service were three in number, and were the dedication collect, the memorial collect, and the collect for our country. The ceremony concluded by the Bishop pronouncing the Benediction and the singing of the national anthem.