SELWYN CENTENARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13983, 12 February 1909, Page 7

SELWYN CENTENARY.

MEMORIALS OF THE BISHOP.

PROPOSED CELEBRATIONS.

[FROM OUR OWN' CORRESPONDENT.]

London', January 1. In view of the centenary of the birth of Bishop Selwyn, which falls in April, some interest is already being taken in preparations for the celebration of the occasion, both here and in New Zealand.

Quite recently the authorities of Sclwyn College, at Cambridge, have properly displayed in a .show case tho documents and memorials of the distinguished missionary which have come into possession of the college which bears his name. The principal items of interest in the collection are two letters and a sermon. The first of the letters, which is addressed to a brother of Bishop Patteson, refers to the building of the new Southern Cross to replace the first vessel of that name which had been wrecked off the coast of New Zealand in 1860. It is dated at Auckland on August 2, 1862.

Amongst the books in the collection are a Maori New Testament (given by Archdeacon Williams to Bishop Selwyn), and a copy of the Aldine Septuagint (1518), which was presented to him by the Earl of Powis, to whom he had been a private tutor. It was originally kept in a bookcase in Mr. Selwyn's room at Powis Castle, and formed" part of the collection in the Cathedral library which was established by the Bishop in New Zealand, and was intended for the use of students of St. John's College. It was presented to Sclwyn College by Mi's. G. A. Selwyn. Tho following letter, which appeared in the Times this week is self-explanatory : — " Sir.—The sth of April, 1909, will be the centenary of the birth of George Augustus Selwyn, the first Bishop of New Zealand, founder of the Melauosian Mission, and subsequently Bishop of Lichfield from 1067 to 1878, and the first prelate of the Order of SS. .Michael and George. There is, as we learn from many quarters, a widelyfelt desire that the* 100 th anniversary of the birth of so noble a missionary ami bishop should not be allowed to pass by uncommemorated by the Church which he so devotedly served in both hemispheres. And this desire has been in part fulfilled by the appointment of a provisional committee (whose names are appended to this letter) to make preliminary arrangements, which they hope you will, of your courtesy, allow them to publish in your columns. The sth April, 1909, will fall on Monday in Holy Week, which for many reasons would Iks an unsuitable day for such a commemoration. It has therefore been decided that it shall be observed on or about St. George's Day, April 23, and that whatever offerings may be made in connection with the celebration shall be divided between (a) the endowment fund of Selwyn College, Cambridge, and (b) the building fund of the ' Patteson memorial wing' of St. John's College, Auckland, New Zealand. There must be nut a few who knew Bishop Selwyn personally, were confirmed or ordained by him, or were influenced by his life and Ids words, whether formerly in New Zealand as settlers, soldiers, sailors, civilians, clergy, or afterwards in Lis English diocese, in Staffordshire, Shropshire, and Derbyshire. Many of these, we feel sure, would wish, in thankfulness for his memory and example, to support the commemoration : arid any who may wish in connection with it to further either of the objects mentioned above are. invited to send their contributions to the hon. secretary, or to Lloyd's Bank, Ltd., 16, St. James'street, S.W., or any of their branches. Further particulars as. to the details of the commemoration will be made, public indue course. Meanwhile the hon. secretary will be glad to receive communications from persons interested in the commemoration and desiring further information, addressed to the Ven. Archdeacon Hodgson, The Close, Lichfield.—We remain, ' sir, faithfully yours, Augustus Lichfield (chairman), Edward Lincoln (visitor of Eton College), F. H. Ely, Edward Southwell, M. R. Auckland. Cecil Wilson (Bishop of Melanesia), Adelbert Anson (Bishop, Canon of Lichfield), 11. H. Montgomery (Bishop). R. F. Scott (Master of St. John's College. Ctunbridge), R. Appleton (Master of Selwyn College. Cambridge), J. J. Hornby (Provost of Eton College), Edward Melton (Headmaster of Eton College). Robert Hodgson (Archdeacon. Canon of Lichfield.}."