THE MARSDEN CENTENARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15801, 26 December 1914, Page 4

THE MARSDEN CENTENARY.

Among the outstanding events in New Zealand history there is none to which New Zealanders can more appropriately pay homage than tho landing of Samuel Marsden and the first declaration on our shores of the " glad tidings of great joy." A hundred years ago Marsden came with the Gospel to a land which gave little promise of the New Zealand of to-day. Men were then unconscious of the dawning century of Empire. England did not see ahead of her the great colonising period to rhich the settlement of New Zealand belongs ; she had yet to reap the fruits of many triumphs of invention which accelerated the growth of her colonies and played an impo tut part in the building of a prosperous Empire The spiritual apathy of earlier times had already been hroien down, and out of the revival came Marsden, the first missionary to \"W Zealand The centenary of the memorable service held on Christmas Day 100 years ago at Oihi. Bay of Islands, appeals to no narrow sectarian feeling. It is full of significance to all who realise what the message which Marsden brought has meant to New Zealand A centenary service was held at the Marsden Cross at Oihi yesterday, simpler in form than at first intended, but non> the less an impressive and a fitting celebration of Marsden's landing and a heartfelt thanksgiving for his missionary work. The proposal to erect a Marsden Memorial Church at Russell should have the sympathy and support of all classes and creeds in the Dominion. Owing to the war, the promoters of this memorial have not so far been able to make much progress, but New Zealand, in spite of the war and of the exceptional call a which have been made upon the liberality of her people, is still rich enough to build a suitable memorial to Samuel Marsden, and still sufficiently thankful for the work of a noble band of missionaries to be grateful for the opportunity of perpetuating the memory of their pioneer.