GAELIC PEEACHING.

Otago Witness, Issue 1155, 17 January 1874, Page 13

GAELIC PEEACHING.

TO THE EDITOR. Sik — In your leader of 20lh December, you have drawn the attention of youi* readers to the state of the Highlanders in Otago in connection ■with Gaelic preaching. The Highlanders have waited in vain during the last 20 years. Their patience now is exhausted. You .said — "The Highlanders should move energetically in the matter." Allow me to call your .attention to the following facts:— The Highlanders applied to the Synod years ago, when they employed the Eev. John Al'Leod, but they were distinctly refused one single penny to support the Highland mission, though the Synod could spend money on missions to the Maoris and Chinese. I would suggest to the Gaelic speaking people of Otago ami Southland, that they should puss by the Presbyterian S3-nod with silent contempt, and get a man of experience from the Free Church of Scotland who can preach— not read -Gaelic, and administer th« orrtinnneeH siccoiding to the standards of the Free Church. If such a minister can be got, he will be received in Otago with open hearts and hands by his countiymen, and the Presbyterian Synod will soon find out that the land or money of Otago is not all in the hands of the Synod. It is now 17 years sinco the Highlanders petitioned the Government, thvongh the present Superintendent, to lay out a block of land where they could be close together to support a Minister o f their own choosing, but that also was refused. " Send your money out of your abundance to our treasury, so that we may live at ease, and eai the bread of idleness." By-tho-bye, the Eev. Dr Stuart wrote in your columns some time ago, stating that the Gaelic was dying out. I put the question to the Eev. Dr Begg, when he was here, if that was the case, and he said there could not be a greater mistake. I quite agree with Mr M'Lennan's letter which recently appeared in your columns, suggesting tlio appointment of Professor M'Laohlnn, Dr Kennedy, of Dingwall, and Dr Begg, of Edin- ; burgh, hs a Committee, with power to add to their number, to send out suoh men us th« Highlanders in Otago, aadttllthußritishCokmw* require. *• I »ro ? &<i. _