The Congregational Church.

Otago Witness, Issue 2298, 17 March 1898, Page 53

The Congregational Church.

THE CONVERSION OF MARU.

* fN the 14th October, 1862, a meeting of Congregationalists was held in Clark's Temperance Hotel, George Street, Dunedin, at which it Avas proposed by Mr. J . K. Fry, " That it is desirable to form an organisation for commencing the worship of the sanctuary according to the forms and usages of the Congregational body." A

committee was set up consisting of Messrs. Fred Savery, Alex. Eastgate, E. Flint, A. Mirams, and J. H. Barr, which was empowered to secure a suitable place of meeting for three months. The first services were held on Sunday, 2nd November, 1862, in the Oddfellows' Hall, George Street, when Mr. J. W. Jago preached in the morning from .Romans v. 7-8, and Mr. J. H. Barr conducted a prayer meeting in the evening. During the months of January and February, 1863, the Rev. J. L. Poore, an Australian clergyman, visited Dunedin, and, at the request of the members of the Congregationalist body, held services and organised a church. The church commenced with thirty-six members, duly accredited from various parts of the world, there being only one person with New Zealand credentials. In May, 1863, it was decided that the time had arrived when the congregation should have a settled pastor, aud the Rev. Richard Connebee, of Kew, Melbourne, was invited to take charge of the church at a salary of £100 per annum. The pulpit had been filled up to that time by members of the congregation and by visiting clergymen, among the latter being the Rev. Messrs Barr and Laishley, and among the former Mr. J. W. Jago was most active. On August sth, 1863, it was reported that a section at the corner of View Street and Moray Place had been purchased, and the collection of funds to erect a church which would be an ornament to the city was at once proceeded with, while at a meeting of the members of the body on the 13th September, Mr. Connebee's acceptance of the call was received. Mr. Connebee appears to have had a very rough passage to Dunedin, for on the 21st October a congregational meeting returned thanks to God for his preservation and safe arrival. . The foundation stone of the new church was laid by His Honor Superintendent Harris, on March 22nd, 1864, amid great rejoicings, and something like £1,000 was subscribed to defray the cost of erection. The first report of the state of the church was read at a

lea meeting held after the foundation stone had been laid and showed that there were 105 members on the roll, that the Sunday school had 100 children in average attendance, and that the various hocieties and agencies in connection with the church were in vigorous operation. There were out-stations at Caversham and Port Chalmers, and Mr. Jago, then, as now, an energetic member of the Congregational body, held services every Sunday evening at Pelichet Bay. .VI rs. Connebec went Home on account of failing health after a few years, and was followed by Mr. Connebee, who left the church in charge of Mr. Alfred Brunton. There was a division in the congregation when Mr. Connebee returned, and he decided to resign, carrying oiit his intention on June Ist, 1868. Mr. Connebee had been a most energetic minister, and had guided the infant church in a wise and careful manner. He was presented with an address by the members of the church on his leaving Dunedin for his old home at Kew, Melbourne. On Thursday, 17th June, 1869, the pastorate of the church was offered to the Rev. David Johnstone, who accepted it, and continued in charge till November, 1870, when he left Moray Place and held services in the Oddfellows' Hall, George Street, and finally in Leith Street, where he built a church 11 was made to the

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Rev. Dr. Roseby in July, 1871, and that gentleman, who was a graduate of Sydney University, held the pastoictte till October, 1885, when he resigned, much to the regret of the whole of his congregation. During his long residence in Dunedin Dr. Rosoby took an active part in all movements for the benefit of the community and was a noted popular lecturer on scientific subjects. Dr. Roseby went to Sydney and has charge of the church at Marnckville at the present time. He was immediately followed in Moray Place Church by the Rev. Mr. Kelly, who had arrived from the Old Country for the benefit of his" health. Mr. Kelly, never very strong, broke down in 1888, and went to Sydney, where he had an offer of a church at Anga-ston, South Australia, and accepted it, resigning from his Dunedin charge on October 17th, 1888. Mr. Kelly was followed by the Rev. Mr. Evans, who almost immediately had an attack of hemorrhage of the lungs and

resigned in September, 1889. The Rev. Mr. Cecil took charge temporarily, and the Rev. Drs. Hannah and Dale and Mr. Lee, M.P., of London, were asked to select a pastor for the church, their choice being the Rev. W. Saunders, who held a pastorate in London. Mr. Saunders arrived at the beginning of 1890 and has continued ever since to minister to the congregation with much acceptance. The last annual report showed a membership of 266, that all the societies and agencies for carrying on the work of the church were in a healthy state, and that the total amount of church debt was only £450.

Congregational churches have been established in several towns throughout the province since the foundation of Moray Place Church. One was organised at Lawrence very early — about the end of 18(59— under the charge of the Rev. J. Menzies. It is still in existence and doing good work. A church was formed at Port Chalmers shortly after that at Moray Place, Dunedin, and one at Oamaru about 1878. The Ravensbourne church was formed in 1879 when the Rev. Wm. Jenner took charge. It is now a branch of the King Street Church, which was formed in 1880, and filled the requirements of the north end of the city. There are albo.clmrches at Gore and St. Clair.

As showing the effect of the earnestness and sincerity of the early Weeleyan missionaries, the story of the conversion of Maru. the most intellectual Maori amongst the natives of Waikouaiti, is of interest. He was for c.-any years a tohunga, exercising vast influence over the tribe. He was a singularly virtuous man, and his life was most exemplary. He had never eaten human flesh nor fallen into the low vices of the natives. For some years he kept aloof from the missionaries, but during Mr. Creed's time he began to attend divine service, secretly at first, sitting in the remotest corner away from the preacher. His conversion was most striking. One Sunday morning Mr. Creed was preaching from 1 Cor. i. 24, and drew largely upon the traditions as

to the god Mauwi- the incar-

nate god of the Maori — and dwelt upon the power and the wisdom of God. Mam caught the true meaning of the word, and shouted out — "Koe a! Koe a!! Koe a!!!" ("Yes! Yes!! Yes!!!") From that time his whole soul lived unto Christ. He was a pattern of humility, fervour, and uprightness, and through him other old chiefs became converted, giving up polygamy and remaining faithful unto Christ and the karakia. or Christian worship. After his conversion, Maru assured Mr. Creed that the natives of his tribe had been diabolically cannibal. They wonld cook and preserve human flesh in sea-weed bags, and give it as presents to other chiefs. These bags of flesh were carried from place to place until finally eaten by the people.

Koraka and Haereroa were quite a different stamp of men. Both had been great and relentless w r arriors in their day, but both succumbed to the subduing influences of Christianity.