PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 53

PRESBYTERIAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.

The formal opening of the Presbyterian Theological College was held on Monday m Stuart Hall, and was largely attended.

The Rev. D. Borrie, who presided, said he was sure tTiey all missed their esteemed convener, who was away on account of illhealth. They knew the deep interest ho took in the college. They were holding the services just to emphasis© the opening of the college, and that they might give a glad welcome to th& young- m«n who were coming 1 in from all parts of the country to resume or begin their studies for the Gospel ministry. They welcomed them to Dunedin, to the college, and to tho home. They wished to feel that they were most deeply interested in them, and would help them all they could with counsel and with sympathy, just as it was in their power or they sought it. The Theological Committee, as everyone knew, was deeply interested in the institution, and hoped that it would grow and increase in usefulness. They were glad it was growing. He had on the list of classes 70 names of young men who had committed themselves more or less to coming forward for the ministry, and most of them would begin or continue their studies during- this session. Three of the young men were away — one being in Melbourne, one in America, and one in the Homeland. It was a very fine record, and showed the college was growing in power and usefulness. It told him there was a rising tide of ihe spiritual life throughout the country when so many of the young men were turning 1 their thoughts to the ministry, to seek in that high sphere to glorify God and to carry on His work. He was °lad that the Church as a whole realised this, and provided upon the whole very good provision for the students in tho way of bursaries. That afternoon he had received a letter from a Dunedin gentleman, who did not wish his name to be known, promising a scholarship of £25 year for three years. — (Applause.) As be told them, the Church was deeply interested lr the institution, and he believed there was a Wanganui scholarship, a S\ John's scholarship, and a St. Andrew's scholarship ; at least, there used to be one. The Church was providing for the maintenance of the young men coming into tho ministry to the extent of 35 scholarships, ranging from 50 guineas down to £20. — (Applause.) That, he thought, showed not only that God was calling young men to the ministry, but that the Church was greatly interested in their welfare. If they showed they had great needs, he was sure the Church woxild give them what was needed for the education and training- of these young men if the facts were kept prominently before it. He was sure that they woTe all pleased they could supply the ministry from this college. It spoke well for the future of their Church, and he was sure they must all rejoice. What they all needed was ju.=t a deeper and richer baptism of the spirit of God, that they might have spiritual qualifications for carrying on the work they were called to do

The Rev. Dr Erwin, moderator of th.^ Prfsby.terian Church of New Zealand, who had come from Christchurch purposely to attend the opening. p;ave an address of considerable length to the students. Sneaking of the ministry, ho said it was the divinely appointed means whereby man might be 'ave-d, and ministers were more than the instruments of God — they weie His agents. The effectiveness of the agent depended upon the sympathy with which he introdured his principles, and the earnestness and diligence he used for the purpose of advancing tho»e principle. 1 ?, and the- means placed at his disposal miffht be summed up in three words — the Word, spirit, and prayer. He hoped the Church would givo a» much attention to the practical training as *he did to the academic training of students. In accepting God's call to the ministry they must consecrate their entire manhood to their work. He recommended stud&nts to obfain the services of an instructor in elocution — one who would give them instruction in voice manipulation and voice control. Let him disabuse them of the idea that reading was the only pulpit platform that suited them. The power to say things in a striking manner was the gicat secret of pulpit eloquence, and he> counselled them to remember that their business was to get at the conscience — to get at it somehow or anyhow. The Rev. J. Chisholrn proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Dr Erwin for his addre&s, of which he spoke in high terms, the motion being carried by acclamation.

Dr Nisbet moved a vote of thanks to the eingers (Miss Dunkm and Mr A. Wriffhtt

and to the accompanist (Miss Sutherland), the motion being also carried by acclamaThe Rev. Mr Borrie briefly addressed the students, pointing out that e&rtain subjects had to be taken to entitle them to participate in scholars-hips and prizes, dents would also be expected to take advantage of the- teaching- of voice production and elocution by Mrs Wilkie and Mr Burton. The pronouncing of the benediction closed the proceedings.

The meeting held at Roxburgh en the 11th. when the Southland deputation addressed a Roxburgh audience, will (according to our reporters) be one famous in the history of tba development of that part of the great interior. for not only was there intense excitement prevailing-, but also a most dramatic conclusion, and the deputation met its Waterloo just before 11 o'clock. Soon after the proceedings had got fairly undei- way the hall was filled to the door, great numbers standing at the back. The people responded splendidly to the request of the Southland people for a fair bearing, and the deputation was accorded a mosu cordial reception. There were some strong, speakers on the platform, and the fighting speeches ' delivered by Mes=rs Hanan, M.H.R., and Raymond were most elaborate and forcible addresses. When both, these gentlemen had spoken, the. meeting, judging by the applause, almost seemed to be with the deputation, and there can 4re> no doubt that the deputation was lulled into a feeling of security for a time. But then Mr M. Cohen, who had remained in Roxburgh to lepresent the Dunedin deputation, questioned the conduct of the meeting, and asked why a motion had not. been put before the audience. The chairman, for f-ome unexplained reason ruled the point of order out, and the speeches vent on until the motion, which it was stated would be moved from amongst the audience, but which the speaker forgot to mention had been prepared at the caucus in the afternoon, was brought before the meeting, asking it to pledge itself to the >sd;evale l'oute. A smart passage of words then took place, Mr Cohen protesting againot ihe action of those responsible for the meeting in refusing- an amendnientSpeakmg, therefore, to the motion, Mr Cohen delivered a speech brimful of telling points, completely answering the arguments of Messrs Hanan and Raymond. He was plainly labouring under the stress oE great excitement, and his utterance was as times so very rapid that it was even difP-> cult for the ear to follow his sentences, but, nevertheless, delivered in such a forcible manner that his words were audible to every person within the bviilding. It was one of thcGo speeches delivered without preparation and by a public man boiling with indignation at what he deemed to be attempts to mislead the public, that was yet a marvel of oratorical brilliancy, and ie will be long remembered by those who heard it. If there had been any doubt about the decision, that speech would have turned the tide, and in any case it materially assisted to bring about the crushing defeat suffered by the deputation, when, better counoel pravailing, an amendment was allowed, and was moved. The chairman having asked if there was any amendment, Mr John Bennetts stood np, and there was a dramatic silence for a momeat. Then he was received with a storm of cheers as he moved the hostile amendment in favour of the Lawrence-Roxburgh route. Amidst a scene of great enthusiasm tho amendment was carried. As it was put, it was seen that an overwhelming majority of hands went up for it, but, nevertheless, i'l'e chairman put the motion, which was rejeoted by a majority of practically the whole meeting, and the amendment was declared carried amidst deafeaing cheering.