The Rev. J. H. Paterson.

Southland Times, Issue 1839, 17 January 1884, Page 2

The Rev. J. H. Paterson.

♦ From the Hawke's Bay Herald of 9th inst. we make the following extracts from a report of the welcoming of the Rev. J. Gk Paterson, late of St. Paul's Presbyterian Church, Invercargill, to his pastorate ut Napier : — The Rev. D. Sidey addressed the meeting, introducing Mr Paterson. He gave a brief sketch of the reasons which led to his retirement from St. Paul's pulpit, and tl.c choice of Mr Paterson as his successor. He referred to Mr Paterson's success as a pastor and praacher in previous charges, and expressed thankfulness that he (Mr Sidey) could resign the church to the care of one so well proved as Mr Paterson. The Rev. Mr Paterson said that if ever Providence clearly indicated a call it was that he had accepted. At Invercargill Mrs Paterson's health was not good, and her removal to a warmer climate was necessary. He wae about to remove to Victoria, when, quite unsought by him, the call from Napier was tendered to him. He heard dreadful accounts of Napier — that it was as hot as Aden, and when one wanted a breath of fresh air he had to go and lie on the sands and gasp. (Laughter). He was also told that the roads were so white nnd the sun so hot that everyone wore goggles. (Laughter). On the other hand, he was told that it was the most delightful climate in the world. So far he had been most favorably impressed with the climate and the beauty of the town. The people, also, bad received him most cordially, and he looked to the future with confidence. Mr Paterson tbim gave a humorous address on " The Sunny Side," dwelling upon the blessings of cheerfulness, in connection with the religious world as well as the secular occupations of life. With reference to the existing commercial depression and. the demands oi the unemployed, he remarked that though there was undoubtedly some depression he feared that some of the "unemployed" were like the man who, on a very hot day, complained to a clergyman that he could not get work at his trade. " What is your trade ?" asked the minister. " Shovelling snow, sir," was the reply. (Laughter.) In conclusion, Mr Paterson expressed the pleasure it gave him to see so many ministers on the pletfonn, and in an eloquent peroration dwelt upon the necessity for co-operation and union among the different branches of Christ's Church. The Bishop of Waiapu spoke of the pleasure he felt at taking part in welcoming Mr Paterson — a pleasure enhanced by the fact that they { were " brither Scots." The great. Scottish song writer, Burns, in speaking^of secular distinctions, '.uttered. 1 a sentiment which was equally applicable to ecclesiastical distinctions : — The rank is but the guinea's stamp, The man's the gowd for a 1 that, Mr Sidey might be said to have sounded the guinea in his address, and Mr Paterson's reply was the ring of true {metal. ' (Applause.) There was a time when ecclesiastical distinctions were much more marked than in the present day. Some twelve or fifteen years ago, when visiting a village in Scotland not far. from the place from where Mr Paterson hailed, he had some conversation with an old Scotch -a oman, a character in her way, who kept a " pig shop," or crockery store. She reproached him for going to the Presbyterian Church, and added that " she was baptised at midnight in the burn near the house," meaning that even so recently as that, the Episcopal party was so persecuted that they had even to baptise in secret. But the Presbyterians were only repaying the persecution they had received. Ev m in thoae days, however, there were bright instances of brotherly feeling, as when tae Archbishop of Armagh visited the Rov. Samuel Rutherford. He went in disguise, was hospitably received, and waß then, with the family, catechised after tne fashion of that day. The question put to the Archbishop was "How many commandments are there?" He repliad. " Eleven," and, reproved, answered, " A new commandment I give unto thee — that ye love one another." In the moming the Archbishop disclosed his identity ' and Mr Rutherford then insisted upon him occupying the Presbyterian pulpit. He (the ppeaWer) was not in the pulpit, but io was on a platform not far from it, and 'le might yet be asked to occupy it. That was nther dangerous ground to touch upon, and it was hardly worth while ~o dispute about bridges until the stream whs reached, but when the question of vhe interchange of pulpits assumed greater prominence he hoped that some of Mr Paterson's Christian sunshine would be shed on the subject. The Bishop concluded by repeating an aneoJote told by Norman Macleod. Two Scotchmen being in different parts of the same house at the time of the Disruption took different sides, and at last neither would even speak to the other. Eventually the house had to be thatched. One man began on one side, and the neighbor on the other. At la3t they met at the top, face to face. One burst into ii loud guffaw, and said to the othur, "I'll thatch my side and you thatch, yours, and we'll meet at the top." So, though sometimes Christians did not s«.un ho cordial as might be wished, they wrs only thatching different sides of the same house, and they would " meet at I the top." (Applauwe.)

A magazine is speculating as to ' the kind of clothe? gho:ts wear.' We always sappofftf} they wore spirit wrappers,