RICHMOND.

Colonist, Issue 18, 22 December 1857, Page 2

RICHMOND.

I : L . :■■. [from a correspondent.] ~-.■■ A -.., Public ..Meeting was held at the" Baptist Chapel, Richmond, on Thursday evening, December' 17th, to take into consideration the best means bf forming a ' Young Men's Biblical Association-' in,;|lps.village.-- Mr... Packer was called to! the cliau'v " ' ~ , ■•■; ■•■.; ■ •^■; :•■ ■ . Tim Chairman commenced by calling the attention of those present to the great need of an Association, for the formation of which this meeting was called^ as no Bible Class or kindred institution existed here, and little advantage was offered to enquiring young persons in assisting them to mi- ■ derstand the beauties of the Bible. Much as he valued the preaching of the Word, aiid much as he valued those worthy men engaged in. it, he felt sure that it was not made what it ongfi't to be, or robedin that form that all would be interested in; and where a sermon however nicely divided into three or six heads, would be passed by unheeded, he thought that a Lecture upon some attractive subject, as the Biography, Poetry, or Geography of the Bible, would not only rouse the attention, exercise the intellect, and strengthen the mind, but also strike to the heart of the young men who heard, and give them a relish for the study of the Book of Books. , Mr. Beatson said it was always a satisfactory thing to meet with those who were seeking truth,, especially the young Biblical wisdom is all wisdom, and the Word of God is the one great standard for the mind; science bowed before it,-all its wonderful discoveries only said,' We cannot go be3 rond the Scriptures,' and nothing iv the depths of earth or heights of heaven has yet disproved or ever will disprove their authenticit} r. He would suggest that every young man who joined this association should never come alone, but always have a companion with him capable of giving assistance and advice, and that companion a pocket - Bible. The arrangements proposed in every Vway met his approbation, viz., That the Meetings of the Association shall be relieved by alternately a Lecture j and following week an assembly, when a chairman'shall be appointed, "who shali have the privilege of reading some portion of Scriptui-e,; with comment, and then be at liberty to call upon any member for further remarks or comparisons.^ ■•; Mr. T. R. Hodder said he should.like to see the young men of Richmond and neighbourhood take a manly stand for the advance of truth. He knew of no sight so interesting as seeing the youthfuUmembers of society' searching eagerly for wisdom. ,; He would recommend as. a model and example worthy of being copied, the Young; Men's.Christian Association;at home; and.although: this-.was\*a; dayi of small things, he did-Jnot doubt: that with; Divine assistance this scheme would bear as successful a proportion of good. He. would call upon all present, and fathers particularly, to give every encouragement and assistance to the Biblical Association, and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see prosperity smile upon the undertaking. - ' Mr. Bryant thought that it would be important to exclude all doctrinal or controversial matters from the conversational meetings as this too often came in as a discordant note to mar the harmony of feeling; and as no limit was to be put to the range of enquiry but this, he believed there would be no difficulty in avoiding allusion to doctrines. , : Mr. Edwin Hodder suggested that none but an avoVed Christian should be invited to occupy thechair at the conversational meetings. How could good result from hearing a man speak of things he did not understand; besides which it would be as inconsistent as inviting a Sepoy to read '"the horrible details of India. He knew many young men in Richmond whom he believed were anxious to avow their principles but did riot know how; this Association would therefore be their stepping stone; the first step might be upon thorns, and the whole journey of life would be beset with snares, but the Bible would direct and guide through it all, and in its vast treasures of untold wealth, provide for the necessity of every pilgrim—aye, and though floods of temptation should meet the young man as he travels'forward, this glorious book is an ark that will bear him above the highest waves. He would earnestly call upon all his fellow youthful friends, to join the Association, and let ' Upwards and Onwards!'be their motto.' We understand the first Lecture in connection with the Young Men's Biblical Association will be delivered at the Baptist Chapel, Richmond, on Thursday, January 7th, 1858. , WANGANUI RACES. The stormy weather which had for so long a time afflicted Wanganui, gave way to gay sunshine and pleasant breezes as the race week approached. Tuesday, the first day of the races, was all that could be desired, and a numerous assemblage, might be seen scattered on the hillocks, "offering -.favourable places for seeing the running on vthe course, the, stand,'and the booths. ..-- —•.„,-. - r /.;^ • The first race, for the "Produce Plate, brought out Mr. St.' Hill's Meleager, Captain Trafford's Alma, Mr. Watt's Munga Munga, Mr. Garner's Tfoihp, and Mr. Speed's Veno. Unfortunately, Mr. Moyle's Business died of rapid internal inflammation a day or two before. The first heat was won apparently without difficulty, by Meleager ; for the second place there was a splendid contest between Alma and Veno, won cleverly by the latter. The same description holds good for the second heat. Mr. Ashton St. Hill rode Meleager; Arthur Wicksteed, Veno; and Walker, Alma. Captain Turner's Namu, and Dr. Robertson's Roughter started for the Wanganui Stakes. This was an exceedingly interesting and well contested race. In both heats the horses went round neck and neck, and it was only at the finish that Roughter came out in front and won. The odds were against the winner, whose friends however were among those who had known him longest. Meleager, Veno, and Munga Munga appeared for the Scurry. The last bolted ; Meleager won. Veno again a' good second for the first heat; a long way behind for the second, when another jockey, two stone lighter, had been unwisely put upon him. Veno's performances exceeded the expectations of almost everybody on the course. Four horses started for the Maori race, which was a wretched affair. Wednesday was another fine day, though nobody would have complained had there been less wind. The first race was for the Hurdles, between Namu and Rangihieta. The.latter seemed to have the best of it, especially as Namu refused the first hurdle. He was immediately, however, brought up to. his business by Miv Biggs, his rider, and as Rangi bolted at the last hurdle-and was distanced, Captain Turner's horse had only to go quietly over the course for the second heat. The Ladies' Purse was cleverly won by Namu, beating Alma^ Veno, and Tromp;

Four horses started for the Graziers' Stakes, and they made a capital, race for it —the first heat being won after a severe struggle by Mr. Knowles on his Comet. Mr. Biggs won the second and third heats on a Maoi'i horses by name Quick, prone to bolting, but not bolting under his experienced rider. Then followed the Consolation, for which were started Alma, ridden by young Armstrong of Wellington, Veno by Arthur Wioksteed, and Munga Munga, by G. Maxwell. The last bolted, and Veno beat Alma by several lengths. The regular business of the meeting was now concluded; but several hack matches were made up, exhibiting good running, and creating as much amusement perhaps as those which preceded them; Thisrhas been a most satisfactory and creditable meeting. To the Stewards public thanks are richly due ; and the company on the course deserve praise for their good humour and orderly conduct.— Wanganui Ulironide* Dec, 10.

Wesi.eyan Missionary Meeting.—-The annual meeting of the Wellington Auxiliary Society was held in Manners-street Church, on the 23rd Nov. last. The spacious building was more crowded than we have seen it on any former occasion, the audience being composed of the members of various denominations. On the platform we noticed the ministers of the Established and Free Churches of Scotland, and of the Independent, Primitive Methodist, and Wesleyan Churches. The tone which pervaded the speeches was excellent, and the interest of the audience manifest; the collection too was much larger than that of last year.—The meeting, was opened by the Rev. J.Buller.—The Rev. T. Moir occupied the chair. He congratulated the meeting, and. expressed his own thankfulness at being spared to meet in that church on such an occasion once more. ,Jt was; just twelve months since they were gathered.together.there on a similar' Occasion, when they- hoard %itlr gladness of the noble doings of -Missioh&ry labour in connexion with tire Wesleyan Church, i He felt that in presiding at the present meeting, as the,/ honour had been conferred upon him, he was in his element as a Christian minister of another branch of the Church of Christ. Fie felt cordially towards his brethren of the Wesleyan denomination and towards all who loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He could with all his heart' rejoice in in their successes, and he did so. to-night. The present condition of the Wesleyan. Church was a noble illustration of the progressive nature of true living Christianity. One hundred and fifty years ago, there was no such' a church in existence —now ifaextended its operations ovei the four quarters of the world. It is the most numerous and the most vigorous of all churches in the United States of America. It is second to no church in Christendom for its great efficiency and success : and bids fair to take a prominent position in the Australian lands. One hundred and fifty years ago, or thereabout, the alarm of fire was heard in an obscure parish in England. It was the home of the clergyman that was in flames. It was night. The inmates were aroused. The good man was alarmed and his first care was to save his family. All were rescued but one—that one ..was a little boy six years of age. In an upper chamber he lay fast asleep. The flames were already ascending to his room when he was discovered by. his anxious father to be missing. What could be done. How could that agonised parent extend help to his endangered child. Approach seemed impossible. But the crackling of the fire awoke him. In his night clothes the little boy appeared at the open window. One more daring than the rest ventures his life and he is safe. The father, j prostrate on his knees, thanks heaven and is content. That. little boy was John Wesley—" a brand plucked from the burning." Years'passed away. He is found at Oxford. There with some others he discovers a more than usual concern about personal religion. This led to a pious line of conduct which obtainedfor the little band the name of" Methodist." That was a term of reproach, but is now a name that is honourable. Wesley perjeverecl.. Light gradually broke upon ;his awakened mind. He became ah eminent minister of the people, and in the hands of God was instrumental in awakening a slumbering generation''He planted churches, published ;books,~ educated' ministers, sent forth missionaries, and.the woijkvhe,thus successfully commenced has:continued t#. enlarge and prosper to this day, and will in all probability "to the end of time. In this land we. see to-night the result of his labours, and he could not'but be gladthat so large a meeting could be assembled together in connexion with missionary objects as he saw before him. It was a noble sight, and our Wesleyan friends are setting us a good example. He could not be misunderstood.. He did not mean that he was not from conviction attached to the principles of that church of which he was a minister—he was conscientious in preference; but he could afford to say, and he said it with all his heart, that he was happy in the evangelical success of that and every other section of the Church of Christ. He thought we might hence " provoke one another to love and good works."—Mr. John Holdsworth read the Report from which we learnt that the income of the Parent Society in England i for the last year was £120,000. That the expenditure for the Australian Missions, embracing New Zealand, the Friendly and Fejee Islands and Rotumah, was ,£10,839 16s. 3d., including the sum of £1212 os. Bd., on account of the mission brig John Wesley. Of this amount the sum'of ,£9032 14s. 9d. was paid in the Australian colonies and the mission districts, being a balance of JIBO7 Os. lid., to be paid by the Committee in London. The income in Australia was £2257 16s. in advance of that of the former year, and it was hoped that ere long these missions will be financially independent of the Parent Society in England.—The Report having been adopted, the Rev. W. Kirton moved, and the Rev. J. Innes seconded the first resolution:—"That the Report now read be adopted, and that this meeting, rejoicing in the evident tokens of God's blessing which have attended this and kindred institutions, feels called upon to renewed exertions in behalf of the funds qf this Society."—The Rev. J. Smith moved, and the Rev. J. Buller seconded the next resolution:—• " That this meeting, under a deep conviction of the truth, that the gospel is the only sufficient instrument for the world's salvation, and the Holy , Spirit the only efficient agent in man's conversion, . resolves earnestly to pray that the Word of God ( may speedily be published in all lands, and that ! God may." pour out his Spirit on all flesh."—The Chairman here took occasion to refer to the present sad state of things in; India., No^Christian ( instruction" had been permitted'to.?Ahe-Sepoy, troops. The only instrumentality, that could reach their case hacl been withheld from them. Now what is the result ? —A native teacher, by the. name of William Chapman, recently from the Three King's Institution, near Auckland, where he had long been under the efficient instruction of the Rev. A. Reid, but who is now' employed as a schoolmaster in the Petoni Pa, at the Hutt, next addressed the meeting.—The Rev.. Wm. Wafckin, from the Nelson Province, and son of the Rev. Watkin, lately for many years resident in Wellington, moved the appointment of the Committee for the following year; seconded by Mr. Austin. —The sum of £16 7s. 9d. was then collected; the Doxology sung; and the Rev. J. Woodward concluded with prayer, the interest of the meeting having been sustained till its close at about halfpast 10 o'clock.— Abridged from the Wellington Independent.