UNIVERSAL INSTITUTE.

Colonist, Volume XLVII, Issue 11486, 13 November 1905, Page 2 (Supplement)

UNIVERSAL INSTITUTE.

[Commuuicated. ]

Quite an interesting history attaches to Auckland Point, Haven road, Nelson. It goes back to the earliest days of the Nelson settlement, and was named after the "Lord Auckland," the first emigrant ship that arrived in our harbor. For many years the property was identified with the Maoris, and with Sclanders' Bank. This property was recently purchased by Mr Joseph Taylor, the wellknown originator of Puponga Coal Mine, and that portion known a* Sclanders' Bank has since been pulled down and replaced by the Universal Institute. The front part of the building, facing Haven road, is now occupied partly by a new shop and dwelling, and partly by Mr Taylor's business office, as a consulting mining engineer. Behind the office is a halJ. to be used for general public purposes, but chiefly as a class lecture room in connection with the teaching of technical subjects, such as Geology and the principles of mining. Here also are to be held Sunday services, and regular Monday night lectures on rational and reverent lines, dealing with esoteric, psychological, scientific, political and sociological subjects. The first public meeting was held on Sunday night last, the 29th inst. , when Mr Taylor spoke on "Essential Christianity," which was defined as the consciousness of personal oneness with Christ in God. On Monday night Mr Taylor lectured on "Absolute Religion, the Fundamental Faith," and the "Evolving Soul of Civilisation"; and at the close of the lecture there was a prolonged and most interesting discussion.