DR. COPLAND.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 187, 7 September 1871, Page 5

DR. COPLAND.

(To the, Editor.)

Sib, — It is now pretty generally understood in this district that the Rev. Dr. Copland will very shortly take hw leave of us, he having received a call to Dunedin, but not to a higher stipend. How the reverend doctor has laboured in word and doctrine since he has had the oversight of the Presbyterian Church in this large district is so well known that it doe 3 not require the pen of a ready writer to point it out •, and the circumstances under which he leaves (overtaxed both mentally and physically) call for onfr warmest sympathy. I would gladly touch the doctor's friends through your paper, and that very gently, by asking very kindly whether our feelings are all that we can give under the circumstances. Have the hundreds whom he ha<3 benefited by his gratuitous advice, and the many who have been bles3ed by his ministerial labours, nothing to say ? Perhaps they haye — yea, I shall expect they will show a sympathy, more potent than words ; but if not, let us have words of a friendly parting over a cup of tea. By-the-bye, I forgot that you, Mr. Editor, don't favour tea parties. The Presbyterians have been written down a i the dryest and coldest of all ism 3, and if we allow the doctor to depart without a friendly demonstration,' we shall richly deserve the weightiest satirical epithet which can be written against us. But, after all, for I like to be charitable, it is possible that the Presbyterian "household of faith" are preparing a something which will gladden the hearts of their minister and Mentis. I shall keep a good look-out for any indications of a move in this direction.

When the world finds a hero, he ia borne to the banquet on the shoulders of popular applause ; and- where can we mest with such heroism a? we have in a Christian- minister, 'preiaching^ three time 3 .every-Sabbith, aud-travdlitrglnany miles in order to deliver, the third sonron, and ! this*ia all'sorta of weither and dangerous roads? ■ Tn" "addition" to all this, he has weekly services, pastoral visits, and public .meetings to attend.- Tn the case of Dr.; Copland, we have him 'successfully floating and well editiug a monthly journal, which is a credit to himself, and a henefit to the Church. With theie few hasty remarks, I -leave the matter in the hands of those who are more immediately cmcerned with the reverend gentleman, and if, af> T h«'pe, prompt action sho«ild be taken, they can be sure j v>f the assistance oi your hii nble ser- !■ vant, Oskzmus. i ■ *