Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

(3) That after a full consideration of our position and prospects, we consider it possible under certain conditions to reach the point of self-sustentation in two or three years. Our expenses and estimated income, as laid before Dr. Ward, we believe to be a reasonable statement of our position, and we pledge ourselves to do our best for the interests of our Church and the satisfaction of the denomination. We ask for a grant of £100 a year for two years, and we respectfully draw the attention of the committee to the very heavy charge for interest on the Church debt that we have had to meet. We have paid nine per cent. for several years, and now there is little prospect of getting money in this market at less than seven per cent. We therefore urgently suggest that £400 be lent on the usual conditions from the Loan Fund, and that £500 be borrowed at five per cent. from one of the Connexional funds, or from some private friend who might be willing to take up the investment.'

[ocr errors]

(4) "That we have heard with great satisfaction of Mr. Sherwill's intention to organise Churches in connection with our denomination at Marysville and Buxton, and we authorise Mr. Masterman to take up a collection and subscriptions in aid of Mr. Sherwill's work." Signed on behalf of the meeting,

T. MASTERMAN, Chairman.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING IN THE METHODIST NEW CONNEXION CHURCH RICHMOND, DECEMBER 4, 1882.

(4) "That we express to the Rev. C. D. Ward, D.D., our high appreciation of his ministry among us whilst in this Colony, and our unspeakable gratitude that he was selected to visit us as the messenger of the English Connexion. He has greatly endeared himself to us by his urbanity, and commended himself to our confidence by his candour and clear judgment. We are delighted to have had so worthy a representative of our denomination and ministers amongst us, and we desire to assure our honoured friend that he will long live in our admiring remembrance and affectionate regards. We also pray Almighty God to have him constantly in His gracious keeping, and bring him safely to his home and family again; and that when the voyage of life is closed for all of us, we shall have the felicity of each one meeting him on the eternal shore."

Signed on behalf of the Congregational Meeting,
T. MASTERMAN.

II.-ADELAIDE RESOLUTIONS.

PASSED AT TEA-MEETING, ADELAIDE, DECEMBER 11, 1882.
Moved by Rev. M. J. BIRKS, and seconded by Mr. PASCOE.

"That this meeting desires to express its thanks to Almighty God for the safe arrival of the Rev. C. D. Ward, D.D., the deputation from our English Conference to this Church and congregation; and while assuring him of the pleasure his presence affords, sincerely prays that he may be abundantly endowed with wisdom and strength for the discharge of the whole of his important duties, and in due course arrive home in safety, carrying with him pleasing recollections of his visit to South Australia."

JOINT MEETING OF COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT AND LEADERS'

MEETING, DEC. 13, 1882.

PRESENT:

Rev. C. D. WARD, D.D., Deputation from English Conference.

Rev. M. J. BIRKS, Chairman.

Messrs. PACKENDORF, FOWERAKER, HALL, CAIRE, NELSON, sen., NELSON, jun., NOALL, DAVIS, PASCOE, ERRINGTON, CLANCY.

Mr. HASLAM, Secretary, pro tem.

Moved by Mr. CAIRE, and seconded by Mr. Pascoe.

"That the following resolutions passed by joint meeting, under date Dec. 13, 1882, be incorporated in the report of the deputation to the Conference, viz. :

-

"That this joint meeting of the members of the Committee of Management and the Leaders' Meeting of the Church at Adelaide accords a very hearty welcome to the Rev. C. D. Ward, D.D., the deputation from the English Conference; and while assuring him of all possible co-operation in the important duties imposed upon him in relation to our cause in South Australia, would nevertheless express its surprise (1) That it should have been deemed necessary to send out a deputation to collect facts which have again and again been forwarded to the Missionary Committee. (2) That no Conference news or intimation of the appointment of such deputation should have been forwarded to this Church; the first intimation received being from Dr. Ward on the eve of sailing from England; (3) and would express its unqualified approval of the entire management and ministerial work of the minister now in charge. With the request that this resolution in full may be presented to the English Conference and Committee, with the general report Dr. Ward may have to make on his return to England."

FULL REPLY BY DR. WARD, LAYING HIS INSTRUCTIONS FRom ConferenCE BEFORE THE MEETING.

After a long discussion by all the members of the meeting upon the general aspect of the Mission, it was proposed by Mr. CAIRE, and seconded by Mr. NELSON –

"That this joint meeting of the Committee of Management and Leaders' Meeting deems it desirable to continue the relationship with the Home Conference, and therefore requests the Society to sanction the scheme of at least raising the working expenses, and to join in the request of this meeting that the Home Conference should take the responsibility of paying the interest on the debt."

Proposed by Mr. CAIRE, and seconded by Mr. PASCOE :

"That the Rev. M. J. Birks answer all questions to be put by the Deputation relating to Church property."

Meeting closed with prayer.

(Signed), MARTIN J. BIRKS, Chairman.

ΤΟ

MEETING OF MEMBERS OF CHURCH AND CONGREGATION CALLED CONSIDER FOREGOING RESOLUTIONS, AND LARGely attended, December, 20, 1882.

Chairman:-Rev. M. J. BIRKS.

Dr. WARD explained the object of his mission to Adelaide.

Rev. M. J. BIRKS stated the income and expenditure of the Church. Moved by Mr. CAIRE, and seconded by Mr. FowERAKER:—

"That the resolution from the joint meeting of Committee of Management and Leaders' Meeting be confirmed, by which this meeting pledges itself to raise all working expenses and the minister's salary. Carried, with one dissentient only."

(Signed), MARTIN J. BIRKS, Chairman.

Now, with my knowledge of the people, the cause, and the country, with the instruction of the last Conference, that " 'should circumstances clearly justify it, I must encourage and consolidate the Mission and arrange for its continuance," what is my advice? Well, quite contrary to my apprehension when I accepted the appointment, and even after my arrival in Melbourne, the main facts and features of our entire cause in Australia, and the inevitable future of that marvellous land, COMPEL ME TO ADVISE, WITH ALL MY HEART AND SOUL, THE CONTINUANCE OF OUR MISSION ON THE TERMS NAMED IN THE DOCUMENTS JUST READ. I have come to this conclusion, slowly, ponderingly, prayerfully, but absolutely; led in a path not dark and devious, by considerations not dim and doubtful; but, I verily believe, by a divinely-sought and divinely-given light, which, not by any means amounting to prophetic inspiration, will, however, in the issue-if our ministers and people only cease their disputations and join in harmonious and hearty support-vindicate and justify my judgment, and counsel, and hope.

The help requested is not considerable, and but for two, or at longest, three years. If the Churches can become independent at an early date, and are sincerely anxious to remain our Churches, why not? I am convinced they can attain the position, and redeem the pledges offered; I am equally convinced of their devoted loyalty, and therefore I say, let us retain them. Were they in this country we should dream of no other course; and, but for some occasional cost of travel, we can have no reason, I suppose, to hesitate about their continual union with us, be their distance from home never so great.

If another start, taken under circumstances of special encouragement, should not, after all, result as anticipated, no direct evil or loss can ensue ; for our properties must increase in value as the years go by.

The Christian public of the Colonies well know of the offers made to us; they admire the self-sacrificing, spirited, and loyal way in which two small bands of God-fearing and true-hearted people propose to stick to their mother Church, and pay their own way; and I am perfectly sure it would be a dishonour and reproach to us, in these circumstances, to

retreat.

Besides, we may hope not merely for self-sustentation, but also for extension. Australia, it is true, has not grown lately by leaps and bounds, but it must become the Greater Britain of Sir C. Dilke's pre

diction; and as assisted emigration is resumed, and vast public works are even now being undertaken; as all kinds of mineral wealth are buried underground, and all sorts of vegetable treasure are produced by her fertile soil; as her climate conduces to the strength and exuberance of all sentient and unsentient life, and her central position enables her to circumnavigate easily and rapidly the whole southern world; as provisions and clothing are not more than five per cent. dearer than in England, while wages are in many cases forty and even sixty per cent. higher; as land can be acquired on easy terms, worked at low rates, settled by inexpensive and simple deeds, and made to produce fruits and grain and meat and wool, which can be conveyed, at a handsome profit, to the English market; as, wherever you locate, property is respected and life is secure; and as, at no distant day, Australia must become a vast empire, and be ranked as one of the Great Powers of the world-I see in these things a reason why all Churches already there should abide; and I hear from these things a call to us to have a voice and a part in shaping the great future of that glorious continent.

Let it no more be said we went too late, and can find no room to extend. Too late! Mr. President and Brethren, when the oldest cities of the country cannot boast even a century of life, and those in which we exist have been created within fifty years? Cities and countries do not take the measure of their life from that of a human being. They are yet young, when generations of men have lived and died in them. Australia is even now just beginning to live-her life for a few brief years past has been but a preliminary life, simply the short preface to that wondrous volume which God in His providence will open out. We are as able as others to take our page, and write upon it the marvels of redeeming grace and of Methodist work. Any month may open new townships which we might enter; and to-day, as the Chief Justice declared, there are districts all around Adelaide upon which it would well repay us to expend some money and employ some men.

The chief human need is for right men. Send these, and in doing that you do almost everything.

Of course, Messrs. Masterman and Birks must come home. Each has done a good work; each is esteemed very highly in, and far beyond, our own circle. But their special work is completed; their term of service has expired; they might, with advantage, have changed places some years ago; but they cannot do that now. They ask for English circuits, and ought to have good ones, and as far south as possible, or they will probably suffer in health. I FEEL THAT, UNDER GOD, THE ENTIRE SUCCESS OR FAILURE OF THE COURSE I RECOMMEND RESTS UPON THEIR SUCCESSORS, SHOULD YOU

DECIDE TO SEND ANY.

The sub-committee which met to furnish some instructions, asks "whether ministers of the highest rank should be sent out?" My emphatic answer is YES: of the highest rank as workers-that is all. Men of shrewd and ready mind, to see and seize opportunities; men of enterprise and hope, ready even to risk somewhat for the chance of gaining much for the Master; men abreast of the time, leading on, or at any rate supporting, the good movements which are

side by side with the Church; best of all, thorough Methodist men, who, whatever other attractions they may have, will aim to draw chiefly by the power of the pulpit, and to bring souls to Christ and His Church: such men will make themselves known and felt for good in the colonies; and our Churches will become to us a glory and a joy.

Have we these men? Yes, by the dozen; and to such a land they should be eager to go. It is no hardship, but an honour and a privilege, to be sent there. Were I younger I would implore you to send me. If I were not all that I have described I would become so, that I might worthily serve that Mission. If I were permitted I would, with no thought of reflecting upon others, name some brethren from whom a selection could be made. Shall I? If the wish were in the heart of Mr. Williams to go, he would be greatly prospered of God. Mr. Gratton ought, undoubtedly, to be one. Mr. Townsend, Mr. W. W. Howard, Mr. Jewell Mr. S. Walker, Mr. Packer, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Hornby, Mr. Bartram, Mr. Chambers, Mr. W. Stephen, and probably Mr. Bullen. These are brethren with whom I should like to plead, and to any of whom the assurance might be given, that for themselves and their families a golden opportunity offers.

In conclusion, I respectfully ask for a candid and unbiassed consideration of this important business; for your acceptance of my assurance that in no party spirit I went on this errand, and now offer to you this report: that if you can unite with brotherly cordiality, in adopting the course suggested and inducing suitable ministers to go out after Conference, it will credit your own embassy, and (for a time at any rate) silence stormy controversies, which may possibly be converted into songs of grateful praise. But if, unhappily, a general and hearty concurrence cannot be obtained, and as one sad result suitable agents will not consent to go, then better will it be in all respects, and for all interests, to sell the estates and shut up the Mission as soon as possible, and call back the shepherds thence, leaving the sheep to be cared for by strangers, or to care for themselves. We can, perhaps, afford to lose Australia; but we cannot longer afford, I am certain, to contend about it. So, with a grateful appreciation of the confidence reposed in me as your deputation, with a deep sense of the serious responsibility imposed, and of the delicate position in which, between friends and brethren with conflicting views, I am placed; yet with no trace of regret that I have been the perilous voyage, and done the arduous work, and formed a clear perception of the course to recommend, I now leave the case in your care; and return to my ordinary work, retaining, I trust, the confidence of the Connexion, and rejoicing in the protection and smile of my God.

March 1, 1883.

"THE least gnat in the air," says the excellent Flavel," may choke one," as it did Adrian, a Pope of Rome. A little hair in milk may strangle one, as it did a counsellor in Rome. A little skin of a raisin may stop one's breath, as it did the lyric poet Anacreon's. Trifling, and even contemptible things, are often pregnant with power.

« AnteriorContinuar »