Ordination of a German Minister.—

On Sabbath, the 12th August, the Rev. John W. C. Heine was ordained to the office of the ministry, and appointed to the pastoral charge of the Lutheran congregation in Nelson. The Rev. J. F. W. Wohlers, from the Island of Ruapuke, in Faveaux's Straits, conducted the service. He began by reading his Commission, issued by the Right Rev. Dr. Kliefoth, Superintendent at Schwerin, in the Grand Duchy of Meaklenburg. He addressed Mr. Heine and the Congregation respectively, and went through the usual forms and services. Nearly all the Germans in the settlement were present, and many had come from a great distance. Mr. Wohlers chose for his text, 2 Cor. v. 18, “God hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation,” Having explained the import of reconciliation at some length, he addressed the congregation in the following manner, “Your pastor will preach to you this doctrine, He will shew you how your page 137 sins may be forgiven, how you may be reconciled to God, and how you may go to heaven. O my dear friends! do you not feel the importance of this matter? Forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and being made heirs of eternal life. What is the world with all its pleasures—with all its sufferings? How vain the one, how short the other, to those who have their heart in heaven, and who know that they are reconciled to God! This happiness your pastor will show you how to attain. But you must expect him also to warn you of your dangers, and reprove you if you go astray; you must not be offended at his doing so. Love will compel him to do this, and fear, least your souls should be lost. Suppose you see a man approaching a pit or a precipice, you tremble for his safety; humanity compels you to warn him of his danger, and to be earnest in your endeavours to turn him into the path of safety. If the man should be offended at your well meant endeavours, it would only show his ignorance and folly-Love to your souls, and a solemn sense of his duty, will impel your pastor to warn you of the sinful dangers to which you may expose your precious souls. You yourselves have chosen him to be your pastor. He has accepted this call as coming from the Lord—He will now be responsible for your souls. He himself must one day appear before his master, and give an account not only for himself but for you also. Do you think it will be a light matter to be asked, where is this man, or where is that woman? They were committed to thy care. How have they been lost? O my friends, perhaps you never thought what a heavy charge your pastor is this day taking upon himself. When a mother carries her babe on her bosom, she may feel her heart glow with pleasure; but a sword may pierce her soul when she looks upon the infant, and thinks of the vicissitudes of life, the snares of Satan, and the spiritual dangers which her child must encounter in passing through this world. There is much sweetness and comfort in bearing our congregations upon our heart, in our solemn supplications page 138 before the throne of Grace; but the thought of our responsibility becomes a load that almost crushes us to the dust, when we think that you are committed to our charge, and that some, possibly many of you, may be lost! O my dear friends, I entreat you to make a good use of the advice and instructions of your minister; Oh! I hope and trust that your life—your words and actions—will be in accordance with your Christain profession; that so your pastor may be enabled to discharge the duties of his ministry with joy and not with sorrow, and have many, many for a crown of glory in the day of the Lord Jesus. Amen.”

The number of Germans in and around Nelson is nearly 200. The Lutheran Church has sent five missionaries to New Zealand; three are ordained to the ministry, and two are unordained assistants. The Rev. Mr. Heine is stationed among his countrymen in Nelson. The Rev. Mr. Wohlers with an assistant, is stationed among the natives and Europeans in Faveaux's Straits, and the Rev. Mr. Riemenschneider was formerly on the Mokan river, but is now with an assistant stationed south of Taranaki. The ordained ministers have been about five years in New Zealand.

Opening of the Presbyterian Church.—

On Sabbath, the 2nd ult., the Presbyterian Church in the Hutt was opened for public worship. The Rev. James Watkin conducted the services in the forenoon, and the Rev. John Inglis in the afternoon and evening. In the evening, Mr. Inglis preached from Ps. Ixxiv. 5., “A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees.” From this text he set forth the dignity and honour of all useful labour, as being appointed and approved of by God; and as being especially honourable when employed for the purpose of providing for and perpetuating page 139 the public worship of God. Those who in obedience to the divine command, to replenish the earth and subdue it, have planted themselves in the midst of uncultivated wilds, have the high satisfaction, that however humble and laborious their toils may be,— whether cutting down the forests, clearing and cultivating the fields, erecting dwellings, forming highways, constructing bridges, or producing the first necessaries and comforts of life,—these labours are useful and honourable, pleasing and acceptable to God. But this is more particularly the case, when it is to provide the means for divine worship. Honourable mention is made of the humblest services in the erection of the tabernacle and the temple. The pilgrim fathers of New England, and other colonists, who earned the gospel with them, and took effectual means for its preservation among them, and in this way provided for the wants of the highest faculties of human nature, have ever been regarded as the most enlightened founders of new settlements, and the greatest benefactors of posterity. The Scriptures, the Sabbath, the Sanctuary, and the School; —true religion,—the religion of the Bible, and scriptural education are the surest and most effectual means for securing a high degree of civilization and prosperity. And you, said he, who are exerting yourselves so laudably in providing the means for worshiping God according to the simple and scriptural forms of your fathers, are providing not only for your own spiritnal benefit, but for transmitting to your children the highest of the blood—bought, birthright privileges, inherted from your ancestors, and conveyed and planted here at the ends of the earth. And while future generations continue to fear and worship God, they will revere your name and bless your memory, when your bodies are mouldering in the grave, and your dust can no no longer be distinguished from the clods of the valley.

But remember that the work is not ended; it is only begun; this house is only a means to gain an end; the page 140 house is nothing without worshippers, and worshippers are nothing without the presence and blessing of God. If it is honourable, and renders a man famous, to lift up his axe upon the thick trees, and hew the lifeless materials into shape and form, so as to render them subservient for shelter, accommodation, and comfort, in attending upon God's service; it must be vastly more honourable to prepare materials for the erection of God's spiritual temple; to instruct the ignorant, reclaim the wandering, strengthen the weak, and comfort the afflicted. And by each one exercising those gifts, and improving that influence and those opportunities which God has given him, he may be instrumental in the conversion of sinners and the edification and comfort of saints, and se,e in this way a living, spiritual temple rise in the midst of you, and hear it said of this man and that man, that he was born here!

The house is a substantial and commodious building, capable of containing upwards of a hundred. This is the fourth place of worship erected in the Hutt. It is pleasing to witness the activity of the settlers in providing for the worship of God, and the exemplary manner in which the bulk of them attend to the duties of the Sabbath. We have heard it said, that some of the thoughtless witlings who on the first day of the week leave Wellington and the Sabbath behind them, chagrinedat finding more Sabbath at the Hutt than at home, have left it in disgust and tried to raise the laugh against it, by calling it the “Holy Land!” May it long excite and be worthy of such reproaches.

Annual Meeting of the Total Abstinence Society.—

On the Evening of the 3rd ult. the Annual Meeting of the Port Nicholson Total Abstinence Society was held in the Congregational Chapel, Kumutoto. The Rev. John Inglis presided. The Report was read by the Secretary Mr. Hinchcliffe and page 141 interesting and impressive addresses were delivered by the Chairman, Messrs. Woodward, Green, and Bennet. It appeared, from the statements made in the report and by the speakers, that the Total Abstinence question continues to engage no small amount of public interest in Great Britain, Ireland, the British Colonies, and in America. The Committee had done something during the past year in this place, and the principle is evidently gaining ground among the more intelligent portion of the community; still from various reasons not so much had been done as could have been wished; but they hope that during the coming year more vigorous and successful efforts will be made. Intemperance is one of the most formidable evils in the settlement [sic: .] There are upwards of twenty public houses in this district, some of which do a great amount of business. The number of accidents and the loss of life occasioned by drinking are truly distressing. The importance of Total Abstinence to the Young—the duty of parents joining the Society for the sake of their children,—and the deceptive, because often slow, silent, but sure progress of intemperance— were fully enlarged upon by the speakers. The Society contains about 100 members.—The following office bearers were elected for the ensuing year. President, Mr. J. Woodward; Secretary, Mr. C. Hinchcliffe; Treasurer, Mr. J. Stoddart. Committee Rev Messrs. Inglis and Green, Messrs. Paterson, Bould, Bennet, Bradshaw, Raine, and Spiers.

Bible Society and Tract Society's Depository.—

Mr. Lyon, having opened his newly enlarged, and greatly improved premises, has reserved a portion of them as the depository of the Bible Society and Religious Tract Society's Publications. We beg to call the attention of our readers to some new and greatly enlarged supplies of bibles; including school bibles, church bibles, and family bibles. The church bibles are in great variety both of size and binding, some of them very elegant and beautiful. We call the page 142 attention of our young men and young women particularity to these; no one ought to attend the House of God without the Book of God; and it ought to be every one's ambition to have the best copy they can procure of the best book. Heads of families who wish to possess a good family bible would do well to visit the depository without delay; the number of these bibles is but limited, and they are being fast bought up. It is true, family readings or family worshipmay be performed with any kind of bible; but the very sight of a large, venerable bible is a constant monitor to those forgetful of this important and delightful exercise. A family bible, is also the most appropriate ornament in a Christian's dwelling, and no heirloom is more care fully preserved or more highly prized by dutiful children, and pious descendants than “The “big ha’ Bible, once their father's pride.” Besides the publications of these two Societies Mr. Lyon has a supply of church and school bibles with Scotch psalms; and a great variety of religious and instructive books, principally of the cheap and elegant volumes published within the last few years by Nelson We purpose from time to time to notice some of these different publications, and point out those that are best suited to different classes of readers.

Notes on Gardening.

October.—The state of the weather exercises such an important influence upon vegetable life, and consequently upon the operations of the Gardener, that both should be considered as inseperably connected. It is generally considered that this has been the most backward spring experienced by the colonists for many years; and yet on refering to my notes of last year, I perceive much less difference than I should have expected. The same prevalence of cold S. E. winds, hot mid-days, and cold nights, existed, perfectly agreeing with the cutting E. and N. E. winds, of England, so peculiarly distressing to invalids, and irritating to the nerves of sensitive people. There is no doubt however that the S. E. gale on the 23th of August was the coldest ever experienced in the Hutt Valley during the last eight years; for it killed a finely grown shrub of the decidious cassia, (called here the Cape Laburnum) page 143 which had wethered the winters of the last seven years, and several of the african Pelargoniums, that have hitherto always withstood our winters, shared the same fate. These facts, with many others much more conclusive, have long convinced me that the southern or antarctic hemisphere is gradually becoming colder, while the temperature of the Polar region has confessedly become warmer. Leaving this curious but somewhat abstruse question, however, for further consideration, I should suggest the great advantage of planting belts of shrubs and trees, as break winds, in all situations exposed to our prevalent winds, and for which I hope to give full directions at the proper season.

Planting, whether of fruit or of forest trees, should cease with the first week of September, when the season of sowing is fully come. Both annuals and perennials are best sown in circular drills, with a vacant space inside; this method prevents the young plants from being over crowded, and facilitates their subsequent transplanting; if, however, they are intended to remain on the spot where sown, all should be pulled up excepting three or four of the strongest only, and these at sufficient distances to permit their free growth.

In the first week of October the following garden plants are usually in flower.

All the species of narcissus (of which I possess six) excepting the double white, the most beautiful of all, from its close resemblance to the white variety of the Camellia Japonica, Gladiolus fulgens or pure red Gladiolus, Fritillaria Persica, a new species, recently received from Loddiges. Asphodelius fistulosus, and Luteus, Cowslips, Primroses, Polyanthuses, Stocks, Anemonies, and Violets, are all now in full perfection.

The Hawthorn buds are expanded, the young shoots of the Furz^* (ulex Europœus) are near an inch long, hand those the native Evergreen so much advanced that few can be successfully removed, excepting with large balls of earth.

The Shrubs which are in flower the first week in October are the Australian, willow mimosa, the two flowering Currents, (Ribes sunguinea and rosea) the crimson and the rose coloured. The Caucares japonica with its pretty yellow blosoms and the Mesprilis japonica with its crimson flowers so closely resembling the Pomegranite. The silver wattle or mimosa has almost cast its flowers which are only in perfection during the last month.

The white Iris, Iris nivosa Sw. opens its blossoms early in October. Tulips, if planted early in the spring usually flower the second and third week, and face towards the end of the month.

The beautiful Ixia patens and several other species open blossoms towards the middle of the month but most of the cape bulbs flower much later.

All choise plants, sheltered during the winter and early spring in frames, may now be exposed to the free air, which will page 144 tmuch [sic: much] accelerate their growth; but care should be taken to replace hem [sic: them] in the frames on the appearance of any night frosts.

Gooseberries will be sufficiently large, the last week of this month, to gather for tarts: the fruit, should be equally thinned off all the branches, and not taken entirely from same only.

All standard and trained fruit trees should be carefully looked over, and such young shoots rubbed off with the thumb, as would disturb the equal distribution of the branches.

The general character of this month, for the two last years, was most unfavourable to vegetation. Cold nights and mornings, with a dry, scorching heat in the middle of the day. The tremendous S. E. gale which began on the 14th of last October, will long be remembered by the settlers, as ushering in that fearful succession of earthquakes which afflicted the settlement.

The English Elder tree, which grows remarkably well in this district, generally comes into flower the last week in September.

Towards the end of this month, seeds of the different species of the gaurd family, i.e. of pumpkins, melons, vegetable marrow, tomatoes, or love apples, &c., may be sown under a frame, or hand glass. Those who do not possess the former, may easily convert the bowls of large tumblers, or pickle bottles, into the latter. Frames are the best protection to all tender seellings, but it frequently happens that the disappointed cultivator finds that as fast as the colyledons, (or two first leaves of the above plants) show themselves above ground, they are eaten off by the “grubs” ss they are called. These grubs, however, are almost always slugs, (Limax) which hide themselves in the day, just beneath the surface, and emerge during the night, or in damp weather, for the purpose of feeding upon green vegetables. To discover their retreat is hopeless: but by adopting the following simple method of entrapping these pests, it is ten chances to one that any escape. When the seeds are sown in the frame, scatter a few small cabbage, lettuce, or even sow thistle leaves, over the ground within the frame. If there are any slugs under they will feed on these succulent leaves, and shelter themselves beneath them during the day, when they may be collected every morning or evening. The same method should be pursued whenever seeds or plants are under glass; for the slugs being confined within the frame, will devour almost every thing growing there, although if they were at liberty, other food might suffice, or be sought after.

If these plants are intended to be removed to the open air, this can de done, on any moist rainy day, early in November.

W. S.

Printed at the Office of the "Wellington Independent," Corner of Willis-street and Lambton Quay.