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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 9

Our Ministerial Supply

Our Ministerial Supply.

The increasing demand for ministers, rendered necessary by the extension of the church, led the Synod at its Last meeting to resolve on sending to Scotland for two ministers, of whom one should be appointed for the Gold Fields. A much larger number than this is required to overtake the work of the church, but the heavy expense connected with bringing them from such a distance necessitates the church's proceeding cautiously, in order to avoid the incumbrance of debt. This consideration, together with the increasing facilities for education now enjoyed throughout the country, and the near prospect of a University in full operation in Dunedin, has led some to urge upon the church the desirableness of raising a supply of ministers from among ourselves.

It seems to us that the time has now arrived when this may be carried out. There are now large numbers of youths, born in the country, who are ready to enter on the various professions or employments which will form the business of their lives. The choice of these is more restricted than in the home country, arising from the want of facilities for obtaining the necessary training. Hitherto, the office of the ministry has been regarded by many as unattainable without spending a number of years in the home country in preparation; and some have gone to Britain for this purpose. Now, however, this is quite unnecessary. In fact, for some time past, our church has been training candidates for the Ministry, though under some disadvantage. Henceforth, with our Grammar Schools in the principal centres of population, with the University in Dunedin equipped with a staff of Professors able to overtake the regular branches of an academical course, and with the arrangements for instruction in Theology which the church has already made, and will probably soon place on a more satisfactory footing, there can be no excuse for any who desire to prepare for the work of the ministry, hanging back.

Our church will never be in a satisfactory position until a fair proportion of her young men offer themselves, willingly, for this work. So long as we must depend on bringing ministers from the home country to supply the church here, and to carry on the missionary work on which we have entered in the neighbouring islands of the Pacific, our progress will be page 66 slow, especially in the mission field. We earnestly trust this will soon be changed. Only let the church become alive to the work which the Saviour has given it to do, and it will bring forth its best gifts as willing offerings for His service. Among the people whom God chose for himself in ancient days, one tribe was set apart for the performance of the public services of religion. Had they received the command to go forth and disciple all nations, it is not improbable that instead of one tribe several might have been devoted to the work. Surely the zeal of God's people now will not be satisfied with less than was demanded then. The field is now the world. The harvest is plenteous and the labourers are few. Will not the youths among us who are anxiously considering to what professions they will devote themselves, remember the claim which Christ is now making upon them? Many in these Colonies have been turning their attention to the Islands in the South Pacific, with the view of settling there for trade or agriculture. Whatever may be thought of the wisdom of such schemes, they shew at least that there is no want of enterprise among us. If a like spirit of zeal were manifested in the service of the Saviour, we should soon see missionaries settled on every considerable Island. So long, however, as the Church must send to the other side of the globe to bring missionaries, at a heavy expense, the work will proceed but slowly, and many generations of these heathens be allowed to pass away without hearing the glad sound of the gospel. Let the cry of the perishing, that is borne across the wave by every vessel that comes from their shores, find a response in the hearts of the Christian youths that are growing up in the midst of us. From their Colonial training and experience, we believe they are pre-eminently fitted for mission work in these Islands. We feel sure that the church will gladly welcome them, will encourage them in their course of preparation, and when they are ready to go forth, will secure them all necessary support and uphold them with their sympathy and prayers. If the world is to be Christianized, as we all profess to believe, it is perfectly evident that a very different spirit must be shewn by the churches of Christ, than what has yet been manifested. Instead of a large church supporting one, two, or three missionaries, we shall see every congregation of any size, sending forth and supporting as many itself; yea, the time may come when almost every family may have its representative, wholly devoted to the work of the Lord. Let the glad response, then, soon be heard from multitudes of the pious youths of our church—"Here am I, send me."

West Taieri.—Presentation to the Rev. W. Gillies.—A deputation from the members of the congregation in West Taieri, Maungatua, and Waipori, waited on the Rev. W. Gillies, and presented him with a handsome phaeton and harness, as an expression of their respect and affection.