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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 9

Provincial and Colonial Intelligence. — Otago Seamen's Mission

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Provincial and Colonial Intelligence.

Otago Seamen's Mission.

The sixth annual meeting of the Otago Seamen's Mission was held in the First Church, Dowling street, evening of Thursday, February 9, but owing to the heavy rain, the attendance was small. Mr John Gillies was voted to the chair.

The Rev. Mr. Blake having opened the meeting with prayer,

The Chairman made a few remarks regarding the character and importance of the Mission, and then called upon Captain Thomson to read the annual Report.

The Report showed that the sum received from church-door collections, and as donations from friends, was L234 4s 10d. The expenditure for the year was L232 9s 3d, leaving a balance in the Treasurer's hands of L1 15s. 7d.

Mr Gilbert, the missionary, was then called upon to read his Report, which was as follows:—

In presenting the sixth annual Report of the Otago Seamen's Mission, it is scarcely needful to go back to the origin of the scheme, when the great Head of the Church put it into the hearts of His servants to em bark in an enterprise for promoting Christianity among our maritime brethren.

It is pleasing, however, to take a retrospect of the way by which the Lord has sustained this mission through all its vicissitudes—although fears were at one time entertained that it would become a wreck, and its promoters were at their wits' end to know what to do under the circumstance. But He who trod upon the troubled waters of Galilee, and calmed the fears of his tempest tossed disciples, came to the rescue, so that it still floats, and bids fair to do good service to those who "go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters."

The sphere of operation is principally among the floating and ever-changing population who flow and ebb like the tides on our shores, at a rough estimate of from three to four thousand per year, who, but for the efforts of this mission, would be without the means of grace.

From the peculiar nature of this part of the field, much labour is involved in doing but comparatively little work. Not having a place to assemble the various ships' crews together in a hulk or chapel, such as they have at Melbourne, Sydney, and many other places, I have therefore to multiply my services, and go from ship to ship, where my congregations are small, being composed only (as a rule) of the ship's company in which the service is held. Although the Bethel flag—a well-known signal for Divine service among our seafaring friends is hoisted, yet as a rule, few only avail themselves of it.

And I think the reasons are obvious.—First, there is in a large proportion of seamen, as in other men, a want of desire after those things which belong to their peace; and in the second place, (in many instances) they are not allowed to go out of their ships, although they were ever so desirous.

Therefore under these circumstances I think the plan adopted by this Mission for promoting the Gospel among our seafaring friends is the page 88 most effectual. It has this advantage, I am brought face to face with the Bailor, who in many instances unbosoms his mind to me, and I have often been able to speak a word in season: to the believer of comfort, to the seeker direction, and to the careless instruction and warning.

My week evening meetings as a rule are held in the ship's forecastles, which resemble pastoral visits more than stated services, the word is read and expounded, and prayer and praise are offered.

At the close of these I give my hearers an opportunity of asking me any questions that may have been suggested to them, which they often do, and although they are sometimes of a rather strange character it affords me a good opportunity of imparting religious instruction.

It will be gratifying to the frinds of the Mission to learn that, as ever, I am cordially received. I believe I am within bounds when I say I have not met with six ships in six years where I have not been welcomed.

As heretofore I continue to go once a month to Taiaroa Heads, where the pilots, lightkeepers, signal master, and their families, are ever confined to their posts of duty, and if the Gospel was not carried to them they would be without the means of grace.

I also go occasionally to the North Harbour School, in the neighbourhood of which there are many settlers, many of whom are unable to attend Divine service at Port Chalmers, and who gladly avail themselves of the opportunity of hearing the Gospel when it is brought within their reach.

My work is not confined to preaching and expounding the word of life only, but distributing religious tracts, selling and sometimes giving Bibles, which are thankfully received, and, in many instances, eagerly read.

The Bibles have been supplied by the Bible Society, and the tracts from various friends whose names I would thankfully record. They are as follows:—Mrs E. B. Cargill; Captain Logan, ship J. N. Fleming; Mr. Torrance, chaplain to H.M. Gaol; Rev. A. Blake, Maori Missionary; Mr. Thomas Dick; Mr. Boot; Mr. A. Thomson, Port Chalmers; and a parcel from a friend whose name is unknown, from London, by the ship Robert Henderson. Most of the above have given large parcels, which I trust will prove good seed in good and honest hearts, and bring forth an abundance to the praise and glory of God.

In the past year I have visited, in connection with this mission, some of the Gold Fields and stations, held divine services, and advocated the claims of the mission. I met with a very hearty reception, and received collections and donations in aid of the mission. Subcommittees were elected at Naseby, Alexandra, and Teviot, to co-operate with the managing committee.

Although I have nothing marvellous to relate in connection with this mission for the past year, I am satisfied to know that I have, through divine assistance, endeavoured to be "instant in season and out of season" in publishing the good news; "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son," as a sin-offering for us, "that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, who is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth." But to what extent the Gospel has been blessed in the salvation of souls eternity alone will unfold, when the Judge eternal shall descend, and the sea shall give up her dead.

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In conclusion I would, on behalf of this mission, embrace this opportunity in thanking the friends and supporters of the scheme for the very hearty responses we have received to our appeals. And I would further most earnestly solicit the prayers and pecuniary contributions of the Church of Christ and other friends of seamen, to aid us in our purely missionary enterprise, and thus impart the choicest blessing to this noble class of men who have been the bulwark of the British nation, and whose energies in connection with commerce are adding so much to our colonial greatness and domestic comfort.

Christian friends, let us seek to realise the fact that we are not our own, but bought with a price—and what a price! May Christ the great Missionary Head inspire us all to imitate his example, and to be willing to spend and be spent in His service.

The Rev. Mr. Johnston moved, and the Rev. E. M. Stuart seconded, the adoption of the Report, which was unanimously agreed to. Both gentlemen bore testimony to the zeal and efficiency of the missionary, Mr. Gilbert, and hoped that the friends of the Mission would not relax their efforts in keeping up public interest in its work.

Several gentlemen expressed their belief that a portion of Mr. Gilbert's time might be devoted to the religious instruction of the watermen and others at Dunedin.

Mr. Street thought that this would be a waste of time, as sailors at Dunedin could attend the churches there.

The Rev. Mr. Sutherland made some remarks on the importance of giving as much information as possible in the Report regarding the religious history of the sailors.

Several other gentlemen having expressed their sympathy with Mr. Gilbert in his work,

Mr. R. Gillies moved that the following gentlemen be appointed as the Dunedin Committee:—Messrs. J. Gillies, C. H. Street, E. B. Cargill, A. Rennie, It. A. Lawson, T. Hill, and Captain Dickie. The motion was carried.

The old Committee for Port Chalmers was re-appointed, the name of Captain Duncan being added to it. Mr. C. H. Street and the Rev. Mr. Johnston were appointed conveners for Dunedin and Port Chalmers respectively; and Captain Thomson was re-appointed treasurer and secretary.

On the motion of Mr. Glasgow, a cordial vote of thanks to Captain Thomson for the interest he had taken in the Mission, was carried.

The Rev. Mr. Sutherland then closed the meeting by pronouncing the benediction.

Tokomairiro.—The annual meeting of the congregation was held on the 3rd February, the Rev. J. M. Allan, Moderator of Session pro tem., in the chair. The financial statement for the past year was read, from which it appeared that the Congregation had raised for Sustentation Fund £216 15s.; Synod collections, £9 19s.; Missions, £43 7s Id; ordinary collections, £161 4s. 5&.x00BD;d., and scat rents, £196 5s. The principal matter for consideration was the filling up of the present vacancy. It was agreed to issue schedules to the members, requesting answers to certain questions in order to guide the Session and Deacons' Court in the steps which they should take.