Page:Item 9 1861.pdf/204

The Revs. W. W. Hume and J. A. G. Colpoys were the recipients, respectively, of an elegantly bound Bible, on the evening of September 19th as mentoes(sic) of the Christian services rendered by those gentlemen in their ministrations at Christ Church, prior to the permanent acceptance of the duties by the Rev. C. L. Vaughan. The presentation was preceded by a tea-meeting, at which the above-named clergymen were present. Mr. Vaughan, as Chairman of the meeting, said he felt it to be a very important occasion both in respect to the past and the future of Christ Church. They had come to a crises(sic) in the history of that congregation, the future of which was dark, for they knew not what was in store for them [There was an uneasy feeling at the time among many of the worshippers who knew of Mr. Vaughan’s high-church tendencies, that the form of ministrations was about to be changed, and several of them had already left the church]. If he understood aright the object of the meeting was to testify to those who had chiefly ministered among them their sense of the benefits received in such ministrations. From the past, then, they might take comfort for the future. The reverend gentleman then called for the testimonials, and in response, Messrs. Beagley and Tree produced the two handsome Bibles. In handing the books to the recipients, Mr. Vaughan further remarked that he thought he might claim from the number then in attendance a proof of the good that had been done, and he would venture to hope that they might not be separated, but that as near neighbours they might mutually assist each other. The Rev. J. A. G. Colpoys thanked the meeting very heartily for their kindness for presenting him with the Bible. He was the more grateful because he came amongst them as a stranger and sojourner; and though he retained the same description, he desired simply to be employed in God’s good work. When the opportunity was given him to preach in Christ Church, he gladly availed himself of it, and he felt thankful that his ministrations had been acceptable. He felt encouraged by the presentation, and he hoped that as long as it pleased God to detain him in the town – for his detention was caused by sad circumstances of domestic affliction – he would be willing and thankful to minister among the people as their appointed clergyman might desire. – The Rev. W. W. Hume also returned thanks, and said he could not call himself a stranger, as the preceding day was the anniversary of the consecration of that church. Ten years ago that church was opened, and he had been going in and out among them ever since. He thanked his hearers for this fresh mark of respect. No one could be more sensible than himself of his own shortcomings in the ministration of that Word which he had endeavoured to preach to them. Mr. Hume in his later remarks, related some instances of his own experiences and those of other clergymen to show that the effect of preaching was not from power of the instrument merely, but from the greater power of God in using that instrument, for Paul might water, &c., but God gave the increase. He hoped they gave him that beautiful book not because he was a preacher, but because they were hearers. He also hoped that he did not receive the testimonial as a parting gift, but that whilst God gave -