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The New Zealand Evangelist

Local Intelligence

Local Intelligence.

Nelson.—

This settlement is interesting in several respects; there is not the bustle and excitement that we see in the Towns of Auckland and Wellington, but there is an air of comfort about the place which we do not see there, it has more of the English air about it. The climate is delightful, the land fruitful, and if the inhabitants are not making haste to be rich, they are nevertheless doing very well.

In religious and educational efforts the place is certainly not behind the other settlements in the colony. There are two Episcopalian Ministers, one Wesleyan, and one German Minister actively employed in their respective spheres, and now the wants and wishes of the Presbyterian portions of the community will be met by the appointment of Mr. Nicholson, Free Church Minister. There are several churches in the District, one of them a very page 48 picturesque object to English eyes, and several chapels; religious services are also held in School-houses, of which there is no lack, thanks to the philanthropic efforts principally of one man, whose name we shall not offend by mentioning. The District is better supplied with the means of a common education than any other in the country. The Sabbath Schools are numerous, and apparently well conducted; one of the best buildings in Nelson is used for that purpose.

If the young people of that District grow up in ignorance of the useful arts of reading and writing, it will reflect disgrace upon their parents or upon themselves, for the School Society, the Episcopalians, and Wesleyans, are all exerting themselves to promote the education of youth. The Wesleyans have lately formed an Auxiliary Missionary Society, which promises to be fruitful, and if every man does his duty will be so. All sects appear to be represented in this district; but it is to hoped all anger and malice and all uncharitableness will be put away, and that the truly spiritual among them will be found wearing that bond of perfectness which is charity, then will righteousness flourish, and it we are told exalteth a nation. Success then in all things (especially in the best) to Nelson.—Amen,

Wellington Auxiliary Bible and Religious Tract Societies.

Among the many benefits resulting from the formation of the Evangelical Alliance, may be mentioned the organized efforts that are now being made to supply the public, and especially the rising generation, with good and cheap Bibles, and Religious Publications. The want of these things has long been felt, and attempts have been made, here and there, to supply it, by benevolent and disinterested individuals. But the axiom union is strength, which has been so long known and acted upon by “the children of the world,” is becoming more and more palpable to “the children of light.” Hence, at the last public meeting of the Evangelical Alliance in Wellington, Auxiliaries, in connection with the British and Foreign Bible Society, and the Religious Tract Society, were regularly constituted. The Rev. J. Inglis, of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, was appointed President; the Rev. J. Watkin, of the Wesleyan Church, Treasurer; and a Committee was formed, consisting of all the Ministers of the Alliance in Wellington, with Messrs. Wilson, Lovell, Edwards, Hunt, Quin, Lewis, Tomlin, Crowther, Fisher and Booth. The public have liberally responded to the calls of the above gentlemen for subscriptions and donations —upwards of thirty pounds (£30) were realized—the greater part of the money is remitted to the Parent Societies in London towards a supply of Bible and Religious Books; and we hope that, by the first anniversary of the above Auxiliary Societies, the means of forming an efficient Bible and Religious Tract Depository will be at our disposal.