Before 1848 and After by Rev. D. J. D. Hickman Wesley Historical Society
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Before 1848 and After by Rev. D. J. D. Hickman Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication #6(1) 1948 Page 1 Before 1848 and After by Rev. D. J. D. Hickman 1.—THE SPAN OF A CENTURY 1848-1948 - One Hundred Years: Though it is given to very few; individuals to attain the century mark, in the life of a nation it is but a comparatively short span, but just as during the first five, ten, or even twenty years of our life, we experience more growth and change than during the whole of the rest of life, so the first century of a cause, community or nation undergoes, as a rule, a far greater development than, any other similar period of its history. What is the significance of 1848? It was in March and April of that year that the ships "John Wickliffe" and "Philip Laing" arrived in the Otago harbour, bringing the immigrants for the settlement of "New Edinburgh," a scheme devised to settle the southern portion of the South Island with good Scots—men and women who, having struggled for their faith, brought with them their hard-won freedom to worship God as they desired. We admire the hardy pioneers of those days and rejoice in the Heritage they gave us—a heritage that has established firm the roots of their church in this land. Congratulations At this juncture we would offer to our Presbyterian friends our very sincere congratulations upon the completion of 100 years of Christian service, and on this Centennial occasion, wish for them the fullest measure of God's blessing in their labours during the years which lie ahead. The history of the Presbyterian Church and that of the Methodist Church in Otago is closely intertwined. In the Methodist, "Watkins-Creed Memorial Church" at Port Chalmers, is an interesting and, to the uninformed, an illuminating tablet. It reads as follows—- TO COMMEMORATE The arrival of the Methodist on board the Pioneer ship, John Wickliff 662 tons, which arrived at Port Chalmers on March 23, 1848. They were met by the Rev. Charles Creed, who welcomed them to their new home. "Methodists on board the "John Wickliffe"! Were they not all Presbyterians?" I hear you say. No, there were the Monsons Mr T. Ferens, Mr and Mrs Moseley, Mr and Mrs Thos Brebner, Mr Fry and others. All these folk named were members in full connexion with the Wesleyan Methodist Church whilst one of them, Mr Ferens, was a fully-accredited local preacher. Other passengers were adherents. Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication #6(1) 1948 Page 2 Before 1848 and After by Rev. D. J. D. Hickman The Beginnings of Methodism in Otago Our story to be fully told must go back almost eight years to the arrival of the Rev. James and Mrs Watkin and family in the ship "Regia" on May 16, 1840, at Waikouaiti, now known as Karitane. The next day, Sunday, Mr Watkin conducted the first Christian service in the South Island, and of that service writes : "This day I held a service in English which was fairly well attended. Some of the agriculturists were sent down here by Mr Jones, and a considerable number of natives. I opened my commission in New Zealand by preaching from the old- fashioned text, 1 Timothy 1:15; 'This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.' The attention was great. May the word spoken not have been in vain." It is not the purpose of this booklet to go into all the detailed, history of this phase of Methodism in Otago. Suffice it to say that the Rev. Jas, Watkin, 34 years of age at this time, was not new to missionary work, having spent seven years in Tonga. Indeed his pamphlet "Pity Poor Fee-Jee," written during his residence in the Friendly Islands, was not only the means of inspiring the German missionary Rev. J. F. H. Wohlers, to spend more than 40 years among the Maoris on the Island of Ruapuke, between the Bluff and Stewart Island, but has been described as "one of the most precious and fruitful bits of missionary literature ever given to the world." There were several factors which influenced Mr Watkin to come to New Zealand. For health reasons he had to leave Tonga, so he went to Australia. It was during his brief ministry there that he came in contact with some South Island Maori Chiefs who requested him to come to their district and commence Christian work. Mr John Jones, whose whaling station was at Waikouaiti, added his own request and, finally, the decision of the Missionary authorities to establish a station in the South Island, led to Mr Watkin's appointment. In this enterprise we would not forget the heroic Mrs Watkin, who ably seconded her husband in the great task. It is interesting to note that the first baptism recorded is dated "June 7, 1840: Jane Betsy, daughter of Edwin Palmer," Superintendent of the whaling station at Waikouaiti. The first marriage is recorded on January 27, ,1841, the contracting parties being James Spencer and Mart Kauri. The place of residence of the bridegroom is given as Bluff. Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication #6(1) 1948 Page 3 Before 1848 and After by Rev. D. J. D. Hickman During January, 1844, Bishop Selwyn of the Anglican Mission, made his first visit south and was the guest of the Rev. J. Watkin for two days, when, at Mr Watkin's request, he addressed and catechised the natives. THE WORK CONTINUES In June, 1844, the Rev. James Watkin was succeeded by the Rev. Charles Creed, another experienced missionary, then 32 years of age, who remained for over nine years. Mr Creed not only continued the work commenced by his predecessor, but also advanced the cause wherever possible. It was during Mr Creed's ministry that the development look place concerning the establishment of a Scots settlement in Otago, and the site chosen was on the shores of the Otago Harbour, especially that portion at the head of the harbour itself. This site was to become the "New Edinburgh." The advance agent of the New Zealand Company, which acquired the land, was Mr F. Tuckett, with whom the Rev. Chas. Creed had sailed in the "Deborah" from Taranaki, his previous station. Mr Tuckett and Mr Creed became very friendly, for Mr Creed records in his diary on more than one occasion, "Stayed the night with Mr Tuckett." The First Christian Service in "New Edinburgh" On September 15, 1844, the Rev. Charles Creed conducted what is recognised to be the first Christian European service in "New Edinburgh" (now Dunedin). Apart from the reference in his diary, we have no information whatever. However, the diary is definite. After giving the date, September 15, 1844, and his location as Otakou the record reads— At 2p.m. I married three couples, after which I preached again to the people. 1 then left for New Edinburgh, walked four miles, crossed over in a boat and preached to a few Europeans. Spent the evening with Mr Tuckett. Thus the first Christian European service was conducted by the Rev. Charles Creed within the boundaries of the future Dunedin if not within the city area itself. This was almost four years before the arrival of the pioneer ships. The first record of a burial in New- Edinburgh is dated October 29 of the same year. It reads: "Buried poor Campbell," whilst under the same date is the record of the baptism of "Patric, son of Robert Park, Civil Engineer, and of Mary Ann, his wife"—the first baptism in the new settlement. In Travels Often The Rev. Charles Creed travelled extensively. On September 22, 1845, accompanied by three Maori guides, he set out by boat for Banks Peninsula. The places visited were Wesley Historical Society (NZ) Publication #6(1) 1948 Page 4 Before 1848 and After by Rev. D. J. D. Hickman Akaroa, Port Levy, Pigeon Bay, Port Cooper (Lyttelton), Rapaki and, indeed, all the native settlements, in which he conducted ser-vices Mr Creed explored, on foot, the site of the present city of Christchurch and, returning, visited Temuka, Timaru and all the Kaiks en route, reaching Waikouaiti on October 24, to find all well at the Mission Station. In December of the same year, he proceeded south, visiting Riverton, Ruapuke and Stewart Islands, supervising and heartening in their labours a large band of native teachers. Visit of Governor Grey Under date of February 18, 1848, there is recorded a visit of Governor and Lady Grey and suite, to the site of New Edinburgh. The accomplishment of such a visit was a more difficult task then than today, when our present Governor-General could have morning tea in Wellington and afternoon tea, or even late lunch, in Dunedin quite easily. Otago Emerges The settlement of Otago begins with the arrival at Koputai (Port Chalmers) on March 23, 1848, of the immigrant ship "John Wickliffe." As has already been stated, the Rev. Charles Creed was there to welcome these new arrivals, amongst whom were the Methodists mentioned earlier, and also the Rev. T. D. Nicholson, a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, whose destination was Nelson. It is to the credit of this minister that he conducted the first Presbyterian service in New Edinburgh, on Bell Hill. When the "Philip Laing" arrived with the second draft of immigrants on April 15, 1848, Mr Creed was again at the landing stage. On this ship was the Rev.