OPENING OF THE GERMAN CHURCH.

This church was opened yesterday, being Ascension Day, by a service conducted by the Bey-- Mr Ttohr, the minister recently arrived from Germany. There was a very large attendance, the church being full to overflowing. The interior of the church was nicely decorated, and presented a very pretty appearance. - ■••-,;■ Prior to'the commencement of the service the new pastor, the Rev L. Lohr, was escorted from, the vestry bj Mr J. G. Buddenklau, and presented formally to the elders and congregation, Mr Ruddenklau expressing his hope that their new pastor would succeed in gaining the love and esteem of his flock. Mr P. Tisch, on behalf of the elders of the church, then came forward, and in the name of the- congregation formally handed Mr Lohr the. keys of the church, making a brief address. The rev gentleman acknowledged the responsibility, and expressed a hope that, as at the ceremony of laying the foundation stone, they had sung the hymn " Em fasse Bung ist unser Gott" it would be found to be so. He hoped that as the keyß had been handed to him to open the church, so his ministrations might be the means of anlocking the hearts of the people committedto his charge, and prove a blessingilike to them and himself. The rev gentleJaattthen dffered up a; prayer of praise for the completion of the church and the commencement of the spiritual work of the church here. ! . . The service was then opened by singing and prayer. The lesson of the day was then read frem Romans L, I—ll, after which the Relief was said and a hymn sung. The Bey Mi Lohr then proceeded to deliver the inaugural sermon, taking for his. text Romans L, v 16—17 A After a few pre' fatory remarksytbe rev gentleman said he could not help alluding iotfie Apostle Paul, When, as they read ih Acts' XVI, verse 9, a vision had appeared -to him saying, '•' Come ovey into Macedonia audheto u8, ,, A similar cry bad reached their Fatherland, and he had poise over to help them, to work with-them and for them ; and aa their; city was named Chrißtchurob, so he hoped they would in,.course of time build •up a church in Christ indeed. The rev gentleman then proceeded to deliver a very interesting and eloquent sermon, mostly bearing on the anniversary they were that day solemnising, and the joyful occasion which had called them together. The service concluded by the singing of the hymn, "Nun dahket alle Gott," . ' , ' Before the dismissal of the congregation a collection was was liberally responded to. In the evening a tea meeting was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, whea-nearly 600 per- , sons partook of a sumptuous tea, provided by the following ladies:—Mesdames Ruddenklau, Fuhrmann, Schmidt Tisch, Kruse,] > Thiele, Hansman, Taylor, Ebert, Ellmer, Gefkin, Botgen, Fnchs,7.and ilieeari/The tables were very liberally supplied,;and ample justice was,done to the,".provision madebytheladiesA' ' After tea a pnblic meeting was held, the hall being crowded to excess. The chair was occupied by Mr J. G. Ruddenklau, and pn the platform were the Revs L. Lohr, W. J- Sabena Douglas, and J. ■. JfaUer. The chaoiniah, in., opening the business of the evening,* said that he wished first to address his countrymen" in the German language. After "addressing them for a short time in German, Mr Ruddenklau said he desired, on behalf of the church, to thank those of other denominations and nationalities for the liberality with-which they had contributed towards the church. Addresses were delivered by the Beys L. Lohr, J, Buller, others,; and the following programme or YOcaJ and instrumental music was then gone through:—Instrumental selection, Mr Button's String Band j'sohg, Miss iissill ; J wng, Mr F. ftobbs; paqft songvCJjriStcbuTck Lfedertafel; song, Miss Gapes ; song, Mr A. Bell; part song, "Vas ist der Deutscher Vaterland," Christchnrch Liedertafel;- instrumental selection, Mr Button's Band. Altogether, from first to last, the opening ceremony was a i great' success, and r our German fellow-cftkeos are ito be congratulated on the manner in which the whole proceedings were carried oat; 7 .....■ -A *