ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6758, 16 July 1883, Page 1 (Supplement)

ECCLESIASTICAL.

BP.ITISH AND FOREIGN KIBLE SOCIIiTY.—AUCKLAND AUXILIARY. I The annual meeting of tins society was held on Tuesday, June 19, in the lecture-room of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Right Kev. the Bishop of Auckland (Dr. Covvie), President, in the chair. The attendance vv.-is unusually small for the occasion. The Rev. Mr. Lawkv read tho annual report of the parent society, also of the local auxilliary, as follows :— Committee's Report, ISS3. The Committee of the Auckland Auxiliary Bible Society in presenting their Thirty-seventh Annual lteport, desire to express their gratitude to Almighty Uou for the measure of success which has been vouch, safed to this and other kiudred institutions in their etforta to circulate God's Iloly Word. li-.ferring now to local matterslho success of this auxiliary would probably have been much greater (financially) if this part of Mew Zealand could havo been favgur d with a deputation competent to advocate the interests of the Parent Society. Fcr most ot the branches are greatly in need of resuscitation; aud the stimulus of such a vhit would have increased the pabl c interest in oar gatherings, both at this and at tho last anniversary. Imring the coming year we hope to be so privileged. .■>orao time after our last public mesting a communication was received from the Kev. J. 3. Evans, at th:*t time the agent of the British and foreign Bible Society in Aus*r.ilasia, in which he stated "that ill-health had prevented hia rendering assistance to thi3 auxiliary and its branches. Subsequent intelligence spe*ks of his severe and protracted illness, and or h?s visit to England on the in-vitati-jn of the Parent Committee, who accepted his resignation of the agency as it then was; and are proceeding tj mature p.ans and provide agents for working the extcuaive Held in smaller sections, jieantiine they b*'g the local committees anl friends of the Society kiodly to d > all in tLeir power to keep existing from lapsing into decay and disorder. With reference to eolportages your committee have to report that the vigour of our respected colporteur, Mr. Cox, is not now as great as it was in his more youthful years : and that he is unable to overtake tho work, required by the continually extending spread of Sittlement. Efforts have therefore been made during t'ae year to provide an additional colporteur for part of the summer mouths; but success has not yet crowned those efforts.

lu ti.e spring, hope was excited by a letter addressed to a aiemoer of your committee, that a special contribution would h*ve heei forthcoming towards colportage in the out districts; but that hope is yet in abeyance. Aud negotiations were opened with a person who hid be?u recently engaged in similar work iu the old country; bat personal communication with hira showed that he could nut devote a portion only of his time to eulportage. And the committee is not in a po ition to unploy him 'or the whole year round. lu the meantime, Air. Cox has paid a visit to the Kaipara; with rtspe.t to which he has furnished an interesting co.porteur's report. Last winter advantage was taken of the presence In our harbour of a Japanese man-of-war, to get the city missionary to visit her on behalf of this auxiliary with a supply of Scriptures. Mr. Brakenrig reported a kind reception for himself and his books, but only a few sales, A corre.'pondence with the Itov. J. Treadwell of Wanganui with respect to colportage in that neighbourhood, imsued in the announcement that the auxiliary there had provided the rucetsary funds, and were then in search of a suitable colporteur. The issues of this auxiliary from its depot at the corner of Albert and Wellcsley-strects during the past yeAr have reached a total of 4411 volumes, as against 3729 last year. This is an increase of CS2 copies of the Word of God, as a whole, or in portions. Part of this increase is due to the efforts of the Scripture Gift Association, to whom 1000 .New Testament* were supplied at tho nctt coat price. For your committee consider it to be of very great importance that God's Iloly Word shonld be placed within easy reach of youthful minds. Of the abovementioned Issues, the numbers sold were 4190, viz , 2035 English Bibles, 1370 New Testa* ment. 3, and 335 portions, making 3749 copies in the laaguage ; 413 in Maori, viz., 223 Maori Bibles, and IJiO Maori Testaments, with five Greek, four Danish, tix French, one Hebrew, one Irish, one Italian, th/eo Gaelic, oae .Norwegian, four German, two Swedish, four i.hinesc, and two in the Latin language. Tiie value of the copies sold ha 3 been £323 7s 4d. The fol.owing free grants have been made during :ho year. viz.: To We-deyan Sunday Schools at the Upper Thames, 12 liibles; to Mr. Brakenrig for distribution on board Japanese war-ship, Tsukuba, 62 Gospels in English ; to Key. W. Wyatt Gill of Rarotongi, 12 English Bibles and English Testaments for the us*j of his native Bible class and for distribution to destitute seamen; also to & prisoner in Mount Eden Gaol, one Italian Bible; making 93 copies in aIL The following fcupplies to Sunday Schools have been issued at reduced writes, viz.: 72 Bibles to the Trinity Church Sunday School, North Shore; 60 lo Kev. K. »vi. Biggs for Sunday School at Hamilton; in all, 122 Bloles at half-price. The agent report* that the stock in hand at present consists of 10.118 volumes valued at £029 £e sd, as against G423 volumes iu stouk last year valued at £563 Ss 9d. Of the present stock, a large proportion consists of portions of lioly Writ bound as sepaiato volumes, and sold at a very &mall p.-ice. The Treasurer's statement will show that the old staunch friends of Bible work, who were formerly connected With the congregation of the late Kcv. Norman ilcLeod at Waipu, }>till maintain their zeal for the dissemination of the Word uf God. And, although the lapje of year* is working the inevitable change in they homes and in their numbris, It is worthy of note that those Waipu settlers have again sent in their free contribution, to be forwarded in aid of the British aud Foreign Bible Society. This year it amounts to £55 lis Cd, a ?um more than that remitted as a free contribution by the wholo of the other mombers of this auxiliary. Vet oncj more then your cominitteo a*k you to strengthen their hands, and to go forward; to thank God. and to take courage. And may the Ever Blessed-God add His blessing upon the efforts put forth in Ilia cause, for His Own Name's Sake! Amen. The following is an abstract of the Treasurer's stitementThe total receipts balance of £4 Is Cd from lust year), was £450 17s Gd. The balance for this year was set down at £52 (>* lod. [Mr. Matthews (who apologised for Mr.. Firth, unavoidably absent), na:d that Mr. Firth licl t £50 of this balance, on account of money to be paid to the Kev. Mr. Lawes, who is on Ills way to the colony, as "a kind of ugent to the Biblo Society." A lotter had boon received from the Kev. W. Baker, containing an order for £250' a worth of Bibles. Tiie Tonga I'ar»iaraent had jesolved that tho Bible should be a text book in all Government schools. (Applause.) Tho Catholic Bible was to be used for Catholic children. The order had been sen! home by the mail that day.] The following were the sums returned by the lady

* and other collector*: —Adherent* of the late Kev. ! Norman McLeod. ot Walpu, Wh&ngaret Heads, and ; Kaurihohore, £55 0s Cd; Mn. Near and Mrs. 1 Dui-leby, £29 4a Cd; Mrs. Thomas Macffarlane and ■ Miss Lawrv. £19; Mrs. Brame and Mrs. liamford, £18 ; 6a; Miss He vivo 0(1 and Mis* Pritt, £D 10s; Mrs. ! Anderson and Mm White, £07s6d; Mrs. J. Kissllng, £5 6d; Mrs. and Miss Battley. £3 16s; Mr. H. ' Williams, Pakaraka; £3; Miss rutin, ilangawai, fcl i Cs 7d. j Hia Lordship, in moving that the report : and Treasurer's statement be adopted, I printed, and circulated, under the direction of the committee, said the report was so full ) that very little was left to be said as to the ! operations of the society for the past year. ' The subscribers would be glad to hear that ' the progress of the present SDciety had been steady. Copies of the Bible and portions ' had been sold at the rate of 10,000 p&r day, i representing all the working days of the yearj the total number "at home" and abroad ; being 2,933,000 copies. The sum received (including the Roxburgh fund for colj portage iu North India) was £199,755. It ! might be thought that there were scarcely 1 any fresh fields. That was not the case. Much work had been taken up in totally newplaces. All Christian people should feel . interested in the operations of such a society. : His Lordship narrated a number of instances 1 where he needed and received the ready help of the society. He moved, " That the report [ and abstract of accounts be received, printed, ! and circulated under the direction of the com- j ' mittee." i The Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell seconded 1 the resolution. He said formerly they used Ito hear of the Bibl« colporteurs being arreste.l, but now they were welcomed everyI where, even in Russia ar.d in France, Japin, I Chin 3, and the remote parts of Europe and | The resolution was put and carried unani- i i moualy. ] Mr. T. Macffaelane moved, " That this | meeting rejoices to hear of the vigorous ' maintenance of Bible work in lands that have ! been long open, and of the beginning of | work in fields that have been hitherto un- : touched ; ifc gratefully acknowledges the contributions which have been made of labour 1 aad of money, and it places its entire depen j dence for success upon the guidance and ! blessing of Him who alone giveth tne inj crease." He deeply regretted the sma.llnes3 ! of the attendance. i The Rev. Mr. Watkin seconded the reso- | lution, which was carried unanimously. I Ttie Rev. Mr. Pott/.b moved, "That the ' thanks of this meeting be given to the com- ' mittee and flicers, and especially to the colj lectors—the continuance of whose services is . earnestly requested — and that the following | gentlemen bo the committee for the coming ! year:— " Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell, Revs. Dr. Kidd, G. Bond, T. Budulc, 11. Burrows, l". G. Carr, A. Carrick, B. T. Dudley. ,1. Hobbs, A. Macdonald. S. Macfarlane, J. Mucky, It. F. Macnicol, G H. Monro,C. M. Nelson, w. C. Oliver, W. S. Potter, A. Keid, J. Robertson, J. Wallis, T. Spurgeon, Hon. Col;nel Haultain. Dr. Ken'ieriline, Messrs. f. Battley, T. liuddle, J. Coupland, W. C. Daldy, J. Eds<;n, .V. Larkins, H. 11. Lnsk, 1. .Wacffarlane, T. Mucky, S. H. Matthows. T. McMasttr, S. l'arker, T. Peacock, G. P. Pierce, F. L. Primr." Mr. F. Larkisk seconded the resolution, which was put aiid carried unanimously. The Rev. Mr. Hill moved, "That the thanks of this meeting be given to our esteemed Clnirman, the President of this Auxiliary Society, for his presence and help on the present occasion." The Rev. A. Rtiu seconded the motion. The resolution was put and carried with acclamation. A collection was made which realised £5 12s Gd. The Doxology was suug and the busiuess terminated. THE GOSPEL TEMPERANCE MISSION. A Tempshanck Conference in connection with the Blue liibbon Army was held on the 25th of June, in the Theatre Royal. Mr. Joseph Newman presided and made a brief introduetoryspeech, expressive of gratification at the hopeful aspect which the temperance question now presented. The Rev. G. W. Parsonso.n- then read a paper upon " The Social Aspect ci the Temperauce Question," and the Rev. J. T. Hodgson another on " The Religious Aspect of theTeinperance Question." The papers were discussed at length, among the tpeakers the Chairman', the Revs. W. C. Oliver, W. J. Speech, and S. Macfarlane. The meeting for women commenced at three p.m. The Rev. T. G. Carr presided, and the Rev. G. B. Munro opened with prayer, and then briefly addressed those present upon "The Influence of Woman." The Kev. S. Macfarlane suggested the formation of a Ladies' Central Committee, with its auxiliaries and local committee, &c. The meeting was also addressed by Mrs. Phelps and Mrs. Dorman (American Evangelists), and it was decided that the Central Committee should consist of fifteen ladies, and the wives of those ministers who are in practical sympathy with the movement. The committee was formed, of which Mrs. J. Brame was elected President and Mrs. S. J. Hutchinson Secretary. Iu the evening a public meeting was held in the Theatre Royal. The building was crowded in every part, the audience being oi the most representative character. The Rev. S. Macfarlane presided, and l.e v, as supported on the platform by tie Revs. Aiex. Reid, J. Robertson, G. 11. Munro, Evans, J. K. Davis, Smallfield, Gye, J. T. Hodgson, T. G. Carr, W. fl. Potter, T. W. Duon, and a number of influential laymen. The Chairman stated thiit since their last public meeting in that building 2000 persons had donned the " blue ribbon" in Auckland and its neighbourhood. He had received two telegrams from the South, one stating that 300 had joined the Blue Ribbon Army in Wellington, and another that 1000 had joined in Christchuroh. It was refreshing to find the Local Education Board giving way to public sentiment, and introducing Dr. Richardson's Temperance book into the public schools. That was a step in the right direction. (Cheers.) The Revs. T. W. Dunn, Alex. Reid, P. Smallfield, and W. S. Potter spoke at some length ou various phases of the temperance question. The Band of Hope Union Choir, under the conductorsbip of Mr. Hampson, rendered some choice selections of music during the evening. A collection was taken up to defray expense of hiring theatre, &c., which amounted to £15 12s 4d. The Customary votes of thanks and the Benediction clo;ed the proceedings.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND HOME MISSION.

Ok the 2lst June, a meetiug of clergymen and others favourable to the formation of a Church of England Mission Society, was held at the Bishop's Court,—Bishop Cowie presiding. The Chairman stated that during the thirteen and a-half years he had been in Auckland he found there was no difficulty in collecting funds for the Orphan Home and other charitable institutions, but this was became there was proper organisation. The;/ had always acted with the Home Mission as if Churchmeu generally were acquainted with the work of the diocese.. but there were many reasons why they should not leave it to individuals to find their responsibility in Church matters for themselves, and if this responsibility and duty were placed before them the result would be different. The chief object of this association should be to impress on their people their individual responsibility to extend the Church. This new association would not interfere with the Standing Committee of tho Synod, but they could not expect people to collect money unless they had some voice in its management ; aud he was quite sure the Standing Committee would be quite willing to receivc any suggestions in this direction which mightbe received from this association. The Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell moved that a society be now formed, having for its object the extension of Church work in the diocese of Auckland, and that it be called the Auckland Home Mission Society. Mr. Larkins seconded the motion. He urged that there should be a clcruy relief society for Auckland. The motion was carried. The Rt-v. Mr. Mulgan then moved that rules which he proposed be adopted as the rules of the society, aud after lengthy discussion and various amendments they were adopted in the following form : —(1.) That members* subscriptions be os aud upwards. (2 ) That tho business of the society be managed by the Bishop, the Standing Committee, and a committee of eight elected fr<-m the subscribers at the annual meeting, to be held in March. (3.) That all funds collected be at the disposal of the Standing Committee, and that the committee of the society have power to make suggestions to the Standing Committee as to the disposal and management of the funds. The following were elected as the Committee of Management ;—His Lordship Bishop Cowie, President; the Ven. Archdeacons Maunsell and Pritt, Vice-Presidents; the Standing Committee, and Messrs. Tebbs, McCullougb, Bates, Gould, Larkins, Heather, Haselden, and Batger." The Rev. Mr. Haselden was elected Treasurer and Secretary.

1 ST. MARY'S CHURCH, PARNELL. Tun new aisle of this cbnrcb, which has been for some weeks in process of building, was on July 8 available for the congregation. It adds 120 new sittings to the chnrcb, and some additional space for accommodation upon special occasions. The new aisle corresponds in size with that on the south side of the church. It adds greatly to the symmetry of tho interior, which had previously had a lopsided and "uutrimmed" aspect. The work is well finished, and creditable in every way to the bnilder, Mr. Gay. It is also the result of some public spirit, for although the tenders were £192, £185, and £166, Mr. Gay accepted the job for £129. and Mr. Grty, the architect, gave his services gratuitously. There were three special services, the church being well filled at each, the collections being, of course, in aid of the " building fund." The result will go far to defray the cost of the enlargement. Communion service was held at eigbt a.m., the Kev. Mr. Walpole being the celebrant. The collection produced £21 2s 6d. At the morning service His Lordiship the Bishop of the diocese preached. The col lection realised £43 3s 4d. At the evening service, the Bermon was preached by the Rev. Mr. Walpole. The collection at this service amounted to £19 2s ; the aggregate amount of the collection was, therefore, £83 7a lOd.

fgjfrho ceremony of inducting 1 the JRev. A. M. SJfcfcallum into thu chargu of the Presbyterian Church at Devonport took place on the 19th June in the Presbyterian Church at the place named. The'church was well filled, and the Rev. Mr. Fraser opened the Bervice with prayer, after which the Rev. Mr. Maonicol, the clerk to the Presbytery, read the minutes of the meeting of that body, when the call was taken into consideration and agreed to. After a hymn had been sung, Mr. Fraser read the lesson, taken from the 42nd psalm. Another hymn having been Bung, the rev. gentleman .preached a most eloquent Bermon, taking his text from the 14th chapter of the Ist Book of Kings, verses 27 and 28. After the sermon the Rev. Mr. Macnicol asked the congregation if they had any objections to make to the Rev. Mr, McCallum, and if so to then state them. There beint; none, Mr. Macnieol narrated the steps that had been taken towards securing the call of the pastor they had that evening met together to induct. After a prayer from the Rev. Mr. Macnicol the Rev. A. M. McCallum was received by the representatives of the Presbytery with the right band of fellowship. The Rev. Mr. Carrick, the Moderator, then addressed the newly inducted minister and also the congregation, pointing out the relationship that should exist between them. After hymn 312 had been sung and the benediction pronounced by tho Rev. Mr. Fraser, the congrej gation dispersed. The bazaar in St. Mary's Hall, Onehun!»a, I wis opened on the 20th June. The musical performances of the local brass band, and Mr. Costelli's string band, formed an attractive feature iu the proceedings. It may also be mentioned that during the evening several ladies presided alternately at the piano, and greatly gratified the audience by their bril- | liant execution. The arrangements were under the direction of the Rev. Father Paul and 1 Mr. Honan, schoolmaster.

The anniversary services of the Devonport Wesle.van Bind of Hope and Total Abstinence Snciety was held on Thursday, Jane 21, in the Devonport Hall. There was a very good attendance, the principal number being I children. Most excellent addresses, containing good advice both to adults and children, were delivered during the evening by the Chairman (Rev. G. W. J. Spence) and other gentlemen interested in the cause of total abstinence. A number of recitations, songs, &c., were also rendered, and they formed no mean portion of the evening's entertainment. The Gospel Temperance Mission and Blue Ribbon Army held their first meeting iu the Epsom district in the Public Hill, on the 21st June. Between fifty and sixty persons were present. Mr. G. T. Keetiey, solicitor, occupied the chair. The meeting was addressed by several speakers. After the meeting a good number signet the pledge, and were duly enrolled members of the "aimy." The re opening of St. Mark's, Remuera, bazaar, was held in the Newmarket Hall on Saturday, June 23. It will be recollected that it waa first held sometime since in Queon-strcet. The object was to reduce the debt on the church. On the firss occasion a sum of about £180 was realised from sale of fancy goods. On the 23rd June the stalls were held by Mrs. Haywood, Mrs. Tonks, Mrs. Pritt, Mrß. Seccombe, Mrs. Scherff, Miss George and Miss Barstow. There was a brisk sale during the early hours of the evening. The debt, which was previously £600, will be reduced to considerably less than £300 by this bazaar. The usual quarterly meeting of the Te Awamutu circuit of the Wesleyan Church was hold at the house of Mr. J. P. Wright, seed merchant, Te Awamutu, on July 5. The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury, of Cambridge, occupied the chair. Twelve memI bers of the quarter Board were present. 1 After the singing of a hymn, the Chairman called upon the Kev. O. Dean to engage in | prayer. The Senior Circuit Steward reported a considerable deficiency in the nsnal receipts, the Home Mission grant being much less this year, and some subscriptions being considerably reduced. The expenditure for the quarter was £44, and the total income only £3S 17s Id. As it was not deemed desirable to interfere with the minister's stipend, the ofEce-btarers generously added to their already large contribution £4, bringing down the deficiency to £5 2s lid. A meeting of the members of the Congregational Church, Beresford-street, was held on Monday night, the 2nd July, iu order to hear the Rev. Mr. Robertson's decision in regard to the two calls which he had received from Sydney. Mr. Robertson stated that, after full consideration of all the circumstances, he had resolved to remain in Auckland, and to decline the calls he had received from Sydney. This decision will be gladly received by the congregation, and by all who know Mr. Robertson. We understand that the congregation of Beresiordstreet Church intend eoou to procure an organ, at a cost of £500. \Ve arc sorry to hear that the health of the Venerable Archdeacon Maunsell has not been of late so robust as it was, and that he has, in consequence, felt it right to resign the Archdeaconry of Auckland, Dr. Maunsell is facile pr'uiceps as a Maori scholar in the North Iplaud of New Zealand, and has been a worthy successor to tho first two holders of the archdeaconry, namely, Dr. Abraham, afterwards Bishop of 'Wellington, and subsequently of Lichfield, and the-Her. J. F. Lloyd, late incumbent of St. Paul's, Auckland.

June 29 being St Peter's Day and the third dedication festival of St. Sepulchre's Church, appropriate services were hold. Communion service was held at S a.m., after which His Lordship Bishop Cowe delivered a short and appropriate address. In the evening there was a large cougregation, and. the Bishop and a very large number of the clergymen of the diocese, city, suburban, and country, attended. There was also a full choir, and the services were highly impressive. At the conclusion of the service His Lordship said: Dear peoplu oE St. Sepulchre's,—This is the fourteenth anniversary of the day on which, by the voice of the Church, I was called to the office which I now hold as Bishop of this dioceße, and as this day comes round, I always endeavour to mark it by some definite action. Two years ago I consecrated this churcb, and the hopes which I then expressed have been more tlsan fulfilled. To-day I purpose to appoint a new Archdeacon instead of Arohdeason Maunsell, who, after years of labour, has felt it right that he should be freed from the duties. For the office of Archdeacon we require a whole-hearted man, one acquainted with' all the diocese, and one who possesses the full confidence of all the clergy. And why should I go further than this pariah to look for such a man ? The incumbent of this diocese possesses all these qualifications. To the greater number of you he has been known for years as a faithful and true pastor, and to the youog he has been a parent. During these years of trial he has been to me a sympathising and faithful younger brother. My definite action, therefore, on this anniversary will be to appoint the Rev. B. T. Dudley archdeacon, and will now ask a good brother to read' the deed of appointment. Mr. S. P. Pierce read the deed of appointment, signed by the Bishop of Auckland. It was then handed to the newly appointed Archdeacon by His Lordship, after which the services were brought to a close. A social gathering (on the anuivertary of St. Sepulchre's Church) in aid of the repairs of the schoolhouse, Symouds-strect, was held on July 5 in the school building. The gathering was one of the largest wo have seen on such an occasion. There must have been at least from 700 to SOO persons present. His Lordship the Bishop of Auckland (Dr.

Cowie) and the clergy of the various Anglican churches were present. Tea was on the tables at 6.30. At half-past seven o'clock the public meeting and entertainment was held. On the motion of Mr. G. P. Pierce, the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley was called to thechair. The announcement of Mr. Dudley's hew dignity was received with a very cordial demonstration of satisfaction. The Archdeacon was again warmly received upon taking the chair. An excellent mußical programme was gone through. The proceedings concluded with the benediction. The Pukekohe Wesleyan quarterly meeting was h?ld in the church vestry, on Wednesday, July 4, commencing at one p.m. There were twelve office-bearers present, in addition to the pastor, Mr. W. JL. Salter, who presided, and opened the meeting with derotional exercises, and a short address, in which the work of the Church for the past quarter was briefly reviewed. Reference was also made to the death of the late Rev. Thomas Buddie, who had expected to be present and preside at the meeting. The Chairman reported 155 members, with one on trial, and ten removals. The receipts for the quarter amounted to £80 Is 6d, and the expenditure to £7714 a 7d. ' This reduces the debit balance to £25 14s 7d. The Chairman stated that (luring the quarter the Rev. Mr. Morley would visit the circuit in the interests of the loan fund, and hoped the matter would be heartily taken up.

The annual sermon in connection with the Orange Institution was preached on Sunday, the Bth July, in the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church at three o'clock. At half-past two the brethren mustered in considerable force at the Protestant Hall, Newton, in regalia, and marched to the church. Among those present were a number of representatives of country lodges. There was a good attendance at the service, the body of the church being well filled. The Rev. Alex. Reid conducted the preliminary exercises, and read a portion of Scripture, after which the Ven. Archdeacon Maunsell delivered a discourse from Hosea, chap. 7, v. 9, "Strancers have devoured bis strength, and he knoweth it not; yea, grey hairs are here and there upon him, yet he knoweth it not."