ECCLESIASTICAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 308, 30 December 1891, Page 7

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The Congregafcionaliabs of Devonport held special services on Sunday, December 13, in honour of their anniversary. There was come excellent 6inging, In the morning the Rev. H. J. Lewis preached, and in the evening the Rev. R. Laishley. The Franklin Road Primitive Methodists held their anniversary services on Dec. 13, the Rev. T. G. Carr preaching in fche morning and the Rev. Laycock in the evening. Special music was provided by an efficient choir. Rev. B. L. Thomas conducted an afbernoon service. Bishop Cowie has appoinbed Mr Heskebh to bhe responsible office of Chancellor of fche Diocese, which became vacant by bhe deabh of Sir Frederick Whitaker, K.C.M.G. The first Chancellor of the Diocese was the late Mr W. Swainson, formerly AttorneyGeneral, and Chairman of the Legislative Council. The sixth anniversary of St. Alban's Sunday-school, Mounb Roskill Road, was celebrated on December 6. Special services were held by Mr A. Heather in the morning, and Usv. Percy Smallfield in the afbernoon and evening. All the services were largely attended. The olierfcorie3 for the school were £5 5s 10d. Mr Jamea McGregor conduebsd the choir, and the children sang very nicely. The Sunday-school anniversary in con" necbion with the Wesleyan Church of Obahuhu waa celebrated on Dec. 16 by a service of song entitled " The Mission of the Roses." The Rev. J. S. Rishworbh occupied the chair, Mr Tucker being fche reader of the text. The Sunday-school scholars sang a number of pleasing solos and pieces under bhe direction of Miss Burns, Mr B- Fairburn being organist;. On Dec. 9 a meeting in connection with fche Wesleyan Homo and Maori Missions fcnok'place in the Grafton Road Wesley&n Church. The Rev. Mr Leeoccupiedthechair, and stated that there wag collected for these missions in Grafton circuit a sum of £67 7s 4d. The Rev. C. H. Garland, Rev. W. Gibtos, Rev. Wi Warena, Rev. T. 11. Jones and Rev. J. J. Mather also gave addresses. During the evening a collection was taken up in aid of fche mis&ion fund. The Church of Sb. Thomas presented a very animated appearance on Dec. 21. The church was draped in white and there was a brilliant display of lights, and bho building was crowded to the doors. The occasion was a Gregorian festival. Tho processional and recessional hymns wero well sung by a h.ree choir, as were also the hymns sung during the service. Tho prayers were intoned by the incumbent, the Rev. W. M. Dußiro, the lessons were read by the Rev. J. W. Alloway, and the Rev. L. H. Oubram gave an address, baking Si. Thomas for his subjecb. ■The Franklin Road Primitive Methodist Church held their anniversary soiree and public meebing on Dec. 15. A good number sat down bo tea, bhe tables being presided over by Mesdauiee Dirnery, Chambers, Daniels, Maynard, Weeks, Boobh, Percy, McCarroll, Wesley, Wilson, Hutchins, Williams and Misses Dunn (2). The Rev. Mr Dawson, of tho Thames, presided at the meebing. Mr D. Goldio road the annual balance-sheet, which allowed that the total income for the year was £508 15s lid. The church was in a flourishing condition, and, thanks to fche exertions of the Rev. Mr Laycock, the debt had been reduced by £50. Addresses v/ere delivered by the Revs. Guy, Grind,ley and Laycock. An excellent choir was present under bhe conductorship of Mr Dimery. Mrs Greason acred as organist. The Parnell Wesleyans held their anniversary social on Dec. Bth. Tea was served in bhe schoolroom, and a large number eat down to bhe bounbifully supplied and prebfcily decorated babies, which were presided over by Mosdames Buchanan, McIndoe, Marriott, Si;igfcr,Sciiofield,and Miss Worsley, assisbed by several young ladies. Mr R. Hobbs presided over bho public meebing. The Secretary read the annual report. In the morning the attendance has improved, bub in bhe evening ib has fallen olf somewhat. The church debt was at present £175, and aboub £20 was owing bo the loan fund. Earnest addresses wero subsequently given by the Rev. McNicoll, of bhe Thames, the Rev. Thomas, of Hamilton, and tho Rev. Mr Serpell, of Purneil. Ab ihe close of the service ab Sb. Barnabas' Church, Mount Eden, on December 27th, an iiluminubed address from tho parishioners was presenbed by Judge Williams, on bheir behalf, to bhe Rev. T. H. Sprotb, who has accepted bhe incumbency of St. Paul's ab Wellington, and who leaves for fchab placs in a few days, after five years' most faithful work here. The address, which was signed by upwards of 70 of bhe parishioners, suoke of tho deep regret of the parishioners ab Mr Sprobt's leaving bhern, bub, recognising that he had been influenced by a sense of duty in tho step which lie had taken, of their thorough appreciation of tho work done by him, and of a very earnest wish bhat both lie and his family mighb be blessed with health and strength for their life's work. As i; ordinarily fche custom the great Christian festival of Christmas Day was celebrated with musical and choral services ab most places of worship bhroughoub the ciby. Amongst the churches at which services were held were bho following : — Anglican Churcho?: &t. Sepulchre's, Church of Sb. Thomas, All Saints', Holy Trinity, St. Mark's, and St. Luke's. Roman Catholic Churches : St. Patrick's, Sb. Benedict's, Sacred Hctirt, St. John fche Bapbisb, and Sfc, Mary's Chapel. Wesleyan Churches : Pibb-streeb, Devon port, and Grafton Road. Ab Boresford-streeb Congregational Church and Graf ton Road Wesleyan Church on bhe evening of Chnsbmas Day " Tfte Messiah " was performed. The Salvabion Army held open-airdemonsbrations throughout the city, after which meetings were held in bhe Barracks in Albert-street. An evangelistic Service arranged by the Helping Hand Mission was held in the Western Park on Christmas afternoon. The sacred cantata " The Blessing of the Children " was given in St. James's Hall. As bhe Y. M.C.A. there was a very pleasant gathering for fche annual breakfast on Christmas morning.