CHURCH SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 144, 18 June 1894, Page 3

CHURCH SERVICES.

The Right Reverend Cecil Wilson, Bishop of Melanosaa, preached his firab sermon in New Zealand ab All Saints' Church, Poneonby, yesterday to a crowded congregation. He took his fermon from the text, " Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces," and hia remarks were listened to with deep attention. During the offertory the missionary hymn, " Tell it Oat Amongst the Heathen That the Lord is King " was sung to the accompaniment of organ, trumpet and double bass. In the afternoon Bishop Wilson addressed the Sunday-school children at St. Matthew's Church, and in the evening he preached ab St. Mary's Cathedral Church, Parnell, hi<* sermon arousing deep interest. The Bishop leaves for the islands of Melanesia in the mission yacht Southern Cross at the end of this week.. On Friday evening there will be a farewell to Bishop Wilson and bis staff at All Saints' Church, when Mrs Gaidar's " Southern Cross " Boys will present the Bishop with a staff made out of timber of qho old mission schooner Southern Cross. The service in the Pitt-street Church was conducted last evening by the Rev. W. Morloy (President of the Australasian Weeleyan Methodist Conference). The text taken wan from Romans xv., 13, on which tlie reverend gentleman gave an earnest sermon. The services at St. Benedict's Church yesterday were of the usual character, the High Macs being celebrated by the Rev. Father Downey. Ab this service -Haydn's Firsb Mass was given by the choir with preab success, the eolos being •taken by Misses Lorrigan, Brannigan, O'Neill and Messrs Thomson, Casier and Parish. Cherubim's " Veni Jesu " was rendered excellently by the full choir at the offertory, the service being conducted by the Rev. Dr. 'Egan, who preached on "Forgiveness." At the evening service the Very Rev. Father Downey preached, while several selections were given by the choir, notubly Bellini's "0 Salutaris," sung by Misb Lorrigan, Mons. Casier, and the Rev. Dr. Egan. Haydn's No. 2 Mass was performed yesterday at St. Patrick's Cathedral, the solo parts being rendered by Mrs Hiseocks, Misses Lorrigan and Htfrgreaves, aud Messrs Beach, Lorrigan, Conway and Clarke. The ottertorium consisted of a basso solo and quartette, " lnclina Ad mi," which was feelingly sung by Messrs Clarke, Lorrigan, Mrs Hiscockn and Mias Lorrigan. Hummel's " O Salutaris " was admirably i rendered by Miss Hargreavos, as was also Wotzel's soprano solo and chorus by Miss Quinn. 'The Rev. Father Flood, who is on a visit to Auckland, preached at the morning service, and in the evening the Rev. Father Walsh delivered a sermon on the spirituality and immortality of the eon I. Special devotions were held at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Ponsonby, during last week. It appears that the burglar who recently entered the sacred edifice did not confine himself to the plunder of coin from the money boxes, he also removed the sacred vessel used in the administration of communion from its place on the altar, and wantonly scattered its contents on the floor. The services held during the week were of Reparation, and attracted large numbers to the Church. The Rev. Father Lenihan preached Thursday evening, Father Glashean on Friday, and lasb evening the Rev. Father Pnrton discoursed to a crowded congregation. The rev. gentleman read from the pulpit the Acts of Reperabion, in which all joined. Father Gillan, with his assistants, distributed candles to each member of the congregation, and these were lighted during the Benediction, tbe effect was most impressive. Procession of the Blessed Sacrament took place around the Church aisles, in which fchig children of the pariah and member* of tho societies took part. The young men of the Ponsonby Literary Society carried the canopy during the procession. There was a large audience at the evangelistic service ab the City Hall last night in spite of the inclement state of the weather. The Rev. W. 8. Potter gave a discourse from the text, "Thou art not far from the Kingdom of God," while the choir, under the leadership of Dr. Keaderdine, sang several hymns.