CHURCH SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5, 7 January 1895, Page 3

CHURCH SERVICES.

The ordination of deacons ab St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, took place yesterday (Epiphany day). Tbe function was all the more interesting owing to the only candidate for ordination being a Maori. The Rev. Dr. Cowie officiated; and waa assisted by the Rev. G. Mac Murray and the Yen, Archdeacon Clarke, while twelve native clergymen joined in the procession. Part of the service was gone through in Maori by the Rev. Hone Papahea, of Hokianga, who preached on "The Star of Bethlehem," selecbing as his texb, "Where is He bhab is born King of the Jews, for we have seen His sbar in the East, aud have come to worship Him.". (Matthew ii., 2.) Ranapia Mokena was presented to His Lordship by the Yen. Archdeacon Clarke, and was duly admitted as a deacon, bhe Litany being inboned by the Rev. G. Mac Murray. The anti-communion service was gone bhrough by Archdeacon Clarke, and bhe Rev. Hifca Terawhiti read the epistle. A portion of bhe gospel from Luke was read by the newly-ordained deacon.

A Primitive Mebhodisb " camp meeting " waß held yesterday afternoon ab Glenmore, Greab Norbh Road, bhe Rev. G. H. Mann conducting the service.

Ab bhe services ab Sb. John bhe Baptist's Roman Cabholic Church in Parnell yesberday, the Rev. Father Lenihan said that he had been asked by the Bishop to take charge of St. Patrick's parish- but had declined to leave Parnell unless ordered. The Bishop, he said, had nob ordered, him to do so, but it ordered he musb obey. The congregation would understand that if he did leave bhem it would be because he had been ordered bo do so, bub he hoped arrangements would be made by which he would be able to remain in Parnell.

In addition bo bhe ordinary masses ab Sb. Pabrick'B Cabhedral yesterday, bhe feasb of the Epiphany was celebrated by a " Miesa Cantata "at 11 a.m., bhe celebrant being bhe Rev. Fabher Walsh. The choir, under bhe leadership of Mr Hiscocks, and accompanied by a full orchestra, also sung Haydn's No. 2 Mass. Mr Hartwoll presided ab bhe organ. The soloists in bho mass were Mias Coletta Lorrigan, Mrs Boy lan, and Messra Beach and P. Conway. A "beautiful offertorium, " Aye Marie Stella," was sung in a finished manner by Miss Brinsden. Taking as his text bhe incarnabion of our Lord Jesus Chrisb, Bishop Luck preached an impressive sermon. The Rev. Father Walsh officiated at vespers, bhe Rev. Fabher Riordan preaching on " The Epiphany." The abbendances ab all bhe services ol bhe day were large.

The Rev. T. F. Roberbson gave an earnesb sermon on the opening of the year ab the City Hall service lasb evening. He took as his texb bho deabh of Abraham, from Genesis. The atbendanco was largo, and a number of appropriatehymna wero rendered by the choir.

The Rev. James Blaikie, bhe pasbor, conducted bhe thanks-offering services ab bhe Tabernacle yesberday. In the morning he preached on the mobbo of the year, " Go Forward," and at nighb based his remarks on bho bexb " For bhe wages of sin ia deabh, but bhe gifb of God is eternal life, bhrough Jeans Chrisb our Lord." The total conbribution for bhe day amounted to £58 Is.