OTHER CHURCH SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 143, 19 June 1899, Page 2

OTHER CHURCH SERVICES.

There was a larg-e and attentive audience in the Congregational Church, Devonport, last evening, at th special service in connection with the I anniversary of the Christian Endeavour Society. Two solos by Miss Daisy Williams-and Miss Baulf'respectively jwere very effectively rendered during1 i the service. Miss L. Williams presided at the organ, and the singing of the C.E. choir, assisted by several instrumentalists, was a marked and attractive feature of the meeting. The Prejsident (Rev. B. L. Thomas) spoke of 'The True Mission of Life,' appealiing Ito those present to live worthily of their high calling, and by lives of consecrated endeavour serve God by seekjing the highest well being of their I f ellowmen. It is intended to hold the I public meeting to-morrow evening, for | which an attractive programme has been arranged. MANGERE WESLEYAN CHURCH. Anniversary services in connection with the Mangere Wesleyan Church were held yesterday. The Rev. E. Best conducted the services, and there were large con^rgations. The choir rendered special anthems under the conductorship of Mr j. Laking, Miss M. Wallace being organist. SALVATION ARMY. Major and Mrs Bennett, new officers of the Auckland City Corps of the Salvation Army, were welcomed at special meetings at the Albert-street Barracks yesterday. Major Bennett has been an officer in England, Austra* lia and New Zealand, and was Heartily welcomed afc the meetings. ONEHUNGA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The anniversary of the Onehunga Presbyterian Sunday School was celebrated at ilhe church yesterday. The Rev. H. R. Dewsbury conducted the morning service. Mr H. Prime conducted a choir numbering over 100. The church was tastefully decorated with ferns and flowers. The sermon was based on the closing scenes in the life of Moses and was more particularly addressed to the young. Mr Dewsbury referred to the unique position held by that patriot and leader of men, the serfdom from which he had rescued the people, the 40 years' preparation and restoration to manhood and self-respect. Just when entering the Promised Land to have this greatest of leaders removed seemed an overwhelming calamity, yet God raised up Joshua to lead them to their desired country. So the young people around Ihim would one day be called to fill the ranks. If they gave their service to God while young their future work would be honoured by God, as would their age and country. The address was illustrated by examples drawn from history and literature, and was listened to with marked attention. The Rev. H. Kelly gave an address to the children, his discourse being based on 'Absolum.' The Rev. R. Wylie conducted the evening service, preaching on 'Rivers of Life.' There was a large congregation. The collections during the day amounted to £ 10. BAPTIST TABERNACLE. At the Tabernacle last evening an in memoriam service was held in connection with the death of Mrs Houglh-

ton, of Mt. Albert, relict of the late Mr F. Houghton, a former deacon of the church, and also in connection with the death of Mr J. Robinson, senior elder and one of the founders of the church. The rostrum and alcove were draped with black. Pastor Clark preached an impressive sermon from Timothy—'Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.' He referred to the fact that Mrs Houghton had been one of the founders of the Baptist cause in Cambridge. Both Mrs Houg*hton and Mr Robinson belonged to the Puritan type, which, he feared, was fast dying out in the colony. They had passed the allotted span and belonged to that claw of pioneer colonists who had helped to make the colony. At the open grave of Mr Robinson the speaker had heard the encomiums on the 'grand old man/ who had carried Christianity and the banner of temperance wherever he went. At the close of tlhe service Mr Wells, the organist, played the 'Dead March in Saul.'

ONEHUNGA CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The 38th anniversary of the Onehunga Congregational Church, with which was combined tfhe first anniversary of the settlement of Rev,: W. Finlay Wilson, the present pastor, was celebrated yesterday. The choir aod orchestra were augmented for the day. There were good congregations at both services, CITY HALL. The usual evangelistic service at t&e City Hall was held last evening. There was a good attendance, and Mr T. Buddie presided. The Rev. W. Laycoek delivered an address from Acts ill, 2. GOSPEL MISSION. A very interesting and profitable service was held yesterday afternoon in the Gospel Central Mission, Karangahape Road. The Rev. Mr Wilson (missioner) presided, and there -was a g-ood number present. The address was delivered by the Rev. J. T. Pinfold, F.G.S., and was greatly appreciated. His subject was the 'Fatherhood of God.' He said that all teachers of religion had something to Bay on the subject of prayer. Jesus Christ taught us to say' Our Father Who art in heaven.' Our Lord was in a peculiar sense the Son of God; but there ia also a sense in which we are all the sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty. God is a person, not a mere force, abstraction or principle; and Jesus presents Him to us in the concrete form of a human life. He combines all that is divine in Deity with all that is human in humanity; and we shall never succeed in understanding Christ's humanity until the Divine personality flashes through it op the eyes of our faith. When the truth of the personality of our Heavenly Father is grasped, we shall learn How to love and serve Him. In times of trial, sorrow and bereavement, this precious doctrine will be a comfort and a stimulus, and it will afford intense delight to walk "worthy of the high vocation wherewith we are called." During1 the afternoon Mr Hodges sang' with hie usual acceptance "Throw out the life line," and this second of the series of pleasant Sunday afternoons in the ForOßtttW' Hall was brought to a close.