THE CHURCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIII, Issue 150, 26 June 1902, Page 2

THE CHURCHES.

INTERCESSION SERVICES.

As announced yesterday the Anglican churches decided to go on with the services announced for to-day, but to change their character to intercession services. The Baptists decided to postpone their services, and the Presbyterians to hold a united congregational meeting, at which special prayers will be said for the King, at St. David** Church, to-morrow night. The Congregationalists will hold a united intercessional meeting at the Beresford-street Church to-night. ALL SAINTS' At All Saints' Church, Ponsonby, Archdeacon Calder conducted two services in the morning. At 7.30 Holy Communion was celebrated, and special prayers were said .for the King and remembrance of the Primate, his death being then known. At 10 o'clock the Litany was said, and Holy Communion was again celebrated, special prayers for the visitation' of the sick following. About 100 persons were present at this service. Collections were taken up rt both services for the Queen Victoria School for Maori Girls. ST. PAUL'S. At St. Paul's Church special services were held at 7.30 and at 10 a.m., the Rev. Canon Nelson, vicar, conducting. At the early service Holy Communion was celebrated. The vicar announced the death of the Primate. Special prayers of intercession were offered for the King, and suitable prayers for the burial service were offered for the deceased Primate. The Town Clerk, Mr Henry Wilson, was present as representative of the City Council. At the ten o'clock service the Litany was said, and Holy Communion was celebrated, the congregation of about one hundred all remaining to the end of the service. ST. SEPULCHRE'S CHURCH. At 7.30 Holy Communion was celebrated, followed by special intercession on behalf of His Majesty the Kirig. The announcement of the death of the Primate was made, and a special prayer was offered. At 10 a.m. the church was draped in black, in respect to the death of the Primate. The vicar, Rev. G. A. Carver, recited the Litany, and the Rev. W. E. Lush offered the specially appointed prayers. The service .was one of intercession on behalf of the King. The hymns "O God, our help in ages past," and "Jesu, lover of my soul," were sung. CATHOLICS AND THE KING. His Lordship the Bishop, Dr. Lenihan, celebrated Mass at St- Mary's Convent Chapel, Ponsonby, this morning, and a,t its conclusion offered up prayers for the speedy recovery of His Majesty the King, in which the whole congregation heartily joined. The Rev. Father Patterson, Adm., last evening at 'St. Patrick's Cathedral feelingly referred to the King's illness, and invited the congregation to join with him in offering up prayers that His Majesty may soon be restored to perfect health. The congregation then recited prayers aloud. At the other Catholic churches similar prayers were offered. ST. MATTHEW'S. At the 10 o'clock service at St. Matthew's this morning there was a. good attendance. The Litany was sung, and special prayers were offered for the King during Holy Communion. The vicar, in the course of his address, said that the service, which was to be one of rejoicing, had be.n changed to a litany of intercession. He referred to the anxiety felt throughout the Empire, the information to hand disclosing that the King was seriously, if not dangerously, ill. He said that never before did a monarch succeed to the throne of Great Britain with such absolute assurance of the goodwill and loyalty of his subjects, pointing out that after the long and glorious reign of Victoria, respect for the monarchy was more deeply established than in preceding years. The King had shown that he was a good and just ruler, that he knew the people, and that they knew him. The vicar referred to the sympathy felt with the" Royal Family. He said that never before had so influential and 'powerful come to the throne to preside over an Empire so great and wide. Special prayers were offered for the King. ' The vicar referred to the death of the Primate, and the hymn, "Now the- labourer's task is o'er" was sung. At the conclusion of the service the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played by the organist, Mr A. Towsey. ' * CATHEDRAL SERVICE. The intercession service at St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, was well attended this morning. The reredos, pulpit, reading desk, and alter were all draped in black, in consequence of the death of the Primate, and the service to some extent was affected by that fact, although called for another purpose. The Parnell orphans and. boys from St. Stephen's Native School were present with their tutor's- The Rev. Cancm Mac Murray conducted a service similar to that in the other Anglican churches, being assisted by the Rev. Dr. Purchas. Mr Leslie Hunt, organist, played "Blessed are the Dead," from Spohr's "Last Judgment," as the clergy and choir marched in. "0 God, Our Help tin Ages Past," was then sung by the congregation. Rev. Canon Mac Murray then asked the prayers of those present for the King, Queen Alexandra, and members of the Royal Family in their trouble, and also for the widow and family of their late beloved Pri-m-ate, whom God had called to his rest. The. Litany was" then intoned by Rev. Dr. Purchas, after which the hymn "God of Our Life, to Thee We Call," was snng. Then the Vicar read the special service of the communion of the sick, and the ordinary service followed. The other hymn was "Great King of Nations, Hear Our Prayer." During the service the "Dead March" in "Saul" was played, the whole congregation standing as a mark of respect to the late Primate, and as the worshippers separated, Beethoven's "Funeral March" was played. A communion service followed.