CHURCH SERVICES.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 185, 5 August 1918, Page 3

CHURCH SERVICES.

'Lite fourth anniversary of the war was observed by special services yesterday in most of/the city"»nd' suburban' churches.

Dr. 11. W. Cleary had issued instructions that yesterday was to .be observed as a special day of intercession in all the Roman Catholic churches of the city and suburbs. At St. Patricks Cathedral the congregation joined in united prayer for an honourable aud lasting peace, for the safety of those at the front, and for the eternal rest of those killed in the war. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament lasted throughout the day. At the morning service Mozart's "Twelfth Mass" was sun. Mesdames Blythe, Bourkc. and Messrs. Egan and Dobbs assisting. On Thursday a solemn requiem mass for tho repose of the souls of those killed in the •war win be celebrated at the Cathedral. At St. Marys Anglican Cathedral, Piirnell, all the* seating accommodation was occupied for the morning service, when Dr. A. W. Averill preached. The Mayor (Mr. J. H. Gunson) and a number of members of the City Council ' were present, also the officers of the Auckland District Military Stair, King's Empire Veterans. Territorials, Cadets, including those from the Flying School, also the Scouts. In the course of his sermon Bishop Averill emphasised the fact that the Allies were lighting for a righteous cause, for which they could ask the support of a righteous God. In deciding tocarry on ttil victory wh« won they were renewing loyalty and devotion to the King. They -were not making these tremendous sacrifices for trade preference-, -but for God, right, justice, and honour. |

St. Matthew's Anglican Church was attended yesterday morning by members of the Women's National Reserve, Returned Soldiers' Association, King's Empire Veterans, Territorials, Cadets, and Scoltts. The vicar, the Rev. W. E. Gillam. presided. At the evening service the Bishop (Dr. Averill) was the preacher.

A church parade in connection with the anniversary of the war' has held in the Anglican Church, Devonport, yesterday morning. The. Mayor, councillors, heads of staff's, and the members of the Municipal Fire Brigade were -present by invitation, and occupied scats in the front of the church. There was a big turn-out of the military, including. a large contingent from Narrow Neck, and 'the church was crowded. The Rev. F. W. Young, 8.A., preached a stirring sermon, dealing especially with the. great and solemn occasion which had callc.l so j many of them together to make inter- j cession to God for the speedy triumph of the great principles for which tlie Empire and the Allies were fighting. An appropriate anthem was sung by the choir, and the Rev. Chitty, whu presided at the organ, rendered suitable music.

In connection with the fourth anniversary of the war, a special service was held yesterday morning at the Hebrew Synagogue, at which the Revs. S. A. Gold'stein and S. Kate ofliciated. Yesterday was observed in all the. Baptist churches in Auckland and suburbs as a day of intercession and thanksgiving in connection with the war. With regard to the resolution to be submitted to public meetings to-day, the Auckland Baptist Auxiliary has written the Acting Premier, Sir James Allen, as follows: '"Whilst we give place to none in loyalty, we deeply rejrret that in a country j avowedly Christian the head, of the j Government has again issued a national manifesto relating to the war from which the name of God, and the necessity of .seeking Divine assistance, has been en- j tirely omitted. We consider this a grave oversight, and sincerely hope that in the future it will lie remedied."

I Pitt Street Methodist Church was attended last, evening by Mr. .J. J_. Gunson, i Mayor, and membere of the City Council, also St. John Ambulance, including the Nursing Division. Tlie Key. C. 11. Laws preached » patriotic sel'mon on j r"The Armies ot the Supermen."'

Tbe members of Mount Albert Borvrag-t Council attended the service at Trinity Methodist Church. Kingsland, last evening. The local lire brigade and members ot Rocky-Nt>ok Bowling Club attended the service. The ' Key. H. Ranston preached ou "War: Tts Degradation and Glory." The service at Beresford Street Congregational Church yesterday morning was unique, in that a "Book of Life," containing the names, biography, and? photographs of those from the "ehur«..t wlio had made the supreme sacrifice was laid on the altar and solemnly dedicated by the pastor, the Rev. Frederic Warner. A hymn and litany written by the minister and suited to the occasion was sini-» at both services. Tlie preaching desk was draped with the Union dad;. The roll shows 71 names, of whom 12 have died for their country. The fourth anniversary of BritaiuV declaration of >war was commemora at Birkenhead by a very successful united service iv the Foresters' Hall yesterday ' afternoon, where many were unable to gain admission. The Mayor (Mr. -la,. P. McPhail) presided, aud the Birkenhead Boy Scouts (under .cotvtmaster Alex. Taylor), besides many returned soldiers, and the members of the Birkenhead Borough Council, were present. Stirring addresses were delivered ihv . the Res'. H; A. Sharp (Methodist) and the Rev. .T. Lawrence Greer (Anglican), while ihe Rev. G. F. Cox (Presbyterian) and tbe Rev. .T. G. Jory (Methodist) assisted in conducting the nerviee. A combined choir and the Birketdiead Municipal Brass Band materially assisted in the musical portion of the service. At the conclusion of the service the. gathering resolved itself into a public meeting for the purpose of expressing by resolution the inflexible determination of the people to prosecute the wax to a victorious conclusion. A letter from the Hon. Jas. Allen, Anting Premier "and Minister of Defence, was read, after which the resolution was moved by the Mayor (Mr. J. P. McPhail). seconded by Mr. H. M. Shepherd, and carried unanimously, the audience rising and singing the Nations l Anthem. The Rev. J_. ,A_. Sharp said Lord' ..ansdowno.'s figures vividly presented 'to one's mind the horrors; of war. but 'the' -thirty million casualties (of which seven million represented' killed) would be in vain unless the'victory was such that a repetition of such a war was rendered impossible Afc Takapuna a united meeting was hold yesterday, at 8 p.m.. in the Foresters' Hall, at which Anglican, Presbyterian. Methodist, and Baptist minister* were seated on the platform, and'took part in the religious portion of the service. The Mayor of Takapuna was also seated on the platform, and members of the Council were present. The Iter. W. G. Monckton conducted the service, at which addresses were given by the Revs. J). Albert, and Gosnell. At the close of the sermon the Mayor moved, and Rev. -Monckton seconded, the Empire Resolution, which was carried unanimously. Special services were _eld the 'churches' 4-t Northcote. The members of the, -Northcote Borough Council attended ■ the morning service at the Anglican Church, where the Rev. J. Lawrence Greer officiated, and last night they .were present at the Methodist Church, where the Rev. H. A. Sharp conducted the service. .Special intercessory services were also held in the various Presbyterian churches of the city aud suburbs..

PXTBX.IC BOD- ____ETINGS. The Mayor and members of Auckland City Council tenders this evening a complimentary dinner to official representatives of Allied nations to mark th» fourth anniversary of the war. Public -meetings to pass the Empira Resolution will be held this evening at Mount Eden, Devonport. Newmarket, Mt. Albert, One-tree Hiil, Otahuhu, and Northeot.. Mr. Henderson (Mayor of Devonport), acting on medical advice, has decided not to preside at the meeting this evening. '■"-'"?' •CARRY ON." "'-.' CMP.. MASSEY'S MESSAGE.

(By Telegraph.Press .Association.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. ■""" The following cablegram has been received from London:"ln compliance with a special request the Prime Mm- . istcr, Mr. W. F. Massey. sent the following message, on behalf of New Zealand, to the Central Committee of'tha National Patriotic Organisation, for delivery at the London meeting on tha anniversary of the -war:-—'.We are now entering upon the fifth year of war, and, as British citizens, we are no less determined" than we were -four years ago to carry on until victory comes to those armies which are fighting for all th».t free and honour-loving natrons of the earth' hold dear. We have _ad many disappointments, but we have also had? much to be thankful for. and to-day we can say. confidently, that the fighting forces of the Empire, on land and water, and in the air, are stronger than have been at any time in our -history. This, also, i 6 true of our Allies, especially since our kinsmen of the United States of America came into the war in support of the same sacred cause as that which has brought _be\ bravest of Britain's sons from every quarter •of the globe, and for which the best blood of the Empire has been poured out. There is now no reason for pessimism, but, on the contrary, every reason for confidence. With renewed determination tin! Allies will press forward, lacing without hesitation any difficulties or dangers which they may encounter, but. never stopping or laying aside the •weapons of war until a decisive victory has been won, bringing with it -set-juity and peace.' "