AVONSIDE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13871, 24 October 1910, Page 8

AVONSIDE.

The missioners at Avonsido, tho Rev. Cyril Hepher and tho Rev. G. \V. Harding, began their mission on Saturday evening to a, large congregation. The service was on unconvcTitional lines. In the hymn-singing the Rev. Cyril Hepher helped the congregation with exhortation and by beating time with iiis hand, and the effect on the sinking was marked. He also led the congregation very impressively in prayer. Mr Hepher's address was on the objects of the mission. Ho pointed out that tho missioners had not eoir.o t<i say they were better than the rooplo'of New Zealand, lor they knew perfectly well they were not. He had never met a liner body of clergy than the New Zealand clergy, and he and Ins fellow missiouers had never met with such a great awakening of the spiritual life' as had attended their tour through tlso Dominion. wero come to help the clergy of NewZealand—to help them just as the fishermen of the Biblical story helped their brethren when tho latter came upon a great abundance of fish. A great part of the reverend goiitlemanV. [ address was td«n up with laying

emphasis on the necessity for prayer. and giving his hearer;, impressive exhortation.- to devote jnt.cu M t-s coming week to prayer. C nunvi people, he said, must not look to tr.e n-ission for •'oratorical nre-.vork?. ior they would not get them. In t.iis connection he t ;ld a .story of a .Mid :t curate. When one preached, iuj parishioners said "Wasn't, that a eraiid sermon:-" When th- other preachcti. the congregation came ;iw;ty hnyr.rz nothing," but looking very serious nr.U feeling very dissatisfied with themselves. There was n:i doubt "winch rieachei- had the greater influence, but lie would not .say whether it was t.:e vicar or the curate. Mr Hepher s earnestness unci force rmub ;v deep im-l-resL-ioii. There wore sevor.il ;.er\ice< yesterd.iv, r.l! of which were well attended. I'rior to the evening service, a procession ot clergy, choir, ami men and boys visited various parts of the parish. Mr Hepher emphasised the ereat central act of the Church's worship as the means of maintaining and developing the spiritual life. The presence of very large congregations on Sunday morning, there being considerably over "JOO communicants, testified to the effect ot his simple and earnest words about the Holy Eucharist, as well as to the spirit of pVaver that has Lorn so apparent, for months past. The sermon at the midclay choral celebration wa-s preaom-d by* the assistant missioner, the Lev. C. W. Harding, and in the afternoon he was listened to attentively as lie rave an instructive address to a largo number of children. This w«s followed by a well-attended service for men, Vhen Mr Hepher made a telling aaack upon the sins of the day. His masterly handling of the subject, his appeal foi tl-o self-dcninl of true manhood, and Ihis setting forth of our l*rd ns theexample and power of life and character, made, a deep impression upon all j his. hearers. . , In the evening the invitation to the mission was proclaimed in the -streets |l,v p procession. For the service in the "ovninc tho church was crowded overflowing. Mr Hepher, in an unconventional but telling stylo gave a most impressive address, clenrh e\I'puS md forth the true ! meaning of conversion, and tt " his subject from the hio of St. I aul.