GOOD FRIDAY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 175, 18 April 1908, Page 8

GOOD FRIDAY.

Good Friday was observed in various ways by Wellington people. Its •religions significance was maintained by the churches in their usual services. In tho afternoon numbers or citizens and others visited H.M. cruisor Pegasus. Tho excursion trains on both railways acqomplished_ the customary holiday, oxchango of populationbetween town and country. There were also'excursions to tho resorts across .tho harbour. The Easter manoeuvres at and beyond Johnsonvillo had begun, and numbers of civilians took advantage of tho spocial railway facilities to go out f?- "j? , cam Pi. and see what was visible of the fighting.' Tho Easter championship contests at the Brougham : Hill Tennis Club's courts wore begun. Mr. Maughan Barnett gave a recital of sacred music on the Town Hall organ in tho evening, and there were special displays of animated pictures at tho Theatre Royal arid His Majesty's. After a shower or two in the morning, the weather throughout tho day was dry, ■ but somewhat overcast. CHURCH SERVICES; Spccial services wero held iu : all the" Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, and in a few churches of othor denominations yesterday. i . At St. Anglican Church, Archdeacon Fancourt took the morning service, which was vory well attended. In the afternoon' the Rev. J. Walker gave series of addresses during a three hours! servioe., Tho day. was similarly observed in the other Anglican churches. . At'the 'Basilica, Hill'. Street,' and Roman Catholic churches -very impressivo services were held. The Basilica was packed in tho morning, "afternoon and evening. His Grace Archbishop Redwood officiated at. the morning service, Father Gilbert', was deacon,. Father Bowden' sub-deacon, 1 ' Father Hickson assistant priest, and Father N Herbert master of ' the ceremonies. An- impressive sermon - was -preached by .Archbishop.. Redwoo4 ,In the afternoon the solemn stations of the Cross wero given by His Grace. Tho -office-of tenebrae was celebrated in the evening. ... • The' Rev. R. A. Osborn, of Warrnambool,, Victoria, conducted a" special service in St.' John's Presbyterian Church yesterday morning. Appropriate hymns wero sung, and Mr. Osborn preached -from Romans v', 11: "And not only so, but we also, joy in-God through our Lord- Jesus Christ, by Whom we have now. received the' atonement;"- - There was a fair attendance. \ - ' % ■ . : At,: Wesley ' Church, Taranaki'"Street, the Rev.:-S.vJc Serpoll preachcd to a fifirly large congregation! yesterday' mornuig-j'frbnr If Cor-: inthiansV'-.Vji 7: "For oven Christ'.'our passover :is sacrificed for us.". ' r -- ' The . choir of St." Hilda's Church, Island : Bay, gave: a . very successful'' rendering .W Staincr's " Crucifixion,'' after evensong, yesterday. There was a vory large attendance of parishioners, the building being crowded to the .door, and all concerned in the production ~of, this, beautiful work may be congratulated • upon \ the' success achieved. Tho ,sol<js were - taken by Messrs. Hickson and ' Proctor, tenor.; and Messrs. Hamertdn and Roberts, bass., Much' credit is' due to . the zeal . and skill displayed by tho choirmaster, Mr. Robbins, as tho choral portions of the work gavo unmistakable' evidence of very careful and painstaking . rehearsal. Mr. W. Collie played the accompaniments on the' organ, a sweet-toned instrument, vory. kindly lent for tho occasion by the Dresden;! Piano Company St. Mark's -Choir last evening gave an excellent 'rendering of Staiher's " Crucifixion." The soloists';were,Messrs.' Ridgeway (tenor), Barnes (bass), and Aiulrews (bMs)y Who /.ac-quitted-.tligmselves well, showing: .a', proper appreciationof tho the'sacrodliwork. ■ Mr. Ridgeway-especially was'in ; good-voice. The choruses,-and hymns were sung with good body arid hero again; the featuro was- - sympathetic .treatment, and artistic interpretation. A fairly large congregation was present. Mr,, L.'.Watkins presided at the'organ' :'