ANGLICAN MISSION SERVICES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1099, 11 April 1911, Page 6

ANGLICAN MISSION SERVICES.

MIDDAY ADDRESSES. The Anglican Mission Committee, after the visit of the missioners from England had taken place (and they had seen tho successful midday gatherings of men and women considered it woulil be a good thing if similar services could bo held at such times as Advent and Lent in the most convenient city churches by the local clergy, that the spirit of the mission might bo perpetuated. Accordingly yesterday four services were held—two in St. Paul's Church.for women, at 12.20 and 1.20 p.m., and two in St. Peter's; for men, at the same hours.

St. Paul's. The .Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Wallis) gave ail impressive address to a very large congregation of women, which filled St. Paul's Church, at. 12.20 p.m. He spoko upon tlio lesion which the sufferings of Christ taught, of His entire sympathy with His people in their hour of trouble. The preacher referred to the self-abnegu-tion, tho unselfishness, and the wonderful obedience of Christ in His hours nf deepest trial. When the time came He died willingly, having learned what obedience to His Father meant. "That is tho lesson which you and 1 have to learn," said the Bishop, "and we must: try to learn it even as Jesus Himself did." Faith and obedience were necessary in all troubles and trials. Kefcrring to (ho mission tho Bishop said; "Let us try and put worry aside that we may come for a little while and spend an hour with Jesus Christ Himself."

The Bcv. J. D. Russell preached at St, Paul's after lunch, taking as his text the command of Christ to "Feed My Lambs." In elaborating tho theme lie pointed out to women their responsibility in bringing up children. The modern mother so often failed in realising tho importance of the task. St. Peter's. The Rev. T. IJ. Sprott (Bishop designate) preaclicd at the first: men's service at St. Fetor's, taking as his subject the Cross of Christ. This was, he said, the beginning of tliftt week in which for centuries the Christian Church had commemorated the death of Jesus Christ. He had recently read a suggestive book with a section dealing with the croups that gathered at the Cross, and these groups when duly considered made a vital and searching test to the souls that pondered over them. The only people in thai croud who were right were those few wojucn, who were standing in the light of God. How was it with "lho people of to-day? We could admire those women for their faithfulness and belief, but let. us ask ourselves were wo like those soldiers, indifferent ? or where we hostile, or were we amongst those who loved and sympathised with the Lord? These were the questions we must ask ourselves during Holy Week; and lo ask the Holy Spirit of God to givo us spiritual life.

A second mecling, hold at 1.20, was addressed by the Dev. A. L. Hansel!, who spoke of the attractive power ,of the Cross. Ho instanced the varied temperaments of mankind. the sanguiuc, the c" ileric, the phlegmatic and the melancholic, and how eifeli type found its need in the Crucified. Every soul under the influence of God's Holy Spirit- however diverse in character, found all he wanted in Christ, and in this lay the power of Holy Week and Cicod Friday.

The C.E.M.S. men held an outdoor service in Tory Street, and a party journeyed to Potonc to-day for a similar service followed by a lantern service in St. Angustine's Schoolroom. '

The services will be continued to-dav and to-morrow, at St. Paul's (for womeii) 12.20 and t.20 p.m., and at St. I'eter's (for men) at the samo hour.