THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1259, 16 October 1911, Page 6

THE CHURCHES.

ST, PAUL'S PARISH. INSTITUTION OF THE NEW VIGAIi. At St Paul's Pro-Cathedral yesterday morning (he Rev. A. M. .Johnson was instituted as Vicar of the parish by (lie Anglican Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Spi'iilt). The Bishop was assisted at the service liy Archdeacon Faneourt (who read the, Gospel) and the Rev. A. \Y. Compton (who read the Epistle). The Us:«Ut>v> having taken his seat in a chair placed in- front of the altar, Mr. I'. I'. .Martin read the writing of nomination, and Mr. Ward (churchwarden) presented the Viear-elect. The Bishop then put. the prescribed r|iieslions, which were duly answered by Mr. Johnson. After the singing of the hymn, "Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire," and special prayers, the Bishop read the form cf institution to perform the office of vicar of the parish, committing to his care the souls of the parishioners, and giving him full power lo perform any function appertaining to.his office, provided that nothing in the letter of institution shall abridge or prevent the excrise of the Bishop's authority and office. Then followed the Bishop's blessing, in these words:—".May the blessing of God Almighty, the Fattier, tho Son, and the Ifolv Ghost rest upon thee and upon thy work done in Ilis name. The Lord give thee courage, wisdom, strength, and lovo to do His will now and for evermore." The sermon was preached by the Bishop, who stated that it could not have often occurred in this country that one should have been permitted. as ho had l>een that morning, to instal his own successor. Happily he was able to do so with complete confidenceconfidence in tho new Vicar and confidence in the parish to which ho had come. Mr. Johnson had been fifteen years ill tho diocese, having come to New Zealand after a distinguished course both in the classical and topological schools at Cambridge University. He had also done varied and successful work in this diocese. In all this he had won honour for himself, and done a great work for the Church. As regards the parish of St. Paul's, the Bishop said there was not in all the world any parish or church which was so dear to him in sacred associations. Ho spoko from an experience covering nearly twenty of the best years of his life. He could assure his successor that ho would have the sympathy of his parishioners. and that he would not be chilled by coldness or indifference. His work would bo generously appreciated, and his freedom'would be respected. He could be himself, and would not be expected to bo either the echo or shadow of some other man. If :i man wore to do his best work lie must do it in his own way. This great principle of individuality was necessary to secure the fulness and richness of human life. The parish would not expect tho new Vicar to unduly tax his physical strength. He should strive to do what was best, and not merely to do many things. Tho Bishop asked for the prayers of the people for the new Vicar, and concluded with the prayer that God's richest blessing might rest upon him and his work. After the sermon the Communion Service was proceeded with, the new Vicar being the celebrant. At the evening service the Rev. A. Jr. .Tohnson preached his first sermon as vicar of tlie parish. There were very large congregations at both services.

ST. ANDREWS' SUNDAY SCHOOL. ANNUAL PRIZE-GIVING. At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church yesterday afternoon the annual distribution of prizes to Sunday Schcol scholars took place. The service was conductcd by the Rev. Gibson Smith. Apologies for absence were received from the Hen. D. Buddo, who was tn have delivered an address, and Mr. G. Lanrensun. M.P. The Rev. Gibson Smith alluded to the fa.ct that the assembly banner, presented annually to the premier Sunday School, though secured last year by St. Andrew's, had this year been wen by Havelock North, St. Andrew's coming third on the list. He urged scholars and teachers not to bo disheartened and expressed a li-ipe that next year St. Andrew's might again have the honour of lying the premier Presbyterian Sunday School in New Zealand. Mr. Scott, M.P. for Tnapeka, delivered a brief address to t.he assembled bora 'and girls, in which he strcswd the importance of the formation of character in earlj- .wars. The boys and girls of today'would l>e the men and women of tomorrow, and if they were to till that role vrith credit each one of them must realise the importance of building up a strong and noble character, such a character as would satisfy their own internal scrutiny and not merely that of the people round aly.iut them. He asked them to remember that their teachers were labouring on their behalf, not in hope of reward, but ill the hope that their pupils would groiv up into goo<l men and women. Supplementing Mr. Scott's remarks Mr. Gibson Smith declared that what hoys and girls learned in the Sunday School and at homo was of greater importance than what they lenrncd at the day school. No boysi and girls who took to heart what they learned in the Sunday School would grow up to lie wasters. On the contrary, they would become Christian ladies aud gentlemen, unselfish, honourable, true, and an honour to themselves and to their friends and country. The prizes were presented by the Mayoress, Mrs. Wilford, who first of all congratulated the scholars and teachers on the good work they had done in the jiast. and expressed a hope that they might again win the banner next year." Following is the list of prizes: First prize, girl (senior).—Marion Thomson. First prize, boys (senior)— Frederick Desmond. First prize, girls (junior)— Agnes Muir. First prize, boys (junior)— Harold Desmond. Other prizes weno awarded to Ireno Seivwright (Scripture, catechism, and essay); Jessio Brown (Scripture and esray); Ailsa Gold (Scripture and catechisan); lidgnr ,1. M'Eldowney (catechism and essay); Norman M'Cartnev (essay); Agnes Fawcctt (catechism); Fiora Smith (essay); Mary Muir (catechism); Albert Gordon (catechism). The certificate for the teacher whoso class gained the highest number of marks was presented to Miss Barry. Before closing the proceedings, Mr. Gibson Smith thanked Mrs. WilfoTd, Mr. Scott, the donors of prizes, and Mr. Thomson, the superintendent, and teachers for their, self-sacrifice and industry in carrying on the work of the Sunday ScliooL ROSENEATH CHURCH. OPENING SERVICES. The new Presbyterian Church at Roseneath was opened yesterday morning when the church was well filled. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott, li.A., who also preached the sermon, taking for his text: "Lord I have loved the habitation of Thy House and the place where Thine honour dwelleth." ]n the course of his remarks the preacher referred to some of the reasons why people do not' go to church and then put forth numerous reasons why they should go, concluding with an exhortation to i'he congregation to be regular in their attendance. In the afternoon tho scholars, of tho Sunday School were addressed bv Mr. ,T. G W. Aitken. The Rev. R. In'glis conducted the evening service. To-morrow evening a congregational meeting and "social" will lie held in the schoolroom.