DAY OF MOURNING.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1742, 18 February 1863, Page 3

DAY OF MOURNING.

Yesterday was observed as a day of mourning, in compliance with the notification in tho Provincial Gazette, on account of the loss of life by the wreck of H.M. s.s. 'Orpheus.' The various churches were opon, from sonio of which wo annex reports. The congregations would have been larger but for the imfavourablc slate of tho weather.

ST. TAUI/S CHURCH. Scrvico was commenced at St. Paul's Church at 11 o'clock, tlio Right Ecv. Bishop Patteson officiating. Ho chose for his text the words " Now these things wore our ensamples." Corinthians I. 6 v., 10 chap. Ho said they were assembled together that day — in fewer numbers than the unfortunate persons who had been lost by the accident to tho ill-fated ' Orpheus' — to give expression to their sorrow in common with those who were related to the shipwrecked persons. The end of the doomed officers and crew had been most sudden and most appalling, and could not fail to convey a solemn warning to all to be prepared to meet their Maker. It was not for man. to enquire why such dreadful calamities were permitted : or the end to be attained. God had indubitably a reason, and a good reason, for tho exorcise of his will in the manner they had witnessed ; but which man coiUd not comprehend. A aoblo ship with an immense number of valuable lives had been lost ; but why this \ should havo occurred it was not for man's fallible reasoning to grasp. He could only remain tho humble instrument in tho hands of his Heavenly leather, and to learn from His teachings the duty of absolute obedience to His commands. The right rev. preacher next adverted to tlio subject, as showing the necessity of united offortß and 'friendly assistance equally on ship-board, as in families, communities, and kingdoms; with due deferential feelings and, actions to constituted authorities ; and after- , wards addressed an earnest appeal to the congregation for assistance to the weak and dis- - tressed, tho bereaved an 4 the fatherless, whose , 3ort had been- swept awaybytthe tomble,, ;eat on Saturday week,

A. collection was made immediately after the sermon, when the sum of £16 Bs. lid. was received. Prayers having been said, and the Benediction pronounced, the congregation dispersed. HIGH-BTBEET IXDEPENDENT CHAPEI. The services at this place of worship were conducted by the pastor of the chapel, the Rev. A. Macdonald, ■who delivered an appropriate address relative to the recent disastrous accident. A collection was afterwards made, and the sum of £2 3s. lOd. realised. EDWABDES-STBEBT PBIMITIVE METHODIST

CHAPEC The Rev. Joseph Long, the resident minister, delivered a sermon in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Edwardes-street, last evening; the discourse being couched in language pertinent to the sad event which had occasioned the holding of the service. The collection was postponed till Sunday on account of the small attendance.

ST. MART'S CHURCH, PABNELL. Tho Eev. J". P. Lloyd preached yostcrday morning at St. Mary's Church, Parnell, from the 77th Psalm, 9th and 10th verses : " Hath God forgotten to be gracious, and will He shut up his loving kindness in displeasure ? And I said it is mine own infirmity." A collection ■was afterwards made, and the sum of £18 ss. 3d. obtained.

A.LBEBT-STREET CHAPEL. The sen-ices in this place of worship were conducted by the Rev. T. Hamer ; who delivered a discourse upon the sad events connected with the wreck. Mr. W. C. Daldy likewise addressed the congregation; after which several members respectively engaged in prayer. The collection realised £3 os.

St. Matthew's chubch. The E«v. Mr. Jones conducted the services at St. Matthew's Church, aud delivered an eloquent sermon. The collection exceeded £11. BOMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES, In St. Patrick's Cathedral, a requiem mass was chanted by the Very Eev. Dr. McDonald, "V.G-., and in the Church of St. John the Baptist, Parnell, a requiem mass was chanted by the Franciscan Fathers. No collections were made in either of the churches.