RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE. [From April 1 to May 3 ]

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3961, 3 May 1870, Page 7

RELIG IOUS INTELLI G EN CE. [From April 1 to May 3 ]

Ox April 2, Coromandel was all astir to catch a view of the Bishop of Auckland, who was to pay us his promised visit. A large crowd assembled on the beach. Mr. Furey very considerately drove his fourwheeled conveyance to the Hat, so as to convey the passengers across the mud. At Woollam's Hotel, mo3t of the inhabitants had assembled, and his Lord, ship was welcomed to Coromandel. On Sunday April 3, was a very large attendance at the School-room, many not being able to procure standing-room. His Lordship conducted the service, and preached an eloquent sermon on the dutj of prayer. After the meeting, at the Bishop's suggestion a meeting was held to elect a committee to look after the affairs of the Church of England. His Lordship requested Mr. King to act for him, and Captain Fraser, Mr. Cochi-ane, Mr. Woollam, and Mr. Coupland were elected on the part of the inhabitants. Mr. Coupland wa3 appointed Treasurer, and Mr, R. F. Lacon Secretary to the Committee, After a short discussion as to the affairs of the Church, the meeting separated. The monthly sederunt of the Auckland Presbytery was held on April 6, when a large amount of business was disposed of. A resolution Avas adopted, expressing the regret of the Presbytery at the continued ill-health of the Rev. J). Bruce, and at the prospect of his departure, and hoping that he would speedily return to the sphere of his former faithful and untiring services. A lengthy and important discussion took place upon the report of the Day School Committee, in the course of which the principles of the Common Schools Act as regards religious education were referred to a select committee, The congregation of the Baptist Church, meeting under the pastor.vfce of the Rev. S. Wilson, held their anniversary soiree on Good Friday evening, in the church, Wil-loughby-street, Thames. The anniversary services in connection with the Wellesley-street Baptist Sunday-school, were held on April 10. In the forenoon the Rev. P. H. Cornford reached to a large congregation, from I Corinthians, chapter iii u verses 6to 8—" Paul niay plant," &c. In the afternoon a service for parents and scholars j was held, and addresses were delivered by j the Rev, Mr. Cornford, Mr. Robert Fry, and Mr. b\ Battley, to a lai ge and appreciative assemblage. The evening servloe was cQnductftd by the ILev. J. Berry, who preached from Jeremiah, chapter iii., verse 4, to a crowded congregation. The collections, at the close of the services, amounted to the sum of £17 Is. 4d. The annual distribution of prizes to pupils of the Auckland Jewish Sabbath-school took place on April 10 at the Synagogue, Emily Place. The vestry-room was tastefully decorated with flags and evergreens, and the children were arranged on a platform. Mr. Ralph Keesing opened the proceedings, in an appropriate address, in the course of -\v hjch he eulogised the efficiency of tha school, under the Rev. Moses IJlkin, The procaedinga were opened with a hymn (Hydol) sung by all the children ; after which, Master Harry Keesing delivered an impressive prayer. The annual sermons in connection with the Pitt-street Wesleyau Chapel were preached on Apiil 10; the congregation in the morning huing a large one, and the church beiug crowded in the evening, The morning eermon was preached by the Rev. J. B,eri'y, who took as his text, St. John, chap xxi., the latter portion of the 15th verse, "Feed my lambs." In the afternoon, an addiess to the children was deliver ad by the Rev. J. S, Harper, of the Thames. A largo number of the parents and others were present. The sermon in the evening was preaohed by fchfl Rev. P. H. Cornford from the Second Book of Chronicles, chap, xxxiv., v. 1, 2, and 3. A collection was made at the close of each of the services ; the total of them being close upon £20. At each service, the children sang hymns, with excellent effect. The a.veva*e attendance at the schools is aboi^t 80Q. * . " . " Qn Tuesday, Apiil 12, a tea meeting, in connection with the Wesleyan Chapel, took place in the Public Hall, Otahuhtt. There were present from 200 to 250 persons, and a most successful meeting was the result. - The farer/ell BQiree held a$ Waiuku, qn Wednesday. April 13, m honour of the Rev. J. Whewell, Wesleyau Minister, who is leaving that district, was a very successful affair. It was most numerously attended—about 250 persons being present. The Rev. J. Buljev and other gler-gyinon and, gentlemen addressed the meeting. Uurjng the course of the evening, opportunity was taken to present the Roy. J. Whewell and his amiable lady with a vsry pretty silver teaservice, as a slight token, of the high appreciation in which their Barviees are viewed. To Misa Allen also a very beautiful workbox was presented, in acknowledgment of her aervices as organist, The fapewell soirde on the approaching de ; parture of tha Rev. Mi 1 . Bruca at the Mii9ic HallonApml 14, passed off most successfully. Several speeches were dejivoroj, and a purse of one hundred sovereigns was pyaeented tq the rev. gentleman as a token of the esteem in which he was held by his congregation. The annual soiree of the congregation attending the Rev. J. Hill's church at the Thames was held, in the church, on Thursday, April 14. The building was quite crowded, Th,e fourth, anniversary tq^-p^rty and meeting of the Bitt-'strept Wesleyan School were held on Good Friday, The church was crowded during the meeting. The annual tea-party and meeting in celebration of the 13th anniversary of the VVeilesley-street Baptist Church Sundayschool \v«re held on April 19, and were largely attended, A new Presbyterian k£rk, at Newton, is to be erected for the Rev. Dr Wallis, The site of the proposed kirk i 3 well situated, at the cornor of Albert- and East-3treats, overlooking the Roman Catholic Cemetery. The building will in the decorated Gothic style j the length of the nave being 63 feet, tho width with sid< aisles 42 feet, and the height to the spring oi the roof 19 feet. ,The roof will be an open - timbered one, with dressec rafters, and diagonal pieces stopcham fered, The other parts of the rqof ar< SfclnQclQse-boarded. The rqof qf the nave is supported upon two rowa of pillars anc arches. There will be quatrefojl ventilator* in the clere3tory. The north elevation, ii which will be "the , front entrance, will b< lighted with a four-liglit .window- wltl elaborate tracery, and two side two-ligh windows. At the main entrance there will b a lobby, opening at each aide into the ohuroh through swing Baize doors. This sida eleva tioas' are lighted by five two-light window on each -side.* At the back there will b T >> two-windowsoLtwo lights each. All the win <Wi, with/the exception of those iv the iron •_- •ntr*aQ», ■will k» mtuntid. in niilei, -, ;