ANGLICAN SERVICES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 84, 10 April 1911, Page 8

ANGLICAN SERVICES.

MIDDAY ADDRESSES FOR MEN AND WOMEN. Following on tire successful Anglican mission service of last year, when several clergymen came from England under Canon E. A: Stuart and held special midday services for men and women, similar services were begun to-day. These will be continued on Tuesday and Wednesday. BISHOP WALLIS AT THE PRO- * CATHEDRAL. The Anglican Bishop of Wellington, Dr. Wallis, preached to a gathering of women in St. , Paul's Pro-Cathedral. There was a large congregation present. His Lordship said he would like to speak upon the lesson, -which the sufferings of our Lord taught, of His entire sympathy with His people in their hour of trouble, both bodily and mental sufferings. The preacher stressed the self-abnegation, the unselfishness, and the t wonderful obedience of our Lord in His hours of deepest trial. When the time came, Jesus Christdied willingly, having learned what obedience to His Father meant. "That is the lesson which you and I have to learn," said his Lordship, "and we must try to learn it even as Jesus Himself did." Implicit and unfaltering faith and. obedience in ouri Lord's wisdom were necessary in all troubles and trials, and, referring to the work of the mission : "Let us try (said his Lordship) and put worry aside that we might come for a -little while and spend an hour with Jesus Christ Himselt." Concluding, the Bishop urged on his auditors mat when suifering came to them they might bear it even as their Master had done. The Rev. J. D. Hussell preached in the Pro-Cathedral after lunch. AT .ST. PETER'S. • The Rev. T. H. Sprat t addressed the first meeting of men in St. Peter's Church, his words bearing on the day of the crucifixion of Christ. This was the beginning of that week in which for centuues the Christian _ Church had commemorated the death of Jesus Christ. On that day there were gathered round the cross three sections of people ; this >veek all Christendom would be round the cross, and maybe they would learn a searching lesson. The first of the three sections which were gathered on the first Uood Friday consisted of the coldiers, who crucified the Lord. What impression did the execution make upon them? Those of us now, who reviewed the event, would say none. These men were indifferent and callous. To them Jesus had nothing to leave behind. There were His clothes, but the soldiers did not think they were worth dividing, so they gambled for them. They were apathetic, indifferent. They thought they bad just executed another criminal ; were carrying out their day's work by order of the authorities. The second Fiction present were not indifferent, but they wore openly hostile ; they taunted Him with His inability to save himself ; they scoffed and jeered at Him. But there was another section in that crowd — a few women, and a man or two — who were full of sympathy and love. They had trusted Him, and though He had been crucified, they were loyal. We who now looked back upon the ages, knew which section of that crowd who watched the crucifixion were right. We knew that the crucifixion was a dark crime and could not be justified. The only people in that crowd who were right were those few women, who wer-e- standing in the light of God. How was it with the people of to-day ? We could admire those women for their faithfulness and belief, but let us ask ourselves were we like those soldiers, indifferent? or were' we hostile, or were we amongst those- who loved and sympathised with the Lord ? These were the questions we •flust ask ourselves during Holy week ; and to ask the Holy Spirit of God to give us spiritual life. A second meeting, held at 1.20, was addressed by the Piev. A. L. Hansell. Meetings will be held again to-mor-row. Mi. Job Wilton, who was eonnecLed with the press in the Wairarapa in his early days, but has been settled in the City of Vancouver for some years, has been paying a visit to his relatives and friends in New Zealand. He leaves Auckland for Fiji on Wednesday, on his way back to British Columbia. A. sale of oil paintings and water colours will be held on Wednesday next at Messrs. W. 11. Turnbull and Co.'s room-. The auctioneers state that at. this is Mr. Forbes'*, lirst visit to tho Dominion, prices >\ 111 be written down to the lowest possible limit. The catalogue includes the work of Eorae of the leading English and Continental water colour artists. The exhibition is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.nj.