EASTER SERVICE.

Franklin Times, Volume XIX, Issue 39, 5 April 1929, Page 8

EASTER SERVICE.

PAPAKURA METHODISTS.

"OLIVET TO CALVARY."

(Contributed)

The Easter season was fittingly celebrated by the Methodists, the choir rendering the beautiful cantata "Olivet to Calvary," Sn Good Friday evening in the church. Long before the service commenced the building was crowded with a reverent congregation. The Rev. J. Wesley Griffin, assisted by Rev. R. R. Greenwood, Presbyterian minister, occupied tbe pulpit and conducted the opening exercises.

The choir, consisting of 26 voices, assisted by Mr H. King, of Pukekohe East, under the baton of Mr T. C. Seaton rendered the cantata in the spirit of the season from the opening chorus of "On the Way to Olivet" to the concluding hymn, the well-known "Rock of Ages." Never once was.the solemnity of Earth's Greatest Drama forgotten. Special mention' should be made of the "Scene before Pilate," with the chorus ending in the riotous call for the release of "Barrabas." This was- most effective and showed the result of most careful training. The exulting note of triumph was evident in the chorus "The March to Calvary," while the closing hymn, Redhead's setting of "Rock of Ages," was so feelingly sung that the congregation were left in perfect silence to meditate, on the song pictures that the choir had placed before them. The soloists were Miss L. Mack, who touchingly sang "Droop Sacred Head," and Mr H. King (tenor) who was heard to advantage in the "Mount of Olives" especially in the closing phrases of the solo, "He came to die that erring souls may live in sinless Joy." Mr T. 0. Seaton (baritone) charmed all in the recitative "And when they came to the place that is called Calvary."

The whole, rendering reflects great credit on the conductor (Mr T. C. Seaton), this gentleman had the choirunder perfect control. Miss Hilda Beams was a delight' at the organ and her playing of the prelude to the "March to Calvary" will not he soon forgotten.

The Sunday services were conducted by the Rev. W. A. Sinclair in the morning and Rev. J. Wesley Griffin at night when the cantata was repented before another crowded congregation. At the morning service Mrs 1-T. C. Baulf and Miss Eunice Lang, sang very feelingly as a duet "Crucifix."

As a souvenir of the Easter racing carnival at Ellerslie this week's issue of the New Zealand Sporting and Dramatic Review is unsurpassed with its generous showing of the latest racing incidents. Splendid views are given of the. winning horses, exciting starts and finishes and scenes on the lawn. The Victorian Racing Club's Autumn meeting at Fleming-ton, the racing at Fielding, and the Polo sports at Cambridge are other items of interest to followers of the turf. The double centre pages wil prove very popular with the charming collection of scones for here and there, notable London wedding. Swiss and snow scenes, screen favourites, prize winners at the Paris cat show, local func- j lions that have been photographed are. Otnhuhu sailing club's carnival, Auckland primary schools sports, and the Auckland gun club's Raster shoo! at. Panmure. Very picturesque is the page depicting the International beauty contesl in Paris and the pretty girls o r America, while a page of the iatesl of French fashions will appeal io the feminine eye. The stage and screen section conlain some snappy pictures of leading players with a beautiful frontispiece of a screen slar and her horse. The coloured supplement of Con.«!nti"c Tahnndge, .adds an ar!is!i< jm!e Co a very exreli»n! issue, niaim•fv;; J i,vr>mrh ' Urn" '^''■' ,; 'one nni'res. SO( .;..<• v.-..(Winers. <->m '•■'' 'mr-'. ! 'lie;-. | pnur!". a' Mnnle f:arb>. /rum OroVs h