ST. JAMES'S CHURCH JUBILEE.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 25, 13 November 1930, Page 7

ST. JAMES'S CHURCH JUBILEE.

- Favoured with, ideal weather the Jubilee services of St. James's Church, which, were held on Sunday last, were very largely attended. At both tile morning and the evening services chairs were placed down the aisles and in the evening people had to be accommodated in the porch and in the vestry. There is .little doubt that on Sunday a record was; established at St. James's for the attendance at the combined services for the day exceeded 1000 people. After tke processional hymn the vicar, Are&deacon Hans-ell, read a* telegram from the Bishop, offering- his heartiest congratulations to the Church on the attainment of its jubilee and, 'best wishes -and much en c ouragement for the future. -■ ' i In welcoming any old parishioners" who might be. present, the vicar said that "Fifty years are a long time, tout old associations especially religious ones, are v.cry strong. I trust that the service to-day will be very simple, very Tealvand very sincere to us all and tsiiat the day will be one of thanksgiving.''" He asked that no one be a listener only, 'tout that each one would join in the responses-and the singing. The hymn "Holy, Holy, Holy," was sung in memory of the consecration as this was one of those chosen on that occasion, when, the present choirmaster was at the Bmnnonium. The lessons were read by Archdeacon A". M. Johnson. --" ~:.. v , The preacher at both services was the Rev. Canon Watson, Diocesan Missioner In the morning he took for his text Mark 11-17, "And <He taught, saying unto them, is it not written, My house should be called of all nations the house of prayer?" Tit© preacier referred to the ancient origin of the observance of the jubilee saying that it went bac!k to the-early days of the Jewish people. At that time the fiftieth year was sacred. All land that had been alienated from the original owners was re-

stored to thorn, and all slaves of Hebrew 'blood were set free. It was a

time of joy and thanksgiving and this aspect of the jubilee had been carried

on through the . ages. We have <!ome to -the jubilee of this house of God, said the preacher, and our thoughts go back fifty years to the day of its building. It is not the same now as then. It has had fifty years of history. Those "who built it, or a great muniber of them, axe asleep . yboit their memory, which, ought to be an -inspiration to us, remains* The helpful power of such remembrance is acknowledged by the church in its renienubranee of the saints and . martyrs. But now much greater is that, power if we know personally those who have stood firm in the faith? As we come to.-the ehuich we,are surrounded by the memory of those who ha^e been faithful to Christ; those'who stood by us in the pioneer days, and who* now liave a" pai*t in that great haven of witnesses. , i

"Those servants of God have left their own memorial in this building. It was not built without faith and great self-sacrifice. It is their gift -to you, and you should, to estimate its value, try to remember what your life would toe without its influence. The acceptance of a gift always brings responsibilities, and this jubilee is not only for tranisgiving and joy, but also for serious thought and heart searching."

Canon 'Watson went on to say that it was the duty of the present parishioners to see that the building "was repaired and maintained in a way that Would prove worthy of the early pioneers by whose zeal lor Christ it was built. Steps should be taken also to provide a fund for the erection of d more permanent building. When the time came jfor the replacement of an old wooden building it was usually too much for one generation. It was neces sary, therefore, to put aside money and carefully invest it against the time when it would be necessary' to erect a new building on the present site.

is" another consideration," said: the speaker. "What use are we making of this House of God that has ibeen built by others .We ate not le£b in douibt as to how our Master used itv He 'has made plain to the Jjeiws that their Temple was a, House of Prayer. If that is Christ's teaching in the Jewish Temple, surely it is given us for our guidance. This church 'belongs to Christ, and is sanctified to His name. Naturally then it is to be used as a house" of prayer.

' * But it should not only be that, but it should be acknowledged as that, and' that depends on how it is used. How many wih.o pass through its open doors can say that it is, to them, a house of prayer? We can «arry that thought ! still further. The word 'Church' originally denoted-the building, and it has now come to reefer ;to the Christians, who worship in it- —the Christian society. Cihrist was regarded as the head corner stone of -the building, and the people as parts- of the church. We might then ask if the ancient prophecy is fulfilled with us in., this sense.

"We have had many criticisms of the Christian Church, recently, but have we ihad it said that these people are a people of prayer? If not, we have not come to what Christ would have us be, a living chxir.ch, a place where Christ dwells, We migHt ask is that true of each one of us? Are we men and women of prayer?" ••/ ■

' The evening service was conducted toy Archdeacon Hansell and Bey. W. E. Davies read the lessons. Canon Watson, preached from Gen. 28-16-17 and fallowed similar lines to his morning address..

The anthem, "How thappy are Thy habitations, O Lord * ' was rendered by the choir. ■'—

Among the worshippers at the morning service were Hon. W. B. Ransom, acting-Prime Minister and Ms sisters, whose parents are at rest in the beautiful old churchward. . Mr. Walter Nash MJP., and Mrs. Wash, the Mayor and Mayoress (iSir Alex Roberts and Uady JRoberts), Cr. F. Campbell, Cr.' A. McBain and Mrs. Meßain, C. J. Mitchell and Mrs Mitchell, Mr. Beck one of t&» builders of the church, and .many others

The church was beautifully decorated for the occasion with great masses of arum lilies, whilst on the Altar were red anemonies and poppies.

After the evening service a large Bjuzolber of the congregation adjourned to the hall for a short social gathering. Songs were rendered by Hiss Mona Carrick and Mr. H. V. Ward.