PENING OF THE COLLEGE CHAPEL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2135, 24 October 1867, Page 3

PENING OF THE COLLEGE CHAPEL.

The new chapel attached to Christ's 'College was opened yesterday for Divine fforshipatelevena.nl. The weather was Tery fine, and great interest seemed to be taken by the public in the event, the building being completely crowded. The chapel ivns only opened, the ceremony ■of consecration being postponed until the return of the Lord Bishop of the diocese. The following Clergymen, Fellows, and Masters of the college were present The Very Rev the Dean, the Rev Canons G. Cotterill, W. Wilson, and B. W. Dudley, •Revs W.C. Harris, E. A. Lingard, W. \V. Willock, J. G. Cholmondely, j, ()'B. Hoare, E. S. Jackson, and J. AV. Stack; Messrs Tancred, Donald, Barker, C. R. Blakiston, Jlaude, Simmonds, livans, and Condell. The 11 ev W, C. Harris, Head-master of the Grammar School, arid prayers. The first lesson, taken from the 19th chapter of the Wisdom of Solomon, was read by the liov IV. Willock ; and the second, being the 9th chapter of St, Luke, by the Rev Canon Dudley. The Venile, Te Deum, and the Jubilate were chanted by the choir, who, vested in surplices, were ranged on both sides of the aisle. Mr Dayrell Reed presided at the harmonium. Ia the Communion service the Epistle was read by the Rev. Canon Wilson, and the Gospel by the Very Ker, the Dean. The sermon was preached by the Very Rev the Dean, who took his text from the loth verse of the 21st Chapter of the Gospel according to St John, "Lovest thou me more than these ?" The sermon was a very able one, being characterised by deep earnestness of thought and dignified simplicity of language. The preacher enlarged upon the charge given to St Peter "by His Divine Master, who probably in gentle rebuke addressed to liim who had thrice denied Bim,the thriee-repeated question, "Lovest thou Me ?" The words had a deep significance for all those to whom the nurture and admonition of the young were entrusted, Well did it behove those who had the care of the lambs of Christ's fold to. ask themselves in what manner they had fulfilled their sacred commission, in inculcating upon the youthful minds of those entrusted to them the principles of a sound, moral, and religious training. Religious teaching ought to underly and permeate every kind of tuition, consciously and unconsciously, sensibly and insensibly. Lessons of holiness, of purity, and of self-denial, ought to be carefully impressed upon the minds of the young. In our schools at home, great changes were taking place. Our venerable universities, and our public schools were rapidly being obliged to submit to alterations in compliance with the requirements of modem days, and perhaps even greater changes were in store for them. It had been the object of the Canterbury Association, and of their successors, to establish a system of Christian education, which should attain to a high standard. Accordingly, Christ's College had been established, based upon the model of our great public schools in Britain, or rather based upon a modification of their systems. The founders of the College had not confined themselves to the idea of a mere gram-mar-school ; they had looked forward to that period when in the course of Divine Providence, a collegiate Bystem of education might he provided for the young persons of the province. They were met that day to inaugurate a most important work—the opening of a chapel. The daily services of the church as solemnized in the new building would be a great, assistance to the work of daily tuition which was carried on in the adjoining school. Any little jealousies or heart-burn-ings would be soothed and forgotten when those who entertained them met in the chapel, or rather the services would have the effect of preventing all occasions of strife. And in the hoar of affliction or sorrow, where could the wounded heart find such relief and consolation as in the daily offering of public worship in that edifice ? He impressed upon his hearers the necessity of their liberally ; f contributing to the building fund, as a heavv expense had been incurred in erecting the chapel, and a serious responsibility had thereby been thrown upon one person. The Holy Eucharist was administered, and the numerous congregation dispersed. At the evening service, which was held at six p.m., prayers were said by the Rev. W. W. Willock j the first lesson, taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, being read by the Rev. Canon Dudley; and the second, the 3rd chapter of St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesjans, by the Very Rev the Dean, The sermon was preached by the Rev. TV.C. Harris, who took as his text the 2nd verse of the 145 th Psalm. He dwelt lipon the celebration of daily service and administration of iha Holy Eucharist Which was observed by the early Christians until interrupted by the persecutions on the part of the heathen authorities. But it was again revived, as might be proved by reference to the writings of Cyprian, Justin Martyr, and some others of the early Fathers of the Church. He regretted that the custom of holding daily services which had been revived in England had been so much neglected in the colonies, and exhorted his hearers, and especially the younger portion of them, not to neglect the means of grace thus placed within their reach. The young persons educated within the College walls had a high calling before them, for when the present generation had passed away, the places of those who now directed the affairs .of the country must be supplied from their ranks. Such of the pupils as resided in their own homes, away from the College, must exercise their own option with regard to attending the chapel, but he entreated all who were able to do so, to bs present as often and as punctually as they could. A lengthened description of the chapel was given some time ago in this journal. It is a handsomeand substantial stone building, early English in style. It was built from a design by Messrs speedily and Crisp, the interior fittings being partially supplied by Mr Detthier. The panelling of the chancel is a very good specimen of woodwork, but much of the effect of the opeu-timhered roof is lost through the dull heavy colour in which it is stained. This contrasts unfavourably with the highly varnished chancel panels. The chapel is at present, temporarily, to be lighted by three candelabras, suspended from the tierods. The altar is of New Zealand wood, boldly carved. The lectern is of simple yet elegant design, and in the chancel is a ere dence table upon which yesterday the Eucharistic plate was placed. The books, bound in blue morocco, were presented by the Society for Promoting Christian Enowledge, and bear an inscription to that effect, she chapel is surmounted by a bell-turret, but the hell is rather deficient in tone. The five-lighted chancel window is one of the most pleasing features of the building, and will be most effective when filled in with stained glass,