ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7140, 2 November 1901, Page 2

ALL SAINTS' CHURCH.

It was; fitting : fliat 'yesterday (All Saints' Day) should be the occasion of the consecration of the new south aisle of' All Saints' Church, wbich.it has been found-necessary, to add owing tj^|he large increase in the number of wgrsnj|te pers. It is also toS^i|^ that the costof the enlargement ha¥,b'Se|| almost all subscribed, the Eev?l|Mi| Harper announcing that £165 had beerr donated, the total cost being £180. The day began with a celebration of the iloly Communion at 7.30 a.m.; this was followed by matins and a second celebration at 11 o'clock. At both services the number of communicants was much larger than on any previous occasion. Evensong commenced at 8 o'clock. The event of central interest was the procession in the first part of the service of the choir and clergy, whick lialted in the new South Aisle, while the Bishop of the Diocese read the dedicatory prayers, consecrating the building to the service and .worship of Almighty God. The procession then moved on, singing the familiar hymn ';The Church's one foundation is Jesus Christ, her Lord." The service was sung by the Vicar' (the Ecv C. Coleridge Harper), the prayers being read by the Beys. F. G. Nelson and A. S. Inncs-Jones (of Feilding. The Canticles were sung to Tours'setting in P. The anthem was the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel's " Messiah." The j choir was of excellent strength, and was assisted by an orchestra. Under the direction of the choirmaster (Mr Drewl the mv ie was beautifully rendered. Miss Drew occupied the organist'a seat. I The whole service was most inspiriting, the large congregation and choir, and the joyful character of the. occasion, combining to produce a very hearty catering of thanksgiving. Amongst the visiting clergy was the Key. E. Young, vicar of Carterton, and formerly of All Saint's.

The Her. G. B.Maclean, of Wanganui, preached the sermon, taking his test from Revelation,' chap. 21, verse 25 "And the gates of it shall not be shut by day." The speaker first referred to the joy which "must be felt by those present at the fac^that it had" been found necessary t» increase the accommodation, at All Saints' Church on account of the increasing number of worshippers. He then pointed out that the words'of his text were taken from St. John's description of the Jloly City, which wag symbelieal of the Church below. The. New Jerusalem was surrounded by a wall «f great height, not to exclude people, but to keep out every evil and unclean thing. He wished them to think of the wall great and high, when evil came to their Church or temptation to their hearts. Then there were the gates of the City, three on every side. On the south side three gate's, by which every penitent and repentent sinner could enter and find forgiveness. On the west there were .three gates. All who had been careless and indifferent could enter even at the eleventh hour. These gates were wide enough to admit every class. Where the day dawned in the east there were three gates and. they should remember ut the dawn of life, that there were souls to be gathered for Christ. He begged of those who were yet young to give themselves to God and advised them to ask the advice of their, elders in the matter. He would remind the doubters ef the north gates with the north wind blowing straight to the Throne of God. In conclusion he urged his hearers to worship not merely with an outward show but with their hearts, and to be ever drawing nearer to Gad. The services during the day were a sonrce of much thrnkf ulness to clergy aud people, evidences of: increasing life being abundantly manifest. The new aisle provides accommodation for nearly one hundred people, while the improvement in the appearance of the building is most striking. To-day a conference of the lay-readers was held. To-morrow the Bishop vrill administer the sacrament of confirmation at 2.30 p.m.