CHURCH NEWS.

Northland Age, Volume 19, Issue 31, 3 November 1921, Page 7

CHURCH NEWS.

It is our intention to allot' a certain amount of space to the # chronicling of Church News. Those interested are requested to supply this office with brief notes of interest, irrespective of Church or creed. CHURCH OF ENGLAND. The Rev. Alfred Drake, in his sermon on Sunday night last, mentioned some of the many institutions which the Church of England carries on in this diocese. In the Church of England Orphan Home, Richmond Road, Ponsonby, there are 86 children—orphans and destitute. This is a real home. The little ones are fed and clothed, each has its own little cot, toys and kindergarten for the smaller ones, the elder ones go to the State school I near by and come home for meals; they receive religious training, the home has its own chapel. They are thoroughly well trained and prepared for the battle of life when old enough, situations are fourttl for them, and they become useful and successful citizens. How are they kept? By voluntary contributions. Think what it means to keep a family of 86, think of the grocers’ bills, and the clothing, and bedding and boots. Some time ago these children were only having butter once a week, because the funds would not allow more. Now the Kaeo Factory, amongst others, sends so many boxes of butter per annum, and the Kaeo people put up a big harvest thanksgiving offertory last jfear for the home, sacks of potatoes and all sorts of produce and bacon. The workers give their lives to the cause, and they look round at the wealth and comfort of the public and say, surely others should see that supplies are not wanting to carry on the good work. The St. Mary’s Rescue Homes are another splendid piece of social work being carried out by the Church, and which were started by the late Mrs. Cowie. These are homes for girls who have got into trouble, who have probably lost their positions, and who know not where to go. They are taken into the homes, and receive every care and the best of medical attention. Where necessary they are trained and taught some occupation. The children are kept at the homes and a position is found for the mother where she can make good. Many of the girls from this home have been put into good posi-

tions, many are happily married ; whereas without the care and loving attention of those in charge of the home at the time of their need, they would have gone down and still further down. A branch of the St. Mary’s Homes Association might well be formed in this parish, if some enthusiastic and large-hearted person would offer to take the position of local secretary. We shall shortly be receiving a visit from Mr. Chas. E. G. Tisdall, secretary to the Church of England N.Z. Board of Missions. Mr. Tisdall has been 22 years in the foreign field, ten of which were spent in Persia. He will give lantern lectures on Persia and Mesopotamia. His Slides are made from photographs which he took in Persia and Mesopotamia, and are quite an unique collection and well worth seeing. The Vicar will take the evening service on Sunday. The offertory at Sunday’s services will be for the Central Fund. METHODIST SERVICE. The Rev. C. G. H. Bycroft conducted a special service in the Northland Hall, Kaitaia, on Sunday evening last, which attracted the largest congregation that has yet attended a Nonconformist service held in this hall. During a conversation at the close it was emphasised that, if similar* services were held every Sunday evening, the law of supply and demand wquld be vindicated in a most convincing manner,

and would attract increasing numbers of people who, at present, may have no Church home. A movement is therefore on foot to establish regular Sunday evening services in the Northland Hall, and Mr. Archibald, junr., has kindly undertaken to endeavour to form a choir to assist with the musical part of the service. An appeal is accordingly made to ladies and gentlemen willing to render assistance with the singing, to kindly communicate with Mr. Archibald, who, as choir conductor, will be glad to receive intimations of help. During the service Mr. D. Archibald, senr., who possesses a very fine tenor voice, contributed a solo which added very considerably to the interest evinced in the service throughout. The Rev. Bycroft delivered a very eloquent and inspiring discourse on the subject of Friendship, taking as his text Proverbs 18, verse 24, “ A man that hath friends must show himself friendly ; and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” The rev. gentleman prefaced his address by speaking of the immeasurable quality of joy, peace, love and gladness that ever accompanies true friendships, increasing as time advanced, and, when sanctified by friendship with Jesus, the consummation of all that was desirable was most complete, for what is life without friendship with Him who sticketh closer than a brother. Referring to the various forms of friendship one contracts in going through life, the preacher emphasised the fact that friendships based on Christian principles were superior to all others since they were founded on the greatest of all gifts, the great and abiding gift of love, that true love which enables the Christian to love his friends to the end. Illustrating .friendships, minus Christian influences, <he preacher referred to the lute, the strings of which were most susceptible to atmospheric conditions, and stated that such were the characterists of wholely worldly friendships, while that influenced by Christ was staple and enduring. Proceeding the rev. gentleman stated that what the world wanted to-day, more than ever it did, perhaps, was true friendship, to be found only in Him who is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. The late Dr. Talmage, said the preacher, speaking on the subject of “Mary at the tomb of Jesus, weeping,” instanced the appearance in working garb of her beloved Master, showing that Jesus associated Himself with work’s activities, and that, however humble a person, or his sphere in life might be, Jesus was ever easily accessible as the friend that sticketh closer than a brother. In conclusion Mr. Bycroft referred to Dr Miller’s religous motto composed of five words only,namely “Christ and I are friends” and urging his hearers to adopt it as theirs, because His friendship is absolutely essential to all for without it there is no promise for the future. The Rev C. G. H. Bycroft is announced to conduct the usual Methodist Service on Sunday Afternoon, Nov 13th, at 2. 30. in the Northland Hall Kaitaia. An invitation is extended to all to attend this Service. The Rev J. M. McKenzie is due to reach Kaitaia on Wednesday the 9th inst, and will, all being well, conduct Services in the Forresters Hall, Awanui at II a. m. Settlers Church, Fairburns at 2. 30 p. m. and Northland Hall, Kaitaia, at 7.30 p. m. on the following Sunday, 13th inst. The subject for the evening Service will be “ The Requirements of life.” It is expected that Soldier Settlers will rally on this occasion to give their comrade a good hearing.