ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4375, 20 November 1875, Page 2

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The contract for the improvement and decoration of St. Paul's Church has been entrusted to Mr. Rhodes, at a cost to the congregation of about fGOO. The outside of the building is to be renovated throughout, of which improvement it stood much in need, and the chancel arch is to be enlarged, with other minor improvements in the way of fittings. The Bishop of Waiapu, on Nov. 14, consecrated Trinity Church, (Tauranga,) and preached eloquently to an overflowing congregation. The Bishop left by the Rowena, to consecrate Opotiki (Volkner's) Church. The anniversary soiree of the Presbyterian Church, Thames, was held on Nov. 15, at St. George's Hall. There was a very large attendance, about 350 sitting down to tea. The Rev. J. Hill, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, presided, and on the platform were the Revs. R. Laishley, J. T. Hinton, and Mr. Fulljames. The Rev. J. Hill, in his opening address, said that when people came to the colonies th'oy were not so much concerned, many of them, as they used to be in the old country in Divine ordinances. It was discouraging to preach to empty benches. If the Presbyterians took into consideration the effect upon the congregation and the minister, they would be more regular in their attendance. This nonattendance also diminished their collections. The Rev. Mr. Laishley (Independent) and Rev. Mr. Hinton (Baptist) afterwards addressed the meeting. The new Presbyterian church and school for the Hunua is so far completed that it was opened for divine service on Sabbath, the 21st November, at 11 a.m. The work has been very well done by Air. McLean, the contractor for erecting the building ; and the erection is a great improvement to the district and a credit to all concerned. The Building Committee held a meeting lately for the settling of accounts, and found these matters in a satisfactory condition. The present cost has amounted to £SO, and £75 has been raised. This was the first Sabbath service ever held in the Humia, and we hope it will be a good beginning. Sermons on behalf of the Wesleyan Home and Maori Missions were preached on Nov. 14 in the various Wesleyan churches in the town and suburbs. Collections were made at each service. At the Pitt-street Church the collection in the morning amounted to £9 13s, in the evening to £5 14s. The annual gathering of schools in connection with the Auckland Wesleyan Sun-day-school Union took place on the 14th Nov., in the Choral Hall, and was an unqualified success in every respect. The schools represented were Pitt-streot, Grafton Road, Union-street, andParnell. The Hall was filled to overflowing, many persons being compelled to go away for want of room. The scholars numbered about 800, and there could not have been fewer than 1200 persons present. The Rev. W. J. Watkin addressed the audience, and took for his text "Our Father, which art in heaven," and from it spoke some earnest words of advice and encouragement to the children. Mr. William Bridson led the singing with his usual skill. The Rev. A. Reid occupied the chair and conducted the proceedings. The collection amounted to about £11. On 31st Oct., the Rev. P. H. Cornford preached at the Baptist Church, at the Thames, and made a statement to those present respecting their new pastor, the Rev. Mr. Hinton, who, as will be seen by our telegrams from the Thames, was on Tuesday night introduced to the congregation at a soiree. Mr. Cornford read to the congregation a letter from Rev. Frederick Hibbard, lion, secretary of the Baptist Union of Now South Wales, giving an extract from the minute-book of that body, stating what Mr. Hinton's services had been, and commending hiin highly. He also read a letter from Ecv. James Greenwood, M.A., and Mr. J. H. Palmer, of the Bathurst-street Church, Sydney, expressing the high esteem in which Mr. Hinton was held by the. members of that Church, with which he had been more immediately connected. The anniversary services of the Primitive Methodist Sunday school were held in the Edwardes-strcet Chapel, on Oct. 31. Three sermons were delivered. The morning Service was conducted by the Rev. S. Edger, the afternoon by the Rev. Mr. Tinsley, and ™ e evening by the Rev. W. J. Williams, llie Rev. G. H. Turner was to have preached the afternoon sermon,, but was unable to do so in consequence of bodily infirmity. Collections were made in aid of the school funds, as follow :— Morning, £3 18s 9id • afternoon, £2 Is 7d; oveninc, £4 Ss 7dtotal, £10 Sailed. b ' A statement has appeared to the effect that the Rev. Father Hickey, who visited these colonies some years ago, was to be appointed Bishop of Auckland, in place of Bishop Croke v We are informed that there is no authority for the statement. This is a I matter in reference to which we have no

right ..even! .to the authorities. [ appointment—whoever the£ arf-i-mignt; consider wither some one wh£ has been here from an early period, and who, has borne the heat and:siA|en of the dayy' should notjbe appointed high office of' Bishop instead of a stranger." Our readers will observe that the Rev. J. Meeting, announces that he is about to visit That; Mr. Buller may enjoy his trip, and return to New Zealand strong renough'-icr years ;:of usefulness,^vrillbe the: hearty wish of all who have known him in the many places in New Zealand in which he has laboured. Mr. Buller has been more than forty years in the colony, the greater part of which time he has spent in toilsome work as a missionary among the Maoris. All who ; have known him have become attached to him for his earnestness and ability, and for his sturdy, independent, yet kindly disposition.