ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5635, 8 December 1879, Page 2

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The annual sermons on behalf of tho Wealeyan Home Mission Fund were preached on November 23, in the Pitt-street Wes leyan Church, and at tbe Cnapel, Parnel. The morniug service at Pitt-street was conducted by the Rev. ii. Bull, when a collection was taken up of £7 ISa 9cl, and in the evening by the Rev. \V. J. Watkin, when it amounted to £G 10a Sd. There were good congregations at both services. Tbe Kev. L. M. Isitt preached in the morni.i" at the Prtrnell WesUyan Church, anil the Rev. Mr. Abenethy in the evening, but the amount ot the collections at thrse services in ail of the Home Mission Fund are not yet known. The meetiun convened by circular was held on November'!! I, iu tho Young Men's Christian Association Rooms, for the purpose of arranging for tho reception of Pastor Cuiniquy. Toe meet ng was well attended, there being preseut ainougst othtrs : —Captiin Kattray (in the cha'.r), Revs. Munro, Dunn, Long, aud Messrs. Barton, Braine, Parker, E. Carr, J. Seabrook, J. Morrison, and MeMasters. Resolutions were carried affirming the desirability of forming a general and nou sectarian committee to give a reception to Pastor Chiuiquy. A committee was appointed, with ymver to add, and a number of gentlemen were nominated as a neuclus of an executive, and several valuable suggestions were offered for the consideration of the executive. Mr. Brame was electe.l secretary, and stated that he would publish any reply he might receive to his telegram aud letter sent to Pastor Chiniquy as early as possible after receipt. Letters of apology were read from Revs. Messrs. Morley. Baud, Edger, and others for their unavoidable absence, and hearty expressions of sympathy with the objects of the meeting were given. Votes of thanks was accorded Mr. Brame for services in arranging for the meeting and to the chairman, after which the meeting separated. A grand organ recital, to celtbratethe opening of the new in All Saints' Church, PonS'juby, was held in the church on tho sth December, the funis to be applied to the liquidation of the debt on the organ The church was very well fille 1 on the occasion. Messrs. Brown, Rice, aud Pirie, organists of St. Mary's, St. Sepulchre's, and All Saints', took put in the rtcital, as also the united choirs of St. Mary's and All Saints. The following was the programme of the evening: —After an opening prayer by the Rev. Mr. Bree Mr. Pirie played "Oh, Rest in the Lord," from "Elijah." The 303 rd hymn was then sung by the choirs, in which the congregation were requested to join. Mr. Brown next gave the "Festal March" by Sir G. Elvey; aft;r which a solo, "He shall feed His flock," was beautifully rendered by Mbs Maunsell. Ttiis was followed by the "Agnus Dei," from Weber's .Ma>s in G, played by Mr. Rice. The choirs next gave an anthem, "From all that dwell below the skies ;" then another recital by Mr. Brown, entitled "Andante," by Farmer. Mr. Dickenson. a member of fct. Mary's choir, next eang a solo, " Waft her. Angels," after which came another recital by Mr. Rice, from Mendelssohn's " Elijah," " Lift thine Eyes," and "Be not afraid." An anthem, " Blest are they that live in Thy House," by the two choirs, followed, then a recital by Mr. Pir:e, the " Hallelujah" chorus. The 166 th Hymn was now sung, joined ia by all present; after which the Benediction was pronounced by the Bishop of Auckland. As the audience were dispersing Mr. Pirie played Dunster's "Festival March." The new organ is a remarkably sweet-toned and full-bodied instrument, and is a very creditable specimen of the make of the b lilder, Henry Jones, of London. It came out in the Waikato less than a month ago, and has been erected by Mr. Hewlett, of Mangawai, in a very expedi ious, and at the same time, exceedingly satisfactory manner, there not having been t'ie slightest hitch of any kind in the mechanism. The cost of tbe organ erected was £400. The case of the orgin i* a very neat and chaste one, with 19 richly illuminated pipes, and being erected on a platform about two feet high, has a very imposing and ornamental appearance in th<? church building. Jn front of the organ ii a very beautifully carved screen of mottled kauri, the design being Gothic, to correspond with the pulpit. This screen is tho handiwork of Mr. Marflett, a member of the choir of All Saints. The organ contains great, swell, and pedal organs. In the great there are op n diapason, principal, hirmonic, kohl flot?, keraulo;jhon, and tifteen stops. In the swell there arc gemthorn, lieblich gedect, dulcinia, gainba, double diapason, and oboe; and in the ptdal organ, 29 bouidon notes, 3 couplers, swell to great, great to pedal, and swell pedals. The instrument has also two ehiftcomposition pedals and swell pediK The pedals are convex aud radiating. The m-t.ument was fully tested by the three talented organists who perfoiined during the evening,- and while some of the stops— as, for instance, the keraulophon flute—are excu' diugly delicate aud sweet, the full power of the instrument is very grand. All .Saints' Church is to he congratulated on the possession of such a first-class or£an. On Sund&y, 30th ult., the ne,v Catholic church of Pukekohe was opened for Divine service. Jts erection reflects great credit on Dr. McDonald and his people. The style i-i Gothic, aud it measures 40 feet by 24. The p'ans of the church were prepared by Messrs. Edward Mahoney and Son, aud reflect credit on that tirra. The builder was Mr. George Revel, of Tuakati. Tho workmanship is everything that could be desired.