ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7003, 28 April 1884, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL.

St, Matthews' Schools Renovation.—tYesterday was .set apart aa a special service day for the renovation of the schools, which are amoogat the oldest of the church bnildings in the city. 1 there yt&a a celebration of Holy Commnuion at eight a.m., when a goodly "number partook. At eleven thpre ;was the uaaalmorning service, with special hymns, etc.. the sermon being preached (in the unavoidable absence of the Ven. the Archdeacon of Waitmate) by the inonm,bent from Is. : rxi. At three p.m. there was a children's service, when the numbers were very large. "An extremely interesting and eloquent address on " The Example of Christ" was delivered by Mr. F. W. Pennefather, M.A., Trinity College, Cambridge, Private Secretary tp Sis Excellency the Governor. .At half-past six there was eveniag service with Winchester's service, and Barnby ? s charming anthem '' Break Forth into Joy." The effect of the oonolosion which breaks ifito the second verse of the fainiliar Ewter Hymn, in which the congregation'join, is most grand and effective. The sermon was preached by the Rev. W. H, H. Jervois, M.A. (Oxen.) from Is., x. ch., 2 v.— the Love of the Shepherd—and probably no more earnest and eloquent a Bermon in advocacy religion in education baa ever been heard in Auckland. The whole of the music throughout the day was beautifully rendered by a very full - and efficient choir. The voluntaries were as follows:— Morning, " Motivo Piacevol," Neville Barnett, a sweet and telling composition; "I waited for the Lord," Mendelssohn; and a Triumphal Maroh, by Hill. Afternoon : " Festival March," Elvey; " Andante " (commonly known as the. "Surprise" Symphony), Haydn; and "Festal March," Scotson Clark. JEvening : " Andante " in" F., Scot- | Bon 'Clark ; Gounod's " Nazareth," and the March from '' Lb Popbefce," Myerbeer. The I offertories, £32 13s 6d, made a substantial addition tp the fand for the sobool repairs. The brilliantly-lighted church, with the beaptifnl faster decorations renewed where requisite, the hearty. singing, beautiful music, eloquent sermon, and church, aisles and seats alike, crowded olwoßt to suffocation with a throng of eager listeners, left such a mental impression of " Good Shepherd " Sunday as is not readily effaced. United Free Methodist Chorch. —The Snndaj-anhool anniversary services of the above churoh took place yesterday. The Rev. Alex. Reid preached in the morning, from the 2nd chapter of Acts, v. 39, "For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord ourGod.BbaU call." Jn the afternoon Mr. Knott gave an address to the children from part of the 21st verse of the 30tb chapter' of Isaiah, " And their ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ya in it." The Rev. S. Maafarlane preached in the evening from the sth verse of the 1116 th Psalm," "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." The several services were well attended, and the collections amounted to £30 Os 3d. The Sunday-school children' sang some choice hymns at the several servioes, under the conductorsbip of Mr. Robert Tudehope. The usual soiree takes place' to-morrow evening, when ad? dresses will be given by the Rev. S. Maofarlane on "Larrikinismßev. R. Bavin, "Some Defects in Home Training;" Mr. Enoch Wood, "On Work Mr. J. Wrigley, " Discouragements of Sunday-school Teachers." Theatbe Royal Evangelistic Services. —The' usaal evangelistic service was held at the Theatre Royal last evening. Mr. Brackenrig, General Secretary, presided. An address was given by Mr. Hunter, recently arrived from Scotland, and connected with the Glasgow Foundry Boys' Mission, and the Rev. A. Fairbrother and the Rev. J. S. Hill also took part in the proceedings. There was a large attendance. Salvation Akmy.—Captain Bowerman, who is at present in Auckland on a visit, leaves on Wednesday next for Wellington, in order to carry on the work of the Army in the Rangitikei district. Laying'the Foundation Stoke or the New St. Patbicx's Cathedral.—Sunday next, the 4th proximo, will be quite a redletter day with the congregation of St. Patrick's. In the afternoon at three o'olook ths foundation stone of the new pathedral will be solemnly laid by His Lordship Bishop Luck, and as all the priests of the diocese will be in having been summoned hither by Biahop for the first Diocesan- Synod, they will take part in the oeremsny. We understand that the ohoirs of both St. Patrick's and St. Benedict's have been invited to assist, so that altogether the ceremony will ba quite an imposing affair. j