EASTER CHURCH SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7919, 11 April 1887, Page 6

EASTER CHURCH SERVICES.

St. Paul's.—Easter Day was celebrated by 1 three services at St. Paul's, the first being at 1 eight o'clock, when there was communion servlce,at which there was a good number of communicants. At eleven o'clock there was festival service, when the incumbent preached an appropriate sermon upon the feast of the day. There was a large congregation at the evening service, the Rev. E. H. Gulliver, M.A., occupying the pulpit. He preached an eloquent sermon, in the course of which he referred to the Passion of Our Lord and the joys of Easter. He dwelt especially upon the latter part of the subject, reminding the congregation of the great sacrifice Christ had m»de. The musical portion of the services was full choral, and was rendered by a full and efficient choir. The church was very neatly festooned with flowers and evergreens. St. Matthew's lends itself readily to ecclesiastical decoration, so readily that there must be a great deal of it, else the result would be meagre. Such is not the case, however, now, for every available spot where adornment could be placed, is occupied with evergreen-work, etc., and although flowers through the dry season, were not forthcoming, & result well-nigh as effective, and one welcome as it is a change, is attained by the use of the feathery toi-toi grass. On entering the church one is at once struck with the Baptistery, the arch of which is wreathed and the walls decorated, whilst the font is a particularly pleasing piece of work. On going up the aisle, one notices the whole of the numerous pillars richly wreathed, and the pulpit prettily dressed, bearing on its front a handsome device, whilst the organ is a most tasteful piece of work. The choir-staJls again are chastely decorated, as are the communion rails. The sacrarinm walls are draped with white, upon which the natural spraysof ivy produce a pleasing picture. Along the top runs a text, " Now is Christ Risen," the design of which is quite new, and in harmony with the light colouring of the rest of the chancel decorations. There is a marked absence of symbolical devices this year—their places being occupied by several handsome and striking texts, notably those over the chancel arch, the south transept window, a third running the whole length of the weßt end of the church. Although subdued in colouring, the result of the whole is a pleasing and harmonious picture. The services commenced with an early celebration at eight, at which as well as the eleven o'clock communion, there was a largo number of communicants. At three o'clock there was a well attended children's service, and at half-past six evening prayer. The music throughout the day was of a special character, in the morning the Te Deuin being taken to Smart's services in F, and the Benediction to Winchester. The anthem (M. G. Barnett) was " The Wages of Sin." In the evening the canticles were sung to Bennett's charming setting, the anthem being "Blessed be the God and Father" (S. Wesley). This was beautifully rendered, as was indeed, the whole of the evening music. All the services were conducted by the Incumbent, who preached in the morning from I Cor. v., 6, Christ our Passover, is sacrificed for us, therefore let us keep the. feast;" and in the evening from Rev. i., 10/"In the spirit, on the Lord's Bay." This sermon concluded the course on Human Life : Its trials and temptations, and was entitled "Restitution;" It dealt with " The Lord's Day and the day of the Lord." The services throughout the day were largely, attended, especially in the evening, when the church was very full indeed.

St. Sepulchre's.St. Sepulchre's was tastefully and liberally decorated for the Easter Day festival, a very conspicuous, pleasing object being the chancel screen of evergreen, and masses of white camelias, and surmounted by a beautiful floral cross of white camelias with yellow camelias at the points. The chancel was surrounded by a lattice work of green, relieved by white camelias. Excellent taste was also displayed oa the decoration of the font. The gas brackets were not neglected, and on the walla were a number of texts, appropriate to the festival, contributed by Captain Morrow. Early Communion was celebrated at half-past six, the incumbent, the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley, being the celebrant. There was a second communion at half-past seven, at which the incumbent was assisted by the Rev. J. S. Hill. Morning prayer was read at eleven o'clock, and was followed with a sermon by the Right Rev. Dr. Cowie, Bishop of the diocese. The text was from the first epistle to Timothy, iii., 15. Holy communion followed, at which the Bishop was the celebrant, and was assisted by the incumbent. In the evening the incumbent, who was assisted in the service by the Rev. Dr. Parcbas, preached a sermon from St. Matthew, v. 4. All the services were well attended, and there was a large number of communicants.

Chukoh of the Epiphany. — At the Church of the Epiphany the services throughout the day were conducted by the incumbent, the Rev, Dr. O'Callaghan, and were as follows :—Early communion at eight o'clock, which was well attended. Morning service, with sarmon on the text " Risen with Christ," Colossians iii., 1. Afternoon service for children at three o'clock, livening prayer, with sermon on "The Morning of titernity." The communion table and altar rails were tastefully decorated with white flowers. St. Mary's, Parnkll.—Morning prayer was conducted by the Ten. Archdeacon Clarke, who preached from St. Matthew xxvi., 6, "Come and seethe place where the Lord lay." He announced to the congregation that they would be glad to hear that Mr. Walpole was much better, and desired to thank them for their kind sympathies, and wished them all a happy Easter. The service was read by the Rev. A. G. Purchas. The sanctuary, lectern, font, pulpit, and body of the church were fairly well decorated with evergreens, chrysanthemums, roses, and a few texts. Evening prayer wan conducted by the Rev. H. S. Davies. Children's services were also held in the morning and afternoon. Holy Communion was celebrated at half-past six and eight in the morning by the Rev. R. Burrows; and also after morning prayer, when Archdeacon Clarke officiated, assisted by the Rev. A. 6. Purchas. In all thero were about 150 communicants at the three servioes. Holy Trinity.— Holy Trinity Church, Devonport, yesterday, special and appropriata services were given. In the morning the Rev. Mr. Evans officiated, and there was a very large congregation, as there was also in the evening. Special hymns were rendered at both services by the choir. St. Patrick's Cathedal,—The services appropriate to Holy Week and Easter Sunday were carried out at this church with more, than ordinary solemnity. The blessing of the holy oils and chrism during the Pontifical High Mass on Holy Thursday, and the procession of the Blessed Sacrament to the Altar of R,epose were most edifying to those who were present. On Good Friday the benediction of the, Holy Cross, the stations of. the Cross were attended by large congregations. At all these services Bishop Luck officiated, assisted by the Rev. Esthers Costello, • Kgan, Hackett, O'Gara, Thomas, and Mahoney ; the Rev. Fathors Lenihan and Keogh assisting in the choir. The Tenebraa was sung very impressively on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings. The Spanish part music for the organ choir was a new departure, and was, from its sweet and thrilling character, somewhat of a contrast to the requiem.like pathos of the Gregorian chaunts to whioh the psalms of the Tenebrse are set. On Holy Saturday . the ceremonies of the blessing of Eapter fire, the font, and the paschal candle wero solemnly performed. After this followed the reading of the 12 prophecies and the celebration of High Mass. The Bishop was celebrant. Yesterday being Easter Sunday, the Bishop pontificated, Father Egan being deacon, Father Thorns i being aub-deacon, Father Hackett assistant priest, and Mr. Marr master of ceremonies. His lordship Bishop Luck preached on the Resurrection." Farmer's Mass in B flat was rendered effectively by the choir under Messrs. Bernard and Hiscocks (organist and choir master) respectively. The decorations of the high altar were most chaste and tasteful. At vespers the Bishop officiated. St. Bkkkdict's.—The services in this church, to mark the Easter festival, consisted of solemn High Mass, celebrated by Rev. Father O'Suliivan, assisted by Rev. Father Downey, as deacon, and Rev, Father Weissel,

sub-deacon. In the evening Rev. jw O'Gara preached a sermon appropriate to tbf season, and the choir rendered several an* thems.

The anniversary of the Pitt-street ley an Sunday-school took place yeßterdav There were good congregation* at all th» services. In the morning the Rev. T. Sn Ur geon preached from Proverbs, xviii., 04 in l in the evening the Rev. C. H. Garlandf rom Psalms, i., 2. In the schoolroom i n t -™' afternoon there was a service for the you n » when the address was given by the ]; e ~' Alex. Reid. Tho singing by the choir an( school children was excellent. The collection, were: Morning, £12 63 ; ofternoon, £4 1,3. evening, £12 9s 4d: total, £28 16a V d ; The church wa3 very tastefully decorated with evergreens, principally nikau and cab, bagc tree. There were also a number 0 f texts; the word "Jubilee" in gold letters on a red ground being on the front of th pulpit. On the gallery opposite was <'3 oi Bless Oar Queen," and *' Now a Christ Risen." On the sides of the gallery were "Peace be unto yon" and "Be of g00( j cheer." A fruit soiree in connection wjr the anniversary will be held in the school. room next Wednesday evening, when ad. dresses will be given by the Revs. H. Ball' C. H. Garland, and Mr. T. Buddie. Vocal and instrumental music and recitations and anniversary hymns by the scholars. At the Grafton Road Wesleyan Church the Rev. A. Reid preached at the morning service at eleven o'clock. In the afternoon a juvenile missionary meeting was held under the presidency of the Rev. J, Taylor, Addresses were delivered by ij r H. La wry and Mr. Price. The evening service at half-past six, was conducted by the Rev. J. A. Taylor, who preached from Heb. vii., "Wherefore He is able to save unto the uttermost all those who come unto God." '■/. , Last evening, in St. David's Presbyterian Church, the Rev. C. Worboys reviewed Sir R. Stout's speech on Tuesday night. He took for his test, "And have not love, I am nothing," I. Corinthians, xiil,, 3. After ex. pressing his cordial sympathy with the views expressed, he spoke of the sentiment with which the Premier closed his address—that the "true benefactor of the race is not the man of great physical strength, nor indeed the man of great intellect, but the man of moral worth ; and if a man does not live tor others, he is not a moral man,"—as being at the foundation of the temperance movement, and being also the very essence of Christianity. The preacher stated that this truth was outlined in the Old Testament from the que*. tion asked by Cain, in guilty petulance, "An Imy brother's keeper right on to Christ, who declared his mission to be " not to be ministered unto but to minister j" and Paul, who said, " If I have not love I am nothing," Love was not a weak sickly sentiment, but a law of life. We could not teli the strength of our love by the pleasure it gives ÜB, but by what wo were prepared to do for those we love ; so the real Christian is a true man who, in following Christ, lives for others in real practical love. While expressing pleasure at the utterance of such a noble sentiment by Mr. Stout, he said that it must not be forgotten that we owe it to Christ. Christianity generates the light in which its own truths are seen. Such sublime conceptions of life are consciously or unconsciously borrowed from Christ. The difference between those who utter such admirable sentiments and Christianity is, that while they express auch a lofty ideal there is no provision to realiae it, hut Christianity supplies that much-needed requirement. It is no dreamland with Christians, but a reality, as attested by history and vast numbers now living. The preacher urged Christians to be true to Christ's lofty ideal, and sceptics to drop their prejudice, and study and seek Christ for themselves, of whom J. S. Mill said his character mu3t ba real, and is the property of unbelievers as well as believers.

The City Hall service was largely attended last night. Mr. Brakenrig presided, and the address was delivered by Rev. J. S. Hill and was solemn and earnest. The hymns sung were suitable to Easter Sunday, The services at the Salvation Army Barracks yesterday, conductod by Major Barritt, Adjutant Spratt and an extra large staff of officers, began at seven a.m. with a knee drill service, which was followed at ten o'clock by a holiness meeting. The afternoon was occupied by a free-and-eapy, while the evening service took the form of a walvatioa meeting. The band was in full force morning and evening and large congregations attended each of the meetings.