ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9011, 26 March 1888, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The Rev. J. Sprotfc, M.A., of St. Barnabas', Mount Eden, was the special preacher at St. Matthew's Church last evening, and founded an excellent address upon St. Matthew xxvii. 11 : " And Jesus stood before the governor ;" pointing out the weakness of Pilate in attempting to evade a clear dutv by first remitting Christ to the Hi?h Priest", next sending Him to Herod, and then offering to release Him if the populace wished ; that Pilate was not as bad as Caiaphas, although he yielded to a fear that he might suffer himself at the instigation of the Jews. He concluded by alluding to the special efforts being made in the parish to relieve it of its indebtedness, and urged his hearers to strenuous exertion. The service was well rendered, including a very pleasing setting of " There is a Green Hill," a? an anthem, and Wesley's tides in F. The preacher on Sunday evening next (Easter Day) will be the Rev. E. H. Gulliver. The Rev. E. A. Telfer preached at the Tabernacle yesterday forenoon, taking for his text the passage in the Song of Solomon. " Who is she that looketh forth as the morning, fair a3 the moon, clear as the sun. and terrible as an army with banners.'" There was a large congregation. In the evening he preached to a crowded congregation at Pitt-street Wesleyan Church, the subject being taken from the Apocalypse, "The Song of the Redeemed." Both discourses were characterised by considerable power, and illustrated, as are his lectures, by his personal experiences in ministerial work.

The anniversary of the United Methodist Free Church Sunday-school, Pitt and Vincent streets, was celebrated by special services yesterday. The Rev. F. B. Dutton preached in the morning, taking his text from Jeremiah iii. 4; and in the afternoon an address to scholars and friends was delivered by Mr. G. Mason. A forcible sermon was preached in the evening by the Rev. J. Chew, on the subject of the training of youth. A large congregation was present at each service. Yesterday was the anniversary of the Ponsonby Baptist Sunday - school. The Rev. C. H. Garland preached in the morning from the passage, " Suffer little children to come unto Me." In the afternoon, the Rev. Mr. Thomas delivered an address to the parents and children, from the text "Train up a child in the way he should go." The evening service was taken by the pastor, the Rev. J. D. Gilmore, who preached from Genesis, iv., 10, *' What hast thou done ': " All the services Wore well attended, and the discourses suitable to the occasion. The SundayBchool children saug a number of choice hymns in a pleasing manner. The usual soiree will take place to-morrow evening, when addresses will be given by ministers and friends.

During the last week the Rev. J. arid Mrs. Mountain have been conducting an eight clays' mission at Onehunga, in the Congregational Church. The meetings were well attended, the people's interest in them increasing night by night. The attention of the congregations was most marked, and many stayed to the second meeting each evening. The young people of the choir were most regular in their attendance, and the children sang the " Evangel Hymns" very sweetly. Services such as those conducted by the Rev. J. and Mrs. Mountain arc calculated to do a great amount of good among the congregations generally, and especially among the young. Sir. and Mrs. Mountain leave by the Zeajandia to-day for Canada.