ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9131, 13 August 1888, Page 11

ECCLESIASTICAL.

At St. James' Hall on the 18th July the annual soiree in connection with the members of St. James' Church was held. At the tea some S.">o people sat down. The following ladies had charge of the tables : — Mesdam&s Macnicol, Hannaford, Leslie, Mercer, McKye, and the Misses Mcpherson. At the after meeting the minister of the Church, the Rev. R. P. Macnieol, presided, and was supported on the platform by the Revs. A. Carrick, 11. Summerville, and Scott-West, who gave brief addresses during the evening. Mr. McPherson, the city missionary, also gave a statement of the result of a house-to-house visitation in St. James' district, and some pertinent remarks on the facts elicited. He stated that he found in the district 400 Church of England members, 27t> Roman Catholics, 105 Presbyterians, 70 Wesleyans, 57 Methodists, 11 Jews, 61 Congregationalists, 52 Baptists, 28 attendants at the Freeman's Bay Mission, 22 Conditional Immortalitists, 15 Seventh Day Adventisis, and 127 opposed to the teaching of religion at all. A number of selections of vocal music were also given, Mr. W. E. Baxter presiding at the organ and piano. The usual votes of thanks closed the meeting. The anniversary of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church was celebrated on July 19 by a soiree and conversazione, combined with a concert, at the Choral Hall. There was a very large gathering. The tables were in splendid order, and most liberally provided by the ladies of the congregation, and were preside:! over by Mesdames Carrick, Bewes, Pyrie, Bain, Davy, J. Reid, Skinner, Frater, Cuthbertson, M. Clark, McDonald, Thompson and Kerr, Misses George, Gilbert, Tait and Keillor. Messrs. Ellison and Brock provided a bachelors' table, over which Miss Campbell and Mrs. \V. F. Jones presided. An interesting feature was a presentation to one of the oldest church members, and the oldest church officer in Auckland, Mr. James Sims, who has been for the last 40 years caretaker of the church. He is now 87 years of age, and incapacitated by old age from further duty. The presentation to this faithful servant consisted of a handsome arm, or rather easy, chair, made of polished rirnu and covered with Morocco leather. There was also an enlarged photo of Mr. Sims, prepared by Mr. Josiah Martin, and handsomely framed, the chair and frame being manufactured by Messrs. Georgo Bros., of Shortland-street. Accompanying the presentation was a letter, expressive of the esteem in which he was held by the congregation. Some slight commotion was caused in Karangahape Road on Saturday, July 21, by the appearance of a number of wellknown citizens gravitating from the various points of the compass to one centre, Karangahape Road, each bearing arms— some rakes, others spades, while several were observed rolling wheelbarrows. The army entered the Epiphany Church grounds, lately enclosed with a very nice picket fence, where it came to at halt, and each member without a word stripped off coat and vest and began to roll up his shirt sleeves. The skilled mechanic completed the bolts and locks to the newly erected gates, while the other portion of the parishioners formed walks, wheeled in scoria, and did every thing they could to improve and beautify the church and grounds. It was a parishioners' " bee" for that purpose. Th% sacred cantata, "Esther," was on the 24th July performed in the Ponsonby Baptist Church before a good audience, by the Auckland Tabernacle choir, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Kilpatrick. The I accompanying instruments were piano and

harmonium, which were ably played by Misses Stevens and Dewar respectively, while the connective monologue was well read by Mr. F. M. Hay. The cast of the characters was as follows :—Esther, Miss Clements (soprano) ;, Ahasuerus, Mr. F. Blakcy (bass) ; Hainan, Mr. W. Marson (baritone) Teresh, Hainan's wife, Miss Petty (contralto); Mordecai, Mr. XV. Blakey (tenor); Maid of Honour, Miss Battley (soprano) ; High Priest, Mr. H. Crocombe (baritone) ; Haggai, Mr. F. Blakey (bass). At tho conclusion of the cantata, the Rev. J. D. Gilmore called on the congregation to accord a vote of thanks to the performers, and his request was promptly and heartily acceded to. The annual soiree of the Pitt and Edwinstreets Primitive Methodist Church was held on the 31st July in the church, consisting of a tea and public meeting. At the tea some 00 persons sat down, the trays being presided over by Mesdames Blaikio. Watkinson, Carlaw, Taylor, and Miss Moyle and other friends assisting. At the public meeting the church was completely filled, every seat being occupied. The chair was taken by Mr. J. Trenwith. Addresses were delivered by the Revs.. A. J. Smith, C. E. Ward, and Mr. George Turley. The report and balancesheet were read by Mi*. F. Taylor. The balance-sheet showed the receipts for tho past year to have bech £00 I'M'lOd, and expenditure £04 17s '2d, leaving a credit balance of £2 '2s Hd. The report showed good progress made. During the evening some excellent vocal and.instrumental music was given by the choir. Mr. G. Turley conducted, and Mr. W-. Carlaw presided at the organ. A very pleasant evening was spent by all present. On July 27 the friends of All Saints' Sunday-school, Ponsonby, held their annual conversazione and concert. There was a large attendance, the room being filled. The Rev. W. Calder, the incumbent, presided, and was supported by the Rev. J.Bates. During the evening an excellent programme was gone through, being closed with tho National' hem. During the evening refreshments were served, and all present seemed to enjoy themselves highly. The cantata ''Calvary'' was sung at St. John's Wesleyan Schoolroom on the 3rd August by the choir, of the church, the orchestral accompaniments being play oil by Mr. S. M. Green and his family, and Mr. florsicy (organ). The soloists were :— -• Mrs. Bettany and Miss Craig, sopranos ; Mrs. White and Misses Goodacre and Joynt, altos ; Messrs. Bartley and Garland, tenors ; and Mr. Carder, bass. The various numbers were excellently rendered, and the accompaniments well, played. Previous to the cantata, a concert was held, when solos were rendered by Mrs. Bettany, Miss Craig, and Messrs. Bartley, Ryan, and Waters. Mrs. Bettany and Mr. llersley rendered a duet, "'The Minute Gun at Sea," and a pianoforte due; was contributed by Misses Goodacre. There was a moderate attendance.