INDUCTION OF THE BEY. JAMES HILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9451, 23 August 1889, Page 5

INDUCTION OF THE BEY. JAMES HILL.

The induction of the Rev. James Hill, as pastor of the Devoriport Presbyterian Church, took place yesterday evening, when the usual services were held in the church. There was a numerous congregation. Amongst those present were several members of the Auckland Presbytery. During the entry of the ministers who were present—the Revs. R. Sommervile, T. F. Robertson, and R. F. Macnicol, with the Rev. J. Hillthe " Benedictus," from Schubert's " Mass in E flat," was played by the organist, Mr. John F. Bennett. Hymn No. 196, "The Church's One Foundation," was then sung. The first part of the service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Robert-son, who read the lessons and offered prayer, and psalm 132 and the hymn " How Beauteous Are The Feet," were sung. The Rev. T. F. Robertson preached on the subject of the love of God, and following the sermon was the hymn No. 3G4, " 0 Let Thy Spirit From On High." The ceremony of induction then took place, and was conducted by the Rev. R. Sommerville, who delivered the charge to the newly-appointed minister. He said they could appeal to the long experience of the Rev. J. Hill as evidence that he recognised his ministerial responsibilities. The position in which he had been placed was I a solemn and responsible one, but it was not heavier than he could bear, for the Master had promised, " I will not leave you comfortless." Circumstances had prevented that congregation from growing j with the progress of the district, and some | members had joined other communions. Many of these might return to their first love, but there were others whose natures had led them to prefer the sweet calm of a Zion free from discord and opposing factions. The preacher hoped that the ability of Mr. Ifill would enable him to mould the various elements into one compact body. He pointed out that the work of keeping the youth in the Church was one of the most important and one of the most difficult that could engage the attention of a minister. Commotion abroad in the world had caused much anxiety in the Christian camp, but unnecessarily so, he thought, for Christianity had not only held its own against every opposition, but had profited by every conflict. The truths to be preached, though they might be presented in new ways, were always the same. Mr. Hill's ministerial brethren had viewed his settlement at Devonport with great gratification. Every right-thinking man and woman would appreciate the sacrifices he had made to enter upon the work, but he might rest assured that he had every sympathy, and would have every assistance that his brethren could give him. He would go forth to his work remembering that more tilings were wrought by prayer than the world dreamed of, and remembering the promise of Christ to His apostles and their successors, " Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world."

The Rev. G. B. Monro congratulated the people of the Church upon the pastoral tie that had been formed. They had secured one of the most experienced, successful, and able ministers of the Church, and from what they know of his past history, they believed his ministry there would be eminently blessed. He did not come as an untried man ; his devoted services in former year at Auckland and at the Thames were well known. Besides the duties devolving upon the pastor, there were those which the people had to fulfil. There were many, he regretted to say, who fancied that the work of the Church should be left to the sole care of the pastor and office-bearers. It was to be feared that this spirit was too widely spread amongst the people. There must be something radically wrong about the professing Christian who cared not to do something, however humble, to advance the cause of Christ. Their religion must be practical, and the worship on the Sabbath must be followed by worship in the world on the Monday. Mr. Monro urged that regularity and punctuality in attendance at church services was necessary. They could have no conception of the disheartening effect which irregularity of the congregation had upon the pastor of a church, and punctuality was also important for the quiet and enjoyment of the service. The preacher also pointed out that attention, earnestness, and reverence were also required in a congregation during public worship. There shonid also be selfapplication of the sermon. It was the fashion of some people to pass on the words of a sermon as applicable to others, when they were perhaps intended for themselves. Amongst the duties outside the sanctuary the most important was the daily practice of religion, and the congregation should also co-operate in assisting the pastor for the good of the Church. They should- never be unreasonable in their demands upon the pastor's time. The chief duty of the pastor, beside study, was the care of the aged and infirm, who were his special charge. The congregagation should also be generous in giving to the cause of Christ; this duty was as important as that of praise and prayer, but principle and conscience should be introduced into the giving. The preacher besought his hearers to be careful of the good name and character of their minister. | If they spoke lightly of his preaching and pastoral labours, they might be certain that evil results would follow. There was one thing which ho thought was very wrong, and that was criticising the preaching or work of the minister, or speaking sneeringly of this subject in the presence of other people. In conclusion, he appealed to the congregation to pray earnestly for their pastor. During the offertory, the lovely air from Handel's "Messiah," "He Shall .Feed His Flock," was rendered with expression and taste by Mr. Bennett. The service terminated with -the singing of the hymn " Onward Christian Soldiers," and the pronouncing of the Benediction by the Rev. R. F. Macnicol. Whilst the people were leaving the church the organist played " Blessing And Honour," from Spohr's " Last Judgmont." Mr. Hill stood at the doorway of the church at the close of the service, and was welcomed by each member of the congregation. The musical portion of the service was extremely good. The singing of the hymns was expressive, and generally creditable, whilst the instrumental music by Mr. Bennett (who was formerly organist at St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, Surrey Hills) was well choson, and played with great power and feeling. It was a pity that ho had not a better instrument; the harmonium in the church is weak in tone, and not well suited for musical display.

Our Aratapu correspondent writes — The complimentary concert tendered to Mr. F. J. Morath, who lately met with an accident at Pahi Mill, turned out an immense success. The gentlemen who took the initiative in the affair must have been pleased at the response of the public to the call. The Public Hall was well filled with friends from all parts, and it is expected that the net proceeds of the concert will amount to close on £20, possibly over. Mr. Morath's many apj pearances in our local concerts in the past ! earned for him the gratitude of all. The hall, i the piano, and the printing, were got by the committee free of charge and those who assisted in the programme were only too pleased to give their services. Instrumental pieces were given by Miss Christian and Messrs. Philpott and l)avey : songs rendered bv Messrs. Edmonds, F. Phillips, Forsdick, Hardy, Lambert, and Mesdames J. Molloy, T. Bassett, and Black; double song and dance by Messrs. Downey and F. Molloy ; song and dance by Mr. McAniny ; and sword dance by Mr. Spiers. The dances seemed to be to the taste of the audience; they were well performed, and received great applause. The songs were also very good, but the audience seemed to be very unappreciative of them. Perhaps they were thinking sorrowfully of Mr. Morath's injury, or possibly the liveliness of the step dances destroyed the effect of the singing. The concert concluded with _ the _ burlesque entitled "Villikins and his Dinah," in which the parts were well sustained as follows Villikins, Mr. Edmunds ; Dinah, Miss L. Phillips ; Griffin, Mr. Lindley; Baron Boski Bumble, Mr. James Molloy. Dancing followed the farce, and was continued through the small hours to the music of a piano and concertina. One of the features of the times here is the extraordinary animation among the different religious bodies. I am told that three churches and a Salvation barracks are to be erected at once. The public is certainly benefited by a reasonable amount of compotion amongst- the purveyors of the bread which pcrisheth, and will probably bo none the worse for a little of the same wholesome stimulant amongst those who provide its spiritual fodder.—[Stratford Correspondent.]