GOOD FRIDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8222, 5 April 1890, Page 5

GOOD FRIDAY.

The holiday yesterday was strictly observed, and services wore held at various places of worship. There was not much done in the way of outing, although the ferry steamers to the North Shore did a fair business. The weather looked threatening, but tho rain kept off. There were two or three water excursions, which were fairly patronised. CHURCH SERVICES. "Services were held in the whole of the Episcopal and Catholic churches of the diocese" yesterday (Good Friday), and *>hey were conducted with the impressive solemnity suitable to the greatest event in the history of Christendom.

St. Mary's Cathedral. —Two services wore held in the Cathedral Church yesterday, the first at eleven o'clock in the morning, and the other in the evening. The church, in commemoration of the great sacrifice, was draped in black. The morning service was conductod by the Rev. R. Burrows, and the Rev. Mr. Comins, of Norfolk Island, the former reading the prayers, and tho latter preaching an appropriate sermon on the Passion. In the evening, the Rev. J. D. Ozanne, a new missionary, on his way to the Melanesian Mission, preached. There were large congregations at both services, and Mr. J. F. Bennett officiated as organist morning and evening.

St. —There was a largo congregation at the morning service at St. Paul's, amongst them being a number of sailors and officers from H.M.s. Egeria, and the members of the Governor's family. Tho Rev. C. M. Nelson, incumbent, conducted tho services morning and evening," and Dr. Orpen read the lessons at both services.

St. Matthew's. The usual Good Friday service was held in this church yesterday morning by the incumbent, the Rev. W. Tobbs,preaching from John xix, 30 ; " It is finished," showing the completion not only of the act of redemption, but of tho life of devotion and usefulness, of the spread of the Gospel, to the great congregation of the Gentile world." In the evening, after evening prayers, an address was given by the incumbent, based upon Luke xxiii.,43, "Lord remember me when Thou comest into Thy Kingdom." Tho special service of Passiontide music was rendered, beginning with "Blessed are the Departed," from Spohr's "Last Judgment," in the evening as an organ voluntary. Next came Sewoll's fine anthem, "O Saviour of the World," followed by the air of the " Messiah," " fie was Despised," which was sweetly rendered by Mrs. E. Stevens. The sweetly touching anthem by Lord Henry Somerset, " There is a Green Hill Far Away," was nicely rendered, after which Mrs. Morrill gave in her usual finished manner, the recitative and air from the Messiah," "He was Cut Off," and " But Thou Did'st Not Leave. His Soul in Hell." The choir then sang the litany of the Passion, the entire large congregation reverently kneeling. The service ended with the blessing. Both services were remarkably well attended.

Alt. Saints' (Ponsonby).Tho observance of Good Friday began at this church with morning prayer at half-past seven . children's service at half-past ten ; special morning service at cloven, with a large congregation and full choir. It was composed of hymns, special psalm (lxxxviii.), and sacred selections suitable to the day, and tho four short addresses given by the incumbent. The solos, "He Shall Feed His Flock" and " Come Unto Me," the anthem, "Turn Thy Face From My Sins," aud a solo and quartette from Stanier's Oratorio, "The Crucifixion," with three hymns on the Passion, divided most appropriately the short addresses on the last words, the agony, and their application to individuals, making a solemn and impressive service, which will not soon be forgotten by the large number of persons who attended it

St. Sepulchre's.—At St. Sepulchre's the services of Good Friday began with the Litany, a hymn, and a short address, at eight a.m. At eleven a.m. there was the usual service of morning prayer, special hymns, and sermon by the incumbent, who took his text from St. .Tchr. ::L~., 19, 20. There was an average congregation. At half-past two p.m. there was a children's service ; and at half-past seven p.m. evening prayer, with sermon by the Rev. T. H. Sprctt, M.A., of St. Barnabas', Mount Eden. St. Thomas's (Freeman's Bay).—There was the Litany and hymns at eight o'clock ; matins and ante-communion service, with sermon, at elevon ; evensong and sermon at half-past seven. The services, which were conducted by the incumbent, the Rev. Mr. Dußieu, were fairly attended. Epiphany.—There was early morning service at nine a.m. ; and a service at eleven, conducted by the Rev. «T. K. Davis ; also a meditation service at two p.m., and evening service at seven. The services were tolerably well attended.

Holy Trinity.—At this church (at Devonport) there were short devotional services held both morning and evening, both of which were well attended. Rev. Joseph Bates, the incumbent, conducted both services, preaching upon appropriate subjects, while special music for the occasion was provided by the choir. PITT-STKKKT WK3LKYAN Church. —An all-day convention for the promotion of Scriptural Holiness was held yesterday at the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church. A fairlyattended meeting for prayer was held at half-past nine in the evening in the lower schoolroom. At eleven there was a large congregation in the church to hear addresses upon the subject of " What is Scriptural Holiness? - ' The Rev. E. Best occupied tho chair, and addresses were delivered by the Rev. A. Reid, Rev. A. J. Smith, and .Mr. R. Fry. An adjournment was made at one o'clock for lunch, which was provided at Wesley Hall. The convention was continued in the afternoon at half-past two, the subject being " Scriptural Holiness; Bow is it Obtained and Retained ?" The meeting was conducted by "Colonel" Taylor, assisted by "Major" Rolfe, and supported on the platform by about '20 officers, male and female, of the Salvation Army. The attendance was very large. A further adjournment was made for tea at 5 o'clock, and the service was resumed in the evening at 0.30, the subject boing "God's Call to Holiness." The building was crammed to the doors. The Rev. W. Birch occupied the chair. The meeting was opened with singing and prayer led by Mr. Varley. The chairman spoke briefly, and was followed by Mr. Varley who delivered a powerful and eloquent address, from Romans vi., 10, 11, and 22. In the course of his address he referred to the proposed reintroduction of the CD. Act, and asked what right any Legislature had by their acts to attempt to regulate or make easy' sin, vice, and crime. (Hear, hear, and applause, and aniens.) The penalties of sin were awful, but he exhorted his hearers, in the words of Thomas Carlyle, " not to quarrel with the doctrine of penalties." The convention concluded with an address by Mr. Birch and the benediction.

St. Patrick's Cathedral. — Good Friday was observed with tho usual impressive solemnity at the Catholic churches. At St. Patrick's Cathedral the mass of the Host Presanctified was offered at nine o'clock by the "Rev. Father Keating, tho Rev. Fathers Gilsenan and Hayes being deacon and sub-deacon, and the Rev. Fathers Hackebt and Gillan masters of ceremonies. The Passion music was sung by the Rev. Dr. Egan and the Rev. Fathers Lenihan and Keating. In accordance with the custom of the church, the high and side alters were divested of every ornament, whilst tho altar of repose was richly decorated, and presented a beautiful appearance. During the Adoration of the Cross, Dr. Egan and Father Lenihan sang tho appropriate music of Dr. Richmond. In the afternoon at three o'clock, devotions were conducted by Father Hackett. The service in the evening comprised the Stations of the Cross, when Father Hackett officiated, and the otlice of Tencbne, Tho psalms "Jerusalem," "Bonedictus," and " Miserere," were well sung by the choir, undor the direction of Dr. Egan. The organ accompaniments were tastefully rendered by Mr. Hartwell. An earnest discourse on the subject of tho Passion was preached by the Rev. Father Keating. A collection was made in aid of the poor and distressed, and the proceeds will be given to the St. Vincent do Paul Society. The congregation in the overling was very large. St. Benedict's Church. —The mass at St. Benedict's was celebrated by the Rev. Father Donovan, who is a Cistercian priest of the Trappisb Order, of -Mount Mellary,

Ireland, and who is on his way home from a business visit to Sydney. Father Donovan also preached in the evening. The musical part of the services was very good, and the accompaniments played by Miss Mcllhone were excellent. Chukchi op the Sacred Heart.— this handsome church, at half-past seven a.m., the Rev. Father Lenihan celebrated the mass of the Host Presanctified. Dr. Richmond's musical service was sung by the choir, and was rendered with thoroughly good effect. The decorations of the altar of repose were exceedingly beautiful and attractive. St. John the Baptist's (Parnell). —The usual Passion services were conductod at St. John the Baptist's Catholic Church on Thursday and Friday. During the whole of Thursday and .Thursday night up to yesterday morning, the church was beautifully sot out, the side altars being especially .pretty. The church was in " repose, "there being no special service, but worshippers occupied the building all day and night. Yesterday morning the church was stripped of every vestige of adornment before the morning service at 7 o'clock was commenced by the Rev. Father Gillan, there being a large congregation. In the afternoon at three o'clock "another service was held, but prior to this a great deal of earnest solemnity was lent to the proceedings by the funeral service over Miss McCafferty, whose body was brought into the church. Father Gillan preached an earnest sermon on tli? Passion of our Lord. The evening service was in commemoration of the desolation of the Virgin Mary at the foot of the cross, and the Rev. Father Gillan preached a sermon appropriate to the subject. Salvation Army Barracks.— A service was held in the Salvation Army Barracks at eleven, conducted by Colonel Taylor and Major Rolfe. The topic of address was, "At the Cross," both officers, as well as several visiting officers, giving addresses. EXCURSIONS. The fishing excursions promoted by the Devonport Ferry Company yesterday were very fairly patronised. That which started in the forenoon did not have very good luck as regards the hauls that were made, but hose who went out in the afternoon were better favoured by fortune, and some fair "kits" were taken home.

The trip round the Islands of Motuihi, Motutapu, and Raugitoto, in the fine steamer Eagle, proved a source of attraction to about 200 persons, and though the weather was threatening ncprain fell, and the outing was a pleasant one. A fair number patronised the trip to Waiwera by the s.s. Rose Casey, and both the down and return passages were made in good time, and without mishap. CKICKET. In the Domain yesterday a very interesting and enjoyable match was played between elevens representing the Pakuranga Cricket Club and the local Wanderers team. The former batted first, and secured 24 ; the Wanderers then going in compiled 64. In Pakuranga's second venture the total score was 74. tiring 30 runs to win, Wanderers secured these for the loss of five wickets, and won the match. Whelan (23, not out) was top scorer, and T. Mills got six wickets for nine runs. In the evening the visitors were entertained at a smoke concert at the Royal Mail Hotel, where several very pleasant hours were spent. The wholesale and retail chemists played a cricket match yesterday, which was w™ by the latter by 142 to 70. The chief scorers were F. Murray (36) and J. Johnson (33). _

[BY TELECP.APH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington', Friday. The weather, which was threatening last night, cleared about midnignt and remained fine throughout the day with fresh N. W. breeze. A large number of persons ha* ; left town for the country and short marine excursions. The Nelson and Marlborough volunteers arrived by the Hinemoa at eight o'clock this morning, and at once proceeded out to camp at Island Bay. The Westport contingent arrived by the Herald at half-past two p.m., and left town an hour later. The operations at camp to-day were confined to squad, company, and battalion drill, which was witnessed by a large number of townspeople. To-morrow afternoon skirmishing and attack formation will be indulged in. The annual bowling match, Wanganui v. Wellington, was won by the former by 12 points. Five rinks of 25 heads each were played. The tournament opens tomorrow. There is now every promise of fine weather for the holidays. Dunedix, Friday. To-day was observed as a close holiday. Large numbers visited Tahuna Park, where the volunteer encampment; is held, between 400 and 500 men being under canvas. From six to half-past seven squad drill was indulged in, from nine to eleven company drill, and from two to four battalion drill. To-morrow striking and repitching tents, outpost duty, and skirmishing attack will be practised. The Exhibition was not opened till two p.m., and by live o'clock about 3000 had paid for admission. Up to seven o'clock it was estimated that 5700 had passed the turnstile. There is a very large number of visitors in town. The bowling tournament was held for four gold medals given by the Mayor. Six clubs entered, and the medals were won by Dunedin Club, with Caledonians as runner-up, for which they receive silver medals.