ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 9027, 4 November 1892, Page 10

ECCLESIASTICAL.

The Christchurch Diocesan Synod was opened on Tuesday, tjhe 18th October. Bishop Julius in his address referred in feeling terms to the deaths of the Bishop of Carlisle, Cardinal Manning, and Mr. Spurgeon, whose death was, he said, a loss to the whole church ; and to that of Tennyson, "poet, prophet, and teacher;" also to the death of the Bishop of Goulbourn and of Archdeacon Dudley. He said the clergy in the diocese numbered 64 against 62 last year. He urged the necessity of the clergy making great efforts to obtain candidates for confirmation, always remembering that confirmation is a means not an end. Referring to the education question he said secularists were more powerful than Christians, not because they were more numerous, bub because they were more united. If Christians knew what they wanted, and wore united, they would obtain it. In reference to the temperance question, he said that, though he admired the earnestness of the prohibitionists, he could not work with them, because he could nob deny liberty of conscience, and the right of any man, except a drunkard, to take alcohol in moderation.

The annual meeting of the Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Otago and Southland was opened at Dunediu on Tuesday evening, the 25th October. The Rev. Robt. Ewen, of Southland, took his seat as Moderator. He delivered an address, a portion of which wa9 devoted to the tendency to drift in a direction away from Calvinistic ideas owing to the Church's attitude towards tho great social movements. He said the greatest service the Church could render towards remedying the evils of society was to show by teaching and example what Christianity is, and to leaven society with the spirit of it. The great need of the Church was not a new theology, nor probably new methods, but greater faith in the Gospel preached. He concluded by referring to the deaths of two ministers, the Revs. Stevens and Taylor. The anniversary of the Mount Eden Baptist Sunday-school was celebrated on Oct. 18 by a very successful public meeting and fruit soiree in the large tent erected behind the church. The Rev. G. D. Cox presided. The annual report was a most satisfactory one. The number of scholars on the roll amounted to 166, no less than 61 having joined during the year. There were 20 teachers and officers connected with the school.

On Oct. 18 the children of the Sundayschool, in connection with the Helping Hand Mission, were entertained to tea at the Mission Hall, Freeman's Bay. There were about 200 children present, and a number of friends. After tea Mr. W. H. Smith presided, and Mr. Cooper exhibited a number of limelight views, to the delight of the children, by the aid of his oxyhydrogen lantern. A very pleasant evening was spent, and the children were liberally regaled with good things. The anniversary soiree in connection with the Beresford street Congregational Sunday School was held in St. James's Hall on October 12. At half-past six quite a large gathering sab down to a sumptuous tea, the children doing ample justice to the good things set before them. The tables were presided over by the teachers of the school, assisted by several outside friends. After tea an entertainment was held, the Rev. James Chew presiding. There was a very numerous attendance of parents! teachers, and friends. An excellent programme was presented, all the items being very heartily received. After a short interval Mr. Josiah Martin gave a choice series of limelight views, which were highly appreciated. An unusually interesting and enjoyable entertainment was held in the Mount Eden Congregational Church on Oct. 13, under the auspices of the Young People's Association. The Rev. B. L. Thomas, the pastor of the church, presided. The programme presented was a choice and varied one, and included pianoforte solos by Misses Player, Hurst, and McL-iurin ; recitations by Miss Webley and Master A. Potter; duets by Mesdames Smith and Player, and Misses Peace and Grindrod ; and songs by Miss Davis, Master C. Harvey, and Messrs. Peace, Ralph Potter,(and Cousins. A soiree and public meeting was held on Oct. 11 in the Pitt and Edwin-street Primitive Methodist Church, for the purpose of formally welcoming to Auckland the Rev. J. W. Hay ward, who arrived a few days ago, having been sent out to New Zealand by the English Primitive Methodist authorities. At half-past six a large gathering sat down to an excellent tea, the tables being presided over by the ladies of the congregation. After the conclusion of the tea a public meeting was held, thero being a very large attendance. The chairman, Mr. David Goldie, after a few words of welcome to Mr. Hayward, went on to speak of the history of Primitive Methodism in Australasia, with special reference to New Zealand. The Revs. Guy and Currie, Mrs. Kerr, and Messrs. Taylor, G. Turley, Thomas Booth, and Burton also gave short addresses, in which they heartily and kindly welcomed their new minister, and promised him their sympathy and support. Mr. Hayward returned thanks for the kindness extended to him, and then proceeded to give an earnest address.

The anniversary of the Pitt-street Wesleyan Church was celebrated by a social meeting in the School-room on Tuesday night, October 11. There was a large attendance, the Rev. J. Berry presided. The secretary, Mr. J. Purdy, read the annual report, which expressed thankfulness for a prosperous year. There had been an increase of fifty in tho Church membership. The Sunday-school was in a satisfactory state, and although there had only been a slight addition to the roll numbers the average attendance had largely increased. The Mutual Improve: ment Society had become thoroughly organised and now numbered 105 members. Among other matters connected with the Church it was mentioned that the trustees intended reducing the mortgage from £1400 to £1352, and the report concluded by expressing a hope that the coming year would be prosperous. Mr. W. G. Winstone, the treasurer, read the Trust Fund balance-sheet. This showed that the year had been commenced with a debit balance of £57 10s 7d, and closed with a credit of £4 17s 3d, the receipts having amounted to £647 10s 4d and the expenditure to £585 2s 6d. The adoption of the report was moved by the Rev. Mr Bull and seconded by the Rev. Mr. Morley, both of whom congratulated the Church on its progress, and wished it every prosperity. Appropriate and interesting addresses were also delivered by the Rev. Messrs Blaikie, W. Lee, and C. H. Laws. The anniversary soiree of the Newton Congregational school was hold on November 1. There was a crowded attendance, and the tea tables were presided over by ladies of the congregation. Mr. Ellyett presided at the public meeting. The school numbered 144 feirls and 116 boys, with 6 female and 17 male teachers. The chairman read the balance-sheet, which showed the receipts to be £169 6s lOd, the anniversary collection being £46. After defraying all expenses there was a balance in hand of £37 7s 7d. The most interesting feature of the evening's proceedings was the presentation of a photographic shield to Mr. Enoch Wood, superintendent of the Sunday-Bchool, in recognition of his labours for a quarter of a century in the Sun-day-school. The shield contains over a hundred portraits of "old boys" and former teachers, and is one of the largest photographic shields Mr. Hanna, photographer, has ever executed, and it was generally admired, Mr. Enoch Wood suitably acknowledged the presentation.

. ' „ ~ , g=3 :j A .soiree to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Rev. JR. Scott West's indue! tlon> into the charge of St. David's Presbyterian Church, Symonds - street, waa held ,pn Oct. 27 in St. Sepulchre's schoolroo.m:, Tee Was , a lar &° attendance, and the hall was decorated in the usual manner with flowers and greenery. Mrs. West and a number of ladies of the congre'gation presided at tho tea tables. The subsequent meeting was of an interesting character, musical selections and anthems being suitably interspersed with the addresses. The Rev. R. Scott West presided. Addresses were delivered by,the Keve. R. Sommerville and Robertson, and Mr. Patterson (elder). The annual social gathering in connection with the Helping Hand Mission, Freeman's Bay, was held in the Choral Hall on the 17th October. Tea was laid in the two side rooms at half past five, to which it is estimated that some 800 people, young and old, eat down. Shortly after seven o'clock a meeting was held in the hall, when Mr. Beaumont took the chair, and those present by this time must have numbered over a thousand. Mr. Brown gave a sketch to the audience of th« work done by the Mission during the year. The most important part of their work was their labours among the children, and he was happy to say that their Sunday school was in a most prosperous condition. During the last twelve months the attendance at the Mission Hall increased so much that they had to enlarge the hall so as to accommodate 500 persons. They had acquired a valuable organ, which was presented to them by Mrs. Gittos. They were constantly having letters from the country stating the good work that the Mission paper was doing among various classes of Christians. The receipts during the year amounted to £270 13s 2d and the expenditure to £269 53 9d, leaving a balance of £1 7s 5d with which to start the new year. Mr. W. H. Smith stated with regret that Mr. Beaumont, owing to family duties and other causes, had found it necessary to retire from active work in connection with the mission. He had much pleasure on behalf of the members of the mi&Bion in presenting him with a handsome writingdesk, a silver pen. and a paper-knife. Mr. Beaumont addressed the meeting, and returned thanks for the pleasant surprise he had received that evening. A bazaar in aid of the Sisters of Mercy and the institutions conducted by them , was opened on Monday, October 17, in the Agricultural Hall, next the City Market, and a very pretty aspect the building presented when it was lighted up in the evening. The first stall was in charge of Misses Zada, Rane, Hatfketb, Darby, andu. Darby. The ladies presiding at the next stall were Misses K. Sheehan, Harkins, Gough, O'Brien, and Carrigan The third stall was in charge of Mesdames Dignan, Leonard, McCabe and Miss Hobbs, while Mesdames Lewisson, O'Brien, Misses Young and Bolus presided over the refreshment stall. Ths bazaar remained open during the week, and the sum realised was about £70.

A meeting of ministers and elders of the Presbyterian Church was held on Oct. 31 under the auspices of the Auckland Presbytery. The place of assembly was St. James's Church, and the Rev. A. Carrick, as Moderator of the Presbytery, occupied the chair. The meeting was called to consider "The Relation of the Church to Present-Day Amusements," a paper read by the Rev. R. Sommerville. A long and interesting discussion followed,

The Orangemen of Auckland held a commemoration service to celebrate the sth of November on Sunday, Oct. 30, in Wesley Hall. The brethren marched in procession from the Protestant Hall to the meeting-place, the Auckland aud suburban lodges being all represented. Rev. W. S. Potter, Grand Chaplain, conducted the service.

The annual meeting of Church members in the Anglican Diocese of Auckland, generally held iu connection with the sitting of the Diocesan Synod, took place on Oct. 28, in the Choral Hall. There was a large attendance. His Lordship , Bishop Cowie presided, The subject upon which six papers were to be read was " The History, Claims, and Responsibilities of the Church of England." The Rev. G. Mac Murray opened with a paper, " The Church, Catholic in its Teaching and Apostolic in its Origin." Mr. S. Luke read a paper on the continuity of the Church through and after the Reformation. The Rev. J. Bate 3 read a thoughtful paper on " The Church's Position with regard to National Life," and Mr. J. W. Tibbs dealt with "The Church's Position in Regard to Modern Thought and the Developments of Science." Mr. C. M. Calder read a paper on "The Church in its Devotional Asaect."

A meeting of ministers and office-bearers, representing all the Methodist Churches in the Auckland district, was held in the Pittstreet Church on Oct. 21, for the purpose of considering the question of Methodist union. There were about fifty gentlemen present, the Rev. E. 0. Perry (United Methodist) presiding. The Methodist bodies represented were the Wesleyar., United, Primitive, and Bible Christian. The Rev. W. Morley, Principal of the Three Kings College, gave a powerful address upon the question of "Methodist Union." TJ»e Rev. J, Berry, Mr. W. Hanson, Mr. Arthur, Mr, Stone, Mr. Church (Primitive), and Mr. Col« (United) spoke on the subject. It wau eventually resolved, on the motion of Mr. W. H. Smith, " That this meeting, comprising ministers and office-bearers of the various Methodist bodies, affirm the principle of Methodist Union, believing it to be for the glory of God and the spread of Christ's Kingdom." A vote of thanks was given to the chairman and to the Rev. W. Morley.