ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9308, 18 September 1893, Page 5

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Tub thirty-eight anniversary of the Auckland Tabernacle Baptist Church was celebrated yesterday by special services, which were conducted by the pastor (the Rev. Jas. Blaikie). The rev. gentleman took as the basis of his morning discourse, which was forcible and practical, Exodus xiv., 15, " And the Lord said unto Moses wherefore criesb thou unto Me speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward." la the evening he preached from the Gospel of St. John, v., 5, "And a certain man was there which had an infirmity thirty and eight years." In expatiating upon the incident of the healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda, the preacher said that every church, if it fulfilled its high mission, was a Bethesda. He was gratified to know that in that place of worship, as in the one in which they formerly worshipped, there were hundreds, nay thousands in this city who had reason to bless the day they entered them, whose lives had been lifted up and men and women taught their duty to their God, their country, and society. As in the past so it should be in the future their duty and privilege to keep these high and holy objects before them for realisation. The collections of the day were £27 7s 61. To-morrow evening the usual public tea meeting will be Held, when addresses will be given by ministers and other friends.

The anniversary of St. John's WesleyanChurch, Ponsonby, was celebrated by ser.vices of a specially interesting and attractive character yesterday. The building was very tastefully decorated for the occasion .by an abundanoa of flowers and evergreens, the general effect being extremely pleasing. Special hymns were sung by a large and well-trained choir of young people. In the morning the service was conducted by the Rev. S. F. Prior, who preached an appropriate sermon, taking for his text Ephesians, v., 1"Be ye, therefore, followers of God as dear children." lie laid stress upon the necessity of making an emphatic distinction between the words "childish" and "childlike." The former word implied unworthy characteristics, whilst the latter spirit was commended by Christ to His followers. The church was crowded to the doors at this service, and was also well filled in the afternoon, when the Rev. A. H. Collins gave a kindly and sympathetic address to the , children. In the evening the Rev. C. H. Laws officiated. The anniversary soiree will be held , on; Tuesday evening. Short addresses will be given by ministers and frionds, and an attractive musical , programme will be presented, ■■■*-■ * v \ '■••'.,.;• ■••-,;■.•■■• -■.:.■.-x-;r-B■■