ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 2 (Supplement)

ECCLESIASTICAL.

Tub late Primato of New Zealand was the first man admitted to the Diaconato in Australasia, the first priest ordained in New Zealand, and the" first Bishop consecrated without letters patent in the Q icon's dominion,

An interesting departure in connection with the Anglican Sunday-schools of Auckland city and suburbs took place on Sunday, April 8, when two united services • were held. No building in Auckland could bo found large enough to afford accommodation for all the schools, so the committee of management fixed St. Matthew's and St. Sepulchre's Churches as tho places for meeting. About 2000 children were present at both churches.

Mr. Oliver, in bidding farewell at Trinity Church, Dunedin, declined bo receive any gift, but suggested wiping off the circuit debt, amounting to£l4o. One person volunteered £80, another £20, and the remainder was subscribed in five minutes.

A " welcome home" was accorded to Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Smith, of tho Helping Hand Mission, on April 10 by the members of the Mission. There was a large attendance, the tea having to be served in two sittings. • A new Roman Catholic Church was opened at Leeston, Canterbury, on March 1, by Bishop Grimes, Tho church is said to be the most handsome building of its kind in New Zealand. The style of architecture is English Gothic of the fourteenth century. The tower, which is 92 feet high, and surmounted with a handsome gilded cross, can be seen for several miles.

His Lordship Bishop Luck was " at home" on Saturday, April 7, to receive the parishioners of St. Patrick's, in order that they might inspect the new epiocopal residence. A goodly number availed themselves of Hi# Lordship's invitation, and were shown oven it. Although the interior is nob yet) finished, all wore delighted with their visit. The house is furnished in up-to-date style,, the chapel and study being most attractive. In addition to the beautiful altar in fchq chapel the portion of the floor near the walls is in parquetry, the handiwork of the Rev. Augustine Luck, of Waikato, brother of the Bishop, while the gas is lit by electricity, * contrivance, we understand, unique in thtf colonies. The reception room, diniugroom, conference room, dormitories, etc., are all brightly furnishod, while the view from the tower is a charming one. Satisfactory progress is being made with the Chinese mission recently established in this city, and Mr. Joseph Luc, the Chinese missionary, recently brought over from Victoria, is proving earnest and energetic among his fellow-country men. A class for teaching the English language is regularly attended by nearly a dozen of the Chinese, who are most earnest and persevering in their efforts to master a knowledge of the English tongue. Religious instruction is also imparted with the secular tuition, the two going hand in hand. The half-yearly meating of the Auckland Hebrew Congregation was hold at the Synagogue Schoolroom on April 15, Mr. L. D. Nathan, president, in the chair. The principal business was tho election of a president in the place of Mr. L. D. Nathan, who is leaving shortly for England, and also to electa treasurer. Mr. Isaac Phillips was appointed to the former office, and Mr. Arthur H. Nathan to the latter, both gentlemen having already been office-bearers in the past and prominent members of ihe community. A vote of thanks to the retiriug president brought the proceedings to a close.