ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10074, 9 March 1896, Page 3

ECCLESIASTICAL.

At Sb. Mary's Cathedral Church, Parnell, yesterday the Rev. W. Curzoti-Sigpers, who officiated, read the thanksgiving prayer for rain at the morning service. Ho subsequently preaohed an eloquent sermon on the ministry of angels and the teaching of the Church regarding them. He also announced that the harvest festival would tako place next Sunday.

The ministers attending the Wesleyan Conference preached in the various city and suburban churches yestorday, and also in some casos occupied the pulpits of eistor denominations.

The Very Rev. Win. Watts, Moderator of the General Assembly and missionary for 22 years at Tanna, New Hebrides, preached in St. David's Presbyterian Church in the morning, and in the evening at St. James' Church, Wellington-street.. At the latter church he preached a missionary sermon from the Acts of the Apostles xvi., 9, "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; there stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia and help us." In closing his discourse the preacher referred to the New Hebrides Mission. He stated thore were 40,000 natives in a state of heathenism. There woro 10,000 natives attending tho moans of grace, of whom 3000 were church members, 27 missionaries, 2 lay workers, and 280 native teachers. It was expected that the European workers would shortly be reinforced by three missionaries and one layman. The islands might be divided into three sections i first, those in a heathen state; second, those partly heathen and partly Christian; and thirdly, those professedly Christian. Those that were heathen were Tanna, Paama, Ambrym, Malikula, Malo Santo; partly heathen and partly Christian, Futuna and Epi; Christian, Anpityum, Aniwa, Eromanga, Efate, Nguna, Tonnoa and Mai, and sevoral smaller islands between Tongoa and Nguua. The preacher claimed the sympathy and support of his hearers, on behalf of the New Hebrides Mission. The anniversary of the Grafton Road Wesleyan Sunday - school was celebrated yesterday at the Choral Hall with special services, and proved to be one of the most successful meetings of the kind held for some time past. Each service was bright and cheerful, and the building was very boautifully decorated with hanging baskets of flowers, and also with ferns and other greenery. The Rev. W. C. Oliver took the morning service, and the Rev, G. Hammond that in the afternoon ; whilo the Rev. W, Baumber, who is president of the New Zealand Conference, preached In the evening. Excellent music, which formed one of the principal features of the gatherings, was rendered by a strong choir and orchestra under the batfin of Mr. E. J. Gatland. Throughout the day the attendances were exceptionally good, and the collections proportionately large. The annual church anniversary in connecnecbion with the Eden Terrace Primitive Methodist Church was held yesterday, speoial services beinjr conducted by the Rovs. W. J. Worboys (morning), J. J. Pendray (afternoon) and J, \V. Griffin, there being large attendances present on either occasion. An orchestra under the leadership of Mr. Hough, assisted, and Mr. S. Frith presided at the organ, a number of special hymns being rendered throughout the day. The annual tea, followed by speeches and a suitable concert programme in connection with the Church, will do held on Tuesday evening. The usual evangelistic address at the City Hall was given last evening by the Rev. Mr. Gibson, from the South, and wai based on Samuel xxvi, 21. The address, which was an excellent one, was listened to with great attention. Miss Rimmer sang two sacred solos, Mr. John Douglas presided.