ECCLESIASTICAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10320, 21 December 1896, Page 5

ECCLESIASTICAL

At St. Matthew's Church yesterday (being , the fourth Sunday in Advent) the services were as follows;— Holy Communion was celebrated at 8 a.m., Matins and Litany were sung at 11; and as an offertorium Gounod's "Nazareth," was well rendered by Mr. Bennett. A a quarter-past four in the afternoon i\ special service in connection with the Ministering Children's League was held, at which twenty children were admitted as members, an appropriate address being delivered by Mr. Harry Mason, of New Plymouth, who is shortly to be ordained deacon. Evensong was sung at 7 p.m., when the vicar (the Rev. L. FitzGerald) preached from Phil, iv., 4. Madame Dußieu rendered

Handel's "0 Thou That Tellest," in au artictic manner. Mr. Herbert B. Jones presided at the organ. At St. Paul's Church, Symond-street, last night, the Most Rev. the Primate preached. His Lordship took his text from Revelation vii., 9-10, and delivered a very thoughtful discourse. At the close of the sermon the

Bishop said it was the last opportunity be would have of addressing the people of St. Paul's for a long time, and he would conclude by wishing them, in the hishcr sens* as in the chapter upon which he had been speaking, " A very happy Christmas and a happy New Year." The choir sang Sullivan's " Hearken Unto Ale," and during' the offertory Mr. Stevenson reudered '' Comfort Ye'' (Handel). The Sunday-school anniversary in connection with the Pitt and Vincent-street Church, was _ celebrated yesterday with a series of special services. The interior of the church building was lightly and appropriately decorated for the occasiou, and the scholars who were arranged in tiers on the gallery on either side of the pulpit, contributed suitable hymns, under the conductorship of Mr. Bouskill, assisted by the Pitt-street string orchestra. The Rev. W. J. Williams officiated in the forenoon, and the Rev. A. Peters (minister) in the eveiinc ; the afterbook being devoted to a iyicial address to Ihe scholars, parents, and friends by the Re*. H. Bull. The prizes won by the scholars for collecting for the mission fund, »nd for attendance, good conduct, etc., were listributed during the course of the aftertoon. Yesterday being the Festival of St. Thomas ipecia! services were held at St. Thomas's I Church, Union-stieet. The Vicar preached both morning and evening, and at *.hv latter service the choir sang the ai-them, "Hearken Unto Me" (Sullivan). In the afternoon a children's service was held. There were good congregations at all times, and the offertories taken up are to be devoted to the ••hoir fund and the Sunday-school. There was a large congregation at St.. John's Wesleyan Church, Ponsonby, last tight, wden a Christmas carol service was held. The following carols were rendered by a full choir:—" Good Christian Men Rejoice," Gabriel's Message." "On Judith's Plain," " When Christ was Born of Mary Free," " A Child this Day is Born,'' and " The Manger Throne." Miss Butler sang the solo, "The Holy Shrine," and Mr. Clarke Johnson sang "Nazireth." Mr. Horsley presided at the organ, and Miss Eva Bull at the piano, The Rev. H. Bull preached an appropriate sermon. The usual evangelistic service was given last evening at the City Hall. Mr. John Smythe presided. There was a good attendance. Mr. Brakenrig gave an address on a " Christmas Gift.'' Miss Alice Rimmersang j i sacred solo. '