ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10378, 1 March 1897, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL.

SPECIAL harvest festival services were held at St. Mary's Cathedral Church, Parnell, yesterday. The vicar (the Rev. G. Mac Murray, M.A., conducted the morning service, anc the Rev. W. Beatty, M.A. (vicar of St. Mark's, Remuera,) officiated in the evening. The church was suitably decorated with fruit, grain, vegetables, and flowers, and presented a very pleasing and appropriate appearance. The choral portions of the services were exceedingly well rendered. Mr. R. Leslie Hunt presided at the orgun. At AH Saints (Ponsonby) the Harvest thanksgivihs services, which began on Thursday last, were continued yesterday. The decorations were profuse, uotwishstandiiig the bad season. The font, lectern, and pulpit were decorated in perfect taste, and altogether the church had the apjiearauce ot warmth, colour, and beauty which it only wears as festivals. Tne music was from an English service.book, and was beautifully rendered, and the sermon by Archdeacon Dudley was most helpful. Harvest festival services were held at St. Sepulchre's Church, yesterday. There was a large number of communicants at the eight o'clock service, and a koocl congregation at eleven o'clock, when the vicar (the Ven. Archdeacon Dudley) preached. In the afternoon there was a hearty service for the children. At the evening service, a crowded congregation assembled, and an eloquent sermon was delivered by the Rev. L. FitzGerald, vicar of St. Matthew's. A full choir was in attendance, and the singing, especially in the evening, was decidedly good. The offerings of fruit and other products were jearcely as numerous as usual, but they were carefully selected, and evidently of the bust. Harvest thanksgiving services wero held at the Primitive Methodist Meeting House, Eden Terrace, throughout yesterday before large congregations. At the morning service the Rev. R. Raine preached an effective farewell service to the Rev. G. H. Mann, who is to be transferred South in the course of a, few days. The Rev. G. H. Mann conducted the afternoon service when Miss Alice Riminer contributed a sacred solo, and in the evening an address was given by Mr. R. B. Heriot. This evening a farewell tea will be tendered to the Rev. G. H. Mann, to commence at 6.30 o'clock.

Special opening services were held at the new Trinity Wesleyan Methodist Church, Kingsland, throughout yesterday; and proved of a most successful character, there being crowded congregations present on either occasion. Hie moraine services were conducted by the Rev. H. Bull, who delivered a most interesting and able address on "Public Worship in Aucient and Modern Times." In the afternoon the Rev, W. J. Williams preached, choosing as his subject "The Gate of Heaven." The Rev. T. \V. Vealie, minister of Trinity Church, preached in the evening. Special anthems were contributed at either service by a large choir under the conductorship of Mr. Bouskill; Miss Mansell officiating at the organ. The Grafton Road Church was tastefully decorated for the Harvest Festival services, which were celebrated yesterday, At the morning service the Rev. A. Mitchell preached, and in the evening the service was taken by the Rev. H. R. Dewsbury. Special muaio und harvest hymns were rendered by the choir, under Mr. Gatland. The usual evangelistic service was held last evening at the City Hall. There was a good attendance. Mr, (J. E. Button presided. An earnest address delivered by the Rev. \V. Sinclair. Miss Alice Rimmer sang two sacred solos,