PEACE DAY IN THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11987, 9 June 1902, Page 6

PEACE DAY IN THE CHURCHES.

THANKSGIVING SERVICES PULPIT REFERENCES TO THE WAR. I.V nearly all the city ■ and suburban churches yesterday special thanksgiving services were held to mark the restoration of peace in South Africa. Reports of the services in representative churches of the various denominations are given below : — . ALL SAINTS'. There was a very large congregation at All Saints' Church yesterday morning, when the service included special thanksgiving for the restoration of peace. Archdeacon Calder, assisted by the Rev. A. E. Aston, officiated. The service commenced with the singing of the "Old Hundredth." The morning service then proceeded as usual until the psalms, the special psalm being ciii., "Praise the Lord OMy Soul." The lessons, Te Deum, and Benedictus followed, and then came the Litany, and the special thanksgiving provided in the Prayer Book for the restoration of peace. Archdeacon Calder in the course of his sermon .-eferred to the feelings of the Empire during the past week. Two years ago it was difficult to realise that there had been no war for 40 years that had thrilled the Empire, and after the first thrill how sick of it all we grew. How surprised we were at the course of events, and we found we were lacking in some of the qualities that go to make great men. In those two years of surprise, with their tinier of disappointment and times of exultation, the nation had learnt something. Then, when peace was declared, he was proud to say, we did not, as a people, go delirious. We were not so deliriously wild as after the relief of Mafeking. The Empire would not bo able to reap the full blessing of peace for some time. Heroism would be required in the next few years in the restoration of order and good government in the new colonies ; but this- was a heroism that would not be decorated, and would probably attract little attention. The Archdeacon went on to refer to the fine spirit shown by Lord Kitchener in his words to the Boer leaders after peace had been declared. These words had surprised the world, and Lord j Kitchener himself did not seem to realise j their full significance. It would be a tine j thing if they now took De la Rey, who had treated Lord Methuen so well, to the Coro- i nation. It. had been a fight to a finish, I but now that was- all over. The Archdeacon ! concluded by saying we must still pray for j peace in view of all the troublesome arrange- i ments of details in time to come. In addition to the Old Hundredth," the hymns, I " 0 God. Our Help in Ages Past," " Now j Thank We All, Our God," and "Peace, Perfect Peace," were sung, and before the blessing, the general thanksgiving was said by priest and people, a special reference be- I ing inserted, returning thanks for the conclusion of the war. ST. MARY'S. The vicar (Canon MncMurray) preached at St. Mary's Church. Parnell. last night, j from Isaiah xxv. 1, " 0 Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise Thy name, for Thou has done wonderful things; Thy counsels of old are faithfulness and j truth." The preacher, after drawing lessons from the text, said that two and a-half years ago the Empire was plunged into war, very much unprepared, with a foe whose power was woefully under-estimated. The dark day of the surrender of Nicholson's Nek, which caused General White to be besieged in Ladymith; of Mngersfontein. when the Highland Brigade was nearly exterminated : of Colenso, whero General Buller dashed in vain against the iron wall that surrounded Ladysmith; of Spionkop, of ghastly memory, led the nation to realise in some measure its own unlhankfulness to God, and turned it in prayer and humility to God. One could not fail to notice that almost immediately afterwards came the relief of Kimberley. Ladymith, and Mafeking, and the imminent peril of the Empire was averted. Now. after peace had been restored we came to return thanks to God for His faithfulness to us as a nation. How often was it true that we forgot God's benefits as soon as we received them. We were careless in giving thanks. We forgot the obligation that, rested upon us to be thankful to God. The preacher concluded by an earnest appeal for a practical recognition of God goodness towards us ST. PAUL'S. i The special peace services at St. Paul's J Church were conducted by the vicar, Canon Nelson, who, at the morning service took ! as his text the first verse of the 103 rd Psalm: " Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His Holy name." The preacher said the terms of peace which had been arranged were both just and magnanimous, and the feeling of deep thankfulness at the fact that the war was at an end was united to the hope that the addition of a new territory to the Empire would tend to the welfare and happiness of the subdued race. He dwelt upon England's greatness, especially referring to her long immunity from tho presence of a foreign foe and tho horrors of warfare within her borders— a blessing which he ascribed to the fact that tho affairs of the nation were administered in accordance with tho principles of true Christianity. The "Old Hundredth" was sung at the commencement of tho service, and the special psalms chosen were Psalms 120, 121, 124 and 125. The canticles were sung to Jackson's service in F. The hymns were "Now Thank We All Our God," "Rejoice To-day With One Accord," and "Praise the Lord, Yo Heavens Adore Him," the National Anthem being j sung at ho close of the service. The mem-Ix-rs of the Devonport Submarine Miners, the Auckland Engineers and tho Garrison Band attended in uniform. The vicar expressed gratification at their presence and regretted that it had not been possible to arrange for a general parade of the volunteers for that day. He also made a sympathetic reference to those New Zealanders who had fallen in South Africa and to all who had fought there in tho Empire's cause. ST. MATTHEW'S. Services of thanksgiving for peace were held both morning and evening at St. Matthew's. In tho morning there was a very largo congregation, the church being ; filled in every part. The crews of lI.M. j ships Ringarooma and Archer, including both captains and all the officers, were present. Special lessons were read, and Psalms 126, 137, 149, and 150 were sung. Jackson's "Te Deum" was rendered with fine effect. The general thanksgiving was repeated by all the people. The vicar (the Rev. W. E. Gillam) preached from Leviticus xxvi. 6, "And I will give peace in the land." hi the course of his sermon he referred to the appropriateness of giving special thanks to the Almighty for overruling events in South ! Africa, and bringing about peace after the ' prolonged strife. He said it would be : shameless hypocrisy for them to be giving thanks for victory over their foes, unless ! they were convinced that they had been en- I gaged in a righteous enterprise. He re- i viewed the causes which had led up to the j war. He did not think that the future British historian would make much of the ques- ; tion of the franchise as one of the causes • of the war. It seemed a pity that that ques- i tiou was made so much of in the ultimatum j sent by Great Britain. Mr. Gladstone had I granted the Boers complete independence, ! and many Englishmen at the commencement of the war doubted whether we had any right to insist that the Boers should change their laws at our bidding. But there were j other causes and influences at work I which made war inevitable. There was ! the question of suzerainty, which had undoubtedly been agreed to by the Convention of 1881, and which the Boers repudiated. The Boers not only aimed at throwing off the suzerainty, but to establish a great South African Republic. For years they had been accumulating the most modern and destructive implements of war. For years, ton the Orange Free State—a State with which we were on the most friendly termsa State which had not the faintest shadow of quarrel with us, had been making preparations to help their neighbours in a trial of strength with us. Then the Dutch colonists of Cape Colony and Natal had been secretly arming for the purposes of destroying the prestige, and power of Britain in South Africa. The projects of the Afri- j kander Bond had been brought into the light of day. The intrigues with the jealous Continental Powers were well known. It was j a tremendous shock to Britain to find so ! much treason among the colonists of Dutch i descent, and that there was a deep-seated conspiracy to deprive us of our rights and possessions. He referred to the unwise ultimatum of the Boers. The Boers were eonfident of victory, and they knew we were unprepared. It was to be remembered that the Boers commenced the war. They invaded British territory. They opened hostilities. The preacher reviewed the early incidents of the war. the slight successes on our side, and then the terrible days which followed when the blood of our brave soldiers (lowed like water on the banks of the Tugela. Disasters, which would have driven some of their foreign critics to frenzy, only called forth thr spontaneous loyalty and patriotism of all the sons of om Empire. From every city and hamlet and village of

Great Britain, and from every part of the Empire where our dominion extended, there came offers of help to maintain the prestige of the Empire. It was because of the conviction, deep-rooted in the hearts of our people, that our cause was just that there was such willing sacrifice. (tod had brought them safely through all their troubles. Surely God had a wonderful destiny for them, and they, as a nation, had mighty • purposes to fulfil. One blessing in disguise was that out of all their sorrows and losses 1 there had come the federation of the Km- '-, pire, ami an Empire united as theirs was I would surely make for the peace of the world. The war had taught them there was 5 no need for conscription among Britishers. > There was no need for compulsory soldiership. All their professional soldiers were volunteers. All entered the service of their own choice—none, were compelled to enter army or navy. And events had shown that I at the call of their country, in a just cause, •■ Britishers would willingly flock to the stand- ; j ard. Ho commented upon the way in which ; the aristocracy had gone forth as ranklcss | troopers —men reared in luxury were eoni tent to brave all the hardships and dangers • of the war when duty called. Men more ' valorous than the volunteer forces never i I marched to war. They wore not, in drill | and discipline, the equals of the regulars, i but they were every whit their equals in | courage and patriotism. In these colonies they would remember with gratitude and reverence their sons who had offered themselves, and who had died in the service of their country. One after another of their j " boys" had sealed his loyalty with his i blood. They had been tempted at times, j perhaps, to unduly magnify the merit of the ! colonial troops, but at least it had been ! .shown that they could do their duty to the I death. The preacher, in a fine passage, pic- ' tured the and of the Seventh Contingent ; where' Mauser fire was fiercest, and said I these brave lads had faced fearful odds like ; the best heroes of our race. Nor would it | be fitting for them to forget, in their hour ! of triumph, that the Boers had shown spleni did bravery. On the whole they had been ; humane and chivalrous. Britishers would i blot from their memories some acts of j treachery on the part of small bodies of ] the Boers, as he hoped the Boers would forget the acts of some few on our side who j had disgraced the flag under which they j fought. The vicar concluded by asking them to pray that the peace which had been I signed with the pen might bo an abiding j purpose in the hearts of the people on I ' both sides. Let a spirit of brotherliness ! and helpfulness he now cultivated. Tho i vast majority of tho Boers would now come : into the brotherhood of the Empire. They ! would have equal freedom and equal rights ] with their conquerors, and he believed that in course of years they would be as proud j of the Empire to which they were admitted j and as willing to serve its best interests— ' aye, and as willing to die for it, as our I sons had been. They offered their praises I that, day to the God of peace, and said, | " Not unto us, 0 Lord, not unto us, but ! unto Thy name give the praise." At the I conclusion of the service " God Save the j King" was sung with much heartiness, and Mr. A. Towsey, organist, played the " Hallelujah Chorus." In the evening the thanksgiving services were continued, with special lessons, psalms, and hymns. The Rev. A. Fowler, curate, preached an I able sermon from " Thou hast been gracious j unto Thy land," Ps. lxxxv. 1. The anthem was "Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is to dwell together in unity." ! ST. SEPULCHRE'S. At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Khyber Pass Road, the Rev. G. A. Carver took his text from I. Cor. xiv. 33: "God is not the author of confusion, but of peace." During the course of the sermon the vicar referred to the extreme mercifulness which characterised the conduct of the wara feature which will make it for ever memorable in international annals. The wisdom of this course, which had been questioned, would be abundantly justified. From the first we would have sacrificed much to avoid the conflict, and at no period of the war did we desire the extinction of a chivalrous and honourable enemy. Now that it was over, how softening would be the memory of each and every courtesy shown during hostilities. . . . They in New Zealand had not been only spectators of this stupendous drama. They had nobly borne their share in peril and privation and in the noble roll of the slain, and they believed they helped in no aggrandisement of power and empire, but on tho side of Him who is the author of peace. In the evening the vicar preached on the same subject, taking his text from Nahum i. 7: " The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knoweth them that trust ;in Him." Tho National Anthem was played at the commencement of each service, followed by a hymn of thanksgiving, which was heartily sung by the congregation. The ' hymns for the day were chosen with special reference to the declaration of peace and to the memory of those who have fallen in the war. Goss' celebrated thanksgiving anthem, "Praise the Lord," was sung by the choir at the evening service. ST. MARK'S. Tho Rev. W. Beatty, preaching at St.. Mark's, Remuera, yesterday forenoon, chose his text from Judges iv. 2. He dealt with the history of Israel, and said the life of every nation had been tainted with great evils, the policy of every nation had been marked bygross injustice, tyranny, cruelty, mealiness, and falsehood. In what we called our patriotism, which was really our unity, we might think this was not true of our own nation, though it might be of others. But when we were not on the defensive, but giving our honest and unbiassed opinion, did we not all find much to censure in our home and foreign policy, in our municipal, social, and family life? We might blame this person and that -person, attribute the evil to this cause or that cause, but we unconsciously admitted that our own country and our own colony had been wrong, and were wrong in many ways. It was well that we should remind ourselves of these facts at a time when we are rejoicing in the news of peace. This war had been a surprise to us, as well as to those with whom we fought. The British were to conquer the Boers in three mouths; the Boers were to drive the British into the sea. Both entered in tho dreadful business of killing men wholesale with light heart; both were now more eager to end the fight than they were to begin it; both had reaped shame as well as credit from the struggle. Happily for both, if they were taught by this sharp lesson the need of humility towards God, the King and Judge of the earth, and of justice and mercy towards man, who is made in the imago of God. The hymns, "Praise, My Soul, the Kins of Heaven," and "Now Thank We Ail, Our God," were sung by the congregation. At the evening service special thanksgiving hymns were sung, also the "Te Deum Laudamus," at the close. ST. ANDREW'S. At St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Alten Road, the morning service had special reference to the declaration of peace. Tho Rev. Henry B. Gray occupied the pulpit. The discourse was based on the words of Isaiah, "The small one shall become a strong nation." The sermon opened with words of thanksgiving that the terrible bloodshed of the last two and a-half years had come to an end. Opportunity was taken to express sympathy with the relatives of those who had fallen, and to commend to the congregation the noble suggestion of His Excellency the Governor regarding a memorial for those who had lost their lives in connection with the war. Thankfulness was also expressed that the nation had now been made aware of the true state of its military affairs, and was now determined that, if millions of money had to be expended every year on the upkeep of its armies, then those millions shall be expended to the best possible purpose. The preacher went on to speak of the vastness of the British Empire, and some questions arising therefrom. When inquiry was made as to the secret of Britain's greatness, part, at any rate, of the explanation might, he said, he found in that spirit of earnest manliness so conspicuously displayed in the Puritan movement in England, and the Covenanting movement in Scotland. And. one of the great internal dangers by which our national greatness was at present threatened was the loss of this noble manliness through an undue pursuit of pleasure, or an excessive militarism, or an inordinate greed of gain. The sermon closed with an emphasis of the real obligation of Britain—to realise the true idea of Imperialism. That would he done as the British nation set itself resolutely to know and do the will of God, putting away all that was vicious and degrading, 'and selfish and shallow. Thus Britain would become a centre of attraction. Peoples would Mock to its standard, and gladly shelter themselves under its beneficent sway. The service closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Mr. Culpan presided di the organ. ST. DAVID'S. The forenoon service at St. David's Presbyterian Church was devoted to thanksgiving for peace. Flags Union Jack, New Zealand flag, and Royal Standard—were hung on and near the pulpit. The service opened with the singing of "God Save the King." The Rev. W. Gray Dixon preached an appropriate sermon from John xiv. 27, "Peace I leave with you. My peace 1 give unto l you. Not as,the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." He referred to the reluctance with which Presbyterians were reconciled to a war with tho Boers through

■ 1 their spiritual kinship with the Presbyterian i Church but said the reasons for war were irresistibly cogent, and the war itself a pain- ' ful necessity. It was a hard thing for Bn- '■ ta m to go to war with the descendants of . he chivahotVs and beautiful Huguenots for though stupid and unworthy calendarits in ' some respects, the Boers were yet faithful ■ in religious matters, and he wished the ■ Scotch Presbyterians of Australia and New . Zealand would flock to communion as those I backwoodsmen of Africa flo«k m their wag- ! eons for miles and miles over the veldt. ■ The war having thus been a painful one, , they had the more reason to rejoice at the . advent of peace. The preacher then re- ' ferred to the humanity of the British during the war. and to what the war had done for . New Zealand, stating with regard to the im- . movement in discipline alone, that one could ■ not now meet the little boys in the street without feeling that the war had made them, as never before, little gentlemen. Above all, the preacher pointed out. in conclusion, they should rejoice in this declaration of peace as a symbol of that peace which is inward and eternal. ST. PETER'S. The Rev. R. Sommerville. preaching at St. Peter's Presbyterian Church, said all must be grateful that hostilities had ceased, that the shedding of blood by tho weapons of war was no longer, and that a foundation had been laid for progress and prosperity, such as South Africa had never yet enjoyed. It was impossible in the light of past history that the lost territory could be given back to its former owners, but it was possible for more brotherliness to be enjoyed than had ever yet been manifested by the opposing races. That feelings of amity would not be conspicuously apparent for some time, it was but reasonable to expect ; but that race hatred would be continuous he did not believe. The Government of Great Britain being so enlightened and liberal, while it had terrors for the evil-doers, had praise and help for those who did well, and if our newly-acquired colonists would bend to the inevitable, they would have all that made for peace, happiness, ..and prosperity. The Boers had many excellent qualities, and, he felt there were not difficulties in the way of harmony between the two races, such as were experienced in the case of a conquered barbarian race, which had to be taught the first principles of civilisation. Tho Boers were a religious people, and in the carrying out of their religious principles put Britons oftentimes to shame. As a rule, they knew the Bible well, and tried to act up to its teaching. Worshippers of the same God might not see eye to eye in everything, but with the same, court of appeal, and the same guiding and controlling of an inviolable judge, a way would be found for the removal of those things which were a cause of offence, and for the bringing about of a. .spirit of harmony. The Boers' ideas of Christianity were very contracted, but, on the other hand, the ideas of many (he might say the majority) of the British," with whom they might associate, were very loose, so that with a blending of the two and a survival of the fittest, it might he hoped that both would benefit morally and spiritually. __ _ KNOX CHURCH. At the Knox Church, Parnell, the Rev. H. Kelly said in the war which they all deplored there were features fitted to call forth thanksgiving, such as. the Christian spirit in which it was conducted, the opportunity it furnished to demonstrate the courage and loyalty of colonials, and the absolute unity of the Empire. Theso latter aspects would be more effective than diplomacy in the i councils of Europe. Nevertheless, they were called upon to thank God for peace. Those i who have seen most of war had expressed their horror at it. Could they forget in the midst of their rejoicings brave men like Symons, and Wauchope., and Lieutenant Roberts, and all those thousands of heroes who filled the soldier's grave? Could they forget the homes in England, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand which would never be the same again? He thanked God that tho mothers of our soldiers no longer need start in their sleep because they had been dreaming their boys had fallen, and they were Christian enough, he trusted, to rejoice and give thanks that Boer fathers and Boer mothers, who had drunk rieenly of the same cup, would now he free from the like anxiety. He thanked God also that peace brought opportunity to devote ourselves to industry and art and commerce. History showed that ocace had generally been purchased by war, and that the arts of peace need the sure defence of military power. If a thousand voting men were worth one pound a week ;-£ .producers, then in one year that number sent to South Africa lessened our productiveness by £50.000. He did not wish to judge of the worth of our contingents by any such material .standard, but neither was it to be completely ignored. The peace now being celebrated was prophetic of the golden ago. - Britain's terms were characteristically generous, and likely to reconcile the Dutch more sneediiy to the new conditions. The day would come when such terms would be offered and accepted, not as the last scene in the drama, but as the means by which war would be prevented. Let us practise in peace what we preached in war, the skill that always does its best the courage in face of odds, the kindness, the magnanimity of our nation, and so shall we hasten the better days, " When peace shall over all the world her ancient splendours fling." The hymns and anthem, under tho leadership of Mr. J. F. Bennett were appropriately and effectively rendered by a large choir. The service onened with the singing, of Jackson's "Te Deum,'' and at the close the National Anthem was sung The offertory solo was Shinn's 'Let tho People Praise Thee." st. STEPHEN'S. Thanksgiving services were held morning and evening in St. Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Ponsonby. Psalms and 'hymns suitable for the occasion were rendered by choir and congregation. In the morning the Rev. P. F. Robertson spoke from the words, "He shall judge between many peoples and arbitrate for strong nations far and wide." He said that though the diffusion of knowledge and culture could do much to bring about universal peace, yet the most cultured nations were armed camps preparing for barbaric bloodshed. The dream of a world-wide free trade, with its peaceful unity of common interests, as presented by Cobden and Bright, had utterly failed us. | Only by a breath of sincerity quickening to j life and reality the professed worship of Christ among Christian nations would the shameless rivalry and expenditure in armaments for barbaric warfare cease, and the •betterment of millions of their starving populations become their chief aim. In the evening the text was "Precious shall their blood be in His sight," Mr. Robertson, in the course of his sermon, referring to New Zealand's sons who had died in South Africa. Ho said a suitable memorial of them is demanded of us, so that future generations may be inspired by the Imperial patriotism and self-sacrifice of many heroes in the long night watches and marches, as well as of those at New Zealand Hill and Boi.hasbcrg. ST. LUKE'S. REMUERA. A special thanksgiving for peace service was conducted at St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, Remuera, yesterday morning. There was a large congregation, and the Rev. G. j B. Monro delivered an impressive sermon, taking his text from Isaiah ii. 4. "Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." • 'the preacher dealt with the circumstances which led up to the war, different features of the war, the declaration of peace, and the future prospects of South Africa. There was special singing, and the choir sang the anthem. '"Thine, O Lord. Is the Greatness," the National Anthem being sung at the close of the service. PITT-STREET. At the Pitt-street Methodist Church last evening the Rev. C. H. Garland preached a special sermon on " Peace," his remarks being based upon Isaiah hi. 7, " How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of Him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good; that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, thy God roigneth." He spoke of the darkside of war and the great unrest that had prevailed in South Africa during the late ' struggle, but said he believed the ultimate ' result would be the extension of a wider ! peace and a more abiding prosperity. The ' change that had been brought about would ' tend to the good of the Boers—who, whilst '■ losing thcr own indepedence would be benefited as the Maoris had been benefited in ' New Zealand by their absorption into the \ greater freedom ensured by British rule—and ' also to the good of the natives who by mil- ! lions thronged the Dark Continent and were ' enslaved by cruel oppressors wherever civili- ! sation had, as yet, no sway. Peace was really i ' the flower and accompaniment of prosperity, and it was to be earnestly hoped that a lorn' ' era of prosperity was about to dawn on South ' Africa. The war, he said, had revealed mai.v \ things, one of the most important of which was the striking humanity manifested by the ' nation, its leaders and soldiers in abstaining from deeds of vengeance on those of the enemy who had so flagrantly disregarded the rules of modern warfare. The war had also < enabled the nation to disc-over its real strength ] in the practical loyaltv of the colonies to the t Motherland He alluded to the remark of i the Duke of Wellington who, when asked to ] use his influence towards getting New Zea- i land included as a British colony, made the i reply: "No; wo have already too many I

a colonies for the. strength of the nation." a What, asked the preacher, would the Iron Duke "have said could he have witnessed the '. First Contingent's gallant defence of New f Zealand Hill, or the memorable stand made r by the Seventh New Zealandere on that dark. 1 and stormy night in February last at Bothas--1 berg'.' Such deeds as these showed that the » courage of the colonials was equal to that v of the Old Country, and the result must be 0 to draw the nation closer together and nearer . to God. The hymn "Peace, Perfect Peace" was sung at the close of the sendee. a GRAFTON ROAD. On Sunday evening a special thanksgiving j service was held at the Grafton Road Wesr leyan O'nurch. when the Rev. J. J. Lewis preached to a large congregation on "The :1 Peace Proclamation," taking as his text I. t Chronicles xii. IS, ' Then the spirit came upon Amasi who was chief of the captains, 3 and he said; 'Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse; peace, peace. f be unto tfiee and peace be to thine helpers, .- for thy God hclpeth thee.' " The speaker said it would be out of place to offer thanksgiving for the peace if we did not believe our cause was a .righteous one. He graphically reviewed the events of the war, and said ". its humiliations had resulted in much heart--1 searching and self-questioning, while its victories and successes were a cause for much \ thankfulness to God. As a Christian minister he thought that there should be internaJ tional good feeling, but he regretted that the Germans of New Zealand had not united in '. repudiating such calumnies as their countrymen had heaped upon the British army in its J season of bitterest Europe would yet T blush for those malignant slanders. He ' dwelt upon the heroic defences of Mafeking. I Ladysmith, and Kimberlcy, and the triumphal t entrance of Pretoria: of the protracted war , which had at last resulted in a peace which gladdened every heart. Pence meant that [ many a mother who had sent her boy to the ' war and who had daily feared the news of . some mishap to him, would receive him safe [ to her arms again, and instead of devastated \ farms there would be thriving homesteads. I Great Britain was stronger than when she \ had entered the war, and would be a menace ' to all that is evil, and a strength to all that is good. What were our gains? We had acquired a much needed military experience, \ which would in future do away with much of ' army red tape. Our army was not a military machine, but one in which the individual | soldiers acted with intelligence. The great ' lesson of the peace, however, was that with '' increased power, wealth, and territory, wo , were to do a greater work for Christ. The railway that would join Cairo to the Cape wou.u take missionaries and Bibles to the darkest parts of Africa, and the heathen . would be brought to a saving knowledge of Christ. The preacher ended by relating Bunyan's allegory of the siege and relief of Mansoul, with its glorious proclamation of peace. He urged on his hearers to accept that peace, which acceptance of Christ alone could bring. At the close of the sermon the choir rendered the anthem "I Will Arise," and the Hallelujah Chorus." 1 ST. JOHN'S. The Rev. W. Ready took the service at Bayfield Wesloyan Church yesterday morning, and St. John's Wcsleyan Church, Pansonby last night, and on both occasions referred to the peace in South Africa, He showed that the war had united the British 1 people in the bonds of unity, and that it had 1 revealed to the world the oneness of spirit ; that prevailed in the Empire. He said it i ' seemed to him, judging from the signs of the ! ' times, that it would not be a difficult matter \ to unite the two races into one people, with one heart, and one aim. The congregations 1 sang " God Save Our Native Land" and " God Save the King," at the request of the minister. AUCKLAND TABERNACLE. At the Baptist Tabernacle in the morning the Rev. J. Clark preached from Judges vi. 24: "And Gideon built an altar there unto the Lord and called it Jehovah-Shalom" (the Lord our Peace). The preacher said it was singularly appropriate that in his series of addresses on the Jehovistic titles the day for dealing with the foregoing topic should, without pro-arrangement, have fallen on the first Sunday after restored peace in South Africa. In the evening the minister preached from Isaiah ii. 4: " And He shall judge among the nations, and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." He referred to the impressivo scene when, on the night of May 31, the terms of peace were signed in silence; also to the graceful compliments exchanged by the respective generals. The Boer leaders' testimony to Lord Kitchener and his soldiers was a refutation which should wipe out in one act the vile slanders on our army. When the bells rang out and the guns sounded last Monday there was rejoicing not onlythrough tho British Empire, but in the Boer camps. He believed this was a permanent peace, which should result in a strengthened Empire, extended commerce, a developed country and the. growth of Christianity. Already two of the brave Boer leaders had come forward and avowed their loyalty to our King. This terrible war had verily been an instrument in working out the evolution of peace. The added force by the blending of the two strong races would make the other Powers still more hesitant to attack us. He trusted that this happy consummation of affairs in South Africa might in no small degree help to hasten the time prophesied in the text when men shall no longer, through the medium of the frightful- horrors of warfare, seek to settle their differences. The choir sang the "To Deum," "Hymn for Our Country." and the anthems, " O. Clap Your Hands" and " Give Peace in Our Time." BERESFORD-STREET CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The special services at the Beresford-street Congregational Church were conducted by the Rev. J. Wilkins. Preaching in the morning from the text " Comfort ye my people, saith your (kid" (Isaiah xl. 1-2), he said the goodness of God was being displayed as much in modern history as in ancient times, and the words of the text could be taken as being applicable to the English people of to-day as they were to the children of ancient Israel. He dwelt ! upon the fact that whilst there had been reverses to the British arms the nation had never despaired of ultimate success, and there was also special cause for comfort in the fact that during the war the colonies had been drawn into such a close and intimate association with the Mother Country. Those who had thought that the bond of union was thin and superficial had been brought to see that it was ,strong and enduring. In the evening Mr. Wilkins spoke of some of the notable deeds of the war, the text being " The Lord hath'done great things for us, whereof we are glad" (Psalms exxvi. 3). The "To Deum" at the morning service, and at the evening service Madame Chambers sang the solo "The Dawn of Peace," the musical composition bein<r by Dr. W. E. Thomas, and the words by Mr J. Ryland Harrow. ALEXANDRA-STREET P.M. CHURCH. At the Alexandra-street Primitive Methodist Church the Rev. H. Williams was the preacher at the evening service. He based his sermon on Matthew xxvi. 52, " Put up again thy sword." In the course of his remarks he said lie thought all would rejoice that the spirit of the text had been conformed to in connection with the war in South Africa. To him it seemed that tho whole root, source and foundation of the trouble just lay in the unwillingness of tl>e Boer authorities to recognise the rights and claims of the strangers who had come into their country and who contributed by far the larger portion of the revenue of that country. It also might occur to them to ask themselves whether England, with all her power and might, was just in tho course she had adopted in bringing under her own power and rule those territories in South Africa. In other words, was England just in adopting a policy of Imperialism ? That ■ depended on the motive lying behind If it was not merely a selfish one, but if England ■ desired to bo a saviour unto the other , peoples of the earth— save them from injustice, tyranny and oppression—then it . seemed to him they could not find a great ' deal of fault with her for following "that ! course and for adopting that policy. Where- ' ever England's power went it meant the ( breaking down of injustice and tyranny. 1 and from the terms of the recent peace'it ' appeared to him that at the very heart of i England there was Christian power. With , all her might and power she had shown she i would lend these qualities to the Boers and be at their service. What other nation would have had its concentration camps, or have advanced so large a sum to enable re- , settlement on the land ? As long as our , powei was always sanctified, those amongst ' whom we entered would be the hotter for ■ i our influence During the service a solo 1 was rendered by Miss Aspinall and the choir sang an anthem. At the close the - hymn, 'God Save Our Native Land," was , sung. l UNITARIAN CHURCH. [ Preaching at tho Unitarian Church yester- • day the Rev. W. Jellie said sweet after tern- , pest came the calm, and doubly sweet after the brutality, the carnage, the cost of war . in lite and treasure was the tranquillity of } peace. He thanked God that all that tre- ' mentions energy of brain and body power winch Jiad been expended on the fields of t South Africa, was to be again directed into t

! the channels of agriculture rr,r„ ~~~^ = * \ manufacture and tho r> M .-' /? m, ncrce ..J civilised nations. He v^ cnl rf uttered thanksgivings J"^ >J* W* fateful page of history. Mali' *, of «»■ and jealousy and racial passion W l,lir *l f existence so far as th? • pW;W».i» concerned. We welcomed tl, 6^" h w "* • brothers in empire. We hr „ a . their bravery. V, value^Sln^' for us all the more because of « "on *><« earnestness and stern persist**^ 1 de --% struggle for independence <?? "? •■* which they displayed to their own i\*?*r life and government was the .«?\ ,dcal °* and guarantee of loyalty to '"„ l } ,! * H W ideal, when we, by manly forbSL?*** wise generosity, should win the™ :° * nd side. We saluted the sacred dead J 0 0,,r their heart's blood for the saW h " »*• name and race. Yet a soS &' th *' he be through whose 7tW°v WOuld this time no pulse of dS "a\ V *** apower, no tumult of elation no JS"* 1 ? 8, at the thought of our counties S« *** the sense of our country's delivJ. * "» the greatest danger she had had fo^fe 0 hundred years. iuia ceirjr a . ST. PATRICK'S. Special reference was made at St P«t~ ~ Cathedral yesterd*- to the deckiS^ o*l0* 1 peace in South Africa. At the & of Mass Bishop Lenihaii took as his IZ f °? k "Love of the Sacred Heart," ifSSfi a very eloquent sermon, in the CJ which he expressed the great uraf!*i- 0 " with which the news of peace had been "? Haydn " No. - Mass ' was si*KWand the priests at the XSHS &1& Deum." Either Patterson was celebrant It vespers Father Benedict, 0.P., ££?• * also made reference to peace. ' TOa OxTY HALL SERVICE. A special thanksgiving service in ™„» tion with the peace celebrations was heldW evening at the Citv Hall. Mr R t.A from New South Wales, was the S ll ' His remarks were based on V? £ "Christ hath made peace by Hi« j?5 The National Anthem was mencement of the service. Miss Alice Rjm" mer sang two appropriate sacred pieces Mr' \\ . Brakenng was in the chair. ' PUBLIC SERVICE AT ONEHUNG4 A public thanksgiving service for oca™ was held last night in the Public Hall On hunga. Tho service was promoted by the Onehunga Borough Council and was at tended by His Worship the Mayor (Mr I) A. Sutherland). Messrs. J. Rowp C' V Hill, J. E. Kelsall, J. N. Rishworth. W Colledge, J. J. Shaldrick. C. McLeod j' Stoupe and G. Vause, members of the Coun' oil, and Captain Richardson (town clerk) The Rev. Canon Haselden, vicar of St Peter's Anglican Church, presided, and was accompanied to the platform by the Revs A. 0. Wedderspoon (Presbyterian), C. Griffin (Methodist), and A. C. Lyon (Congregational). The choirs of the above-named churches led the singing, under the conductorship of Mr. J. Lakin, Mr. Hanj Prime presiding at the pianoforte. Tlio service opened with the singing ot the Hundredth Psalm, after which the Rev. 0. Griffin led in prayer. Tire Scripture lesson was the 46th Psalm, read by the Rev. A. C. Lyon. " Behold the Mountain of the Lord" was next sung, then the Rev. A. C. Wedderspoon gave a powerful and appropriate address, the service concluding with two verses of the National Anthem and tivj Benediction. The service was a most impressive one and was attended by a large congregation. THAMES SERVICES. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] Thames, Sunday. Special peace thanksgiving services were held in all the Thames churches to-day. The morning service at St. James' Presbyterian Church was attended by the two local volunteer corps with their bands, together with the school cadets, the members of tha firo brigade and several old veterans. ■ SERVICES IN THE SOUTH. •, [BY TELEGRAPH. — : association.] I Wellington, Sunday. . * Thanksgiving services were held in all city and suburban churches to-day. The Garrison Corps attended the service at St. Peter's, there being 701 officers and men on parade. His Excellency the Governor was present. Ashiutrtox, Sunday. ■ At all the churches to-day special service? were held in commemoration of peace, and thanksgiving hymns sung. The To Deum v was sung in the Roman Catholic Church, by order of the Bishop.