ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12238, 6 April 1903, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL.

ST. DAVID'S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. The semi-jubilee of St. David's Presbyterian Church. Khybev Pass Road, was celebrated by special services in the church yesterday. The Rev. W. Gray Dixon preached an appropriate sermon in the morning, taking as his text Philippians i. 3-6. By a singular coincidence the Rev. T. W. Dunn, of St. Enoch's Church, Newtown, Sydney, who as a student missionary conducted the- first regular services at St. David's Church 25 years ago, had arrived from Sydney yesterday morning, and lie unexpectedly put in an appearance at the service. He assisted in the service and delivered an interesting address. In the evening the Rev. G. B. Monro preached from Deut. viii. 2. "Thou shalt remember all the way which the Lord thy God has led thee." In the course of his sermon Mr. Monro paid a tribute to the three pastors who have had charge of St. David's since it was declared a fully-sanctioned charge, on April 3, 1878, thev being the Rev. Thomas Mackenzie Eraser, M.A., the Rev. R, Scott West, M.A., and the. present, pastor, the Rev. W. Gray Dixon, M.A. Special hymns were sung, and tho services, which were largely attended, wore of a most hearty and successful character. At the morning service Air. Alfred Jowitt read the. lessons. KNOX CHURCH, PARNELL. Anniversary and harvest festival services were held in Knox Church, Parnell, yesterday. The church was appropriately decorated with corn, fruit, flowers, vegetables, etc., and there were large congregations at each service. The Rev. Hugh Kelly conducted the morning service, whilst that in the evening was conducted by the Rev. Wm. Day. The anthems, " Fear Not, O Land" and ''Thou Crownest tho Earth," were rendered by the choir at the morning and evening services respectively, and at tho latter service the duet " Children, Pray" was sung by Miss Gilmour and Mr. Clegg. A special children's service, with music by the children, was held in the afternoon, when an address was given by the Rev. W. S. Potter. The collections, which were taken up in aid of the church funds, realised a substantial amount. THE CENTRAL MISSION. Special services were held yesterday at the Central Mission. In the morning" Mr. J. Turner (superintendent of the Wellington Central Mission) conducted the service, which concluded with holy communion. In the evening Mr. Harris, who has for some years been conducting missionary work in the East, spoke t) the subject taken being "'What is Life?" Mr. J. Turner also spoke. A series of special meetings are to be held by the mission in connection with the forthcoming visit of th-> Wellington Mission band, which is expected to arrive in Auckland on Thursday evening next. Next Sunday afternoon and night the services will bo conducted in His Majesty's Theatre. CITY HALL. At the City Hall services yesterday evening an address was given by Mr. W. R. Wilson, his subject being "Ruin." Miss Alice Rimmer sang two sacred solos.UPPER THAMES METHUDIST CIRCUIT [J!Y TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] „, ' Paeeoa, Saturday. lire quarterly meeting of the Unp<>r Thames Methodist circuit Was held at Waihi on Thursday night. The report of the circuit stewards showed that the deficit of the circuit had been reduced bv over £40 during the past quarter. The affairs of the various ohm-chess and Sunday-Schools were reported to be satisfactory, and the appointment to W»ih, of the Bey. C. Harrison, late of the Helping Hand Mission, Auckland, has given general satisfaction.