ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12544, 11 April 1904, Page 6

ECCLESIASTICAL.

| ALL SOULS' CHURCH. j Quite recently the work of organising tfc» Roman Catholic community of Devonport undertaken by the Rev. Father Maher, the result of his few months' labours W3 d ':- rnonstrated yesterday, when the/ renovated church was reopened by Dr. Lenihah, Bishrm of Auckland. The little church has keen eif Jill larged and entirely renovated, so that ■■ no "' the building possesses an attractive &T> T ,e»7 ance, both from the exterior and intS Yesterday morning it was filled with % vout congregation. Father Benedict OS R » ' celebrated Mass, and in the sanctuary ' «m? Monsignor O'Reilly (of Thames), the W ; ** Fathers Maher, Holbrook, McMillan, O'Neilis (oi Dunedin), and Kelly (of Chicago). TV 5 ' choir, augmented by several singers' from r HI Auckland, and with Hcrr John Wielaert *■'•■ — ' precentor, sang Weber's "Mass in G " th soloists being Madame Wielaert (son'ranT Mrs. Boylan (alto), Mr. W. Whyte ffi' and Mr. R. Mantell (bass). Miss M. SJ' - ; son very efficiently discharged the duties of ' organist. 'I ho altar was prettily decorated "-■ by the Sisters stationed at Devonport with " ; flowers and evergreens. The Bishop, i u , brief address, appealed to the congregation ''"''''- to assist liberally in paying off the cost of the improvements. At the conclusion of the " " service the clergy, some of the congregation * • and visitors, repaired to St. Leo's Academy ' opposite, and were provided with an excellent luncheon by the Ladies' Committee of the congregation. Father Maher, in extend, ing a hearty welcome to ail, expressed thg opinion that before the end of the year th» ■ debt on the church would be wholly wined '- off, and perhaps a presbytery would be es- ■■-%■ tablished in the neat future. About £IQQ :':■'< had been collected, and he wanted another £109. Mr. W. J. Napier and Mr. E. W Alison, on behalf of the laity and the visil ; tors respectively, congratulated Father Maher ; ' on the good results he had achieved within : ' a few months. Mr. Napier prophesied that within five or six years the congregation would be so large that a new church -would be necessary. Bishop Leuihan had a word of praise for Father Maher, whom he heartily " congratulated on the successful work ha had accomplished. He hoped to see a suitable *- presbytery established in 12 months.

HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES. Special harvest thanksgiving services were held at the Grafton Road Church yesterday morning and evening, when there were large congregations present. The church was tastefully decorated. Mr. R. H. Wylie conducted the service in the morning, and the Rev. J. J. Lewis, who preacked upon "The Incorruptible Seed of a Glorious Fruition," in the evening. Appropriate musio was rendered at both services by the choir* ST. ANDREWS CHURCH. Special services were held at St. Andrew*! Presbyterian Church yesterday in connection with the third anniversary of the induction of the Rev. Hy. B. Gray. The morning service was conducted by Mr. Gray, who preached a sermon suitable to the occasion. The choir sang the anthem. "Jubilate," and Mr. Richard James the solo, " Angels Ever Bright and Fair." In the evening the service was conducted by the Rev. .las. B. Russell, 8.D., of Knox Church, Faraell, who preached an earnest sermon. _ The choir sang the anthem, " I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes," and Miss Maud Howard rendered the: solo, "O, Divine Redeemer." At both services there were large congregations. <; AUCKLAND BAPTIST MISSION. ' The Rev. David Parry delivered at the Opera House last evening the first of a series of discourses, specially suitable to nonchurchgoers, entitled " Jap, the Giant Killer." There was a very fair audience, which was held thoroughly interested! throughout by the striking and graphic parallels instituted between the little Jap and the big Russian at war, and the sinner struggling with his sin. The preacher stated clearly, and in eloquent language, the causes which led up to the rupture between Japan and Russia, but it was, be said, impossible to foretell the final issue of the contest.» Not so, hoWever, with regard to the ultimate triumph of struggling humanity . over sin in every shape and form, supported a3 humanity was by an omnipotent Christ. ' METHODIST CITY MISSION. . ■"Gladstone, tha Christian Statesman." formed the subject of an excellent discourse by Mr. Jackson, M.A., of Prince Albert College, at the pleasant Sunday afternoon service yesterday. _ The lecturer had evidently given a good deal of attention to the subject, which was treated in a very able manner. He was heartily applauded at the close of his address. The subject is to be continued next Sunday afternoon. During the service Miss J. Manson sang "The Flight of Ages," and Mr. Mclilwain "The Toilers." An anthem, "Jesus of Nazareth," was contributed by the Quartette Party. The Rev. J. Wilson spoke at the evening service on " The Healing of the Blind Man." Mr. G. Bewley and others sang suitable evangelio songs. The attendances during the day were large, the services being of a helpful character. CENTRAL MISSION. The usual bright and interesting services were conducted at the Central Mission yesterday. The speaker at the morning service was Mr. Jethro Look, who dwelt in hia address on the first miracle of Jesus Christ. At the evening evangelical service Mr. and Mrs. Gowland, recent arrivals from England, gave earnest addresses to the large congregation. The musical, part of the service included a solo by Mr. Gotland, a quartette by the Mission Quartette i.Party, and an anthem by the choir. CITY HALL. An earnest address was given at the City Hall last evening by Mr. Dannefaerd, of the Soldiers' Mission, Poona, from Job ix. 43, which was listened to by a good audience.