ECCLESIASTICAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13872, 5 October 1908, Page 8

ECCLESIASTICAL.

PITT-STREET CHURCH ANSI- " VERSARY. Special : services in connection with the 42nd anniversary of the Pitt-streot Methodist Church were held yesterday. There was a largo congregation in the morning, when the Rev- W. Gray Dixon, M.A., was the preacher. • The music included anthems by tho choir,'and a solo by Mr. W. R. Stewart. At a sacred concert and organ recital in tho' afternoon the church was thronged. Amongst those assisting on this occasion were: Mrs. M. Hamilton Hodges, who sang the aria, "Hear Ye, Israel" Elijah"), and Holden's- "Nearer, My God, to Thee," and Mr. J. Forriday, who sang the air, "'Tis Liberty" ("Judas Maccabeus") The united choirs of Pitt-street and '■: Grafton Road Churches rendered the chorus,. "The Heavens are Telling" ("Creation"); Mrs Fray, . Miss Tudehope, and Mrs. Phillips eang the trio, "Lift Thine Eyes" ("Elijah"); and the organist, Mr. J. H. Fray, F.M.I. played Knox's "Andante in F," and Dudley Buck's tone picture. "The Holy Night," besides two voluntaries. During the afternoon tho Rev. S. J. Gibson delivered an address. In the evening there was again a large congregation. - Tho Rev. J. (A. Luxford preached, and there was again special music. Mrs. Fray rendered a. solo, and Miss Probert, Mrs. Hawkins, and Messrs. James and Hawkins wore hoard in a quartette. The anniversary celebrations will bo continued to-morrow night in _ tho Sundayschool, when the annual meeting of tho congregation will bo hold. • Mr. A. J. Entrican will preside, and Mr. J. H. Fray will have charge of tho musical programme. Ministers assisting will include tho Revs. ,W. '0. Oliver, A. A. Murray, and J. A. Luxford. ONEHUNGA METHODIST CHURCH. Special sorviccs woro hold at the Methodist Church,, Oncbunga, yesterday, in connection with tho Sunday-school anniversary. Tho Rev. S." J. Gibson preached at the morning service, and the Rev. A. N. Scotter at three p.m., while the Rev. J. Wilson conducted the evening service. Appropriate hymns and anthems were rendered by an augmented choir, under the leadership of Mi-. Ernest Sutherland.

"LONDON MISSIONS TO SEAMEN. A short, bright service was held by the missionor, Mr. A. P. Cowio, at the local institute, Buildings, last evening. A largo number of seamen were present.

THEOSOPHY. At tbo rooms of the Auckland Th'cosopMcar Society, Mutual Life . Buildings, tho usual weekly public lecture was delivered last night by Miss A. E. Davidson, under tho title " Prayer,, And Its Answer." The lecture was an interesting one, being an exposition of the theosophioa-l teaching in regard to prayer. ' A discussion followed. At the H.P.B, branch of tho Theosophical Society Mr. R. A. Robinson lectured upon "Members One of Another: The Higher Socialism." ■; ' . ■■.