THE ANGLICAN MISSION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14473, 13 September 1910, Page 6

THE ANGLICAN MISSION.

CONCLUDED IN AUCKLAND.

THANKSGIVING SERVICES,

The Anglican Mission, so far as the diocese of Auckland is concerned, was brought to a close last evening by the holding of special thanksgiving services in the various Anglican churches. Notwithstanding the heavy rain that .fell in the early, part of the evening, the churches were well filled, and the services proved of a most impressive character. At St. Mary's Cathedral, Parnell, the service was conducted by Canon Stuart, the leader of the mission, assisted by the vicar, Canon Mac Murray. Canon Stuart spoke from the words, Kept by the Power of God." There were, he said, seven great blessings for which St. Peter praised God, and he gave them as follows :—(1) The abundant mercy; (2) the new life; (3) a lively hope; (4) the Risen Christ; (5) the incorruptible inheritance, undented, and that faded not away, reserved in heaven ; (6) the guaranteed preservation ; and (7) the faith unto a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Canon Stuart urged his hearers to pray earnestly, and to get to work and do something for the Master: It was, he said, the lazy Christians who were their trouble.

At the conclusion of his sermon Canon Stuart asked as many as desired to stand and renew the following baptismal promises :"1. I promise to renounce the devil and all'his works, the pomps and vanity of this wicked world and all the sinful lusts of the flesh. 2. And I believe in God, my Father, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, my Saviour, and in God, the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me. 3. And I intend, by God's help, to keep His Holy Will and Commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life." All the congregation with the exception of two or three rose and solemnly repeated the vows. The service was concluded by the singing of "God be With You Till we Meet Again." A large number of the congregation remained behind. At St. Matthew's, All Saints', St. Barnabas's, St. Paul's, St. Sepulchre's, Holy Trinity, and St. Alban's Churches the services were of a similar character.

Tho whole of the miesioners with the exception of Canon Stuart and the Rev. Fitzgerald leave for Waiapu to-day, where they commence a mission on Saturday next. Canon Stuart will preach again in St. Mary's Cathedral to-night, and will leave by the express to-morrow morning for Rotorua. After spending four days in the thermal district the mission leader will go to Wellington and will hold a series of mission meetings in the Town Hall prior to the opening of the general mission in that diocese on October 1. The Rev. Fitzgerald also leaves by the express to-morrow morning for Rotorua to conduct services at Rotorua and Opotiki.