EASTER'S MESSAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22687, 27 March 1937, Page 14

EASTER'S MESSAGE

SERVICES IN CHURCHES GOOD FRIDAY MEDITATIONS THE PROCESSION OF WITNESS J vaster is almost universally regarded as the most sacred festival in tho Christian calendar, and Good Friday was celebrated yesterday at appropriate services in churches of all denominations. The central theme was the Crucifixion of Christ, and some aspect of its message for the world. Services beginning with a litany and reading wore conducted throughout the day at St. Mary's Cathedral. Tho three hours' devotion from noon to .'J p.m. there was conducted by Canon Harvie and was broadcast. There was a children's service at 4.JiO, and in the evening the cantata "Olivet to Calvary" was rendered. The three hours' devotion was generally observed in the Anglican churches. Tho annual combined procession of witness organised by the New Zealand Church Union left from the l'l.ving Angel Mission at 6.30 p.m. 'J he Revi A. U. Allerton was in charge and clergy and laity from different parishes, choristers and St, John s College students, took part. Brief open air services were conducted in Quay Stieot and in Victoria Street, the»speaker at the former being Captain D. Caswell of the Church Army, and at the latter tho Rev. G. V. Gerard. When the procession, which went up Queen Street, reached Wellesley Street, it divided, part going to St. Paul's, where Archbishop Averill conducted a mission service. and part to St. Matthew's, where there was an open air service followed by a lantern service conducted by Mr. Gerard. The congregations of the Pitt Street Methodist, St. James' Presbyterian, Bercsford Street Congregational churches and the Baptist Tabernacle united in a cqmbincd morning service in the Tabernacle. The service was conducted by the Rev. L. B. Busfield and the preacher was the Rev. F. de Lisle. Morning services at St. David's and St. Andrew's Presbyterian churches and at various Methodist churches drew good attendances. At St. Patrick's Cathedral the solemn ofiice of tenebrae was observed in the evening when the preacher was | Bishop Liston. A mass of the presanotified was solemnised in the morning, and the stations of the Cross were observed in the afternoon, i A series of services centring round j the Passion and death of Christ were held at the Salvation Army Congress Hall throughout tho day. To-morrow thoughts in the churches will bo concentrated on the message of the Resurrection, and the services conducted by all denominations will have a special Faster character with music appropriate to the occasion. At St. Mary's Cathedral early Communion will be administered by Archbishop Averill, who will also be the preacher at Evensong. There bo a special mass for Yugoslavs at St. Patrick s Cathedral at 10 a.m.,-and solemn pontifical mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m.