Religious.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1060, 23 June 1892, Page 37

Religious.

At the Courtenay Place Congregational Church on Suuday afternoon the usual P.S.A. service was held, when the Rev Mr Powell gave an address on ‘ Hope.’ Mr Weston gave a reading, ‘The Road to Heaven.’ The committee distributed au invitation card which bears these words * Residents in the neighbourhood of the Courtenay Place Congregational Church are cordially invited tc the pleasant Sunday afternoon meetings, popularly known as the P.S.A., which are held in the church every Sunday at three o'clock. The programme includes a variety of items, and attendance involves no committal to attend any other services of the church, though a cordial welcome.to these is presented at all times.’

Despite the inclemency of the weather, there was a large congregation at the Wesleyan Church, Taranaki street, on Sunday, when the Rev J. J. Lewis preached, the subject being ‘ The Power of the Press.’ In his introduction the preacher said the pen was the mightiest engine that was on this earth. He then sketched the various kinds of written characters which were made use of in early times amongst the nations of the East. The Hebrews borrowed some of their materials. for writing from the Egyptians. ’The earliest known form of new-piper was the ‘ Acta Diurna,' which exist 'd during the la'e years of the Roman Republic. The first modern newspaper was pnb ished in Germany about the lath century, and in England in the time of Charles I. He then sketched the ri-e of the newspaper press in England. A great many would-be critics imagined that they were competent to run a newspaper, just as they were under the impression that they could preach a sermon. Some peop’e wanted a great deal of space devoted to commercial matters, others to racing, others to politics, and so on, but it was necessary to conduct a paper on a commercial basis, so as to consult the interests of all classes. The preacher then referred to. the commanding position which the London Times had taken amongst English journals, and the enterprise which it had displayed, several times within the present reign, ip supplying the British public with news of vital importance long before it was possible for the Government to do so. He then referred in laudatory terms to the great benefit conferred on humanity by the manner in which Mr Russell, the Times correspondent, exposed the mismanagement and corruption prevalent during the Crimean war. Notwithstanding the cry of a godless press and infidel writers, he had great faith in it, for he agreed with Mr Russell Lowell that an editar should take his rank as a teacher of the nation.

At the conclusion of the sermon at the Wesleyan Church last evening the Rev J. J. Lewis said that he hail a good deal of knowledge of the evil wrought by strong d-ink amongst the Maoris of Rotorua and other places. He had been an eye-witness of the degredati >n and ruin which it had caused to. body and soul. The Government of the Dominion of Omad i recognised their re.-ponsibiiity in legislating for the native population, for throughout the length and breadth of that country no person could supply an Indian with liquor without incurring the severest penalties. There have been portions of this Colony where prohibition lias been in force at the wish of natives, and thus they have been saved from a mighty curse. But a few days ago it was made known that the Government had given facilities whereby licenses for the sale of drink may be granted in the King Country. Now, the pulpit ought to have nothing to do with party politics ; they had come to worship God, but the preacher who did not protest against that which would be to the detriment both of the soul and body of the native race, would be nothing better than a dumb dog. He appealed to the congregation, if they were with him in the batt.le which he undertook against the action of the Government in this matter. He believed that such permission would expose our Legislature to the contempt of the civilised world. Tomorrow a deputation would wait upon the Premier, requesting him to withdraw the permission for the sale of intoxicating drink in the King Cmntry, for the Natives were nothing better than children iu respect to this affair, and he now asked those present to show their approval of his action by standing up. The whole congregation then stood up as a proof of their sympathy with the protest. A meeting of ladies and gentlemen of the Te Aro parish was held on Sunday last in St Patrick’s Hall in order to elect a committee for the working up of the approaching social, to be held in the Skating Rink on the 14th July next. Rev Father Devoy, V.G.S.M., presided. A committee of ladies was formed to carry out the arrangements re refreshments, &c., and also one of gentlemen to arrange the musical programme. The whole affair promisee to be a great success, as all concerned

are working hard for that object. It is in aid of the school.