RELIGIOUS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 12

RELIGIOUS.

About 130 men from the warships Pylades and RingarOoma attended divine service on Sunday morning. They were landed at Customhouse quay, and'marched, headed by a drum and fife band, to St. Peter's and Wesley Churches. On their return they were followed by a large crowd of people. The Eight Rev Bishop Wallis conferred the right of confirmation at St. Peter's Church, on Sunday afternoon, upon a number of young persons of both sexes. The ceremony throughout was a most impressive one. The procession from the vestry to the altar was formed by a number of choristers, and was followed by thej gKevs J. Windser and W. Ronaldson and the incumbent Rev W. C. Waters the latter of whom bore the crosier. Seventy-one candidates were presented for confirmation. The Bishop gave two separate addresses. The choir sang the " Veni Creator " and other appropriate pieces. The Bishop received the candidates from his chair in the chancel. The church was crowded to its utmost capacity. A special service will be held in St. Peter's Church next Saturday evening, at which the Bishop will be present. At the conclusion of Sunday evening's service the bells of St. Peter's Church rang out a merry peal in celebration of the afternoon's service.

Some organisations connected with Dunedin churches have passed resolutions protesting against the proposed lottery of the Bank of New Zealand globo assets. A resolution in this direction has also been passed by the committee of the Reform Association. METHODIST UNION. Melbourne, June 22. A great meeting of Methodists, arranged by the Federal Council of the Methodist Churches, was held under the presidency of Acting-Governor Way, of South Australia, for the purpose of affirming the desirability of union. The Chairman in his speech referred to the fact that the Primitive Methodist Conference in New Zealand was the only body in the colonies which rejected the proposed union.

A resolution in favour of unity was carried unanimously.