THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 42

THE CHURCHES.

TERRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ANNIVERSARY. The services at this church on Sunday wero in celebration of the anniversary, but the heavy rainfall debarred many living at a distance from attending. Tho Rev J. Guy conducted the morning service, taking for his text St. Matthew, lOtli chapter ; and 18th verse. The preacher remarked that it was not in accordance with the mind of tho Divine Master that Christians should live as separate units, but be united to ono another in tho bonds of brotherly love and Christian fellowship. Jesus choso 12 men to specially instruct in tho great truths of the Gospel, and in attaching those men to Himself He was making preparation for the time when Ho should leave them, and they would have to carry out the great work He had begun on earth. Tho security of Christ’s Church, said the preacher, is assured, because it is built on an everlasting foundation. Christianity has passed through many terribly severe tests during the 19 centuries of its existence, but with the history of tho past before us we can look calmly into the future, assured of its security. Christ's glorious promise to llis Church is, “ Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of tho world.” The service ill the evening was taken by tho pastor, Rev J. Reed Glasson, who based his sermon on Habakkuk, 2nd chapter, 20th verse: “But the Lord is in llis holy tomple; lot all tho earth keep silence before Him.” In the course of his remarks, the preacher condemned and regretted the many very worldly methods and practices often introduced into Church worship. The Church of Christ, he said, sympathises in everything that is noble, and good, and right—and in these new lands, with the great possibilities for the future, every Christian mail and woman is called upon to do his and her duty in all that pertains for the best development of their country. Tho world to-day is crying out for “certainties,” and the Church must havo a “certain” message if it is to succeed. The Church’s uses are spiritual. She is to bear witness—amongst all the bustlo and worry that exists in all around—of the higher and better life within the reach of j all. ST. JAMES’. At St. James’ Church, Adelaide road, the Rev ML Elmer, at the morning service, preached from Galatians, chapter v., verso (i, on “ Faith which worketh by love.” At tho evening sendee tho subject was Hezekiah, | whose character was considered, tho j preacher pointing out that to him God was j not one among many, or chief among many, but tho one living God. The most valued j relic, even tho brazen serpent, must be I destroyed if it has become a fetish. Ho endeavoured to defend his people, but j when tho enemy came his conduct is not less to bo imitated. He brought his perplexity to his God. Ilia conduct in view of death was not courageous. Immortality was not so clear to him as it should now be to us, ST. MARK’S. The Rev 11. L. Monckton preached in tho morning, taking for his text Philippians 3, v. 1: “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord,” dealing chiefly with the suggestion that by rejoicing in tho Lord it teaches us to control our feelings. In tho evening, tho Rev R. Colley, M.A., preached, taking for his text Philipppians, ch. 3, v. 13. He pointed out how, in all his sufferings, St. Paul never complained, but rather drew nearer his Master when in pain, and writing from his prison house he bid tho Philippians rejoice. This, tho preacher said, was a lesson for modern Christians, which they sadly needed. They should be prepared for trouble, and rejoice for Christ, who, all bough lie suffered the most, deserved it the least. sr. peter's. Tire services at St. Peter’s Church on Sunday morning were.greatly affected by tho bad weather. Theolforlories throughout flic day were given to the general church funds, and they suit-red from the same cause. The vicar preached at the morning service on tho brotherhood of the Church from tho epistle for the day. At evensong the anthem was “The Lord is Great in Zion,” and the Magnifi ;at and

Nunc Dimitris were Bunnctt in J-’. The services and lessons wero read by tho vicar, and the Von the Archdeacon of Wellington preached an excellent sermon on Ephesians, chapter 4th verse Kith, lie made an earnest appeal to all present to support with their alms and intercession tho spiritual claims of tho settlin’ in tho varioia; outlying districts of tho diocese. The vicar gave notice that the confirmation lecture would bo given on Monday, May 4th, and not on Monday, April 27th. st. Paul’s. At the morning service the prayers were read by the Rev. G. Fynes-Olinton, tho sermon being preached by the Rev. C. Tisdall, who gave an account of St. Mark’s life and the lessons that might be drawn from it. At the evening service the anthem “ Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more,” was sung by the choir, tho duet being rendered by Miss Campbell and Mr Ilickson. Tho sermon was preached by the vicar (Rev. T. 11. Sprott), who continued lus series of addresses on the Book of Job. st. John’s. Service in tho morning was conducted by the Rev J. Paterson, who preached from the text, Psalm cxix., 170, “ I have gyue astray like a lost sheep : seek thy servant, for I do not forget Thy commandments.” All sin, ho said, is a departure from God the d-m-U-tn-.J of 1 he will !•

have need to make the penitent confession “ we have gone astray,” and to offer up the prayer “ Seek Thou us.” And tho allgracious and lovingOneis seeking us, and is ready to briiig us back to tho fold, and to exercise over us tho Good Shepherd’s care. As there is always tho proneness to go astray, so there is always the need to make the penitent confession, to offer up the earnest prayer, and to form anew the holy resolution not to forget God’s commandments. In tho evening Mr Paterson exchanged with Mr Ogiu taking tho service in St. Andrew’s, Mr Ogg occupying the pulpit in St. John’s. CHURCH OP CHRIST, DIXON STREET. The preacher was Mr Edward Lewis, and his subject was “ God.” Tho thought “no God” is, bo said, demoralising; “ many gods,” bewildering and distressing ; but the conception of “tho One God” centres the understanding. God either cares for our race with a whole soul, or He does not care at all for us. If anyone thinks God does not care for us, thero is nothing else to save that man. To be able to trust God gives us power over every evil. God will doom the hard and the unmerciful, and this is fair, and a kindness to the great whole. That God is jealous of our affections is right; that God is a consuming fire to all evil is right, and that God is love to tho erring straggler as well as to the more successful in tho battle with sin commends itself and the Book which records it to the moral sense of every earnest man. KENT TERRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

The service on Sunday morning was devoted to the celebration of Holy Com-

munion. An appropriate sermon was preached from the text, “ What think ye, that He will not come to tho feast?”

John xi., 50. The subject at night was “ The Meeting of Extremes.” “ Tho rich and poor meet together; the Lord is tho maker of them all,” Prov. xxii., 2. It was stated that tho gulf between the opulent and tho children of penury seemed to be growing wider, and those were censured

who, under the plea of tho brotherhood of man,were really setting class against class. It was pointed out that notwithstanding our social inequalities there were many respects in which humanity had a common experience. In the matter of salvation wealth had no advantage), and rich and poor were alike. The rich and the poor had reciprocal and co-related duties—on the ono hand there should ho sympathy and helpfulness, and on tho other contentmont, humility and forbearance. WESLEY CHURCH. The pulpit at the Wesley Church, Taranaki street, was occupied on Sunday morning by tho Rev A. B. Chappell, who based libs discourse on IL Corinthians, chap. 12, v. 9 —“ And Ho said unto me My grace is sufficient for thee.” Tho preacher said that this was an illustration of ono of God’s methods of answering prayer, and pointing out that to havo it answered it need not bo granted. Ho referred to tho possibility of receiving Divine aid in our endeavours to bo and to do ns God wills. In tho evening tho Rev J. T. Nett was tho preacher, his text being from Romans, chap. 8, v. 2S. MOLESWOETH STREET WESLEY CHURCH. The Rev J. T. Nott preached at tho Molosworth street Church on Sunday morning, taking for his text Romans, ch. 8, v. 28: “ And wo know that to them that lovo God all things work together unto good.” Tho preacher at tho evening service was the Rev A. B. Chappell. COURTENAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Services were conducted on Sunday at the above place of worship lay Mr Charles Luke, -who gave the morning address, and Mr J. lieith, who preached in the evening. Both speakers gave very interesting and instructive expoundings of the Scriptures. The pastor, tho Rev B. T. liallowos, preached in Christchurch on Sunday, and will be again in his pulpit at Courtenay place next Sabbath day.

The Bishop of Goulburn, in an address to tho Synod of Now South Wales regretted the lamentable increase in the number of divorce cases in the Colony. Ho said a great evil was threatened owing to the recognition of two sorts of marriages—those which tin: State made legal and those which the Church looked upon as lawful. H ■ deplored the fact that the civil legislation should deliberately set aside the obligations of the Divine law.

At a meeting of about 304 persons, including the Anglican, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and Congregational minister.-. held in Tiniuru, resolutions wero passed m favour of tho Irish Script ure Lesson B->ok in public schools. Arrangements are being made to canvass for signatures to a petition to Parliament. M Hisigiior YerJon, Bi-hop-elect of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dunedin, and Bishop Murray, of Maitland, arrived last week by the Wakatipu from Sydney. Among those present to receive them were Archbishop Redwood, tho Very Rev Fathers Dcvoy, Dawson, Lano, Very Rev Dr Watters and Very Rev Fathers Lynch and Maokay, administrators of the Dunedin Diocese, several of the local clergy, Hon Dr Grace, Ac. Tho visitors were driven to the residence of Archbishop Redwood, whose guests they were during their stay in Wellington. Cardinal Moran, who is to be present at the consecration of Monsignor Verdon, is to lie accompanied from Melbourne by Archbishop Carr and the Bishops of Ballarat and Sale.

A deputation of churchmen asked the Palmerston North Borough Council on Tuesday night to suppress Sunday concerts. The Council resolved to consult the Wellington City Council as to the course they adopt in regard to such entertainments.

Messrs Clark and Thompson are tho successful tenderers for the erection of the new Presbyterian Church in Kent terrace, a description of which was recently published in tho suv Zk»mnu Mail. :he amount of ' (•••:; : e >■ and elan“ were nre-