THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1263, 14 May 1896, Page 41

THE CHURCHES.

COURTENAY PLACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. Special services were arranged for the ahovo church on Sunday, the occasion being the anniversary of its founding. Tho morn ingservice was taken by tho Kev W. Bauin ber (of Wesley Church), his discourse being based on the 4th verso of the 9th chapter of John, tho preacher expounding instructively upon "Christ, the Worker," the lesson deducted being that all men must work here as a preparation for tbo better life. In the afternoon Hie Kev W. Shirer (Newtown Presbyterian Church) spoke specially to the children of the school. '1 he pastor (the Kev B. 'J'. Hallowes) took the evening service, I. Corinthians, iv., '.'>, ■t, being the text for his address, in which the preacher pointed out that the Apostle Paul hero refers to four different kinds of judgment to which men arc exposed. There is, first, the man as judged by tho world, which sees and knows him very imperfectly. Secondly, the man as judged by Ins friends, who see and know much more of his outward actions as connected with his thoughts and motives. Thirdly, the man as judged by himself: a man, if honest, is capable of estimating himself far more accurately for good or evil than others can do. Fourthly, the man as judged by God, who alone knows enough of us, loves us enough, is just enough, to take all our circumstances and actions and motives into account. So everyone of us shall give account of himself to God. ST. PETER'S. The service at St. Peter's Church on Sunday were in keeping with the fifth Sundayafter Easter, sometimes called Rogation Sunday. The Rogation Litany, by the Bishop of Wakefield, wa3 sung morning, afternoon and evening. At the childron's service the offertory, which was a very satisfactory one, was given to the general church funds. At tho evening service tho church was crowded. The Magnifi ;at and Nunc Dimittis were sung to music by Mr T. T. Trimnell, Mus. Bac. The anthem was " Oh Taste and See that tho Lord is Good," from tho 34th Psalm, verses S to 11. Mr J. A. Tripe read the lessons at evensong, and with that exception the vicar conducted all the rest of the services, morning, afternoon and evening. bt, mark's. The Rev H. L. Monckton occupied the pulpit in the morning, taking for his text St. Jolmiii., verse 3, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Tho Rev K. Coffey preached in the evening from St. John xx., verses '22,2:5, " Whosoever sins ye remit are remitted unto you, and whosoever sins ye retain aro retained." Tho anthem was the soloand chorus from " Elijah" "0, Rest in the Lord" and " He that shall endure," tho solo being taken by Mrs Webb. TERRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 11l the morning, the pastor, Rev J. R. Glasson, in the earlier part of tho service, read St. Mark,' 9th chap., from 30th verse to tho end, and from verses 33, 'M and ti 7 (Christ taking the child and setting him iu the midst of the disciples, &c.) gave an address specially to the young people present on the beauty and joy of humility and Christian forbearance, and the joy of true Christian service. The morning sermon was based on St. Matthew, 17th chap., and 22nd and 23rd verses, wherein Christ foretells his betrayal and deafli to his disciples. Iu the evoning the pastor preached from Matthew, chapter x, verso 39—'' Ho that findeth his life shall lose it, and ho that loseth his life for My sake shall find it." WESLEY CHURCH. The Rev J. Ward, of Vewtown, preached at the Wesley Church on Sunday, and for his text he took Roman, chapter i, verse 10. In the evening the Kev W. Baumber preached, taking for his text Ist Samuel, x, 20. st. Andrew's. At. St. Andrew's Church on Sunday mornhe,', the Kev C. S. Out,' preached from the Mtli verse of the Ith chapter of the General Epistle of St. James and the second clause of the- verse. st. paul's. Holy Communion was celebrated at S a.m., and at the 11 o'clock service tho vicar (Kev T. 11. Sprott) preached on tho subject of " Usury," taking for his text Psalm xv., v. ~>. There was, he said, evidently a great deal of usury in our modern life, and the Socialistic propaganda was a reaction against it, the principle of State Socialism being that a private individual should have no to interest upon capital of any sort. He did not agree with tho Socialistic standpoint, but only put it forward as a proof of there having: been considerable oppression. He then derived the obvious lesson that if people were guided by Christian principlos they would as far as possible see that money was invested in businesses so managed that there was no oppression, and that no advantage was taken of the necessities of the weak and poor. KENT TERRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. Tho subject of the morning sermon was "Mary, tho Mother of our Lord," and the text was taken from Luke i., 28, " Blessed art thou among women." Tne Rev. J. Kennedy Elliott maintained that according to the Rosary, an arithmetical guide to devotion, ton prayers aro addressed to Mary for every one to God, and in the Glories of Mary, a book of high authority, her namo is substituted throughout the entire Psalter. As for influence, attention was called to the fact that

there is not a single case recorded in Scripture of the sick approaching Christ through Mary, or of sinners seeking pardon through her, and in the twenty-one epistles written by the Apostles she is never mentioned even once. In conclusion, if was pointed out that, whilst we were not to prostrate ourselves before Mary and ofi'ei her Divine honours, she was to be reverenced because of tho dignity of her office and us a pattern of faith, humility and self-surrender. st. John's. Morning service was conducted by the Rev J. Patcrson, who preached on flic prayer of Moses, " Show mo Thy glory," Exod. xxxiii., 18. The evening service was conducted by tho Rev James Treadwell, ol Wanganui, who preached an able sermon on tho text John xx., 0-7, " The tomb as Christ left it." At the first Congress of the Auckland Anglican Church, the Primate (Bishop Cowie) presided. Dr Wallis, Bishop of Wellington, was present, as also wero sovcral ministers of other denominations. The Rev Mr Beatty introduced the subject of the reunion of the Churches. A discussion fidlowed. Tho opinion was expressed that reunion was approaching, but no resolution was arrived at.