THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1289, 12 November 1896, Page 42

THE CHURCHES.

st. peter's. The Rev Hasketfc Smith, M.A., preached at St. Peter's Church on Sunday to a crowded congregation. He took as his text Hebrews xi., 15, " Strangers and pilgrims." He pointed out how little, in spite of our boasted knowledge, we really know of God, of Heaven, of one another, and of ourselves ; but to all this there was a reverse picture : We were pilgrims to a great future, where we should know God, and Heaven, and our home and one another in the light of God and ourselves in God. The Octavo of All Saints naturally suggested this line of thought. The preacher was listened to throughout the whole sermon with the greatest attention. st. paul's. The Rev A. H. Hoggins, who ic on a visit to Wellington, preached at both services at this church on Sunday. In the evening his sermon had for its subject the text " Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all things shall be added unto you." Ho urged that the practise of this rule would ensure material prosperity in this life and an absolute cortainty of happiness in the next. SACRED CONCERT AT ST. JOSEPH'S. Tho saorod concert given at St. Joseph's Church, Buckle street, on tho Ist inst. was repeated on Sunday before a crowded congregation. Madame Carlton, owing to illness, was unable to bo present, and Miss Ross at short notice took her place, and sang with very fine effect the " Inflammatus " from the " Stabat Mater." Miss May Sullivan also sang tastefully Cherubim's " Ave Maria." Otherwise the programme was as on the previous Sunday, with tho exception of Mr Mac Duff Boyd's solo, which was not given. The " Tan turn Krgo " solo, eung by Miss Driseoll, in tho Benediction porvice, was an excellent number. Mr H. McCardcll, the painstaking conductor, dev-erves high praise for the complete success of tho concert. Mr Hotop was leader of the orchestra, and Miss McDonald played the organ accompaniments in capable stjde. Tho collection for the organ fund realised -817. TERRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The anniversary services in connection with the Sunday school were held on Sunday. Raised seats had been specially erected for tho occasion at the upper end of the church, on which tho children were seated (accompanied by their ranged on either side of the rostrum, while in the centre of them, directly under the pulpit, were seated the musicians. The church was very tastefully decorated with flowers in a variety of forms, tho display of lilies in great profusion all round the rostrum, and wreaths of flowers twined around the eolomns of the building being specially effective. The singing of special hymns at each service by the children, assisted by the members of the church choir and by a number of friends and musicians, who very kindly attended for the occasion, was most effective and pleasing, and reflected great credit upon Mr Lankshear, the conductor. The Rev B. T. Hallowes, of Courtenay place Congregational Church, preached in the morning from Proverbs, Bth chapter and 17th verse, " I love them that love Mo, and those that seek Me early shall find Me." The address was of a deeply earnest and spiritual character, well adapted j to tb.9 occasion, the preacher specially im- !

pressing" on his hearers the importance of giving themselves to Christ and of seeking Him in their youth.

In the afternoon the service was conducted by Mr J. Reith, who, without taking any special text, gave a most practical address, founded principally upon the benefits resulting from the keeping of God's law, and on the love of God as manifested in the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, as a Saviour. In the evening the service was conducted by the pastor, Rev J. R. Glasson, who preached from Philippians, Ist chap, and 21st v.—" For me to live is Christ." In this saying of St. Paul there was moral and spiritual inspiration. To St. Paul life meant Christ. Tho knowledge that he was Jesus Christ's lifted him above all his wickednesses, and upheld and inspired him in all his trials and sufferings. The knowledge that we belong to Christ is the only true source of happiness. Thero was a large attendanoe at each service. CHURCH OF CHRIST. At the meeting-house of the above church on Sunday, the text was taken from the latter clause of John v. 39, " They are they which testify of Me." Mr Turner dwelt at length upon many of the predictions of the Old Testament concerning the Messiah who was then to come, and endeavoured to show how they found their true fulfilment in the spotless life, the ignominious death and the glorious resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. His being the fulfiller of prophecy, Mr Turner argued, was a strong link in the chain of evidence which is presented concerning his claim to bo the Christ, and, if the Christ, then only by the individual acceptance of Him as such could eternal life ever be enjoyed by humanity.