PRESBYTERIAN UNION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 41

PRESBYTERIAN UNION.

Melbourne, November 14

The Presbyterian Assembly, after a long and at times hostile debate, carried the scheme of union by 113 votes to 67.

The scheme will now be remitted to the various Presbyteries for acceptance or rejection.

At the Catholic Apostolic Church on Sunday the first of two sermons was preached by the Rev E. C. Leal. The subject of last night’s sermon was, “ The coming' of the Lord, the Christ, to His own—to Ilis Church.” There was a large congregation. Next Sunday evening the subject of the sermon will be “ The sign of the nearness of His coming.” On Sunday at the midday service at St. Peter’s Church an excellent sermon was preached by the I?ev Edward Robertshawe. In the evening the prayers were read by the vicar, the Rev A. M. Johnson reading the lessons and preaching from Titus, i., 15. The “Magnificat” and “Nunc Dimittis ” were sung to simple chant. The anthem was taken from the two first verses of the 47th Psalm —“ O, Clap Your Hands.” the music being by Mr Trimnell, Mus. Bac. At the conclusion of the service Mr Trimnell played a very fine voluntary. Anniversary services in connection with the Sunday School were begun on Sunday at the Courtenay place Congregational Church, the Rev J. Reed Glasson giving an earnest and telling address to young and old in the morning, the Rev Mr Guy conducting the afternoon service, and the pastor of the church (the Rev B. T. Hallowes) preaching in the evening. Special song service was rendered by the children, who were trained and ably conducted by the superintendent of the school, Mr W. D. Haggett. Sunday, being the third Sunday in the month, there was a great celebration at St Mary’s Cathedral. The Exposition ceremony began in the morning, and ended m the evening with special Vespers and procession. The Vesper psalms were tho:se of Emmerich and Rossi, with the incidental antiphons harmonised by the conductor of the Cathedral choir, Mr S. Cimino. The “ Magnificat ” was Lambillotte’B, with heavy orchestral accompaniment sustaining the voices, which in many instances were given simple Gregorian effects, contrasting finely with the florid instrumentation, The processional hymn

“ Pange Lingua ” was set to the celebrated j air from Weber’s “Der Freischutz,” and ' the “ Tantum Ergo,” at the Benediction j service, Avhich has been performed once or ; twice before, Avas by Mr S. Cimino, junior, l Avho is now the Cathedral organist. The ! orchestra was unusually numerous, and the j choir attended in full numbers. Miss Pender ; sang the chief solo in the “Magnificat,” Avhich j Avas Lambillotte’s. The same composer’s ; brilliant “ Laudate ” was sung at the close of ; the service. j

Mr Stein presided at the Cnurch of Christ, Dixon street, on Sunday morning, and gave the right hand of fellowship to tAVO persons Avho had been baptised during the past Aveek. Mr Turner exhorted, taking his text from MattheAv vii., 1., “ Judge not,” and pointed out that Christ did not condemn all kinds of judging, but that Avhich Avas harsh and uncharitable. In the evening there Avas a large audience, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. The subject Avas “ A great proclamation.” Mr Turner presented tA\ r o considerations Avhy the Gospel should be accepted : —(1) Because of the benefits to be received from embracing it; (2) because of the doom to be suffered by those A\-ho reject it.