REFERENCE IN THE CHURCHES

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1789, 20 June 1906, Page 28

REFERENCE IN THE CHURCHES

From the city pulpits on Sunday many references were made to the colony’s loss in the death of Mr Seddon. Expressions of sympathy were made with the betfci «d widow and family, and numerous appreciations were given utterance to of the deceased’s services to the country. WESLEY CHURCH ' The in memoriam service at tthe We?ley Church on Sunday night was very largely attended. The service opened with the singing by the choir of the well-known "Days and Moments Quickly Flying,” and other appropriate hymns were also rendered. The sermon by the Rev. P. W. Fairdough was a scholarly and remarkable tribute to the dead and gone. The text was Samuel I. ch. xx., v. 18, Thou gha.lt be missed, because Thy seat will be empty.” Mr Fairclough said:— “As the heads of a field of corn, when the wind sweeps over, bow all one way, the people of our country, rich and poor, learned and simple. Conservative and Radical, European and Maori, bend in one common mourning before the Angel of Heath, for a prince and a mighty man has fallen. From many lauds, in various tongues, have come words of sorrow —from Royalty and nobility, from Ministers of State and ex-Ministers, from mighty journals, from Parliaments and Conncils, and committees and societies and assemblies of all kinds and without number have come messages of one tone of sympathy and sorrow. In this far-spread notice 'there is an element of comfort for those most nearly bereaved, that helps the tears to flow that relieve the heart; and ic us as citizens of the country in which r *.e lived there is an element of and pride that the world doev not think that during all these y©arg we have suffered ourselves to be governed by a mere pigmy, but that ■ our great citizen was great beyond the narrow limits of our own affaire. But it is on Nw Zealand that the blow has fallen--ft is • here that the shock, the amazement, the personal grief, and the political disaster and calamity are felt. No tribute could be greater than the startled incredulity with which men first heard the report, and the stunned silence whicl followed belief. Yi hen they found tongue, how often the first words were the heart-eloquence of grief, dismay, and personal affection! It might be said as it was of the mourning for Joseph, T’tis_ mourning is a grievous mournii g/ ;t was not over in a day. The p?ess, which is a mirror of the popular heart, nas made unexampled efforts, and merits all praise. Every day during the long funeral march across the Tasman Sea the country has been walking on tiptoe. The anxiety about the when and the where of the last rites, about memorials and acknowledgments has been eloquent of the ’depth of the emotions of a great many people. Is there not an unusual reason for this unusual thing? I think there is. Of English men, living or dead, has there been one before who for thirteen vucoossive years has held chief place by the free vote of his fellow citizens, and steadily growing majorities? Search the ret "sds. You will find but one. I»e lies in his coffin -yonder. Has i.ny small insular community of less than a milSUons, dropped in the wastes of the uttermost eea, ever had a citizen, a man of the common people, whose opinion counted in the counsels of 400 millions, whoso touch influenced the history of remote regions, and whose example thrilled and* stirred to action much larger communities at the ends of the earth? Again, I say that so far as I Know there is but one, and he lies silent here for ever, except for that voice by jjrhich the mighty dead still speak. Has any working man. by sheer force of character, fertility of brain, and splendour of achievement, ever so raised himself above his biith’s invidious bar. and above the mocking and derision of his early career, that his visit to a distant country moved rulers and thrilled great cities like the visit of one with the traditions and prestige of a thousand years of royalty behind him? Again, I know but one, and his soul went up almost ,on the last Bhouts and plaudits of that extraordinary progress.

Many reputations are immortal because of one bold* Columbus-like venture into the terrors of the unknown and untried in human affairs. For example, we remember Lord Cray, for daring to try the penny post, and Sir Robert Peel ftor daring to abolish the corn laws. In .the conservatism of the mind of men the customary and immemorial usage acquires the force of immovability of natural law. Few men have had the courage to take their reputation in their hands, and experiment more than once 8m attacking what seems to be natural law. And whan ho has once succeeded, the statesman is glad to live on the fame p| it. Now* we have lived as fellow citizens with a man who has dared the unknown and the un tried things con-

trary to the traditions of Government—again and again, and yet again. He went from effort to effort, until the eyes of the world were turned on him, and a whisper passed through the nations, 'Let us arise and follow/ ”

The speaker went on to' say that his point was not whether or not the legislation passed would succeed or fail —he balieved much of it was on the right lines. “What I want to impress upon you is that we have been contemporaries and fellow citizens with an extraordinary man, who will, perhaps, give his name to the period in which he lived—a milestone of history. We have lived with a political and social phenomenon. Our eyes have seen the unique, and we have been familiar with a prodigy. Not the least phenomenal thing in him was that in the full tide of change he could say to headlong followers: 'Thus far and no further. Beyond this you go without me/ Many have ridden the whirlwind, but he rode it whither he would.* He put a bit in the mouth of revolution, and held the rein with an iron hand. These things account for the deep feeling and sympathy that gather round the bier of our departed countryman. His seat is empty, and he shall be missed. All the years of his strenuous life seem now to be focussed upon this hour, and to make him missed indeed.

“ The world is too full of vacant, aimless, or selfish lives, whoso seat may be empty and they not missed. Some lessons in the art of being missed are surely suggested by the great life that closed just a week ago. Energy, industry and duty; these are the words that must ever be associated with the practical 6ide of the man. What proportion of his time could be said to be wasted? Where was the lazy spot in him? Had he been more in danger of idleness he would have been with ns still. Like a live coal dropped into a jar of oxygen, he burned too furiously. He would have made a fortune in any other career. Had he studied himself only, he might have been worth <£20,000 a year with a tithe of the censure he has had for drawing his salary. But when he gave himself to the public he gave himself not by halves, but wholly, body and spirit, heart and soul, life and fferength. What his hands found to do, he did it with his might, and to the last ounce of a giant strength, and to the last hour of his career. Does not God want such servants in the practical affairs of communities and in other departments than religion? May not the inventor, the statesman, or the man of science have his heaven-sent mission? I think so, and neither in religion nor in any other department of service do I know any man to whom it may be more fittingly said 'Well done’ than to the departed in his career. To all and especially to the young, I would say that 'duty’ and 'industry’ are dull words, but with them, in this country, all things are possible to the strong and fearless. They make the difference between the wise and the fool, success and failure, happiness cud whining. Do dully, and like a uselwl wheel in the machine, you will

be missed when you are taken out. Our departed citizen called himself a humanist. Certainly he touched men on the sympathetic side. He sought to help and serve the majority, and, as a Maori this week said, he was the 'leader of the down-hearted.’ Our friend was a man, an Englishman. What faults he had wore the faults of a strong, manly man. As far as I know, he was never accused of anything mean, cowardly, sneakish or paltry.

“I say to you, 'Be men. Some of you will fall short of saintship, but for God’s sake be men/ The world wants men. The church wants men. The real manly man, whether he professes or not, is to my thinking, much nearer the true and absolute standard, than the mean spirit clothed in a garment of phrase and profusion. Real men and real humanists never fail to be missed, for the world needs them sorely.

"The departed statesman was a domestic man, loved bis family and home, and was irreproachable as a husband and father. This was his personal huhanism. Of course, it makes his family miss him all the more; but there is more than that in it. Family virtue and affection are a tap-root in life. They also reveal the hearts of others, like X-rays, and give you the trust of others. Let our home circle be the conservatory in which the tenderest growths of the heart are sheltered. There was nothing of upstart, or of ridiculous pride and affectation. His old friends, however humble, were his till death.

"Death i$ no respector of persons. Indeed, it oft takes the best. A week ago about this hour, our great fellow citizen Bat revolving schemes for the future. There was high hope in his heart, and a treaty in his portfolio, and the echo of shouts was still in his ears. In a moment the arrow of death reached him, and he was gone. Not all the skill of science, not all the wealth of Empire, not all the force of kings could put the fallen sceptre back into the nerveless hand. His seat was empty. So shall yours be, fence it how you will. In the boom of those minute guns at 1.15 this morning there was a sermon to all Wellington. In conclusion, our hearts are sore for her who through the long week

lias been bringing home her dead to us. May the God of all comfort, and the affection and sympathy of teus of thousands of hearts be her stay and solace. THE BASILICA. At the celebration of Mass at 10.30 Sunday morning in the Hill street Basilica the Rev. Father Holley said that no attempt had been made to drape the church in mourning because the day was the Feast of Corpus Clinsti. With the Roman Catholic Church the first Sunday after Trinity was always commemorated with particular solemnity as a religious festival dedicated to the memory of the l'eal body and blood of the living Christ, and to the recalling of the mystery of God’s love, when our Saviour took upon himself t-o redeem mankind, and deigned for that purpose to become man. I his was, therefore, a season of rejoicing, at which the blessed Sacrament was exposed. For this reason only was there no outward semblance of mourning in the church that day for the death of Richard John Seddon. He died while he was waiting for the sound of the bell which proved to be a knell summoning him, not to New Zealand, p hich he hapl so often and with such good reason spoken of as “Gods own country,” but to the better land, which was the home of Almighty God. As members of the Catholic Church, Jdiey could pray for the soul of Richard John Seddon. that he might rest with God. The deceased statesman was separated from the body of the church, and although Catholics could not pray for him publicly, privately they could, and they w T ere enjoined to do so, lor they ecu Id believe that he belonged to the soul of the church, if not to its body, for the doctrine of exclusion only applied to those who knowingly and willingly remained outside the fold of the church. They were reminded that Cardinal Manning duly offered up the Holy Sacrament of the Mass for Ins mother, who died a Protestant. It would have been quite in accordance with the strictest rules of the church that the building should have been draped in mourning as a symbol of their grief at the death of a great man had ic not been for the occurrence of the religious festival, to which reference had been made. That day Catholics of tire community were entirely at one with the political friends and foes of cur great Premier, and united with them in general incur ping over the earthly remains, and in tendering to his sorrowing wife and family their deepest and most sincere sympathy and condolence with them in their great grief. It was, however, some consolation to reflect that he died as he wished over end over again to have died, and as his wife and children. would have had him die —that he was worked out, rather than rusted out. He died as he had said after he had finished the hardest month’s work he had ever done in his life, although he went to Australia for a holiday. His life would occupy more pages of New Zealand history than that of any of his predecessors or successors probably, and his name would be handed down to the remotest posterity. Ho Lad. been a good friend to the Church, especially on one occasion, when sectarian bitterness and jealousy displayed itself in the House of Representatives. The manliness and courage of the Premier asserted itself, and he declared that he would be no party to any proposal that -would inflict injustice upon any member or section of members of the community. He then took up such a position that he carried an amendment by a narrow majority on a till which would have brought about the extinction of the Catholic orphanages. Therefore they desii'ed to express their gratitude to him, and their heartfelt sorrow at his death, and sincere sympathy with his widow and children in the great loss which they, together with the residents of the colony at large, had. sustained. The organist, Miss Putnam, played Chopin’s “Marche Funebre” and the “Dead March” from “Saul” before the commencement of the service. ST. PETER’S.

The Rev. G. P. Davys, vicar of St. Peter’s, preaching tbere at the morning service on Sunday took his text from the fifth chapter of Joshua. He said that it wa9 very striking that whilst ho ivas considering his subject for that sermon early in the week, and just as he had made up his mind to preach about the character of Joshua, he had heard the news of Mr Seddon’s death. Thereupon he would have put almost any other subject aside. This one, however, seemed particularly appropriate, for among all the lute Piemier’s titles to fame—such as Ins manysided activity, his policy of freedom, loyalty to and love of his country, and his whole-hearted devotion to its weifaro—probably wbat bo would chiefly b© remembered for would be the very qualities in respect of which he was like Joshua. These were his keen pursuit of his object, strength of purpose, his massive unconquerable will, his iron, unbending force of <?“«“*** ™ch triumphed over obstacles that would have daunted smaller men . __ It seemed hard to realise that that active, restless spirit was still, that we should never aga rn see those familiar features, that oommanding, masterful figure, nevei again hear that eloquent voice. today,concluded the preacher, our

thoughts will follow him behind the veil, and our prayers, too, that liis untiring soul may yet find congenial work there.”

At the closo of his sermon at St. Peter’s in the evening, the Rev T. Hand over made reierence to the late Premier, whom, he said, the whole colony was uniting in honouring. The Almighty in His wisdom had seen fit to take him from our midst very suddenly, after being for many years a prominent figure amongst us. Who that heard the hell tolling that morning but had his thoughts removed from earthly things to these that were not of this wirld ? He. who a few days ago was almost a monarch before men, had gone to appear before that righteous Judge in whoso eyes all men are equal. In tho hush of death criticism was silenced, extravagant eulogy, also, was out of place. Ae Christians. however, their hearts went out in deepest sympathy to those to whom he was a loving and a loved husband and father. Ho prayed that after hie life of strenuous labour God might grant t-o the late Premier a life of refreshment, rest, and onace. *

Tho congregations, both morning and evening, were very large. At the latter service tho choir siang the anthem “ Crossing the Bax-,” and Dr Fyffe played the “ Dead March ” in “ Saul ” at the close, o vST. MARK’S. At tho morning service, the curate, the Rev. J. G. Bartlett, made reference to Mr Seddon’s death. In the evening* tho vicar (tho Rev. R. Coffey), preaching on the theme cf the rich man and Lazaruo, referred to the many gooc| works performed by Mr Seddon. The deceased statesman lest no opportunity of doing good for the country and pro# tccting tho poor man. Ho was A humanist, and in Ills late years haq taken a just pride in the name. A mo-' morial hymn was sung, and the “ Dea-c Maxell ” was played, the congregation standing. SYDNEY STREET METHODIST church: Last Sunday, in the Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney street, tho Rev. Q, j:’. Ward made special reference to the> late Premier in an appropriate discours'd on strenuous living. In the course oil hiii address, Mr Ward said Mr Seddorjj entered into the lives of tho people} especially the workers. Hence no man enjoyed more sincere popularity of tho people over whom ho ruled and whom ho served. Friend and foe acknowledged his worth as a man, a colonist, and a constructive statesman. He was a great Englishman, a man after the stamp of tho early Empire-builders, a great citizen of tho Empire ; yet, first and lash, and always, a New Zealander. His sun had set while it was yet day. He had passed from ns in the full strength of his manhood, with his great capacities unweakened. He died in harness, in the zenith of his usefulness, strength, and fame. His chief characteristics wore hard work, self-reliance, indomitable energy, untiring, persevering, practical, industry. All felt in his presence a certain manly dignity, an assured repose which gavo confidence and the sense of security—a feeling that in whatever emergency we were safe. The congregation rose to show sympathy lo Mrs Seddon and family in their great but honoured loss. The “ Dead March ” was played at the close of the service.

TERRACE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Special reference to the late Premier was made at both morning and evening service at the Terraco Congregational Church by the pastor, Rev. J. R. Glaseon. Tho evening service, indeed, was an in memoriam one, the pulpit being draped in black, and the "Dead March’ played at its ckx-10. The preacher said that from what he knew of Mr Seddon ho was convinced that he had a profound reverence for God. He referred to him as a great statesman. His loyalty to his old friends was very touching ; he had a great, warm, human heart. His family and home life were such as we can remember with gratitude. He loved his family, and his family loved him. His passing in that silent ship, away out at sea, was most pathetic; and the news came to the preacher as a personal grief—that he should see him no more. In his closing remarks, the preacher spoke in glowing terms of the loving care and devoted solicitude of Mrs Seddon for her husband, to whom she had proved such a true help-meet, and in whoso arms he pafifeed away; and would like Mrs Seddon and her family to know that from that church there went forth honest and sincere sympathy to her and them in their great bereavement. The tragic suddenness of Mi* Seddon’s death was a solemn reminder to each one of us how uncertain this mortal life is, and must surely deepen in many hearts the sense of our de’pendenoe on God. PRO-CATHEDRAL.

Both the services at St. Paul’s ProOathedral were tributes to. the memory of the dead statesman. The sermons of Bishop Wallis and the Rev T. H. Bprott mourned his loss, and made honouring allusions to his life’s work. Appropriate hymns and anthems were sung. At the close of the morning ser-

vice the organist played the "Dead March 0 in “Saul,’-’ and in the evening Chopin's “Funeral March/' At the morning service the Bishop of Wellington introduced his reference to the late Mr Seddon with a lesson from the story of. Job. The loss, he said, was felt by the whole Empire, and felt more deeply than any of recent years, except that of the late Queen. The groat man who had just passed away at the zenith of his greatness was horn to rule. His insight into human nature, his indomitable resolution, Combined with his grasp of the essentials of matters he dealt with, and •'astly, the courage with which ho confronted difficulties, fitted him for his position. Gould we ever forget that terrible week of disaster in South Africa w—.haw, when the heart© of most of us were filled with despair, the Premier's hopefulness never failed ? He brought jSTew Zealand forth as the champion of the Empire. But the deed upon which, ff he were amongst us, ha would base his claim to the people's gratitude was flirt making this country a poor man’s home. He had saved the country from •v financial crisis, and had given a doluffion of the trouble between employer and employee. His efforts had up to the last |teen aimed at saving the working man id’ liis land from the life of the workhouse, which woo the working man's lot •it Home. He had been a true friend 1.0 Euroirean and Maori alike. There was many a miner on the West Coast, many Ii Government servant who had fallen on pvil days, who could remember the late premier’s deeds and works of kindne-re. Seim: inhering these things, and the Beauty and purity of his whole Hie, they would reverently commend him. in the fiamo of Our Saviour. Jesus Christ, to .the tender mercies of Cod, humbly frusting that those last messages of his, ’ Going to God's Own Country" and Coining home at last," might be true unconscious prophecies of rest in jthat blessed country, the Home of God's feleet.

The Vicar of the Church, Rev. T. 11. Sprott. preached in the evening to a congregation which filled the church. Me • ook hi& text from the 6th chapter of A saiah, beginning with the verso “In the year that Jving Uzzi&tx died. J saw also vho Lord sitting upon a throne; high find lifted up, and His train filled the temple." The preacher's opening renarks brought out the fact that the death of King Uzzi&h was not only the antecedent but the cause of Isaiah's vision. Had not the earthly king died Isaiah would no* have seen the Eternal |ving. The death of the colony's great statesman might in like manner be a source of inspiration to those 1 who would feel his loss. The colony was mourning one who had. been the hood, of its Government for more than thirteen years. Ho would not attempt to estimate the value of tho legislation which would always be associated with the late statesman's name, and which had'made this colony so interesting to the rest of the world. It was impossible to form a true estimate in so short a time. The ultimate tests of Government and leg slation were to be found in the economic condition of the country, in its standards of judgment, and tho ge-noral character of its people. But these tests could not be applied to-day or in that place. VVo might form rough judgments and act upon them at the electoral polls. But all thoughtful people knew that such judgments wore always liable to reversal. Often and often the" results of actions very different from those which the actors and their contemporaries contemplated. It was in such cases chat we came upon the vestiges of God in human history, and saw that there was another Ivmg. The plans and purposes of man were taken up into some larger plan than they had contemplated. Though no true estimate could be formed of the value of the. legislation which had marked, the colony during the last few years, they could all be-lievii—-he supposed they did believe — that the dead .statesman had the good of tho colony, as he conceived it, at heart. They could admire, too, the wonderful .energy lie brought to the task he had undertaken, and the energy and enthusiasm which were assuredly not possible without great intensity of feeling. They could admire the magnet.c attraction which ho had oyer all who came within the range of his influence, and which could not exist in any man without a large and quick sympathy. To all that they could give their unstinted tribute. Apart from the public aspects of the statesman's life he was sure those who had met in God's house that night would wish to give their mast respectful sympathy to those whom he had left behind. They v/ouLd pray that, as in the case of Uzziah. this great sorrow for them might be the preparation for a fuller vision of their God. liis congregation would pray that the Father of mercies would extend to th« mourners in that dark hour tho sustaining and uplifting arm of grace 4-nd iove. But there was a message for u-' all. Doubtless some one died every day, but with the rank and file death brought no massage to their own little circle. But when one who had taken the leading place in a nation died, the event spoke, with a voice that could not bo silenced, to all. It told that though men passed though the world changed, there was a living will that still endured, and that the tilings which, could pass passed away so that we might be driven to Him who could not pass; in order that the unchangeable God might stand out more clear and more near because of the change. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. Hundreds of people were unable Sunday night to find admission to St. John’s Church, which was densely crowded in every part, a Large number of people standing throughout the entire service. The service was conducted by Hr Gibb, who took as his text the words: le know not what shall be on the morrow. For what iff your life ? It is even as a vapour which appearoth for a little time, and then vameheth away. These words, mid the preacher, were partially true. '■ Life waa not a fleeting vapour, but no figure oould more fittingly represent the ,feebleness of. man's grasp on life, and the uncertainty of its duration. Trivial, shallow must the man be in whose mind

some such thought did not arise when the tidings were flashed over the wires that Richard John •Seddon was dead. Amazed, stunned, they said, “Dead, Seddon dead, surely it could not be." But when the fact oould no longer be tioned they found the words of the text rising to the-if lips: “Life is a vapour which appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away.” Or they made use of Burke’s imperishable exclamation when the tidings reached him of the death of a political opponent: “What shadows we are, what shadows we pursue."

There was another sense in which life was like a. vapour. Yv hen it had passed away it was as swiftly forgotten. In a few months’ time the great man whose death they were commemorating would be forgotten by all save his closest intimates and friends. Did they doubt it ? Eight years ago Gladstone, a traiiscendontly greater man than any who had yet served the State in' these colonies, died. In whose memory did he live today ? live years ago the greatest sovereign that Britain had ever had passed away. To-day she was but a shadow, a dream. Even the greatest personalities made but a momentary etir. and scon the world wont its way as though they had never been.

These things were true, and yet they constituted only a part of tho truth. Happily so. for otherwise the brevity and uncertainty of life would merely prove that existence was vanity and vexation of spirit. But thero wore certain other truths which gave a tremendous significance to the fleeting character of man’s existence. First, the contribution they made to the sum total of human existence was never really forgotten. Their deeds both good and evil lived after them. If Nature wore care Jens of their names she was careful to preserve their fact. But ©till more impressive, conferring an awful dignity even on the life of the smallest man, was the fact that after death came judgment which would unerringly discover all tho hidden springs of tneir lives and manifest thorn not as men had imagined, but exactly as they were. Close contact with death always brought these things keenly homo to tho heart, but never so keenly as on the passing of a groat human personality into the unseen. The man whose death they wore commemorating was no ordinary man, but one of the strongest, most capable, roc.-t strenuous who had ever served the State in these colonies. He lacked the culture of the schools, but his intellect mu 3 keen and masterful. His capacity for work was amazing. He bore with seeming ease many burdens any one of which would have taxed tho strength of an ordinary man. The force of bis personality, measured by his in-' flucnce over his associates and the majority of the people of New Zealand, was almost incredible. Nothing like it had ever been known here, nothing like it would be known for many a day to come. Men of such strength and determination, such marvellous skill in mastering circumstances and compelling these to serve their purposes, did not appear once in several generations. That was neither the time nor the place to estimate the value of his work or the quality of his character. They stood too near to both to make it possible to pass a wise sentence on either. And even when formed under favourable conditions, what was the worth of human judgments on human character ? That which would decide their lot in eternity was above all the motives that bad inspired them to take in hand alike the tasks in which they had succeeded, and the tasks in which they had failed. These motives were known only to Him who made them and by whom they would at last be judged. The man who was aware of tho intricacies ox his own nature, the marvellous complexity of the human heart, as illustrated in his own experience, would be reluctant to enter into judgment with any of his fellows and still more reluctant to speak oracularly of great men whose natures were so much more complex. This, however, he would say: He had nover joined in the indiscriminate criticism with which the deceased statesman bad been often assailed, and he had no mind to be swept away by the flood of indiscriminate eulogy which was now beiug poured on his memory. There in, the House of God they were concerned' with him only in so far as his life and death might be made instrumental to the deepening of their consciousness of the reality of God, and of their accountability to Him. The passing hence of a great personality always produced in the thoughtful mind a keen* sense of the nearness of eternity, but seldom so keenly as in that instance. Hero was a man on the topmost pinnacle of fame. A few months ago he had swept the colony before him—returning to office with the power of an almost unchallenged autocracy. In Australia boundless honour and admiration had been lavished on him. Of the pomp and pageantry of life he could receive no more. As far as the colonics were concerned, all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them were at his feet. The limelight was shining on him with unparalleled brilliancy. The voices of his fellow men blended in one great chorus of admiration. And then—Hush! In an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, time passed: Eternity came. In an instant the light of human judgment was quenched and this groat human personality stood in the unclouded light of God. It made them feel as they too seldom felt how solemn life was; how near eternity. To the widow and family of tho departed, he, in tho name of the congregation, offered the profoundest sympathy. The nation liad lest a great man, they had lost a devoted husband, a loving and tender father. Their loos was irreparable, save as God shouLd comfort them. He commended them to the compassions of the Most High. Immediately after the sermon the “Dead March" was played by Mr Barnett. During the service the choir sang the anthem “Blest are the Departed." The pulpit was draped in black

CENTRAL MISSION. During Sunday evening a large crowd of people gathered to hear the open-air (Service of the Central Mission in Ghuz-

nee street. The preacher paid a tribute to the late Mr Seddon. After this service, white proceeding to the Mission Hall the band played the funeral march “A Garland of Flowers." It was followed by a crowd numbering probably two or three thousand.

MISSIONS TO SEAMEN

Memorial services were held Sunday in the Missions to Seamen Church. The inside decorations were of a unique character, and outside tne porch, ships in miniature representing the Royal Navy and Homo beats, and a coaster respectively, were exhibited with flags flying at half-mast.

Mr Moor© preached in the morning from the passage, “In the midst of life we are in death," and spoke in touching terms of tho many fine qualities of the Premier, and of the strength and tenderness of nis family affections. He spoke of his royal progress through Australia, and of the (great personal popularity of the man so familiar to every New Zealander. When leaving Sydney he said lie was going to “God’s Own Country/' and the preacher tursted ha nad now gone to the better land. Mr Moore referred to Mr Seddon's happy, busy life, and to his enormous capacity for work; how he always found happiness in his home, and a haven of rest in the bosm of his family. Among his splendid services for humanity and the workers might be mentioned the Old. Age Pensions Act and the Merchant Shipping Act. Mr Moore spoke feelingly of all Mr Seddon and his family bad done for tho sailors and seamen of this port. He had won the hearts of the people, and all New Zealand moui-nod him.

The Rev. B. N. Ward preached in the evening from Mark iv., verse 39, “He rebuked tho wind and the sea and there was a great calm." Reference was made to tho universal grief of the colony at the -loath of Mr Sectdon. Mr Moore afterwards spoke from Jeremiah ziv. of tho widow and fatherless children being left in the safe keeping of the loving lather who doe-th all things well. He referred to tho great strain upon our public men, and how they were constantly misunderstood and misrepresented. To live in the hearts of those we love was not to die. By God's will the dead Premier had been called homeward, upward, Heavenward, to where “The wicked cease from troubling and tho weary are at rest." At each service “The Garland of Flowers" wag played, and the “Dead March" in “Saul” in the evening. UNITARIAN CHURCH. Before a crowded congregation at the evening service of tho Unitarian Free Church in the Masonic Hall last-night the Rev. Dr. Tudor Jones made feeling and sympathetic reference to the death of the late Mr Seddon. He pointed to his strenuous life from humble beginning to a position of great power and of commanding influence throughout the Empire as an inspiring example to the young men of the community. He expressed the grief which all must feel at the death of so illustrious a statesman, and their deep condolence with the bereaved family. Finally, at DrJoWes's invitation, the whole congregation rose to their feet in token of assent to the despatch of a message of sympathy to Mrs Sodden and family. The hymn after the sermon, “Abide With Ate," was sung by the congregation of over three hundred in a way that showed the sympathy felt by all. At the close of the service, Mendelssohn's “Funeral March" was played by Mrs Fell.

At the Ohiro Baptist Church yesterday morning tlie pastor, Rev. W. Lamb, spoke in feeling terms of the late Premier, and at the conclusion of the service the “Dead March" was played.

SERVICES ELSEWHERE. AUCKLAND. June 17

References were made in the churches to-day to Mr Seddon's death. Three memorial services are announced for the day of the funeral—official military service, conducted by the Anglican Bishop at St. Matthew’s; United Nonconformist service at the Baptist Tabernacle, and a Masonic service at the Pitt street Methodist church. NELSON, June 17.

A service in memory of the Lajt© Premier in the form of a mass meeting was held at 10.15 this morning at the foot of the Cathedral steps, Main There was a very large concourse of people. No addresses were given. The Garrison Band played the “Dead March'’ in “Saul" and “Garland of Flowers." The Citizens' Band played Southwells “Funeral March. The scene was very imoressive, the populace standing bareheaded. The Mayor, councillors and members of tho various local bodies were present. Appreciative references were made at all the churches to the loss of the deceased statesman, his humanitarian legislation being the general theme of remarks. The “Dead March” in “Saul" was played. Messrs Graham, McKenzie, Trask, legislators, and others left yesterday for Wellington to attend the funeral, regarding which great interest was displayed to-day. people remaining about the telegraph office till definite news arrived. WESTPORT, June 17. This morning the Citv Band, I Batltery, tho School Cadets and a large gathering of the public assembled in Victoria Square. There an impressive service in connection with the death of Mr Seddon was conducted. Mr J. Marshall, the deputy Mayor, delivered an address on the subject of th late Premier. The gathering sang “Rock of Ages," and the City Band played the “Dead March." In all tho churches and at tlie Salvation Army Citadel feeling references were made to the Premier's death, and sympathy expressed with the bereaved family. ASHBURTON, Juno 17. Memorial services for the late Premier were held in all the churches today, and feeling reference made from the pulpits. The “Dead March" was played in most of the churches. The

two Volunteer companies, headed by? the M«yor and borough councillors, and county councillors l , and accompanied by county brass bands, paraded and attended morning service at the Anglican church, where an appropriate memorial service was held.

SERMONS IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY. June 17,

Special references to Mr Seddon’s death were ipade to-day in many churches throughout the Commonwealth, laudatory of his work as an Empire statesman and a humanitarian.