THE CHURCHES.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIX, Issue 2876, 20 July 1896, Page 3

THE CHURCHES.

i “STAPAT JfA'l'RlS*’ AT BT. MAItY OP TIIK ANOttLS’. The Kdv Father Ainsworth preached at the 11 o'clock Mass at Lt. Mary of the Angels' yesterday morning. As it was the Feast of tft. Vincent do Faul tho preacher dwelt upon tile life and labours of this groat friend of tho poor and afflicted. Ho appealed tp tho congregation to assist tho branch of tile St. Vincent do Puyil Society established in the parish., who were doing good work m supply* ing the poor .with, clothing arid other neceswarics. He.said, it was only those who went among the poorer . clu.'pi qf people who could realise what amount of real poverty existed. The choir, under Mr F. J. Oakes, and assisted by Miss Campion and Messrs Behan and Briggs, of the Opera Company, as soloists, sang Haydn's Imperial Mass. Miss McLonald sang tho solos allotted to the alto. The Muss, which was accompanied by an orchectra under tho leadership of Mr A. Hotop, was admirably performed. As an offertory Mr Briggs sang Pergolese's “ Sanctum et 'Terrible.” In tho evening Rossini V* Stabat Mater," was sung by the choir, Miss Campion, Miss Curtice and Messrs Behan and . Briggs taking tho solos. The fine work was well given, both solos and chorus being devotionally performed. At tho offertory Miss Campion afid Messrs Behan and Briggs sang a trid; ” O Cor Jean Flagrahs,” and the two gentlemen «ang tho lino duet ‘‘Ahgeli et Archangel]," with cornet obligato, artistically played by Mr Oakc*, the conductor. The benediction service included the "O Salutarls" and “Tanturn Ergo," aung by Messrs Behan and Briggs. Mr Hotop led the orchestra in tho evening, and Mr Platts presided at the orgah, Tho church was crowded to excess at each service.

ST. haul's. There was car/y celebration of Holy Communion at 8 o’clock, the Jiishop ot Wclliugton officiating The rector fKov I. hi. Sprort) took the 11 o’clock services. assisted by tiio. Kov GeoiTrpy Fynes • vUinton; and broached from,.Chronicles i., v. 21, on the Jubjoct ot the inspiration of tile historians of ... * /-»» A *• whiflji inspiration, ho tno luokurwiiii-, > _ •' * tliQ

ahowcd, consisted in their instgiM* moral principles that underlie the life of nations. In tho evening the rector continued hia ncrioa of addresses on tho Look of Job, KKNT TBKBACK I'BtfaWYTflltlAtf Cllt/ROjI. Yesterday morning tho subject considered by the Itev J. Kennedy KlUott was tho object of life, aa Bilggfcstcd by tho test “ That I might by all means save some," I. Con, ix.i 22, lie showed that we were all under solemn obligations to make the best possible iUvestiitenfe of Out UvtU. T)id edrri-' Ulonly followed Wore wealth-, faitibj pleasure, and ho proved by historical instances that those, if gained, did not yield td thcitvdtaries genuine or abiding satiafactiotb Ho stated that tho noblest and to whicll wo could ‘derottifoUr time Was the glory of God ana the good of opr follow-creatures, At night tho (jhestion .was discussed, Arc there few that bo saved? Luke', jciii., 28. tjio preacher j adduced a variety ?f arguments to suhpprt hie ! koriclusion that the righteous would finally outnumber th,c wicked; hut warned .hig , Dekrora that; this fact would bo of no avail td : them if they voluntarily rejected the overtures of Divine niercy. r , £T. MARK’S. . . . \ t . Tho yen A. H-A., preached in .the looming, taking for hia text Bth St,> Marks 2nd vorae, ‘‘l have oorapaasion ou .tho mul* ,iitudo.” ..Ho, spoke.of tho compassion Joaus fool#} for us in our human weaknoaa, and wo ought to bo thankful.! Although Ho now aittoth ou the right hand of God His oompas sion is not lessened. Tho Kov it. Coffey* M.A., preached- In the evening front tlio2Uh verse of tho lly Psuluij “ This is tho day which tho borch halli uiiiaK j vili will fejpido ftnd bo glad 1c it.” Jho preacher impressed on his hearers tho necessity of keeping tho Lord’s Day in a holy and spiritual manner, and not as a more holiday. Thia day is the cornmcmorafjion of our Lord’s resurrection, which was a pledge of man’s redemption and of our resurrection, The anthem was “ Com* I‘orfc, 0 Lord ” (Crotch);

st. mArv’s cAt>LsDrAL s Tho Very Rfev Father Dawson Celebrated mass t ycCterday mornings and ptoachod, Warning parents of their fespOrisihilities 111 regard to the training of thole children. HO also pioatihed in the evening. Tho Choir, which Was supported by a strong orchestra, rendered Emmerich's " Cdngotabdrv” “ Boatl Omnes ” and ” Laudato/' ROssrs “ Magnificat,'’ ana Murphy’S u Tantum Ergo.” HCrr lugott* of tno Opera Company*, play'ea ds a trombone fiolb Schubert’S “ Avo. Maria ” with orchestral acdOmpanimohfc*. . Mlsa Itoliy prc ; sided at the ofgaii*, alld Mr Clmirlo cdilddctod; . >.T. Aolln’s Presbyterian church. SorVioo wa's conducted morning and even* ing by tho ItoV James Patorfedn, The sdbjoct of the morning sermon was the same as that which formed the subject of tlio lesson in the Sunday school, viz.. 11. SAmabl*, vl,, 1-12— “The Lord blessed the Louse of Ouqd’cdom add all that pertained to bim, because 6f the A<*k of Odd; because ho received tho Ark of God, tuo symbol of, jCod’a presence idto. his house. The. presence and blessing of God dro the much treasure in tho house of, the Righteous.” At the close of tho service, it was intimated that on Tuesday evening , last, by appointment, ,tlio Presbytery had mpt with,. - tho officebearers in Presbyterial. visitation aud passed thq following minute, which was. to be read to the congregation i—" The Presbytery of Wellington, haying met with the minister - and office-bearers pf St. John’s Church for visitation of congregation, and having put tho prescribed questions and received answers to them from the minister, tbo session and the managers desire to express their thankfulness to God and their gratification for the position in which they find the congregation, and all tbo works in which tho members of the church are engaged, Tho Presbytery note with special satisfaction tho numerous young people who attend tho five senior Bible classes that arc so successfully carried on. They note, also, with gratification the statement made by tho minister and office-bearers regarding tbo largo number of young mon and young women who attend public worship, especially at tho evening services, Tho Presbytery refer to tins with much pleasure. Tho Pre&bytory note with satisfaction that. a largo reduction has bchn offddted ih thh debt during the last two years, and take this Opportunity of commending the Congregation for their liberality in tho schemes of the church, especially tho church extension scheme. The Presbytery arc of opinion that in a largO and wealthy Congregation eltch as this there should bo some special Homo .mission agency to reach the non-clmrch-going population. Tho Presbytery Congratulate tho Rev James Paterson, then* brother, In having such n faithful staff of office-boaters, Sunday school teachers and Christian workers, and rejoice that ho baa been spared for so many years to discharge with such vigour his pastoral and other public duties, and commend him and his Hock to the Groat Bishop and Shepherd of the sheep.”

SUCKLE STREET CHURCH. Solemn High Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s, Buckle street-, by the Very Bov Dr Watters, S.M., with Father Mahony dcicon and Father O’Reilly’ sub-deacon, Father Bower being master of ceremonies. The Very Bev Father Devoy, Vicar-General, preached, his subject being St. Vincent de Paul. The mass sung was Farmer’s in flat, the choir for tho occasion being strengthened by several niembers of tho Williamson Opera Company. Tho solos wore taken by Misses Diedrich, N. Gallagher and T, Bigg, 1 sopranos i Miss K. Bigg, alto; Messrs P. Behan and Griffin, tenors; and Mr J, Kriggs, bass. Mr Briggs also sang Porgoleso’s “ Sanctum et Terribilo ” as an offertory piece moat effectively. Miss Macdonald was at the organ, and Mr H. McCardoll conducted; At vespers the Bov Father Ainsworth Eosai’s “Magnificat'’was sung, Misses Diedrich and Bigg and Messrs Griffin and Dunne taking the solos. The Bev Father O’Sullivan gave Benediction. Miss N. Gallagher and Mr E. D. Dunne sang Rossi’s “ Tantum Ergo.” WESLEY CHURCH. The Bev A, B. Chappell preached yesterday msrning at tho Wesley Church) Taranaki street, basing his discourse on St. John, chap. 0, verso 25, “ One .thing I know, that whereas I was blind, now X Tho Bev W. Baumber preached in tho evening on tho divinity of Christ, tho text being St. John, chap. 7, verso 46, “ Never man spake like this man.” Tho question which the preacher asked and tried to answer was “ What did Christ claim to be, did ho claim to be divine P” After referring to His general teaching, the preacher showed that Christ claimed to have had previous existence ; not only BOj but ho claimed equality with God, an equal right with God to tho homage of mankind, and tho power to forgive sins. He claimed also an absolute oneness of essence in His statement “ I and my Father are ono ” ; Ho also claimed to be the universal judge. Such claims in the month of a mere man would be blasphemy. If ho wore God such claims wore what we should expect. The anthem in tho evening was “ The Grace of God that bringoth Salvation,” the solo being taken by Mrs Reid, BT. ANDREW'S. •At St. Andrew's tho Bev. C. S. Ogg preached from the 10th and 12th chapters of St. John, dealing with those verses which describe the characteristics of Mary and Martha, and the effect their grief at tho death of Lazarus had upon them. Everyone had, he said, an individuality of character which ought to be devoted to God, and if trial, misfortune, or sorrow visit one’s home, or if anyone be laid upon abed of sickness, then all that was necessary was to call upon Jeans, “ Lord he whom thou lovest is sick.” Jesus was the resurrection and the life, and He would always be at tho right hand of the Christian when afflicted. But, he added, if in that day of misfortune recourse was not had to tho Saviour, then tho blessed teaching and tho more blessed result of affliction would bo utterly lost. Christians, said tho preacher, do not contend vigorously and resolutely enough against tho temptations arising from their own characters. They make professions, and believe in the Gospel, but often remain impassive, and, like tho people of tho world, foolishly tolerant of evil, and unable to put forth a stronger effort towards moral good. CHURCH OV CHRIST. At'the Church of Christ the subject of tho discourse was “ Christ’s proposed tost of His religion,” and was based upon the words of Jesna as foundin John vii., 17, “If anyraan will do His will he shall know of the doctrine whether it bo of God er whether X speak of Myself.” After referring to the circumstances, loading to the utters of this language, and dealing with th* methods usually suggested to ascertain tha truthfulness or otherwise of Christianity, many of which should not be underrated, Mr Turner dwelt upon the method proposed by Christ, viz., the putting into practice in our lives the teachings which fell from His Ups. Tho doing of the will of God, which means the yielding up of ourselves to the requirements of the Christian life, or. in other words, the living of the Christian life, was not only tho best evidence we could have, but also tho best wo could give to others, of tho Divine origin of Christianity, and is that which will do infinitely more to commend Christianity to others, than all the sermons preached from one j’ear’s end to another. This method was within tho power of each ono of us to adopt, but first of all required a willingness upon our part to do so; aversion to such a cause was probably at the root of much of the bopalled infidelity of tjie present day,

COUKTJ3NAT PLACE CONGREGATIONAL oin/Rcir. The pastor prosified at both services yesterday. Preaching in the morning from John xiv., 21, Mr Hallowcs pointed out that it is a great privilege to havo Christ’s commandments, but the main point after ail is the keeping of them —it is this alone that can prove true love to Him, and genuine love to Christ always brings a fuller manifestation of Himself. “ Our friend is fallen asleep ” (John xL, II) was the text in the evening for a fiincral sermon in connection with the sudden death on the previous Sunday evening of Mr E. C. Evens, a short account of whoso eventful life was given Sudden death, said the preacher, seems terrible to most uien, but to the true Christian it is, in many respects, the easiest and most merciful manner of leaving this world for a. better.