CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13786, 27 December 1906, Page 8

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS.

CIIURCII SERVICES.

sr. PAUL'S.

Tho Christmas services at St. Paul's Cathedral, commenced with the celebration of itho first Eucharist at 6 a.m.; the Rev. W. Ronaldson was the celcbrant. at 7 a.m., and assisted Archdeacon Robinson at 8 a.m., and at high celebration at 11 a.m. Tho inusio sung was Sic ,1. Stainer's " Service in K," and the. anthem was a beautiful setting; of Ilie carol "Like silver lamps," Sir J. iiarnby. Jlr W. K. Taylor accompanied with "all his usual taste and skill, and his voluntaries, which were appropriate and devotional, included the pastoral symphony from the "Messiah." Archdeacon Robinson's text was Proverbs xxii, 17; ''A brother is bom for adversity." Brotherhood, he said, is one of the essential relations of family life, it speaks ot a tic which is inherent and permanent; in its widest BOriso it tells of a love consecrated to the >orvice of all. ''I am your brolher- lioru for adversity," this is God's message to tho world on Christmas Day. That mystery and miracle of love which we call tho Incarnation makes us sure of its truth. The world's Redeemer, "the Saviour Who is Christ the Lord" was born, as Ho Himself tells us—oil the only occasion when, so far as we know, lie alluded to His birth,—to "bear witnes.'i to the truth,"—to this truth emphatically, that disinterested love is the one divine clement in human life the, greatest power in the world. The love of God-Incarnate, our Brother, Rives to I hose who are in "adversity" of any kind the solace which they seek, and to all the blessing which alono can make life really happy. Kvenflong was sniij at. 6.30 p.m.. followed by carols, in which the solo parts were by Masters Wilkinson mid Oalcn. A large and very rich-toned bell, from the foundry of Messrs A. and T. Burl, lias

been hung in the belfry, and was rung for ihe first timo on Christmas Day. The bell is a gift in memory of a young girl who was a worshipper in Si. Paul's Cathedral until the time of her death. ST. JOSEPH'S CATHEDRAL At SI. Joseph's Cathedral on Christinas ■Day masses commenced at 6 o'clock, and continued until 11. when pontifical high mass was celebrated. The attendances at 4ho early musses were large, a, very large number receiving holy communion. At. tho ponlilical high mass the celebrant was his Lordship the Bishop, who preached •the occasional sermon proper to the'feast— an impressive one-from ihe lexl. "Come, let us adore." Tho following members of tho clergy assisted:—Master of ceremonies, Rev. Father Cofl'ev; assistant priest, Kcv. Father Cleary; deacon, Rev. Father Corcoran; sub-deacon, liev. Falher O'Dwyer, S.J. Tho choir, under the eonductorship of Mr 0. Foil, wilh Mr A. Ya.llis at the organ, gavo Gounod's No. 3 Mass—a composition never hoard hero before. Jlr T.

iliissey acted as cu.nlor. As an offertory tho choir sung Iho "Adeite lideles," (lie Koloi.il!) being Miss Hall (soprano). Mrs ■Power (allo), Mr P. Carolin (tnnorj. and Sir J. Woods (bass). The outgoing inarch (■uileianl'f) "Fantasia on Christmas Themes," was played l>v Mr A. Vallis. !At the evening service - there was another largo congregation, ilic prcaeher being Ihe Rev. Father O'Dwyer. ALL SAINTS'. Services were held at. All Saints' at 7, 8, and 11 a.m. Dean Fitehcll. assisted by the Rev. H. 11. Bedford, conducted the services. The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and there was a large number of communicants. The offertory for Iho Maori Mission iiltalled '£27. Christmas liyums and carols were mini;, and Iho subjects selected for tlio widdre.sses wero appropriate, and a devotional 'Spirit, characterised all the services. At the 11 a.m. service, the Dean

preached from Luke ii, 12: "And this shall bo a sign unto you: Ye shall lind a liabe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." In the absence of Mr Haggitt, Mrs J. Mill played the organ music. KNOX CHURCII. There was a very good Attendance at tho servioe held in Knox Church on llirktmas forenoon, the l*>dy of Iho church being comfortably tilled. The Kev, Win. Ilewitnon, who conducted the service, gave an -inspiring address on Simeon's song in the Temple on tho presentation of tho infant .le.?us. The whole service, which lasted under an hour, was very hearty and was jnuch appreciated by nil who took part ill it. 11l addition (o Ihe usual Christmas hymns, the choir «ang the anthem "Behold, I bring good tidings'' (Gosx), and at the closo of tho service Mr W. l'agct Gale, the organist, played the following selections: — (1) "(lood King AVpnceslaus,"' an elaborate arrangement of ibis line old carol for the organ; (2) "Rhapsodic" (Bridge); (3) " Pastorale on Two Old Christmas Carols" ittuilmnnl); (4) (lie "Halk'nljult Chorus" {rom "Tlio Mes«iali."

AT THli HOSPITAL. Loving liands were busy 011 Christmas .Eve and the morning of Christmas Day in brightening the wank at the Hospital, pool and shady plants and beautiful flowers jn bloom were arranged wjth the utmost wire. Nothing that, could be done was lacking to make Christmas a memorable event to the inmates of the institution. At the Christmas dinner there was a Jxaratiful supply of poultry, joints, fmil, (Hid foivsonablu dainties generally. Toys ■tvero lavishly provided for tlio children, and, as usual, the nurses sang old-time carols, Mr P. Miller (ehainnan of the !Hoarit of Trustees) was present at. the Winner. During tlio day there was a large number of visitors. BKNEVOIjKNT institution. The,inmates of the Benevolent. Institution had their usual Christmas dinner. The analcs (to the number of 150) and females (GO) dined iu their respective dining halls, which woro decorated for the occasion, while those ill the hospital wards were -well attended. Donations of a barrel of ibeer each wore received from Messrs Speight, Strachan. and M'Gavin: ji box of tobacco from Mr Dawson, and £i from the English and Scotch Masonic Order for extras. There arc 174 mules and 77 females in the institution. Tho garden and surroundings are, neatly kept, atid present. a bright and cheerful apjwarancc. Dr Closs (the liictliral ofiieer) Tisitod the institution, and Mr Axelscn lomlucted religious services. AT THK fXDUSTRIAL SCHOOL The hearts of the inmates of the Industrial School w«re ghwldened by the good cheer which Christmas Day brought- with at. In the fotvnoou the children were rsoorW to church, and if thoughts of the Masonublo.jollities to follow caused their oninds to stray a. little from the sermon it would doubtless be forgiven them more (readily than at a. toss joyous time. After obureli came the Christinas dinner, with its dime-honoured dishes and dessert. (James [followed in the spacious grounds of the institution. and the time passed rapidly ami Merrily away until evening. SAILORS'" CHRISTMAS (JATIIEKIXt!.

Tho watnen's animal gathering look plaeo on Christinas Night in the Choral Hall. What with seaman nnj visitors the largo liall was crowded. Tito Imihliiijr was lwauiifiilly tlecorated with flags, banners, and flowers. A number of Sailors' Rest. 3ady workers, assisted by jailor friends, had spent (ho day arranging for the evening meeting, and the effect was bright and interesting, as seamen of the Royal Navy and merchantmen of many nations sat, down to a bountiful repast. For tho third war in succession the s.s. Waiwera. cume into port direct from the Old Land oil Christmas Day. and the crew were at once invited, and gladly aileiuiod the gathering. Thero wore fortunately a number of Home steamers also in port and alto 11.M. Warship Pioneer. As in former years, each (■'Oilman was presented with a "sailor's bag." containing New Testament, hymnhook. etc.. and many useful articles for ouo fur out at sea. At ilie after meeting Jlr A. li. Falconer, seamen's missionary presided, and addresses were given by Mr A. 11. lleycock, Petty Oflieer Hobcrt Borrott (H.M.S. Pimm), Chief Oll'icor Davies (s.e. Cunopusl. Mr Gumming, and' Br Kirk, a good many hymns filling up interval'. The following ladies arranged, presided over, and attended to the tables: — Mesdames Don, Pearson. Wilson, llartly Inglis, Herein. Sanders. Axelseii, », Mirauis. Lawrence Cook, Broadbent, KirkSand, Uomcril, Shanks. While, Cow, and Mrs Captain Gordon,' Misses Lizzie l;i>leoner, Bertha and Lifly Simpson, Jessie (Hid Enid Ittglis, Annie Reid. Ferguson. Hcrcus, Torrance. Pearson, Hunter, Bardsley, Jessie and Clirissj- Hall, Younp. Gray, (row, Jcaimie and Annie Falconer. The meeting closed about .10 o'clock with prayer by Mr William Ings. The Port Chalmers friends wore conveyed home by special traii>. JI.M.S. PJOXHEK. 11.M.5. Pioneer was gaily fe.-lootied with everjjrwns below and aloft on Christmas Day. the messrooms being lavishly draped ■with bunliitcr, which save a festive air to the men's quarters. Mo.<rt of the men were away wt shore lwe ( but those who re-

mainod vied with each other in decorating tjio mess fables in accordance with the time-honoured traditions of the service. A guard of honour, preoeded by a stalwart itnniHMjor and all the available musical iaJent, cscorlcd Commander Borralt. on his rounds, a stop being made at. each moss table for the purpose of allowing the visitors an opportunity of sampling ihe various deiieacie-s, which were displayed in great, profusion and variety, Each mess table was visited in turn, aiitl by the time Ihe round was concluded it was near noon, and all hands were piped Mow to the merry tune of the boatswain's whistle. An hour lator tlio moss uhlos. present etl u "verv different, appearance, whilst the bluejacket's wore that benign expression which is the outward and l visible sign of a stalwart digestion. The cruiser was not open to Ihe public, nevertheless a. {.'acul many friends and relatives of those on board visited the ship, and were accorded'a beany welcome. .