CHURCH SERVICES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 10 April 1890, Page 14

CHURCH SERVICES.

The usual holy week services have been held this week atSt. Joseph's Cathedral. On Wednesday evening there was a large congregation when the office of Tenebrae was celebrated. Bishop Moran was the preacher and the Rev. Fathers Mackay, O'Leary, Burke, M'Gratb, James O'Neill, Vereker, J. O'Donnel, P. O'Donnel, P. O'Neill, and P. Lynch, Adm,, were also present and took part in the service. The main altar was bare, but the side altar was beautifully decorated by the Dominican Convent nuns. "The Lamentations of the Prophet Jeremias" were sung by Mr Santley, the boys' choir singing the refrain, "Jerusalem, be converted to the Lord thy God." The lament of the prophet over Jerusalem captured by the Assyrians was touchingly rendered by the eminent baritone. During the day the Confraternity of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour paid their 'devotions in sections, and throughout the night the men of the Confraternity of the Holy Family kept watch in the cathedral.

On Good Friday, morning service was held in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral at 11 o'clock, there being a large attendance. The service was conducted by the Rev. Archdeacon Edwards, assisted by Mr Statham. The former preached from the Lamentations of Jeremiah chapter i, verse ll:—"2 :— " Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by ? " The service which was held at All Saints' Church on Friday morning was also well attended. The Rev. A. R. Fitchett, who occupied the pulpit, preached a discourse from the words, " And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself." The anthem sung during the service was, " He was despised." At St. Matthew's Church, ante-communion was celebrated by the incumbent, the Rev. A. C. Yorke, at 730 a.m. At 11 o'clook there was a good attendance at matins and litany. A three-hours' service, consisting of meditations, addresses, and prayers, was held between noon and 3 p.m., these three hours being those during which the sun was darkened, while the Lord hung in last extremity upon the cross. The usual practice was followed of taking the " Seven last words," as they are called, for the subject of the addresses and meditations, the latter being given by the Rev. Mr Cotes, of Melbourne. At intervals hymns were sung, and opportunity was given for silent prayer. The attendance throughout the whole of the three hours was very fair. The services for the day were concluded with evensong at 7.30.

At St. Joseph's Cathedral the mass of the presanotified was celebrated. There was a very large congregation. "The Passion," according to St. John, was sung by the Rev. J. Mackay, of Oamaru, the Rev. J. O'Neill, of Milton, and ihe Rev. Father Lynch. The celebrant of the mass was the Very Rev. Father O'Leary, of Lawrence, with the Rev. P. O'Donnell, of Port Chalmers, as deaoon, and the Rev. J. O'Donnell, of Milton, as sub-deacon. The Very Rev. Father Walsh, of Invercargill, and the Rev. P. O'Neill, of Dunedin, were also present. The ceremony known as the "Adoration of tho Cross" was gone through with great effect upon those who assisted at it, and the whole service was most impressive. Bishop Moran preaohed a very eloquent discourse on "The Passion," and his remarks were listened to with profound attention.

St. Paul's pro-Cathedral was, as ia usual on Easter Sunday, tastefully decorated on jhe 6th, the font in particular being covered with Marguerite daisies, dahlias, ivy leaves, and lycopods, while the pillars of the church were prettily wreathed. At matins Bishop Nevill was the preacher, delivering an impressive discourse irom the , text Romans vi, 4 : " Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." The offertorium was the arioso, " But Thou didst not leave," from " The Messiah," sung by Mr Jones, and the anthem was Stainer's " They have taken away my Lord." At the evening servioe, at which the Yen. Archdeacon Edwards was the preaoher, the anthem was Wesley's " Blessed be the God and Father," and the offertorium, sung by Mr Stockwell, " His salvation is nigh," from Bennett's " Woman of Samaria."

The Eastern services at Holy Trinity Church, Port Chalmers, were choral ; the building was beautifully decorated with ferns, flowers, grain, and fruit, while a number of illuminated texts were placed along the sides and in the sanctuary. During the morning service the choir sang the anthem, " Christ, our Passover," the tenor solo, by Mr W. M'Kinnon, being excellently rendered. The Rev. F. C. Platts preached an impressive sermon, taking his text from the 24th chapter 39th verse of St. Luke. After service, Holy Communion was administered, and in the evening a harvest celebration took place. On the 6th (Easter Sunday) Pontifical High Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph's Cathedral, with the Most Rev. Bishop Moran celebrant, Rev. Father Lynch deacon, and Rev. P. O'Neill sub-deacon. The bishop also preached a most eloquent sermon on the " Resurrection. 1 ' A full choir performed Mozart's " Twelfth Mass " most capably, the following ladies and gentlemen taking the leading parts :— Misses Wood and Smith, sopranos; Mrs Angus, alto; Messrs Oogblin and Carolin, tenors ; and Mr Santley, bass. The choir was assisted by an orchestra, comprising the following gentlemen: — Mr Schacht; first violin; Mr Bowman, second violiD ; Mr Barrett, viola ; Herr Winckelmann, 'cello; Mr Robertshaw, D bass; Messrs Corrigan and Ross, clarinets; and Mr Stratton, cornet. During the offertory Mr Santley sang Niedermeyer's " Pater Nqster," with orchestral accompaniment, most touchingly. Miss Horan presided at the organ, and Mr Ward conducted. In the evening the bishop was again celebrant, and also preaohed. During the benediction Miss Smith sang an " Alma Virgo " very effectively, *nd Cherubini's " O fcialutaris " was finely sung by Mrs Angus, with organ and string accompaniment. Misses Mills and Murphy took the leading parts in the anthem for the evening, " Regina Cceli." During the lighting of the candles an andante trio for strings by Beethoven was beautifully played by Messrs Schacht, Barrett, and Winckelmann. Next Sunday being the 34th anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Moran Pontifical High Mass will be celebrated at the cathedral at 11 a.m.