REFERENCES IN THE CHURCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2515, 28 May 1902, Page 28

REFERENCES IN THE CHURCHES.

The information which came to hand by cable intimating that the chief points as to fehe terms on which the Boers would surrender had been settled so far as the delegates at Pretoria were concerned, and that h vote on the entire scheme would be taken at Vereeniging in a few days was conveyed to the ministers of the city and suburbs, so far as it was possible to reach them, by telephone, and was read to most of the congregations. At the service in St. Paul's Cathedral the Rev. Hubert Jonos, who occupied the pulpit, said: "We began the waT from a sense of moral duty, moral obligation. We fought for certain equitable principles. We have at last every reason to believe that this is no weak compromise, and that ive have won what we fought for." Prior to the benediction the " Hallelujah chorus ' was sung by the choir. At St. Matthew's Church the Roy. W. Curzon-Siggers mado the announcement, and at his request the congregation rose and sang the National Anthem. One of the vicar's hymns of intercession for peace was sung during the service. The newo was also announced by the Very Rev. Dean Fitchott at All Saints' Church. At St. Peter's Church. Cargill road, the hymn, "Now thank we all our God," was sung during the collection, and the "Te Deum" after the blessing. The National Anthem wa3 sung as a recessional. References were also made to fchc news at St. Mary's. Mornington, and Si. .lohn'?. Roslyn. At Trinity Church the Rc-v. Mr Fair-••loug-h Faid he was devoutly thankful to God to learn that the prospect of peace was now very bright, and might become actual any moment. What a relief it would be when the strained tinews of a nation relax, and millions rest and pant. Had we secured peucf two years ago we would lwvo received v very boastfully. In the meantime wo had learned much and sorrowed much, all of which was for our good; still, we would be the more thankful for the learning and sorrowing to cease. Though there was yet no absolute certainty, they were at the Cape of Good Hope, and might sing. "' Praiso God, from Whom all blessings fiov. ." T!r\ the cougrsgation did. At the Moray Place Congregational Church the Rev. W. Saunders, in the course of his remarks, faid: — " Whilo the need existed, we braced ourselves to do and bear, but now we rejoice before God that the need is ceasing to be. Our sacrifices have been great, but under the Divine Providence they have- not been made in vain. The Empire greatly threatened has been greatly saved. Ours is to be peace with victory and discipline. Nor, apparently, are our brave enemies bitterly exasperated and- permanently estranged. They have won our deep respect, and we trust we have won theirs. Equally brave foes can best become firmly attached friends. May peace mean rhe union of our race', and, through our united labours, the increased prosperity not only of the now dovastcd lands but of all South Africa. Oh, it is good to know that the trumpet-blast and shouts aud eln.ric.na shrilling unto blood are being silenced. War, even when necessary, is always horrible. Thank God for the almost certainty of immediate peace ! May peace, being established, long remain for us unbroken."

The Rev. W. Scorgie made special reference at the Morningtou Presbyterian Church last evening to the pr.st and present aspect of the war. He saifl the Boer war was the only Christian war tho world had ever known. By Christian war he meant a war waged in a Christian spirit and on Christian principles. It had been taken in the interests of freedom, humanity, and the moral aud spiritual progress of the whole of the South Africa. The nation had wept for her dead, but still poured men in to fight to a finish. The Boer» had abused every recognised principle of war, but Britain had never stooped to retaliation. The war had humbled the nation, purified it, united it, and elevated it.

Oui Christuhurch correspondent telegraphs that reference was made to the good news in nearly all the churches in that city.