ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

Otago Witness, Issue 3403, 4 June 1919, Page 55

ST. PAUL'S CATHEDRAL

CONGREGATIONAL SOCIAL. The annual social of St. Paul's Cathedral was held in the Art Gallery on the 20th when there was a large attendance of members of the congregation. ■ The Primate presided, and, after welcoming those present, said how delighted they were with that portion of the cathedral that had been completed—not only the people of Dunedin but also those who came on a visit here. Another pleasing feature of the cathedral was the character of thenmusical services, and the dignified and beautiful manner in which the services as a whole were carried out. 'Though they were very proud of their cathedral there was still a great deal to do. The 6urroundings of the cathedral would have to be attended to, and they required a new deanery, the old building having been pulled down. At the present, time they had nearly £IOOO in hand for the deanery, but probably another £2OOO would be required. He hoped that in due course they would have both the deanery house and the surroundings of the cathedral just as perfectly completed as the cathedral itself. The speaker went on to Bay that he was sorry that in Dunedin and in other places there was a considerable neglect of religion, and they desired to make the central church of the diocese and the central church of Dunedin a focus of spiritual force to meet, as best they could, the evik surrounding them. _ There was a great need of social organisation, and their fellow-worker, the Rev. Bryan King. had done a lot in this direction.—(Applause.) Mr King had told him that day that the Men's Mission House had been sold over his head. They would require another place, and maybe the Chapter of the Cathedral might see its way to arrange for Mr King to carry on his very valuable work in the old firo brigade station. They wanted their cathedral to be not only a centre of divine worship on Sundays,' but also a centre of usefulness in a social sense for the benefit of the . whole community. No doubt a great deal of that would come, though probably not in' his time, but he wished to suggest the ideas and principles on which they might work, so that when the opportunity ocourred : they might have some definite thought in their minds as a foundation. Continuing, the "speaker said the- General Synod decided to give women the vote in the election of church wardens and vestrymen, and concluded his address amidst applause. Canon Nevill, m presenting the annual report, mentioned that the offertories ranged from £l2 to «£24 for the day. He referred to the gratuitous work done by a number of gentlemen named ; also the Ladies' Guild, the Sunday sohool superintendent and teachers, the clergy who Ijad assisted, and Mr Heywood and the choir. The Rev. C. H. Statham presented the balance sheet for the year. He said that, taking the position all round;- if the collections kept up as at present, with the aid of the guild and subscriptions, he did not feel there was any fear of the finances of the Cathedral going back. A programme of music, etc., was contributed. Refreshments were then served, and a dance followed.