THE CHURCH

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 12

THE CHURCH

GENERAL NEWS AND NOTES. FROM PULPIT AND PEW. The Church in Sydney is shortly to institute a farm at Carlingford for the training of boys, which will make provision for 40U pupils. At the Auckland Diocesan Synod a motion was passed requesting the Church Gazette Committee to take into consideration all steps necepgary to improve the Church Gazette. The services at Esk street Baptist Church will be taken by the Rev. F. Sampson, who will speak in the morning on the “Sins of the Canaanites” and in the evening on “Prisoners of Hope.” The Rev. J. Ernest Parsons, of Devonport, has been invited to the charge of St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Palmerston North, when the Rev. M. A. Rugby Pratt takes up office as connectional secretary at .Christchurch next April. Synod carried a resolution heartily supporting the Archbishop’s appeal to the diocese for enthusiastic support of the overseas mission work of the Church. The hope was expressed that the study of the mission fields would form an increasing part of the normal life of every parish, thus leading to definite contributions. The question of commencing the evening services at 7 o’clock during the summer months was considered at the last meeting of the Ministers’ Association; As opinions were somewhat divided, it was resolved that the members consult their church official courts, and report results to the next meeting to be held on Monday next. The Evangelistic Council of the Auckland Diocesan Synod, which will deal with all special matters of a spiritual nature, consists of the Revs. G. Gordon Bell, R. J. Stanton, C. B. W. Seton, R. H. Hobday, Jasper Calder, C. J. Beck, W. G. Monckton, and G. C. Cruickshank; and Messrs A. Wilson, Rayner, Pearson, H. C. Robinson and C. C. Howard. Monsignor Redwood, Archbishop of Wellington, is the oldest bishop in the world. He is now 87 years old, and was consecrated 52 years ago by Cardinal Manning in London. The youngest bishop in the world is Monsignor James Leon, of the Holy Ghost Fathers. He is only 31 years of age, and has been consecrated Bishop of Port Louis, Mauritius. For some years past Knox Presbyterian Church has conducted a Sunday School in Georgetown. The church has now decided on a forward movement and intends opening up a mission charge in this growing and progressive suburb of Invercargill. The Rev. D. K. Fisher (late of Lumsden) has been engaged by the church authorities and commences work from November 1. It is not intended, however, to start services in the church till the last Sunday in November. On Monday evening the children of the Central Methodist Sunday School, assisted by friends, will give a concert' in their fine auditorium to add to the new building fund. They will repeat the choral items, for which they won first place in the recent competitions, but for which unfortunately they did not win a prize owing to the fact that there were no other competitors. The president of the Competitions Society, however, was so pleased with their singing that he decided to present a medal to each of the sixteen children taking part. After they sing the winning item, he will present the medals to each child in person. Adjutant McKenzie, who has spent several years on the Chinese Mission field, and just left there a few weeks ago to spend a furlough with friends in Dunedin, will be taking a prominent part in all meetings at the Salvation Army to-morrow. In the 3 p.m. meeting the Adjutant will give some of her experiences amongst the Chinese. Seeing that China has been so much in the public eye and mind it should prove interesting to hear someone who has not only recently left there, but has also spent long enough in that country to know something of the conditions of it. Everyone is welcome. In connection with the opening of the new Methodist Sunday School Hall in Jed street, a grand fair will be held on Wednesday and Thursday next. The ladies of the church have been busily engaged for months past and as a result of their labours a splendid assortment of both plain and fancy work will be on sale at attractive prices. Besides the well-laden stalls there will be competitions for young and old; also a good musical programme each evening, and last, but not least, it has been decided that admission will be free to all. The fair is to be opened by his Worship the Mayor on Wednesday at 2.30 p.m. The “monthly community song service” at Elies Road Methodist Church continues to be of great attraction. The instructive addresses given by the Rev. S. Bailey on the “Origin, Authorship and Message” of wellknown hymns have been much appreciated. The success of such services have been largely due to the invaluable assistance of the organist-choirmaster and efficient choir who have so beautifully interspersed the lecturrtte with appropriate solos, quartets, choruses and hymns. Sunday evening next the favourite hymn will be “Nearer My God to Thee,” by Sarah Flower Adams. Mr F. Farley will give a special solo rendering of this famous hymn. Mr J. Hensley and Miss M. Anderson and others will assist with suitable quartettes and choruses, whilst the congregation will joyously sing some well-known hymns. Miss Clement, A.T.C.L., etc., will officiate at the organ. All .seats free. Hymn books provided. Everybody welcome.

In connection with the Central Methodist Church, the new Sunday School at the corner of Yarrow and Jed streets will be opened to-morrow. A dedication service will be held in the new school at 11 a.m., conducted by the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, of Dunedin. An official opening service will be held in the afternoon. At this service the Mayoress, Mrs Andrew Bain, will turn the key at 2.45 p.m., and then Mr D. C. Cameron, vice-president of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, will preside, and the speakers will include the Mayor, the Hon. A. F. Hawke, the Rev. H. E. Bellhouse, and the Rev. E. Gardiner, president of Invercargill Ministers’ Association. The evening service will be held in the Leet street Church, when the Rev. H. E.» Bellhouse will again be the preacher, and a solo will be sung by Miss Ava Cameron, of Dunedin. At all services anniversary hymns will be sung by the children under the baton of Mr J. E. Taylor. A happy little function took place in the Mabel Bush Church at the conclusion of the young peoples' service fet Sunday. Miss A, Somerville, who has been a Sunday School teacher for some seven years and is leaving the district was the recipient of a presentation from the children. The Rev. Robert Hill spoke very highly of Miss Somerville’s good qualities both a day teacher and Sunday School teacher. She would be greatly missed and he regretted her departure very much. He wished her every success. Mr Hugh Robertson also spoke on behalf of the church managers and parents and said they had appreciated Miss Somerville’s efforts. She had often sacrificed her week-ends to be in attendance there to take her Sunday School class. He also referred to the good example of kindness shown to the children. She had presented each of her scholars with an illustrated New Testament as a parting gift and he hoped they would read them and treasure them and ever think of their t-eacher who had been such an inspiration of good to them. The Rev, Robert Hill then called on Miss Lottie Robertson to hand Miss Somerville a beautiful silvermounted perfume spray and silver serviette ring with her initials engraved on it. Little Miss Adelaide Rogers also presented her with a sheaf of lilies. Miss Somerville very feelingly replied and thanked the speakers for their expressions of appreciation and the children for their presents, which would remind her of her happy associations with them.