Harvest Thanksgivings.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6518, 10 April 1889, Page 3

Harvest Thanksgivings.

A harvest thanksgiving service was held last Sunday at Doric, in ths Bafraia district. Through the kindness of Miss Fisher, assisted by several other members of the congregation, the schoolroom was suitably decorated with corn, fruit and flowers. Miss Fisher presided at the harmonium, and the hymns appropriate to the occasion were sung with much spirit. The service was throughly enjoyed by the large congregation assembled. The offertory was handed to the curate by the church officers as an Easter offering, as there will be no service here on Easter Day. Last Sunday the annual harvest thanksgiving was held in St Andrew's Church, East Oxford, which had been tastefully decorated by the Misses Weld, Miss Williams, and other members of the congregation. Over the East window was the test, in blue and gold, " God giveth the ! increase." The altar was covered with j fruit and flowers, surmounted by a cross done in wheat and oats. The body of the church and the other windows were fes- \ tooned with barley, wheat and oats, relieved by scarlet flowers and berries. j The general effect was very good, and reflected great credit on the taste of the fair decorators. The service was choral and rendered by the combined choirs of East and West Oxford and Carleton, under Choirmaster Dorn, Misa Parish being organist. The Eev H. Williams officiated, and gave an appropriate sermon, taking for his text the 96h verse of the 65th Psalm, which was attentively listened to by a large congregation. In the evening the same festival was commemorated in St i Mary's Church, West Oxford, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion by the younger members oi the congregation. Ferns and native shrubs, entwined wihh oats, barley, wheat, scarlet berries and flowers, were used wi h great effect, and in addition a remarkably fine collection of fruit, flowers and vegetables was tastefully grouped round and upon the altar. The singing was given by the choir with their usual energy and precision, Miss Laers being the organist. The E.ev H. Williams preached from the 15th verse of the iiSuh Psalm. The church waß crowded to excess.

Rifle Shooting. SYDENHAM BIPLE CLUB. The first competition for tho champion* ship of the Club took place on Saturday last, the conditions being 200 yds, 300 yds, 400 yds and 500 yds, seven shots at each range, the highest scorer in three competitions to be the champion. The longest range could not be finished on account of darkness setting in. The following are the scores at the three ranges ■■— 200 300 4CO „ „ „ yds. yds. yds. Tl. Mr F.Parker 28 16 32 78 Mr Harry 25 21 23 69 Mr Allißon ... 25 14 27 6$ MrSkeltoa 23 16 26 65 MrHoig 26 15 23 61. Mr Jones 22 16 21 69 Mr Just 23 16 15 54