WANGANUI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 32, 9 August 1900, Page 4

WANGAN U I.

(From our own correspondent.)

August 3

The mission t-ervices are still the centre of attention not alone to Catholics but to numbers of non-Catholic*. Every day, and especially in the evenings, the attendance has been pond, increasing as the mission advance?, and this inut>t be very gratifying to the mi^ioners. On Surday morning, the Ua-s was again explained, part by part, as it went on, Father Aim-worth, in his beau iful explanation, impressing all these present with the solemn grandeur of the Hoy Sacrifice. llih Grace the Archbishop was the preacher, and delivered a learned and eloquent discourse from the text, ' The Lord has sworn and he will not repent : thou art a priest for ever recording to the order of Melehisedech.' At the conclusion of the Mass. Father Ainsworth appealed to the congregation for funds towards the erection ot the new Cathedral for the archdiocese, and he felt sure that he would meet -\\ ith a liberal response. Since thin donations and promises have been coming in, and when the mission comes to an end no doubt a handsome sum \\ ill have been guaranteed. The attendance, ■which, as I said before, increased with the advance of the tni-sion, reached itb climax on Sunday night, when there was a congregation such as ha° never before been seen inside St. Mary's. The now roomy building was filled in every part, amongst those present be ug representatives of every denomination in Wanganui. Father Ainsworth preached, taking his Uxt from St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians :> LV> — ' Christ lo\ed Hi» Church that He might present it to Himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle.' In most eloquent language he presented to his hearers a series of word pictures desciiptivp of the Church since its foundation by Christ. The services of the mission have bven continued as usual throughout the week, and, judging from what is heard outside, everyone is delighted with the sermons. The Archbishop's discourse on Hell on Thursday night was an intellectual treat. Father Ainsworth preached his final sermon of the series this evening (Friday), and on Sunday evening the closing ceremonies will be conducted by the Archbishop, when all Catholics present will make a public renewal of their Baptismal vows.