S. Matthew's, Hastings.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 8, 1 February 1914, Page 111

S. Matthew's, Hastings.

Vicar : Sev. J. B. BrockleJmrst. Curate: Rev. N, Robertsluawe, MA. The Christmas Festival Season was marked by beautifully fine weather, land many people took part m the services of that' day. The Church was decorated, and the whole services were bright as befits such a great festival of the Christian year. In the evening a shortened form of service was said, and the Choir gave a very beautiful cantata, " The Holy Child." Although several members, of the Choir were absent at the " Messiah " recital m Napier, the singing was very successful. As is usual, the absence of many people from town during the Christmas holiday was very marked. Many visitors from other parts were present at the services. On New Year's Day there was a Celebration of the Holy Communion, at 10.30 a.m. A fair number were able to begin the New Year with the consecration of its first day to Christ's service. Such a service is always an inspiration and a time for new resolutions. May this year be even more marked for His service. The beginning of the foundation for the new Church has begun, and the Bishop of the Diocese, Dr Averill, is to lay the Memorial Stone on January 28th. This will make a greater development m Church work m the parish. The present building is always very hot during the summer months and the enlargement will give great relief to those for whom the heat is so oppressive. In addition to the change m the affairs of the parish, a great change is impending m the work of the Diocese. The Right Reverend Dr. Averill is being translated to the see of Auckland and the ReVr Canon W. W. Sedgwick has been elected Bdshop m his place. Our prayers for God's continued blessings upon Bishop Averill m his work m the Auckland Diocese will be coupled with the prayers for the blessing of God upon Canon Sedgwick. for the work which he is about to undertake m this Diocese. TheC.E.M.S. have held their first meeting of the New Year when a fair number of men were present. The Bible study on this occasion was what may be termed the "Apprenticeship of S. Paul " for his missionary career. In all, S. Paul was fourteen years preparing from the time of his conversion, at Damascus until his first missionary journey from Antioch. Patience and waiting upon the : will of God finally lead out into wider work m his service. During this present year we shall have to take our stand upon two questions. The first is the question of the proposal to introduce Bible

instruction to the State- Schools. There can be no doubt m the minds of Christian people that the Faith we uphold needs to be held more and more clearly m the face of the tremendous doubts and slackness of the present age. Such an opportunity is being presented as has never been before. We wish our own children to be taught the Faith m the way we have learnt it. 'The principles- we shall be asked to vote for are now well known : . 1. The reading of selected portions from the" Old and New Testament. 2. The teaching of Church of England children by Church of England Clergy, Presbyterian children by their own ministers, and so on, during school hours. 3. The liberty on the part of the parents to withdraw their children from the reading and instruction classes. When once we thoroughly grasp these facts, we see their fairness and appreciate their value for the purpose of creating a more intelligent knowledge of the Faith. The second question is our obligation to Foreign Missions. The worldwide call for Mission workers and funds to support them is beating more and more insistently on our ears. There is always the need to make up our minds " how much can I do for this work by prayer and almsgiving." Some day the opportunity is given and we must make our decision either to be keen for the spread of* Christianity, or to be ashamed of our Faith. Let us be keen.