THE CHURCHES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 451, 9 March 1909, Page 7

THE CHURCHES.

ORDINATION SERVICE. An ordination service was held in Wesley Church, T.irnnnki Street, on Sunday aftornoo'i, when the following were ordained for tiie ministry.—Messrs. Fred Copeland (Eltliani), Arthur C. Raudcrson. M.A. (Mosgiel), son of Mr. RandeiEon, of Island Ray, and Raymond Richards (Malvern). The ordaining ministers woro tho Rovs. T. Fee (president of the conference), C. E. Bcecroft (ex-president), F. Lawrio (secretary), \V. A. Sinclair, W. Sinde W. Boumbcr, J-]. R. Deivsbury, J. Wrigley, and T. G. Hrooko (homo missions secretary). Tliero was a largo congregation. The Rev. C. E. l'cccroft delivered an eloquent ordination charge. Ho stated that the candidates for ordination had committed tliomwlves, by their pledges, to the most tremendous task to which a human being could devote his powers. Ho reminded them of advien given by St. Paul to Archippus, "take heed to the ministry which tlion hast received in the Lord, that tlmn fulfil it." Foremost in the apostle's thought in this direction was the great outstanding fact of a divine, commission given and received. From tho authority of the call their thought Wes directed by the apostle to the nature of the calling. Whilst the thought of dignity was rightly associated with the Christian ministry, its underlying principle, was that of service. What the nnrvicn would ho depended very greatly upnn the character of the servant. Their own experience of divine things would largely determine the condition of the churches committed to their cue. They were not likely to lead their charge with a fuller acquaintance with the things of God than they had themselves attained, or to incite, them to holier activities than those which their own example illustrated. Nor could they possibly make a duo impression upon those without the fold, if the witness of their lives wero not itself "a sermon silent, but of sovereign power." They should he continually on their guard against resting in a merely conventional or official piety. Sido by side with the maintenance and development of the, spiritual life must he the strenuous cultivation of their mental gifts. No man might dare, with impunity, to make his devotion a cover for intellectual indolence. The preachers must cherish both the burning and the shining light. And all this was but a means to an end; they must recogniße that tho proclamation of the gospel message was the first business of their life. Mr. Beecroft urged insistence on the evangelistic nots, which need not imply narrowness. The tme evangelist did not cease, to bo a thinker. Moreover, a ministry in the Lord did not end «itli tho pulpit. Happy would they bo if by the practice of intercession on behalf of their flock in tho retirement of the study, they learned the priceless secret of pleading prevailingly in tho pulpit.

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES. Tbe fifty-fifth anniversary of St. John's Sunday School foil just before the return of the Rev. Dr. Gibb from Great ■ Britain. Though the annual meeting was' held in the minister's absence, it was thought well to defer the special services, and they were held on Sunday last. The flowers which would have adorned the church hi multitude had the services been hold at the. usual date, were scarce at this • late season, but wheat, poppies, and other substitutes made a bright showing. Tho Rev. Br. Gibb was the preacher at all three .services. In the morning lio spoke on " Tho Mission of tho Sunday school," in the afternoon ho specially addressed the young pcoplo, whose harvest festival was celebrated, and in the evening ho delivered a sermon to young men and women on tho subject, "Why Waste Your Life?" At, tho morning service there was a full church, the harvest festival in the afternoon was well attended by members of tho Bibleclasses and juniors, and in the evening people were unable to gain admittance. Tho singing at all tho services was led by a special children's choir, under direction of Mr. Galloway, and Mr. Maughnn Barnett was at the organ. Tho collections for the day totalled over £43.

SYDNEY STREET SUNDAY SCHOOL. The sixty-first, anniveisary services of the Sydney Street Primitive Methodist Sunday School wore celebrated on Sunday, when the church wis tastefully decorated for the occasion. At the morning service the Rev. J. Cocker delivered two interesting addresses, drawing a good deal of his subject matter from his recent trip to the Holy Land. In the afternoon the Rev. Josinh Ward, of Port Chalmers, gave an object lesson on "My Cup Runneth Over," whilst items were given by a number of scholars. The evening service was also conducted by the Rev. .losiah Ward, who preached an appropriate discourse to a large congregation. Under the conduotorship of Mr. J. Ffrost the scholars and choir rendered special choruses at all the services. Miss Ward presided at the organ, and was assisted by an eflicicnt orchestra. During the eveniii" service feeling reference \was made by tlie"Eev C. E. Ward to the sad'death of Mr. Cliff Dawson, of the \\ebb Street School, the congreeaiion standing in sileuco as a mark of sympathy to the beroaved 'amily.