ANGLICAN MISSION SERVICES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1100, 12 April 1911, Page 8

ANGLICAN MISSION SERVICES.

ST. PAUL'S. The midday mission addresses hy Anglican clergymen were continued yesterday. There was a largo congregation of women at the I'J.'JO meeting at St. Paul's, Tliorndon, which was addressed by tho Rev. H. J. Blackburne, who dwelt most impressively on the lessons of Holy Week and the Atonement. Archdeacon Harper gave the second address, telling those present that unless tho love, that made, them l keep the Holy Week had practical results in their lives it was not of much effect. Self-sacrifice and duty were his themes. The teachers of young people did not as a rule, inculcate the value of selfsacrifice, apparently not thinking it necessary to ask children to sacriSca anything even for the good of their characters. The general failing of today was that so many tried to do as little, for what they were paid as they possibly could —that was why there was such an armv of inspectors in New Zealand. ST. PETER'S.

The first of the men's services yesterday at St. Peter's Church, Upper Willis Street, was conducted by the. Kcv. K. H. Hobday, who chose as his subject "Three Notable Silences in Holy Scripture." in this Holy Week, he said, we have been called apart from the world for brief silences to learn more of God. He drew his hearers' attention first to the silence felt by Elijah, which was broken by the still small voice, which was the voice of silence, its message being "Go forth and stand, Elijah." Secondly, there was the brief silence in the High Priest's palace when Jesus looked at the disciple Peter,' who had llirico denied Him. Thirdly, there was the silence in the Revelation when the seals were broken and the Book of Life. was opened. Three silences—firstly revealing tho Majesty of God, secondly showing the. face of Jesus, thirdly when the Book of Life is opened. God gives His opportunities now; tho cry on all sides is "Come"; the Christian world at this period is crying "Come!"

The second address was by the Ec-v. E. W. J. Jl'Coimell, who dwelt on thn fact of Israel refusing the Divine voice, on Sinaij ami the resultant worship of a golden calf. What an awfu] tiling was the moral la\y which found its outward expression in the Ten Commandments. Break it and national degradation and decay would set in, as woll as personal. 'Yet Ciod was merciful. The Israelites in the wilderness wore a poor herd of slaves, and God knew and pardoned. But our position now was very different. A voice spoke from Heaven to us —it was the. voice of Jesus. The law of tithe, of Sabbath keeping, and the moral code generally must he interpreted in a far higher form. Yet- many men gave lint a pittance for tithe, and Sunday was spent by many in self-indulgence, of the meanest kind. God punished for mercy refused, for turning from the Cross", for the refusal of infinite heights of love.

The closing services of the. mission will take place to-day at St. Paul's (for women) at 12.20 and 1.20 p.m., and at St. Peter's (for men) at the same hours. At the 12.20 p.m. service at St. Peter's the address will be given by the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Wallis). The attendance at the services has been so encouraging tlint the committee feel that a real need has been met, and it is probable that similar missions during the season of Lent will be held annually in Wellington.

On Saturday next the D.I.C. will l>e open all day till (! p.m., and will bo clcse:l on Friday and Monday. A largo variety of London suitings is being shown at Million's, Kelburno Avenue. The. warehouses in this city will be closed on Triday, Saturday, and Monday.