THE CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1404, 2 April 1912, Page 6

THE CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE.

MIDDAY ADDRESSES IN THE CITY. Tim midday mission services for men and women conducted in the city by clergymen of the Anglican Church were well attended yesterday. The firs! of ihc men's, services was held in the open air in Tost Office Square, lasting from 12.20 to 12.50 p.m., a very earnest address being given by the Rev. C. F. Askew, vicar of St. Mark's. His topic w.ts man, as the world's great paradox, his greatness and his littleness. He also dealt in an interesting and striking manner to the unsolved mystery of life, and concluded with an eloquent reference to the work of Christ for mankind, a work which was supremely great because it was the outcome of infinite love. Tho audience was a largo one, consisting almost entirely of working men, and Mr. Askew was accorded an excellent hearing. There wcro one or two interjections, but they were not of a serious character, the crowd being evidently of opinion that, even if nil of them did not always agree with him, the speaker should at any/rate lie given fair play. One man in the audience seemed anxious to ask questions and to have a general argument, but Mr. Askew said he was simply there to bear witness to his faith and give his message. Judging by the animated discussions after the address among various little groups, •while one speaker addressed iho crowd- in genera! on matters arising out. of Air. A skew's remarks, these services should at least do something lo shake that spirit of indifference which is one of the greatest bars to religious and social progress. If they only make people think they will not have been in vain. The address (omen-in the Town Hall Concert Chamber between 1.2n p.m. and 1.50 p.m. was given by Archdeacon Harper, who spoke on the Cross of Christ as a historical fact, a historical power, and a power in the lives of men at the present day. The women's services were held in (ho Missions to Seamen Institute, Whitmor'e Street, at the same hours as those for men. The first address was given by the Rev. A. M. Johnson, vicar of St. Paul's, and the second by the Rev. A. L. Hansell', vienr of Karori. The services will be continued to-dnv, and on Woiliifsday and Thursday n> Hie. same limes and place-, ns announced in cur advertising columns. On Wi-dnesd.'iv and Thursday Ihe addrcs-cs in Ihe Concert Chiiiiib;.r will I-.' given by the I'SMiim of Wellington (Dr. Sprotii.