HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 360, 10 March 1902, Page 3

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH.

MEMORIAL SERVICE.

There was a largo congregation at Hoi; Trinity Church yesterday morning, wliei a service was held in memory of the Nov Zealanders killed in the recent engage luent at Hothasdorp. The interior of tin building was appropriately dressed for tin occasion, the altar, lectern, and holy tabk being draped in black, whilst floral wreath! and crosses .were also displayed. Twc Union Jacks, kindly lent by Capt. Kennedy, wore placed on either side of the chancel, whilst two pretty wreaths which were suspended from the roof almost touched the flags. Flags wore also hung on the wall at the western end of the church. The East Coast Mounted Ellies, under Major Winter and Eieut. Colebourne, and the Gisborne 'Hides, under Capt. Warren and Eieut. Lewis, together with the cadet corps, paraded at the drillshed at half-past ten, arid headed by the Itillcs Band, under Bandmaster Meliillop, marched to the church, the majority of the members of the three corps attending the service, which was conducted by the Rev. W. Welsh. The service opened with the hymn “ Days and Moments,” which was impressively rendered by the choir and congregation. The beautiful burial service of the church was included in tire 'service, and the hymns and lessons selected for the morning had suitable reference to the occasion which was being commemorated. The Itev. W. Welsh, who preached, chose as his text tho words “In the midst of life wo are in death.” In his opening remarks bo stated that tho previous week he had conducted two funerals on one day, and

during tho interval between tho services strolled through what was known as the old portion of the cemetery. There he came across a piece of ground with iron rails and chains surrounding it, and in the middle thero was a monument with the words, “To tho memory of those massacred by ToKooti; in the midst of life we are in death.” On tho other three sides of the monument thero were thirty-three names, boing those of men, women, and children, and oven babes. He thought as he stood there that that monument would stand to tho memory of mankind until the end of the world, and they were met that morning with deep sorrow and grief before Almighty God in memory of those members'of tbo Sovonth Contingent who so readily laid down their lives for that justice, righteousnoss, and liberty which ought to exist between man and man. They thanked God that their young men had not faltered in tho day of duty, but had nobly upheld tho honor of their country. The metnbors of the Seventh hud stood firm in tho day of battle, and acquitted themselves like men ; They had fought forlifoaud country under tho grand old fiag. Continuing, the rev. gentleman said: “ War is a droadful thing, but offences will come, but woe to them by whom offences cometh, and offences against thoso who cannot defend themselves must bo punished. True Christianity is not weak on this point. True Christianity inspires kindness, freedom, and justice ; but it does not mean the abandonment of all that is manly, or the defence of our own rights. Our soldiers are not careless men ; they do not go to battle with light hoarts, but because it is their duty. A good deal of misinterpretation has been spent upon scripturo in relation to the subject of war, and tho inference in many men’s minds naturally is that tho Christian period of the world's lifetime was arranged to bo one of disuse of war ; but Christianity never promised anything of the kind. The evils and sufferings of war are the result of a certain course of evil life, and exemption from them is to follow on the opposite conduct. There is to come a time when nation shall not lift up sword against nution, and when men shall learn war no more, when all shall bo auxious that right shall he done ; then, when that is the case, then shall come the endiof war. What our Lord says on this subject is this—that He came to send divisions in nations and families, because the holy principles which Ho came to plant in our race will not suffer men to continue doing ■Wrong, to dwell in the tents of ungodliness, and these principles will work in men’s hearts, and stir these purposes and steer their actions. They shall bo stronger than love of father or mother, of brother or sister, of wife or friend; so there will come disruption and persecution, variances and war, but the end is peace. Whether the world will be at peace, will depend upon the prevalence and recognition of those great principles of righteousness which came with Him. In proportion as they attract men ; in proportion as truth and fairness, modesty and purity ; single purpose and selfsaerifieo are found ; in that proportion will holy oil be poured upon the troubled waters of this world’s course. If this is not approached as ages go on, if while knowledge increases, and science advances and arts are multiplied, the sure foundations of peace among nations are not laid, then, what we maintain is this, that it is not Christianity which has failed of its purposo —it is not its author that has come short of His promise, but it is man that has failed to become a Christian ; it is we who have come short of the conditions on which Christianity was built. Looking at this present war, it is to us, and all Christian people, a sore trial ; the battle cry comes home with sorry and deep thought ; we can only fight on for justice and righteousness and equity between man and man ; may God’s comfort be with the families of those who have suffered, and soothe all anxieties of the many who wilrguffer with His own consolations, and xoliovo the sufferings of the many, wad hasten the time when wars shajii cease in all tbo world, and all manliind shall dwell together in tho spirit of unity and brotherly love.” At the conclusion of • the service the band gave a beautiful rendering of Beethoven’s “ Funeral March,” tho manner in which the piece was played reflecting great credit on tho bandmaster, Mr McKillop, who was only approached on the question of tho band taking part in the service on Thursday last-. As several leading members were absent from Gisborne or indisposed, Mr McKillop was loth to accept the invitation, but rather than disappoint tho public he got the remaining members together and arranged for a practice. Tho voiunteors, after the service, were marched back to tho Drillshed, where they were dismissed. INDUCTION SERVICE.

Tbo induction ceremony in connection •with the appointment of the Bey. W Welsh as Vicar of Holy Irmity Church took place last ovemng, His Lordship Bishop Williams officiating. The service opened with the hymn " The Church s One Foundation.” and the lessons for the evening were read by the Kev. Herbert Williams. A special psalm, Bo Tliou My Judge, 0 Lord,” having been sung by the choir, the Bishop caUcd upon the parishioners’ churchwarden, Major \Vinfer, who was also one of the nominators, to read the letter of nomination. -this having been done, the Bey. Welsh rea the usual declaration, and received 1 1 Church’s authority through tne Bishop. The hymn “ We Love the 1 lace, O God was then sung. His Lordship Bishop Williams delivered a thougntful and instructive discourse, taking as ms text the fifth chapter of St. Matthew, lLa verse, “ Ye are the Light of the World. In tho course of his remarks tho preacher showed that the function of noth minister and 'congregation was to reflect the light that \vas°Kivon from God, and in every possible way to take advantage of the privilege afforded. A minister was, he said, bound to do all that he could for the welfare of those souls committed to his charge, but that his efforts may be crowned with success it was necessary that lie should have the hearty co-operation of the people with whom he ministered. His Lordship urge ths congregation to stand loya y y minister, and always remember that like themselves he was subject to the same temptations and weaknesses, ihey should also not forgot the injunction to prav for one another. It was very necessary that they should exercise forbearance one with another, and not set themselves to find fault. It was their dutv as Christians not only to take an interest in the work of Godin thcirown district, but throughout the world. 1 hey should do everything in their power to help forward the evangelisation ot the world. This work was being carried on by many denominations, and, although

they were working in different divisions, they were all endeavoring to forward the kingdom of God throughout the world. His Lordship concluded with an earnest exhortation to tho congregation to make the most of those talents which God had given them. The service concluded with the hymn, “ How Bright Those Glorious Spirits Shine.” Mr 11. Bull presided at the organ during the day, Mr H. D. Barker bring in charge of the choir,