ANGLICAN CHURCH JUBILEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2109, 18 June 1907, Page 1

ANGLICAN CHURCH JUBILEE.

LOCAL CELEBRATIONS. The parish of Holy Trinity was favored with most beautiful weather on Sunday last. There were many anxious glances at the sky on the previous evening, aiid the hopes of some for line weather for Jubilee Day went down to zero:—•' However, the' sun •shone out and a lino day was assured. Services hegaii at 8 a.lii. with the Holy Communion, an excellent number attending. . > At II a.m. a very fine congregation

assembled for Morning Prayer. The clergy officiating were Rev. F. W. Chatterton, Rev. H. N. Wright, aiid the Vicar of Gisborne (Rev. L. Dawson Thomas). It can safely be said that a heartier service has never been held in. Holy'Trinity Church. The fine anthem by Gounod, “Send Out Thy Light,’’was beautifully sung bv the very large choir. Rev. F. W. Chatterton: preached the sermon. At 2.45 the Vicar " conducted the Children’s Jubilee Service in tho church. : There was an immense gathering of children and their friends. Mrs Thomas presided at the organ. The Vicar spoke -to the children on tlie story of the early church in New Zealand.

At 7 'p.iii. there was an enormous congregation. The, Vicar was assisted by the Rev. M. Cockerill and Rev. 11. Hamilton. The choir led ill the special jubilee music,' and also sang tlie beautiful anthem,’“The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended.” The Vicar occupied the pulpit, and -spoke on tlie text, “No man having put liis .hand to the plough and. looking hack is fit tor the kingdom of God.” The speaker' tools- ail old-time ploughman- as his theme. The characterisations of his work were dogged determination and an ever looking to the front, and ail abundance of hope. “Now, I am old-fashioned enough.” said the speaker, “to believe that the Great Divine Teacher meant us latter-day Christians to learn something from this saying. The plough of service stands before each church membor, some of us grasp the handles awhile, then our grasp falters, and the work flags. Why? Because life sours some of us and we. become pessimists. This in time leads us to abandon faith in our kind, and at length we abandon faith in the Almighty'even.” But wo have need surely never to falter. We are citizens of a fail- city, and our land throbs and pulsatos with good things. Now grasp with me this old-time worn plough of service.” Tlie speaker closed with a strong appeal for unity” in service, and ontliusiasm in the particular work they were about to do. At the conclusion of the .service, it was announced that the offertory totalled £584, almost all of which was in cash, ; a very small amount being in promises.

“Wo may take that as a sign,” said tho Vicar. They had decided to take the step and would not lag behind. Tho congregation sang a hymn of thanksgiving and tlio service' closed.

Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, yesterday. In continuation of the jubilee celebrations oi the constitution of the Anglican- Church in New Zealand special commemoration services were held iu Christchurch in the city yesterday. The celebrations in Christchurch commonced on Thursday with a mass meeting in the Choral Hall. Addresses wore given on the history of. the Church and the great personality of its clergy. On Friday celebrations to children were'addressed by Bishop Julius. Yesterday all services were well attended. A collection was taken up for a fund for pro- - motjmg women’s work in the mission field. All collections will be laid on tin alter at St. Paul’s Cathedral next year at a great conference which will be an ' important event in the Church s history.'