The Queen's Accession.

Manawatu Herald, 22 June 1899, Page 3

The Queen's Accession.

On Tuesday evening the 62nd anni- > versary of the accession of Her Most Gracious Majesty to the Throne of England was "celebrated by the Vicar of the parish holding a special service at All Saints' Church. This is the first service of the kind that has ever been held in this district, and was a very interesting one. There was a good congregation, and the music was rendered very heartily. Mr England presided at the organ. The Vicar preached a very interesting and fitting sermon, pointing out the wonderful growth of the Church of England during the Queen'sreign, and suggesting what a mighty future there was for the Church. He mentioned that during this reign 9 new bishoprics had been established in England at a cost ot over half a million ; and 17 Suffragan bishoprics had been established. In the year 1844 there were less than 6000 beneficed clergy in England, now there are 14,000, besides 7000 curates. During this reign 5000 churches have been built in England and Wales, London having had an in- j crease of 500. In the 53 years of this reign it was ascertained from a Parliamentary return of a few years ago, that Churchmen in England had subscribed more than sixty million pounds towards church building and restoration.. When the Queen ascended the Throne there were but 7 Anglican Bishops in foreign parts, now there are 100 Bishops and 4000 clergy of our Anglican Church at work in "British colonies and in the Mission fields, besides more than 80 Bishops and 4500 clergy in the sister church of the United States. The Rev. Mr Leach further pointed out that there were three special features of clerical life which stood out prominent in this reign : the number of missions in the slums of large cities uddertaken and supported by the Universities and Public* Schools of England; the restoration of community life by the establishment of Deaconess Institutions and Sisterhoods ; the increase in the number of the clergy and churches. The inference the preacher drew from these movements was, that the Anglican Church from her historic and ecclesiastical position, possessed ; a great destiny in forming a rallying- j point for the re union of Christendom, and also that she had a great opportunity in making known the Gospel of Redemption, where sin and darkness ; at present reign. The congregation j was urged to rise to a sense of their responsibility and serve God as faithful churchmen.